"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world this November include:
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present The Exorcist (1973, a 50th Anniversary Screening) Wednesday, November 1 and Thursday, November 2, The Shining (1980, a 35mm print) Thursday, November 2, The Last Detail (1973, a 50th Anniversary Screening) Friday, November 3, Touch of Evil (1958, a 65th Anniversary Screening) Monday, November 6 and Monday, November 20, The Godfather (1972, a 35mm print) Monday, November 13 and Thursday, November 30, Vertigo (1958, a 4k presentation, a 65th Anniversary Screening) Tuesday, November 14, War of the Worlds (2005, a 35mm print) Wednesday, November 15, Taxi Driver (1976, a 35mm print) Thursday, November 16 and Saturday, November 25, a double bill of Thief (1981, a 35mm print) and Heat (1995, a 35mm print) Friday, November 17, The 400 Blows (1959, a 35mm print) Saturday, November 18, Lone Star (1996, a 35mm print) Sunday, November 19, Ikiru (1952, a 35mm print) Sunday, November 19, Night Moves (1975, a 35mm print) Sunday, November 19 and Monday, November 27, JFK [The 189 Minute Theatrical Cut] (1991) Wednesday, November 22, and The Godfather Part II (1974, a 35mm print) on Monday, November 27.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes may be matinees only.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see November’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
50 FROM THE ’50s
Singin’ in the Rain
A DEEPER LOOK
Hollywood’s first 3-D Wave, 1953-1954
In New York City, New York, Film Forum continues with 50 FROM THE ’50s, a series of films released in the 1950s showing until Thursday, November 9. The films being presented in November are: Them!, The Thing from Another World, Creature from the Black Lagoon in 3-D, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Touch of Evil, The Night of the Hunter, Baby Doll, Suddenly, Last Summer, Sunset Blvd., A Place in the Sun, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Kiss Me Deadly, It Came from Outer Space in 3-D, East of Eden, Singin’ in the Rain, Kiss Me Kate in 3-D, Taza, Son of Cochise in 3-D, Man in the Dark in 3-D, On the Waterfront, Land of the Pharaohs, The Egyptian, Niagara, Written on the Wind, Bigger Than Life, Rebel Without a Cause, A Streetcar Named Desire, 3:10 to Yuma, The Searchers, Sweet Smell of Success, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and The War of the Worlds.
As part of their Film Forum Junior Series, Singin’ in the Rain (1952) will be presented on Sunday, November 5.
A DEEPER LOOK Hollywood’s first 3-D Wave, 1953-1954, is a series running until Thursday, November 16 initially consisting of 12 seperate programs with more films continually being announced.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes may be matinees only.
For more information on the films or series mentioned, click on the appropriate image above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.
Psycho
Pixote
In Los Feliz (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present Psycho (1960) Wednesday, November 1, and Pixote (1980, as part of their ‘Hollywood Brazilian Film Festival’) on Saturday, November 11.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes may be matinees only.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of November’s programming including other films showing at both The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, and The American Cinematheque Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles) click on the American Cinematheque banner.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present a double bill of Touch of Evil (1958, a 35mm print) and The Lady from Shanghai (1947, a 35mm print) Friday, November 3, Saturday, November 4 and Sunday, November 5, Ikiru (1952, a 35mm print) Thursday, November 16 and Friday, November 17, Tombstone (1993, a 35mm print) Thursday, November 23, and Dr. Strangelove (1964, a 35mm print) on Saturday, November 25 at Midnight only.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes may be matinees only.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of November’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
In Detroit, Michigan The Redford Theatre will present O’ Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000, a 35mm print) Saturday, November 4, and The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) on Saturday, November 11 at 2 pm only.
Click on the movie poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Redford Theatre banner above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting A Christmas Story (1983) Sunday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 8.
Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the Packard Campus Theater is presenting Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Thursday, November 9, and Planet of the Apes (1968) on Thursday, November 30.
