Quick Preview of TCM in November

Turner Classic Movies published its tentative November schedule online today.

TCM seems to be doing something different for the November Star of the Month, featuring the "Battle of the Blondes." The blondes featured in this series include Marilyn Monroe, Jayne Mansfield, Judy Holliday, Jean Harlow, Mae West, Carole Lombard, Grace Kelly, Betty Grable, Doris Day, and Kim Novak. Sounds like a fun concept.

Rumor has it, incidentally, that December's Star of the Month will be William Powell. October features Buster Keaton.

Another exciting development is that TCM will be showing several more episodes of SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE. This 30-minute TV series from the '50s is perfect for TCM. November's episodes will feature productions directed by Leo McCarey, Frank Borzage, John Brahm, Andrew L. Stone, Tay Garnett, George Sherman, and more.

Yvonne DeCarlo, featured in a birthday tribute here yesterday, can be seen in one of the SCREEN DIRECTORS PLAYHOUSE stories, "Hot Cargo," on November 8th. She can also be seen in November in the films BRUTE FORCE (1947), BAND OF ANGELS (1957), and TIMBUKTU (1959).

I'm especially happy that November's schedule includes a significant number of relatively little-known yet intriguing titles to explore, including RIDE THE HIGH IRON (1956) with Don Taylor and Sally Forrest, TARGET ZERO (1955) with Richard Conte and Peggie Castle, THE LAST COMMAND (1955) with Sterling Hayden and Richard Carlson, EAST OF THE RIVER (1940) with John Garfield and Brenda Marshall, SHADOW IN THE SKY (1951) with Ralph Meeker, Nancy Davis, and James Whitmore, THE GO-GETTER (1937) with George Brent and Anita Louise, and EASY LIVING (1949) with Victor Mature, Lucille Ball, and Lizabeth Scott. I don't know a thing about any of those films, but with those casts it will be fun to check them out.

Balancing those obscurities is a wonderful lineup of familiar classics over Thanksgiving weekend, including MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947) shown Thanksgiving afternoon. Perfection!

Family favorites such as THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938), KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1950), THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER (1947), MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944), LITTLE WOMEN (1949) and THE MUSIC MAN (1962) will be shown starting the day before Thanksgiving.

I'll have more thoughts on the November schedule around Halloween. There are exciting months ahead on TCM!