Growing up in Dallas, before the days of Letterman and Nightline, the local stations showed movies at 10:30 PM. Channel 8 [WFAA] and Channel 11 [now CBS] often would have a theme week - horror, mystery, etc.
My Mom was not a movie watcher when I was young but one of favorite movie moments with her was watching The Bad Seed about a little girl that looked adorable but would kill to get her ways. We could not wrap our minds around a child who was that evil. Every year I would wait for Channel 8 to show the all time best verion of Christmas Carol (1951) starring Alabastair Sim as Scrooge. But I loved William Powell & Mynra Loy in the witty Thin Man detective series, starring of course their cute dog Aster!
So I share that as backstory because although I pay for many other channels, my TV often finds itself stuck on Turner Classic Movies. I have friends who are incredible movie buffs of not only today's hits but can have an extensive conversation on what was the best decade for movies [some prefer the 1930s others the 1970s]. A few of them have seen all of the Best Picture films, I am sure at least one - Chris has likely seen all the films nominated.
Since channels 8 and 11 were my only resource I am a quite a distance behind them but catching up. Finally saw The Seven Samurai, the Japanesse classic which was remade in America as the Magnificent Seven, which I have not seen. TCM offers a good mix of true classics with a bit of fluff thrown in.
I have not attended a movie in months but during this blistering heat, I have enjoyed watching TCM. I have seen so many can’t think of them all, but a few include:
August 1st Michael Caine [warning spoiler questions]
§ Billion Dollar Brain – fell asleep please tell the ending, I woke up right when the ice was breaking but how did they get all of those people to go out there on that ice.
§ Sleuth – really was enjoying it and again fell asleep [keep in mind that I got off one job at 3:30 AM and was at the next by 8:30 AM on Thursday so Friday morning was rough] and so I don't know how that one turned out either!!
Because I watch TV while surfing on the internet [anyone on here use FriendFeed, if so my ID is ruthdfw?] I did not attempt to watch on Saturday which was Charlie Chaplin day.
August 3rd Gregory Peck
§ Designing Women – saw the second half of this flick with Lauren Bacall. Luscious looking flick in all it’s Technicolor glory.
§ Duel in the Sun – interesting to see Gregory as a rogue.
§ The Yearling – weep and weep
§ Roman Holiday – did not like the ending otherwise beautiful movie. What a way to start a film career - Hepburn won an Oscar.
§ Conversation with Gregory Peck – documentary made with his daughter
August 4th Marie Dressler
§ Emma – bitter sweet story
§ Anna Christie – which I believe was Greta Garbo’s debut in a “talkie” but I did not see too much of this before going to sleep.
August 5th Claude Rains - love him wish I could have seen more
§ Red Robin Hood – saw the ending again, love this movie
§ Lady with Red Hair – unfamiliar with Miriam Hopkins but movie was OK.
Today is Greta Garbo – I hope I get home in time and can stay awake to watch Grand Hotel.
Tomorrow is James Garner – nothing looks exciting but I will likely have it on in the background.
Saturday is Fred McMurray – umm a whole day for his films seem like a stretch, I think it is just an excuse to show the Apartment AGAIN – they showed within the last three weeks.
Sunday is Doris Day so I will try to catch The Man Who Knew Too Much, a Hitchcock film I have never seen. Speaking of Hitchcock recently watched the Birds, Vertigo [waiting for the good stuff], Rear Window, Trouble with Harr [delightful, it was my first time seeing it and would love to watch again] and the non-Hitchcock, Hitchcock film Witness for the Prosecution. This movie seems so much his style many believe he made the movie, but he did not.
Kim Novak day [ugh] oh and look they are showing, yes you guessed it Vertigo [stab me in the eye now]. I really can’t imagine her in a film adaptation for Of Human Bondage.
If only I could find my TIVO remote so I could set set the system up to record the flicks I will miss due to work and sleep...LOL.
Do you enjoy classics? What are some of your favorites?