Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:

Classic film screenings from around the world this April include:

In New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting The Conformist aka Il conformista (1970, a 4k restoration, brought back by popular demand) Saturday, April 1 - Thursday, April 6.

Also beginning this month is HAROLD LLOYD a series of films featuring the comedic superstar from Saturday, April 1 – Sunday, May 28.

The programme reads:

Commemorating the 100th ANNIVERSARY of SAFETY LAST (April 1)

♪ LIVE PIANO ACCOMPANIMENT BY STEVE STERNER AT ALL SCREENINGS.

Harold Lloyd (1893–1971), the third genius of silent comedy, made more films than Chaplin and Keaton combined, outpaced both at the box office, and, as for gags and laughs, “few people have equalled him and nobody has ever beaten him” (James Agee). Remembered as “the Man on the Clock,” Lloyd’s unforgettable “thrill pictures” were but a small part of an extraordinary career.

Read about 'the Man on the Clock' in The New York Times and The Guardian.

Archival 35mm prints courtesy Suzanne Lloyd (Harold’s granddaughter).

Also this month, Film Forum will present The Jackie Robinson Story (1950, a 35mm print) Sunday, April 2, Invaders from Mars (1953, a 70th anniversary restoration) Sunday, April 9, and Some Like It Hot (1959) on Sunday, April 16.

* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.

For more information on these screenings, click on the appropriate still above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.

In Auckland, New Zealand Academy Cinemas is presenting Le Samouraï (1967, as part of their NEO-NOIR FILM FESTIVAL) Sunday, April 2, Night Moves (1975, as part of their NEO-NOIR FILM FESTIVAL) Monday, April 3, Chinatown (1975, as part of their NEO-NOIR FILM FESTIVAL) Thursday, April 6, Se7en (1995, as part of their NEO-NOIR FILM FESTIVAL) Friday, April 7, House of Bamboo (1955) Monday, April 17, and Seven Samurai (1954, at 12 pm only) on Sunday, April 23.

To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of April’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.

In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting The Sleeping Car Murders aka Compartiment tueurs (1965, as part of their FRENCH FLEECE programme) Sunday, April 2, and My Little Loves aka Mes petites amoureuses (1974) on Sunday, April 9 and Thursday, April 13.

In Castelló Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I will present Black Rain aka Kuroi ame (1989, as part of ON THE BIG SCREEN: 70 YEARS OF THE SAN SEBASTIÁN FILM FESTIVAL) on Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16.

Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of April’s programming including films playing in Valencia Spain at the Edificio Rialto, in Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre and in Castelló Spain at the Raval Theater and the Paranimf of the Universitat Jaume I, click on the banner image above.

In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting The Land Before Time (1988, a 35th Anniversary Screening) Sunday, April 2 and Wednesday, April 5, Jesus Christ Superstar (1973, a 50th Anniversary Screening) Sunday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 12, and Blazing Saddles (1974) on Sunday, April 23 and Wednesday, April 26.

Click on the appropriate poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.

In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present The Getaway (1972, as part of their BRING ME THE FILMS OF SAM PECKINPAH series) Monday, April 3, Nosferatu (1922, featuring a live score performed by Hugo Max) Tuesday, April 4 and Sunday, April 16, Casino (1995, a 35mm print) Saturday, April 8 and Thursday, April 13, Citizen Kane (1941, a 35mm print) Tuesday, April 18 and Sunday, April 30, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid [Director’s Cut] (1973, a 35mm print, as part of their BRING ME THE FILMS OF SAM PECKINPAH series) Tuesday, April 18 and Friday, April 21, Boogie Nights (1997, a 35mm print) Friday, April 21, Lady and the Tramp (1955, a 35mm print) Saturday, April 22, Seven Samurai aka Shichinin no samurai (1954, a 35mm print) Saturday, April 22, Vertigo (1958, a 4k presentation) Sunday, April 23, Straw Dogs (1971, a 35mm print, as part of their BRING ME THE FILMS OF SAM PECKINPAH series) Monday, April 24, and Singin’ in the Rain (1952, a 4k presentation) on Saturday, April 29.

* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.

Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see April’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.

In Santa Monica (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Aero Theatre will present Psycho (1960) Thursday, April 6, High and Low (1963, a 35mm print, a 60th Anniversary Screening) Friday, April 7, and On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969, along with a Q&A with actor George Lazenby) on Sunday, April 23 at 2 pm only.

For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of April’s programming including other films showing at both the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica and The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.

In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present The Godfather Part II (1974, a rare original I.B. Technicolor 35mm Print) Friday, April 7, Saturday, April 8 and Sunday, April 9, a double bill of Singin’ in the Rain (1952, a 35mm print) and It Happened in Hollywood (1937, a 35mm print) Saturday, April 15 and Sunday, April 16, and a double bill of Hell Bent for Leather (1960, a 35mm print) and Posse from Hell (1961, a 35mm print) on Monday, April 24.

Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of April’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.

In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting Once Upon a Time in America [The Extended Director’s Cut] (1984, a 4k digital presentation) Saturday, April 8, Heat (1995, a 4k digital presentation) Monday, April 10, and a double bill of Road to Perdition (2002, a 35mm print) and Miller’s Crossing (1990) on Sunday, April 16.

Click on the appropriate image for more information on this screening. To see the rest of April’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.

In Los Angeles, California Secret Movie Club is presenting at the Secret Movie Club Theater a double bill of Suspicion (1941) and Marnie (1964, a 35mm print) Saturday, April 8.

Also showing at The Million Dollar Theater Movie Palace is The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957, a 35mm print) on Saturday, April 22.

For more information on each of these presentations, click on the appropriate movie image. To discover other screenings organised by this group, click on the above theatre image.

In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present Where Is the Friend’s House? aka Khane-ye doust kodjast? (1987) Tuesday, April 11 and Thursday, April 13, The Mother and the Whore aka La maman et la putain (1973) Sunday, April 16, and School of Rock (2003, a 35mm print) on Tuesday, April 25.

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 Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.

In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles), California TCM is having its annual Classic Film Festival Thursday, April 13 to Sunday, April 16.

For the complete schedule, sans any last minute additions, click on the image above.

In Hong Kong, China The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra will present Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) with live musical accompaniment featuring John Williams’ enthralling score on Friday, April 14 and Saturday, April 15.

Click on the above image for more information.

In theatres across the U.S., Fathom Events is presenting The Big Lebowski (1998, a 25th Anniversary Screening) on Sunday, April 16 and Thursday, April 20.

Click on the film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.

For the entire month of April, TCM is programming all Warner Brothers pictures in celebration of the studio’s 100th anniversary.

There are 24 recommended films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:

First up is Baby Face the Pre-Code sensation starring Barbara Stanwyck, reviewed here, and making her bold appearance on Sunday, April 2 at 8:45 pm PDT.

(From left) Theresa Harris, Barbara Stanwyck

Please have a read here and see why Gold Diggers of 1933 is as enjoyable and pertinent as the shows these spirited characters struggle to produce. The show must go on Tuesday, April 4 at 7 pm PDT.

Immediately following Gold Diggers of 1933 is the unmissable Busby Berkeley extravaganza Footlight Parade also a previous TCM recommendation here. Let the show begin Tuesday, April 4 at 8:45 pm PDT.

Few biopics are as inspirational as Michael Curtiz’ Jim Thorpe - All American, a previous TCM recommendation here and one that can be appreciated again Thursday, April 6 at 9:15 am PDT.

The multi-talented Gordon Parks made his directorial debut at age 57 with 1969's The Learning Tree based on his semi-autobiographical novel of the same name. This touching coming of age story was previously lauded, along with its creator Parks, in an article entitled: Exploring the Artefacts #5: The Alchemist. Included are some clips of Parks' music compositions for The Learning Tree and Shaft's Big Score. The Learning Tree can be studied Saturday, April 8 at 11 am PDT.