Click on the appropriate poster image for more information on each film’s screening. To see the rest of November’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
Série noire
The Shop Around the Corner
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting Série noire (1979, as part of their FRENCH FLEECE programme) Saturday, November 11 and Sunday, November 12, and The Shop Around the Corner (1940, as part of their ‘100 Years of Warner’ series) on Sunday, November 19 and Tuesday, November 21.
Click on the film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of November’s programming including other films playing in Valencia, Spain at the Edificio Rialto, Castelló, Spain at the Raval Theatre and at the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I, and Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre, click on the banner image above.
A Serious Man
In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting at the Secret Movie Club Theater A Serious Man (2009, a 35mm print) on Saturday, November 11.
For more information on this presentation, click on the appropriate movie image. To discover other screenings organised by this group, click on the above theatre image.
In theatres across the U.S. Fathom Events is presenting Scarface (1983, a 40th Anniversary Screening) Sunday, November 12 and Wednesday, November 15, and Saving Private Ryan (1998, a 25th Anniversary Screening) on Sunday, November 19 and Wednesday, November 22.
Click on the film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
Dog Day Afternoon
Rush to Judgement
In San Francisco, California, The Roxie Theatre will present Dog Day Afternoon (1975, a 35mm print) Tuesday, November 14, and Rush to Judgement (1967) on Wednesday, November 22.
For more information on each film’s showing, click on the appropriate movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Roxie, click on the theatre image above.
The Conformist
Cleopatra
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present The Conformist aka Il conformista (1970) Wednesday, November 15 and Tuesday, November 21, and Cleopatra (1963) on Sunday, November 19.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes may be matinees only.
For more information on each film’s showing, click on the appropriate movie image above. For further information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting Casino (1995, as a ‘Martin Scorsese Birthday Screening’) Friday, November 17, The Day of the Jackal (1973, as part of their ‘Political Paranoia Film Festival’) Sunday, November 19, Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (1970, as part of their ‘Political Paranoia Film Festival’) Sunday, November 26, and Seven Days in May (1964, as part of their ‘Political Paranoia Film Festival’) on Monday, November 27.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of November’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
Heat
In Sydney, Australia The Ritz Theatre will present Heat (1995, a 35mm print, as part of their ‘This is Celluloid: a Year of 35mm and 70mm Screenings’) on Friday, November 17.
Click on the film image for more information about this screening. For other films playing at The Ritz Theatre, click on the banner above.
In Toronto, Ontario Canada The TO Live Orchestra will present Casino Royale (2006) with live musical accompaniment featuring David Arnold’s thrilling score on Friday, November 24.
Click on the above image for more information.
In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting Women in Love (1969, as part of their ‘British Film Festival’) on Saturday, November 25 at 11 am only.
Click on the poster image for more information on this film’s screening. To see the rest of November’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.
There are 31 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
First up is the remarkably understated, albeit compelling, racial drama Intruder in the Dust released in 1949. Still deserving of more critical acclaim, this filmed adaptation of literary giant William Faulkner’s novel will grace TCM Wednesday, November 1 at 7 pm PDT and is reviewed as a DVD recommendation here.
(From left) Juano Hernandez, Claude Jarman Jr.
The next 2 recommendations promise to take viewers on a wild ride, and share famous scenes with mirrors along the way.
TCM will air The Marx Brothers’ masterpiece Duck Soup (1933) reviewed here. War will be declared Thursday, November 2 at 5 pm PDT.
From the same director who brought us Citizen Kane comes another kind of cinematic hero (of sorts). Michael O'Hara, like the deeply flawed Kane, is flawlessly played by his creator Orson Welles. Unlike Citizen Kane however, this film fell under its producer Harry Cohn's butchery with considerable footage lost and destroyed forever. Nevertheless, what survives is vastly entertaining and not to be missed. The Lady from Shanghai (1947) was also previously recommended here and will reappear on TCM Thursday November 2 at 8:30 pm PDT.
Sadly, still another incredible performer from The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968) has been lost to us, this time its star, Alan Arkin, such a substantial loss to the acting community. Here is where viewers can discover why. A previous TCM recommendation here, movie lovers can realise a wealth of emotion by tuning in Monday, November 6 at 5 pm PST.
