TCM in May: Highlights

The calendar has turned to the 1st of May, and it's time to take a look at all the great things ahead on this month's Turner Classic Movies schedule.

June Allyson is the May Star of the Month beginning Wednesday, May 7th. I'll be sharing more about her films next week. (Update: Please visit TCM Star of the Month: June Allyson.)

Here's a handful of select picks among the many great films airing on TCM this month:

...As a George Montgomery Westerns fan, I'm looking forward to checking out KING OF THE WILD STALLIONS (1959), costarring Diane Brewster (MAVERICK) and Edgar Buchanan, this Saturday, the 3rd.

...I had the pleasure of seeing Gary Cooper and Audrey Hepburn in LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON (1957) at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art a few years ago. This Billy Wilder film, airing on May 4th, has some brilliantly funny moments and a terrific ending.

...I loved D.O.A. (1950), a crime film with Edmond O'Brien and Pamela Britton and some great location shooting in San Francisco and Los Angeles. It airs on May 5th.

...SCARLET DAWN (1932), airing on May 6th, is a very interesting pre-Code set during the Russian Revolution. I was fascinated to see a film on that topic made relatively close in time to the actual event; it wasn't remote history in 1932. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Nancy Carroll star.

...I'm curious about A THOUSAND AND ONE NIGHTS (1945), with Cornel Wilde and Evelyn Keyes as Aladdin and a genie. It's on May 8th.

...It's been four years since I last saw FATHER IS A BACHELOR (1950), airing on May 9th. I'd like to revisit it in the context of much greater appreciation for the career of leading lady Coleen Gray. William Holden costars.

...If you haven't yet seen RIO BRAVO (1959), what are you waiting for? One of the most enjoyable Westerns ever, starring John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Walter Brennan, and Angie Dickinson, directed by Howard Hawks. It's on May 10th.

...I wished I'd had time to see Irene Dunne in I REMEMBER MAMA (1948) at last month's TCM Classic Film Festival. I have fond memories of this movie, based on MAMA'S BANK ACCOUNT by Kathryn Forbes. It's on May 11th, perfect Mother's Day entertainment. Other excellent films airing on Mother's Day: MILDRED PIERCE (1945) and THE MATING SEASON (1951).

...May 13th there are several films airing starring Jane Wyatt, including the excellent PITFALL (1948) with Dick Powell and Lizabeth Scott. I'm particularly curious about ARMY SURGEON (1942), about a female surgeon who wants to serve on the front line, and WE'RE ONLY HUMAN (1936), costarring a favorite, Preston Foster.

...I really enjoyed IMPACT (1949), an interesting crime film starring Brian Donlevy, Ella Raines, and Helen Walker. Great location shooting in San Francisco and Larkspur, California. It's on May 14th.

...Two films airing on the 14th I'd really like to see: THE UNFAITHFUL (1947) with Ann Sheridan and Zachary Scott, and A FEVER IN THE BLOOD with Efrem Zimbalist Jr., Jack Kelly, and Angie Dickinson.

...Perhaps the biggest highlight of the recent TCM Classic Film Festival was a screening of Harold Lloyd's WHY WORRY? (1923), with Carl Davis conducting the orchestra performing his new score. I'd love to know if Davis's score has been or will be recorded; it was excellent, especially the Latin riffs. The enchanting Jobyna Ralston costars. WHY WORRY? airs in primetime on May 15th.

...CROSS-COUNTRY ROMANCE (1940) is a delightful romantic comedy starring Gene Raymond and Wendy Barrie. It's a fast-moving and very enjoyable film with tons of great faces -- even Alan Ladd as a ship's officer at the end of the movie! It's on May 16th.

...John Hodiak and Lucille Ball star with Lloyd Nolan in TWO SMART PEOPLE (1946), a very enjoyable film about two crooks who might persuade each other to reform. It airs May 18th.

...I'm really interested in checking out Yvonne DeCarlo and David Niven in TONIGHT'S THE NIGHT (1954) on May 19th.

...There are a bunch of fun movies on Tuesday, May 20th, a day it would be nice if one could only watch TV all morning! The lineup starts with Gable and Harlow in HOLD YOUR MAN (1933) and continues with Dick Powell and Olivia de Havilland in HARD TO GET (1938), followed by Robert Young and Ruth Hussey in RICH MAN, POOR GIRL (1938). Lana Turner and Lew Ayres costar in the latter film.

...SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING (1938) is a very enjoyable RKO romantic comedy starring Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern, airing on May 21st. Incidentally, SHE'S GOT EVERYTHING was just released by the Warner Archive on a double feature DVD with Raymond and Sothern's SMARTEST GIRL IN TOWN (1936).

...I love to plug the great HISTORY IS MADE AT NIGHT (1937), with Charles Boyer, Jean Arthur, and Leo Carillo, directed by Frank Borzage. Just watch it, on May 22nd.

...Who could resist John Payne and Dennis Morgan in a movie with a great title like TEAR GAS SQUAD (1940)? Not me! May 23rd.

...TCM's annual Memorial Day weekend war films marathon starts with one of my favorites, the superb JOURNEY FOR MARGARET (1942), on May 24th. This film about orphans of the London Blitz stars Robert Young, Laraine Day, and the remarkable Margaret O'Brien.

...I'd like to take another look at the enjoyable WWII housing shortage comedy PILLOW TO POST (1945), airing on Memorial Day weekend, May 25th. It stars Ida Lupino, William Prince, and Sydney Greenstreet.

...A couple of years ago I revisited SAN FRANCISCO (1936) with Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald, and Spencer Tracy for the first time in years, and I came away impressed by it anew. A truly entertaining film with big-time stars, lovely music, romance, drama, and to top it all off, an earthquake! It airs May 28th along with several other movies set in San Francisco.

...I'm quite interested in checking out LADY SCARFACE (1941) on May 29th, starring Dennis O'Keefe and Judith Anderson.

...The original version of Fritz Lang's M (19312) airs on May 30th. I'll be recording it, given how much I enjoyed the 1951 version.

There is so much more happening at TCM this month, including Friday nights spotlighting Australian movies and Mother Dolores Hart guest programming on May 27th.

Please consult the complete May schedule for more information.