Many readers have taken me to task for my inclusion of Casablanca on a list of “All that Glitters”: The Overrated. I would simply ask that they read what I wrote about this revered classic before judging me too harshly. There is much to praise about the film contained in my review and the weaknesses I've observed are, I feel, worthy of consideration. In any event, please indulge in this motion picture's magic and let me know if my criticisms have merit. The journey begins Saturday, April 8 at 5 pm PDT.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre has Humphrey Bogart portraying perhaps his darkest and most psychologically troubled character. Watching his slow transformation from an honest and idealistic adventurer to a tormented, paranoid psychotic is one of the art's most stunning, dramatically forceful experiences perfectly matched to a magnificent and fatalistically ironic conclusion. My further thoughts on this film are here. This cinematic treasure can be discovered Monday, April 10 at 5 pm PDT.

(From left) Walter Huston, Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt

In my prior 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 Tuesday, April 11 at 5 pm PDT.

My next TCM recommendation is Nora Prentiss portrayed by Ann Sheridan. This first-class film noir, previously reviewed here, will make its striking impression Wednesday, April 12 at (early morning) 3:15 am PDT.

After directing Colorado Territory, Raoul Walsh’s very next film retained all of that film’s energy and even added some for White Heat, previously reviewed here. TCM's screen will heat up Wednesday, April 12 at 5 pm PDT.

Then there's John Ford's masterpiece The Searchers, previously reviewed here. It is Top Ten Western #2 and is as likely as any film to provide one with a truly unforgettable, rich and rewarding movie watching experience. The search will begin Thursday, April 13 at 5 pm PDT.

This will be a really bad day for anyone who encounters Them! (the giant mutant ants that is). The motion picture, however, is an exhilarating creature feature, previously reviewed here. Them! will march on TCM Saturday, April 15 at 6 am PDT.

Next up are triple threat of crime films you don’t want to miss:

Dark Passage is a wildly engrossing film noir that combines the best of romance with the best of noir in the best location for both: San Francisco. Previously endorsed as a Blu-Ray release here, Bogart will make his dark (rite of) passage on Sunday, April 16 at 6:30 am PDT.

That’s Humphrey Bogart as Vincent Parry standing at the crossroads of Greenwich Street (behind him leading to Coit Tower) and Hyde where he will soon board the Hyde cable car. This will take him to its final stop: the turntable turnaround at Powell Street and Market (seen below).

Immediately following Dark Passage is another contributing force to film noir, Crime Wave previously reviewed here. This is one wave you'll want to catch Sunday, April 16 at 8:30 am PDT.

Charles Buchinsky (a.k.a. Charles Bronson)

Last but not least in TCM’s highly charged crime bundle is the Neo-noir Bullitt, one of Steve McQueen’s most iconic characterisations. Reviewed here, Bullitt will speed its way onto TCM Sunday, April 16 at 10 am PDT.

Later on Sunday, is Top Ten Westerns #1: the explosively confrontational The Wild Bunch. If by chance one hasn’t seen this landmark film, remedy that Sunday, April 16 at 9:45 pm PDT. For those who have, please see my review Opening Up a Treasure: The Wild Bunch as to why it was and still is, one of America's finest contributions to the cinematic arts.

Despite its ridiculously hard to follow plot, this next recommendation's wildly entertaining detective yarn is worth waking up for.

Previously reviewed here, The Big Sleep will awaken Monday, April 17 at 7:30 pm PDT.

A most talented friend on Facebook, Leilani Roundtree, has graciously allowed me to post her own very special modernised trailer for The Big Sleep. This amazing work both spoofs contemporary coming attractions while paying homage to the early classic in a most delightful way. Enjoy!

One of Alfred Hitchcock’s more uncustomary, yet distinguished, offerings is I Confess previously reviewed here featuring a fervent, introspective performance from Montgomery Clift. This highly engrossing confessional can be heard (and seen) Tuesday, April 18 at (early morning) 12 am PDT.

Raoul Walsh's Colorado Territory is the impassioned director's artistically superior western remake of his previous film noir High Sierra. Readers can discover why I make this claim here, and for those familiar with the earlier Humphrey Bogart vehicle, decide for themselves when Colorado Territory is explored Tuesday, April 18 at 9:15 am PDT.

