"Now Listen to Me..."
Just some thoughts on this month’s happenings:
Classic film screenings from around the world this September include:
Film Noir 2024
In Vancouver, British Columbia, The Cinematheque will continue with:
Film Noir 2024 until September 5. Films that can still be seen in this series include To Have and Have Not (1944), The Man I Love (1947), T-Men (1947), and Act of Violence (1948).
For more information about this series, click on the appropriate image. For all of the films scheduled this month at The Cinematheque, click on the theatre banner above.
In Auckland, New Zealand, Academy Cinemas is presenting Crimes and Misdemeanors (1989) Monday, September 2 and Monday, September 23, The Ghost Ship (1943) Tuesday, September 3, Thursday, September 12, Saturday, September 21 and Sunday, September 29, Le Doulos (1962) Friday, September 6, Thursday, September 12, Sunday, September 15 and Saturday, September 28, Images (1972) Monday, September 9 and Monday, September 23, and Night of the Living Dead (1968) on Wednesday, September 11, Wednesday, September 18 and Wednesday, September 28.
* Note: Some of the showtimes are matinees only.
To obtain more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding image. To see the entire month of September’s programming, click on the Academy banner above.
In London, United Kingdom The Prince Charles Cinema will present Lawrence of Arabia (1962, a 70mm print) Wednesday, September 4 and Monday, September 9, The Godfather: Part 2 (1974, a 35mm print) Friday, September 6, Blade Runner [The Final Cut] (1982, a 4k presentation) Sunday, September 8, The Landlord (1970, as part of their HAL ASHBY: OUTSIDER series) Monday, September 9, and Jaws (1975, a 4k presentation) Sunday, September 15, and Le Cercle Rouge (1970, a 35mm print) on Sunday, September 15.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
Click on the film’s respective image for more information. To see September’s complete programming, click on The Prince Charles Cinema banner above.
Titicut Follies
To Live and Die in L.A.
Faces
Basic Training
In Los Feliz (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The American Cinematheque Los Feliz 3 Theatre will present Titicut Follies (1967, as part of their ‘Frederick Wiseman: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’ series) Wednesday, September 4, To Live and Die in L.A. (1985, a 35mm print) Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, Faces (1968, as part of their ‘Gena Rowlands Remembered’ series) Friday, September 20, and Basic Training (1971, World Premiere of New Restoration, as part of their ‘Frederick Wiseman: An American Cinematheque Retrospective’ series) on Sunday, September 22.
For more information specifically on each of these programmes, click on the corresponding above image. To see the entire month of September’s programming including other films showing at the The Los Feliz 3 Theatre in Los Feliz, The Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood (also part of greater Los Angeles), and Aero Theatre in Santa Monica (also part of greater Los Angeles), click on the American Cinematheque banner.
In Melbourne, Australia The Astor Theatre is presenting Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood (2019, a 35mm print) Thursday, September 5, Sunday, September 8 and Saturday, September 14, and The Day of the Locust (1975, a 4k restoration) on Saturday, September 14.
* Note: Some of the above showtimes are matinees only.
Click on the poster image for more information on this screening. To see the rest of September’s schedule, click on The Astor Theatre banner above.
In Hollywood (part of greater Los Angeles) California, The Vista Theater will present Heat (1995, a 35mm print) Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, and Psycho (1960, a 35mm print) on Friday, September 27 at Midnight only and Saturday, September 28 at Midnight only.
Click on the respective movie poster above for more information and the marquee image for all of the films playing during the month of September.
In Los Angeles, California The Beverly Cinema will present The Bad Sleep Well (1960, a 35mm print) Friday, September 6, Saturday, September 7 and Sunday, September 8, a double bill of Bend of the River (1952, a 35mm print) and The Far Country (1954, a 35mm print) Monday, September 9 and Tuesday, September 10, and Casino (1995, a 35mm print) on Tuesday, September 17, Wednesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 19.
Click on the respective image for more information. To see the rest of September’s schedule, click on The Beverly Cinema banner above.
Noir City will take place in Chicago, Illinois from September 6 - 12. Highlights include Hardly a Criminal (1949, a 35mm print), Inferno (1953, Presented in 3D), Black Tuesday (1954, a 35mm print), and Le Trou (1960).
For more information including the complete schedule, click on the image above.
Touch of Evil
In Culpeper Virginia, The Library of Congress at the Packard Campus Theater is presenting Touch of Evil [1976 Preview Version] (1959, a 35mm print) on Friday, September 6.
Click on the poster image for more information on this film’s screening. To see the rest of September’s schedule, click on the Packard Campus image above.
2001: A Space Odyssey
In San Francisco, California, The Roxie Theatre will present 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968, a 35mm print) on Sunday, September 8.