Alan Arkin, Sondra Locke
A pre-code charmer sure to delight fans is Blonde Crazy (1931) with Jimmy Cagney and Joan Blondell enchanting as a couple of cons. This recommendation was previously made here. The fun will begin Tuesday, November 7 at 7 am PST.
Joan Blondell, James Cagney
Another TCM recommendation for the month is Hidden Gem #61, Hal Ashby's very personal and special 1970 directorial debut film The Landlord. He'll pay you a visit Wednesday, November 8 at 5 pm PST.
Diana Sands, Beau Bridges
My enthusiasm for the next film may be “icier” than say Howard Hughes’, however, viewers may find enough intrigue, suspense and supportive factors to make the journey to Ice Station Zebra (1968), previously reviewed here and commencing at TCM Friday, November 10 at 6:30 am PST, worth their while.
(From left) Patrick McGoohan, Rock Hudson
I cannot think of any Alfred Hitchcock film as static in nature as 1948’s Rope, reviewed here and showing up on TCM Friday, November 10 at 7 pm PST.
(From left) Farley Granger, James Stewart, John Dall
In 1966, one of the more challenging films to face off against the Production Code (mentioned in Exploring the Artefacts #3: Code Breakers) was that year’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, reviewed here. This film remarkably delivers all of the guttural force of its theatrical origin while creating a more intimate, and cinema appropriate, dynamic all its own. Let the “games” begin Friday, November 10 at 8:30 pm PST and again Sunday, November 19 at 10:15 am PST.
(From left) Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, George Segal, Sandy Dennis
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946) is an incisive look into how each of three returning servicemen adapt to civilian life at home after World War II. Previously, I highly praised The Best Years of Our Lives for its exceptional musical score composed by Hugo Friedhofer in the first part of a series entitled Top Ten: Motion Picture Music Treasures. This emotionally powerful tour de force will commence on TCM Saturday, November 11 at 2 pm PST.
Dana Andrews, holding the Mayo... Virginia Mayo that is
This next film is hardly ever shown on TCM or anywhere else for that matter. It is Hidden Gem #56: Diamonds of the Night a.k.a. Démanty noci (1964). The time to tune in is Sunday, November 12 at 11 pm PST.
Directed by Jan Němec
Don't miss Nicholas Ray's character study In a Lonely Place (1950) with Humphrey Bogart perfectly cast as Dixon Steele whose unpredictable explosions of anger make him a prime suspect for the killing of a young ingénue. This highly probative film noir was previously recommended here and will be investigated Tuesday, November 14 at 5 pm PST.
(From left) Humphrey Bogart, Don Hamin
Next is Baby Face (1933), the Pre-Code sensation starring Barbara Stanwyck, reviewed here, and making her spirited appearance on Wednesday, November 15 at 10 pm PST.
Barbara Stanwyck
Next on my list of films to watch is King Kong (1933), who's scheduled to make his grand entrance on Friday, November 17 at (early morning) 1 am PST. I have reviewed this motion picture with a focus on its musical score here.
The next 3 recommendations playing back-to-back are all highly recommended films noir, each packing a solid punch.
The first is a highly distinctive crime film, overflowing with noir goodness, 1949’s Too Late for Tears. This film also utilises a famous city landmark, namely Los Angeles’ Echo Park lake which was also featured in the Neo-noir Chinatown. Too Late for Tears was previously reviewed here. It's never too late to indulge in actress Lizabeth Scott's classic femme fatale portrayal which TCM will oblige in presenting Friday, November 17 at 4:30 am PST.
Immediately following Too Late for Tears, is another film noir bonafide classic: 1952’s The Narrow Margin. This little firecracker is also a previous TCM recommendation here and is set to explode Friday, November 17 at 6:15 am PST.
The last in our little recommended trio of film noirs also provides a most satisfying sensation: Tension (1949), a prior TCM recommendation here, and can be felt Friday, November 17 at 7:30 am PST.
