TCM in January: Highlights

Lots of great movies are coming to Turner Classic Movies in January!

...The fun begins on New Year's Eve with a six-film marathon of the THIN MAN movies. Spending New Year's with Nick and Nora Charles is hard to beat.

...I'm especially looking forward to Fox's THE NORTH STAR (1943), with Dana Andrews and Anne Baxter, which is being shown as part of the month-long "Shadows of Russia" series. THE NORTH STAR airs on January 20th, along with MISSION TO MOSCOW (1943), which inspired this month's festival.

Shadows of Russia will also include several MGM films: THE RED DANUBE (1949) on January 6th, COMRADE X (1940) and NINOTCHKA (1939) on January 13th, and CONSPIRATOR (1949) on January 20th. The latter film, which costars Robert Taylor and Elizabeth Taylor, is a "must record" for me.

...Speaking of Robert Taylor, don't miss Taylor and Cyd Charisse in PARTY GIRL (1958) on January 12, 2010. It's a terrific gangster film directed by Nicholas Ray.

...January 7th the network pays tribute to Jennifer Jones, who passed away earlier this month. Four films will be shown, including DUEL IN THE SUN (1946) and MADAME BOVARY (1949).

...January 6th is a birthday celebration for Loretta Young, born this date in 1913. Several pre-Codes will be shown, including the fascinating LIFE BEGINS (1932). I'm especially anxious to see two films for the first time: PLAY GIRL (1932) with Loretta's future brother-in-law, actor-director Norman Foster, and SHE HAD TO SAY YES (1932) costarring Lyle Talbot.

Other Young films screening that day include the spooky THE STRANGER (1946), with a terrific performance by Edward G. Robinson; KEY TO THE CITY (1950), a light comedy with Clark Gable; and the nifty suspense film CAUSE FOR ALARM! (1951). I think my favorite Young film being shown that day is one I haven't reviewed here: RACHEL AND THE STRANGER (1948), costarring William Holden and Robert Mitchum, directed by Loretta's brother-in-law Norman Foster. It's a sweet Western tale of a marriage of convenience turning to love.

...January 13th is a nine-film birthday tribute to the one and only Kay Francis, featuring THE GOOSE AND THE GANDER (1935), IT'S A DATE (1940), and THE FEMININE TOUCH (1941).

...Don't miss JOURNEY FOR MARGARET (1942), one of seven films being aired on Margaret O'Brien's birthday this January 15th. JOURNEY FOR MARGARET costars Robert Young and Laraine Day and is a deeply affecting story of the London Blitz and its impact on children. LOST ANGEL is another favorite which airs that day.

...Lots of interesting pre-Codes are being shown on January 21st, including CROONER (1932) with Ann Dvorak, IT'S TOUGH TO BE FAMOUS (1932) and CAPTURED! (1933) starring Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and NO OTHER WOMAN (1933) starring Irene Dunne.

...On January 22nd the theme is "brides," including Anita Louise in BRIDES ARE LIKE THAT (1936); Fred Astaire and Jane Powell in ROYAL WEDDING (1950); Debbie Reynolds, Rod Taylor, and Bette Davis in THE CATERED AFFAIR (1956); Joan Crawford, Robert Young, and Franchot Tone in THE BRIDE WORE RED (1937); and of course the classic FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950), starring Elizabeth Taylor.

...TCM will be showing more Paramount movies this year; Paramount highlights this month include Mitchell Leisen's TO EACH HIS OWN (1946) on January 24th, for which Olivia DeHavilland won her first Oscar, and Fred Astaire and Bing Crosby's BLUE SKIES (1946) on January 31st. Looking ahead to February 4th, another Paramount film will be shown: KITTY (1945), starring Ray Milland and Paulette Goddard. Hopefully more Paramount films will air in conjunction with releases in TCM's new DVD on demand program, which will feature films from Universal along with Paramount.

The above are just a few of the treasures Turner Classic Movies will share with its viewers in January. For more information and the schedule, visit the TCM website.