TCM is having a rare showing of Stanley Kubrick’s 1987 Vietnam war film Full Metal Jacket. It’s not only the subject matter with its lethal combination of various violent confrontations that’s “full on” but the filmmaker’s firm control over his narrative and therefore his audience. Previously reviewed as a Blu-ray recommendation here, Full Metal Jacket is showing Thursday, April 20 at 9:15 pm PDT.

Next up is The Heart is a Lonely Hunter, a previous TCM recommendation here. Viewers can realise a wealth of emotion by tuning in Friday, April 21 at 7:45 am PDT.

Bonnie and Clyde is a seminal gangster saga heavily influenced by the French iconoclast Jean-Luc Godard. A prior review here includes a special contribution from Bob DiMucci who informatively reports on some of the film's critical responses at the time of its release. Following that, are my personal recollections at the age of 12 upon seeing this radically-new expeditious approach to American cinematic storytelling. The Barrow Gang will strike on TCM Friday, April 21 at 5 pm PDT.

John Huston's Reflections in a Golden Eye is a film I have mixed feelings about. The rather strange inhabitants of these southern Gothically-tinged surroundings may remain underdeveloped but the performances from its superbly chosen cast compensate by genuinely conveying their characters' frustrations and desires making this an engrossing film-watching experience. It is a previous TCM recommendation here, and is worth eyeing Friday, April 21 at 11 pm PDT.

(From left) Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, Brian Keith

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, will be reviewed as part of our “Dish of the Day” series and posted appropriately the day of its arrival on TCM Saturday, April 22 at 7:30 pm PDT.

#Edit: My review for The Exorcist can now be seen here.

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.

This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the superb Canadian actress Sharon Acker who turns 88 on April 2nd.

She is probably best known for her many TV appearances in popular series such as The Wild Wild West (1968, as Lavinia Sedgewick in Season 4, Episode 4 “The Night of the Sedgewick Curse”), Star Trek (1969, as Odona in Season 3, Episode 16 “The Mark of Gideon”), The New Perry Mason (1973-1974, as Della Street in 15 episodes), Executive Suite (1976-1977, as Helen Walling in 18 episodes), Murder, She Wrote (1986, as Wilhelmina Fraser in Season 2 Episode 14 “Keep the Home Fries Burning”), Days of Our Lives (1987-1988, as Pamela Fouchier in 7 episodes), and The Young and the Restless (1992, as Dr. Grace Sundell in 4 episodes), amongst others. For diehard fans, such as myself, of that exceptional 1967 Neo-noir Point Blank, however, she will always be cherished and forever imprinted in our cinematic consciousness as Walker’s (played by Lee Marvin) wife Lynne who betrays him for his buddy Reese (played by another Canadian, John Vernon).

Lee Marvin as Walker with Sharon Acker as Lynne in *Point Blank*

#Edit: I have just been informed that Sharon Acker, less than one month ago, sadly passed away. All I can say is Happy Heavenly Birthday. Sharon Acker (April 2, 1935 - March 16, 2023) R.I.P.

The Soundtrack recommendation for the month is Arthur B. Rubenstein's rhythmically infectious score to the 1995 political thriller Nick of Time.

If one doesn’t spend too much (or better “any”) time thinking about the set-up’s logic, this can be a pretty captivating ride. Helping us to stay focused on the present tension-filled circumstances is Rubenstein’s inestimable contribution by way of his creatively applied music, in perfect synch with the “real time” ticking clock suspense.

La-La Land Records and Paramount Pictures have released this remastered and expanded re-issue of the original motion picture score. This is a limited edition (only 1500 units made) currently available at a substantially discounted price so be sure to act in the nick of time. More information including ordering can be seen by clicking on the soundtrack image.

The Exorcist [The Theatrical Cut] is this month’s former TCM, and current Blu-ray recommendation. My review for The Exorcist can now be seen here.

It is currently available in this double disc set at a substantially reduced price. Click on the video image below for more information on this Region Free release from Warner Bros UK and ordering from Amazon.com

A.G.

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