Richard Basehart, Audrey Totter
There have been quite a few movies centred around boxing over the years from 1937’s Kid Galahad to 2018’s Creed II with plenty of standouts in-between such as 1947’s Body and Soul, 1956’s Somebody Up There Likes Me, 1962’s Requiem for a Heavyweight, 1972’s Fat City and 1980’s Raging Bull. None of these, however, get as straight to the punchline as 1949’s knockout noir The Set-Up, previously reviewed here and happening again Friday, November 17 at 2 pm PST.
"Loneliness has followed me my whole life. Everywhere. In bars, in cars, sidewalks, stores, everywhere. There's no escape."
These words come from the deteriorating and increasingly pressurised mind of a New York City insomniac in Martin Scorsese’s intoxicating Taxi Driver released in 1976. TCM will present this landmark film, previously reviewed as a Blu-ray recommendation here, Friday, November 17 at 8:45 pm PST.
Robert De Niro
Although starting out as quite the common man, circumstances will turn this rather nondescript accountant played by Edmond O'Brien, into a kind of noir superhero in D.O.A. (1950) previously recommended here. This "dead man running" will seek justice with a vengeance on TCM Saturday, November 18 at 2 pm PST.
In my review of Casablanca, I made some criticism regarding its emotionally underwhelming Parisian flashback. Prior to this film, however, Casablanca's producer Hal Wallis and one of its contributing writers, Casey Robinson, made Now, Voyager where the romance witnessed from start to finish comes alive with fervour, maturity and elegance. Previously reviewed here, Now, Voyager will set sail Sunday, November 19 at 2:45 pm PST.
Next up is the lesser known gem The Hunted (1948) reviewed here. Be on the hunt for this engrossing film noir Tuesday, November 21 at 4:15 am PST.
Belita, Preston Foster
Just letting viewers know that TCM will be showing Around the World in 80 Days (1956), previously reviewed here, on Wednesday, November 22 at 11 am PST.
(From left) David Niven, Cantinflas
Blake Edwards' whimsical, charming and finally endearing little comedy was previously recommended as a video release here. The Party (1968) begins on TCM Wednesday, November 22 at 11:30 pm PST.
Also from 1968 is one of the horror genre’s most influential entries: George A. Romero’s 1968 cult classic Night of the Living Dead, a previous TCM recommendation here. The night to watch out for is Friday, November 24 at 11 pm PST.
If I was in charge of choosing a single film noir for someone only willing to see one in the entire canon, I would select Double Indemnity as its most fulfilling and accomplished representative. It has been previously reviewed in Opening Up a Treasure: Double Indemnity. Thoughts of adultery, greed and murder will manifest themselves Saturday, November 25 at 3 pm PST.
For anyone remotely interested in movies who was conscious in 1973, it would have been impossible to be unaware of the sensation caused by The Exorcist upon its initial release. People lined up for hours. Some of those seeing the film for the first time fainted, became ill and had to leave the theatre early. This landmark horror film that took the cinematic universe by storm, was reviewed as part of our “Dish of the Day” series here and will arrive on TCM Sunday, November 26 at 7 pm PST.
Max von Sydow
The screen will heat up big time when Fritz Lang's The Big Heat, previously recommended here, arrives Tuesday, November 28 at 5 pm PST.
Gloria Grahame, Glenn Ford
Next is the unmissable Busby Berkeley extravaganza Footlight Parade (1933), a previous TCM recommendation here. Let the show begin Wednesday, November 29 at 6 am PST.
Musical numbers created by Busby Berkeley
Immediately following the above selection is Gold Diggers of 1933 reviewed here. The show must go on Wednesday, November 29 at 8 am PST.
Ginger Rogers
My last recommendation of the month is Howard Hawks’ lightening fast comedy/romance His Girl Friday (1940) blasting off on TCM (updated) Sunday, August 18 (2024) at 10:30 am PDT.
His Girl Friday is also November’s Blu-ray selection and is reviewed at the conclusion of this column.