For more information on this film’s showing, click on the movie image above. For more information on the other films being presented at The Roxie, click on the theatre image above.
Days of Heaven
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
In Bergen, Norway The Cinemateket i Bergen will present Days of Heaven (1978) Thursday, September 12 and Tuesday, September 17, and Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961) on Wednesday, September 25.
For more information on either of these film’s showing, click on the corresponding movie image above. For further information on the other films being presented at The Cinemateket, click on the banner image above.
The Searchers
The Devil, Probably
In New York City, New York, Film Forum is presenting:
The Searchers (1956, a New 4k Restoration) Friday, September 13 – Thursday, September 19, and The Devil, Probably (1977, a New 4k Restoration) from Friday, September 20 – Thursday, September 26.
# Note: Some of the showtimes may be matinees only.
For more information on the either of these two films’ presentation, click on the appropriate image above. For a complete calendar of all the films playing this month, click on the Film Forum banner.
In theatres across the U.S., Fathom Events is presenting Blazing Saddles (1974, a 50th Anniversary screening) Sunday, September 15 and Wednesday, September 18, and The Matrix (1999, a 25th Anniversary screening) on Thursday, September 19 and Sunday, September 22.
Click on each film’s poster image for more information. To see this month’s entire schedule, click on The Fathom Events banner above.
Film Noir Detroit All Access Pass
In Detroit, Michigan Noir City Detroit will take place at the Redford Theatre from September 20 - 22 featuring 4 Double Features PLUS a private reception with Eddie Muller on Saturday including coffee, desserts and on-stage Q and A.
For information about An All Access Pass that entitles its bearer to all of these events and more, click on the above image.
For more information on the 4 double bill screenings including other films being presented this month at the Redford Theatre, click on the image below.
The Spikes Gang
Mon Oncle
In Valencia, Spain, Culturarts Generalitat IVAC – La Filmoteca at the Edificio Rialto will be presenting The Spikes Gang (1974, as part of their CONTEMPORARY WESTERN series) Sunday, September 22 and Saturday, September 28, and Mon Oncle aka My Uncle (1958, as part of their VALÈNCIA DESIGN FEST series) on Wednesday, September 25.
Click on the respective film’s image for more information on each screening. To discover more of September’s programming including other films playing in Valencia, Spain at the Edificio Rialto, and Alicante Spain at the Arniches Theatre, click on the banner image above.
In theatres across the U.S. Flashback Cinema is presenting Psycho [Extended Cut] (1960) on Sunday, September 22 and Wednesday, September 25.
Click on the poster image for more information. To see the entire month’s programming, click on The Flashback Cinema banner above.
In Montréal, Canada The Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal will present Jaws (1975) with live musical accompaniment featuring John Williams’ exciting score on Wednesday, September 25.
Click on the above image for more information.
There are 28 reviewed films to watch on Turner Classic Movies in the U.S. this month:
First up is Baby Face (1933), the Pre-Code sensation starring Barbara Stanwyck, reviewed here, and making her spirited appearance on Wednesday, September 4 at 1:30 pm PDT.
Barbara Stanwyck
One of the Top Ten: World Cinema Treasures is The Battle of Algiers a.k.a. La battaglia di Algeri (1966). The intensity of resolve and emotional dedication is so resolute on both sides of the conflict portrayed, it'll take a miracle for the invested viewer to fully recover after witnessing this stunning cinematic spectacle. The battle will commence Friday, September 6 at 5 pm PDT.
Also on TCM’s agenda is the Neo-noir Bullitt (1968), one of Steve McQueen’s most iconic characterisations. Reviewed here, Bullitt will speed its way onto TCM Saturday, September 7 at 2:45 pm PDT.
"And then I saw her - coming out of the sun. And I knew why Whit didn't care about that 40 grand."
Out of the Past (1947) is one of film noir's finest and most highly recommended here. She will arrive in Eddie Muller’s Noir Alley Saturday, September 7 at 9 pm PDT and again Sunday, September 8 at 7 am PDT.
“You will have a real face.”
Now comes France's finest entry in the horror genre, Georges Franju's Les yeux sans visage aka Eyes Without a Face (1960).
This is also a previous TCM recommendation here. Although the subject matter is as gruesomely shocking as can be imagined, it rises far above your common slasher flick. Gore is kept to a minimum. Its main characters' tragic desires, along with their feelings, are the focus. Eyes Without a Face depicts its events in a mature, elegant and refined fashion. The resulting contrast between the horrific choices and their resulting victimised subjects along with the shadowy surroundings and resigned sadness of our title character, create a most unsettling and lasting impression. This artistic masterwork can be seen with one's own eyes Monday, September 9 at 3 pm PDT.