(From left) Ralph Bellamy, Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell
TCM's current monthly schedule can be confirmed by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. For those who live in parts of the U.S. other than the western region, the time zone can be adjusted in the upper right-hand corner of TCM's programme.
Jacqueline White as Ann Sinclair with Charles McGraw as Det. Sgt. Walter Brown in The Narrow Margin
This month’s Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the lovely and talented actress Jacqueline White who turns 101 on November 27th. She is one of the last surviving actresses from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Some of the films that have benefitted from her dedicated performances include Song of Russia (1944), Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo (1944), Crossfire (1947), Night Song (1947), Return of the Bad Men (1948), Mystery in Mexico (1948), The Capture (1950), and The Narrow Margin (1952, pictured).
The Soundtrack recommendation of the month is John Williams' score, perfectly pitched between dignified understatement and emotional expressiveness, to Steven Spielberg's 1998 WWII drama Saving Private Ryan.
On a technical level, this film could hardly be more impressive. From the Normandy Beach landing, to its depiction of a family torn apart in a French town, to the excruciating realism in scenes involving a Nazi machine-gunner, and final confrontation with a German tank deployment, Spielberg is mostly at his dramaturgical best: self-controlled, incisive and devastatingly influential. Unfortunately, the mission itself, represented by its title, does not allow for any appreciable development once it begins. When the premise does become the narrative’s focus, Saving Private Ryan is at its least compelling; the story’s momentum stalls with the mission oddly appearing incrementally less important as the assignment continues (even Ryan himself, as it turns out, couldn’t care less about being “saved.”) The framing scenes at a cemetery are maudlin and clash with the director’s otherwise dispassionate disposition. They are remindful of the “I could have done more…” scene in Schindler’s List that likewise, instead of trusting his audience to summon our own feelings, makes sure in a conclusive way we fully realise the enormity of sentiment Spielberg expects from us.
(From left) Vin Diesel, Tom Sizemore, Tom Hanks
Saving Private Ryan’s music is always appropriately subdued and unobtrusive. John Williams’ score provides a substantive nobility and mournful overview without unnecessarily highlighting select moments.
La-La Land Records, Paramount Pictures, Dreamworks Pictures, Universal Music Special Markets and Amblin Entertainment are presenting this 20th Anniversary Limited Edition (only 4,000 units produced) CD, currently available at a substantially discounted price, from La-La Land Records by clicking on the accompanying image.
His Girl Friday (1940) is November’s former TCM, and current Blu-ray, recommendation.
(From left) Ralph Bellamy, Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell
It’s a screwball comedy alright and at the top of its game but doesn’t shy away from skewering the press, police, politicians and conventional romantic relationships along the way. A newspaper editor played by Cary Grant tries to win back the love and continued employment of his ex-wife and ace reporter portrayed by Rosalind Russell. In a stroke of genius, director Howard Hawks changed the gender of Russell’s character (taken from the play “The Front Page”) and damn if she doesn’t outsmart the scheming Grant in typical ‘Hawksian’ fashion. Their exchanges are delivered so quick-fire, Walter Neff would give pause. Between the couple’s lightning velocity and overlapping dialogue, it’s often impossible to determine how either one truly feels toward the other. Even so, it’s a thrill to watch these two go at it… make that three with Ralph Bellamy as Russell’s fiancee involved in his fair share of witticisms. Hawks was never known for slowing down the repartee in his “battle of the sexes” * but His Girl Friday’s speed record has yet to be broken by Hawks or anyone else. Ditto for presenting strong-willed female characters, another Hawks specialty that crosses all genres only here, Russell’s ‘Hildy’ Johnson still wears the crown… with full honours.
* Cinema buffs may recall, for example, the competing tenacity of Katharine Hepburn and Cary Grant in Bringing Up Baby (1938), Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall’s initial friskiness in The Big Sleep (1946) or some of Angie Dickinson and John Wayne’s blunt banter in Rio Bravo (1959), all Howard Hawks directorial triumphs.
Click on the video image below for more information on this Criterion release (Region A locked) currently available at 44% off from Amazon.com Your purchase goes to help our friends at DVD Beaver.
A.G.