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 Tuesday, September 10 at 8:15 am PDT.
My next recommendation is one of those lesser known films noir with a most appropriate title: Impact (1949). One can experience this captivating little cinematic explosive, previously reviewed here, Tuesday, September 10 at 10:15 pm PDT.
Charles Coburn, Helen Walker
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 noticed are, I feel, worthy of consideration. In any event, please indulge in this motion picture's magic and let me know if my observations have merit. The journey begins Wednesday, September 11 at 5 pm PDT.
Rarely does an atmosphere of such overpowering dread subsume a cinematic story so completely as it does 1943's The Seventh Victim. A young woman (portrayed as a fetching innocent by Kim Hunter) goes searching for her missing sister (enigmatically played by Jean Brooks) in New York City's Greenwich Village and stumbles upon a satanic cult of devil worshipers, putting both of their lives at risk. Mark Robson, who directed a number of these Val Lewton produced gems, is himself at the peak of his considerable creative powers. This devilishly striking combination of horror and film noir was a previous TCM recommendation and reviewed here. The fate of both sisters will be determined Friday, September 13 at (early morning) 3:45 am PDT and again on Tuesday, September 24 at 11:15 am PDT.
Jean Brooks
One of the finest westerns ever made is Top Ten Western #4. Sam Peckinpah's elegiac Ride the High Country (1962) will ride into TCM territory Monday, September 16 at 12:30 pm PDT.
Randolph Scott as Gil Westrum (on the left) and Joel McCrea as Steve Judd
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 (1946) will awaken Monday, September 16 at 7 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!
Dark Passage (1947) 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 Monday, September 16 at 9 pm 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).
My next TCM recommendation for the month is, for many experts, the final film noir released during the classification's classic time period (1940 - 1959), Orson Welles' stylistically assertive Touch of Evil (1958).
(From left) Orson Welles, Charlton Heston
I have previously written about how there came to be several different versions of this noir extravaganza especially as it concerns the ingenious opening sequence in Main Title Inspirations No. 2: Touch of Evil. Viewers can compare the introduction's bold visual display to the equally superlative use of sound at this film's conclusion when Touch of Evil airs Tuesday, September 17 at 7 pm 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 (1949), previously reviewed here. TCM's screen will heat up Wednesday, September 18 at 3 pm PDT.
In my review of Casablanca (1942), 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 (1942) where the romance witnessed from start to finish comes alive with fervour, maturity and elegance. Previously reviewed here, Now, Voyager will set sail Wednesday, September 18 at 11 pm PDT.
Some cinephiles take aim at those films identified as film noir if their stories’ setting occur during an earlier time than the classic period (1940 - 1959) in which they were made. They insist that this alone would disqualify a film from being categorised as such, even though the dark criminal surroundings and emphasis on character motive are present and accounted for. The Tall Target is such an example and for myself, joins other so called “period noirs” that are rightfully embraced in the film noir canon. Anthony Mann's 1951 effort, a prior recommendation here, is well worth checking out. Viewers should set their sights on The Tall Target Friday, September 20 at 12:30 pm PDT.
(From left) Adolphe Menjou, Dick Powell
Next 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, September 20 at 3:30 pm PDT.
This next must-see TCM film recommendation is Italian director Vittorio De Sica's neo-realist masterpiece Bicycle Thieves (Ladri di biciclette), one of the most emotionally devastating films of all time (See: Top Ten: World Cinema Treasures). No amount of superlatives can possibly describe the spiritual rewards one gleans from witnessing this simple but profound odyssey taken by a father and his dutifully loving son while desperately searching for a stolen bicycle. It airs on Saturday, September 21 at (early morning) 3:15 am PDT.
(From left) Enzo Staiola, Lamberto Maggiorani
"Complaining about the far-fetched circumstances in films noir is like objecting to the lack of realism in a Picasso painting. What I mean is that lovers of these criminally rich cinematic delights oughtn’t to bother picking out the implausibilities, since they are practically a hallmark of noir's style."
Alexis Smith, Richard Egan
I've written this before when introducing Split Second (1953), a film noir that presents some rather unlikely occurring, but fascinating, situations. See for yourself when this sleeper of a film noir hits Eddie Muller’s Noir Alley Saturday, September 21 at 9 pm PDT and again on Sunday, September 22 at 7 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 Sunday, September 22 at 3 pm PDT.
(From left) Kyle Johnson, Alex Clarke
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 Wednesday, September 25 at 7:15 am PDT.
Joan Weldon, Nuclear Mutated Ant
Bad Day at Black Rock, reviewed here, is 1955's modern-day take on the American Western. This exceptional suspense-thriller is also a former entry in Eddie Muller’s Noir Alley and will occur Wednesday, September 25 at 9:15 am PDT.
(From left) Russell Collins, Walter Brennan, Spencer Tracy (seated), Dean Jagger, Lee Marvin, Robert Ryan
Next up, is a WW II film that can only be defined by its setting. There are just too many dispersed ideas regarding tone and perspective to communicate what kind of film Kelly’s Heroes (1970) is, let alone how any of its numerous genre types are successfully represented. Discover for yourself when Kelly’s Heroes (previously reviewed here) arrive at TCM Thursday, September 26 at 11:30 pm PDT.
The Treasure of the Sierra Madre (1948) 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 Friday, September 27 at 10:15 am PDT.
(From left) Walter Huston, Humphrey Bogart, Tim Holt
From 1968 is one of the horror genre’s most influential entries: George A. Romero’s cult classic Night of the Living Dead, a previous TCM recommendation here. The night to watch out for is Saturday, September 28 at (early morning) 12:45 am PDT.
Raoul Walsh's Colorado Territory (1949) is the impassioned director's artistically superior western remake of his previous film noir High Sierra (1941). 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 Saturday, September 28 at 10:30 am PDT.
Virginia Mayo, Joel McCrea
Viewers who dare to have their imaginations stretched considerably should be rewarded Where Eagles Dare (1968), previously reviewed here and appearing on TCM’s radar Saturday, September 28 at 12:15 pm PDT.
Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958) is loaded with multi-faceted insights and hidden rumination on human relationships providing viewers with much to ponder long after this tale of romantic obsession ends. This cinematic treasure was previously opened here and will unveil its visual and aural riches Sunday, September 29 at 2:45 pm PDT.
Titles Designed by Saul Bass
TCM's current monthly schedule can be seen by clicking on any of the above TCM related images. To confirm the correct Pacific Daylight (West Coast) showtime information, subtract 3 hours from the Eastern Daylight (East Coast) showtime listed on TCM’s schedule.
This month's Happy Birthday shout-out goes to the legendary Italian actress Sophia Loren who turns 90 on September 20th.
Sophia Loren as Cesira in Two Women
After appearing in quite a number of Italian features, Loren travelled to the U.S. where she starred in the films Boy on a Dolphin (1957, with Alan Ladd), The Pride and the Passion (1957, with Cary Grant and Frank Sinatra), Desire Under the Elms (1958, alongside Anthony Perkins and Burl Ives, based on Eugene O’Neill’s play), and Houseboat (1958, a romantic comedy with Cary Grant) among others. She returned to Italy to give one of the greatest screen performances by an actress in Two Women aka La ciociara (1960, for director Vittorio De Sica, and for which she won a Best Actress Academy Award, pictured). Loren went on to give stellar performances in El Cid (1961, opposite Charlton Heston), The Fall of the Roman Empire (1964), Marriage Italian Style aka Matrimonio all'italiana (1964, co-starring Marcello Mastroianni), Arabesque (1966, with Gregory Peck), A Countess from Hong Kong (1967, with Marlon Brando, directed by Charles Chaplin) Man of La Mancha (1972), The Cassandra Crossing (1976), A Special Day aka Una giornata particolare (1977, with Marcello Mastroianni, directed by Ettore Scola), Brass Target (1978), Prêt-à-Porter (1994), Grumpier Old Men (1995), and most recently The Life Ahead aka La vita davanti a sé (2020).
The Soundtrack recommendation of the month is Jerry Fielding's alternately tense and lyrical, but ultimately unused, score to director Sam Peckinpah's crime thriller released in 1972, The Getaway.
The film has been previously reviewed here. Director Sam Peckinpah and composer Jerry Fielding formed an unbeatable team, a marriage of music and visuals made in cinematic heaven. All have left an indelible impression: The Wild Bunch (1969), Straw Dogs (1971), and Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia (1974). Unfortunately, one of their collaborative efforts did not reach the finish line since Fielding's score was (as so often happens in Hollywood) replaced by a generally more relaxed and easy going effort by Quincy Jones. Still, Fielding’s music here makes for a fascinating comparison and commands attention. It has been released in stereo with excellent sound by Film Score Monthly and includes a bonus DVD not for sale separately: a half-hour documentary, Main Title 1M1: Jerry Fielding, Sam Peckinpah and The Getaway. This limited edition CD/DVD (Region Free) package (only 3,000 units produced) made by Film Score Monthly, can be purchased from Screen Archives Entertainment by clicking on the accompanying image.
Kim Novak, Tom Helmore
Vertigo (1958)...
… previously reviewed here, is September’s 4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital [4K UHD] (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment) recommendation. It is now available from Amazon.com by clicking on the image below.
A.G.