Quick Preview of TCM in March

Turner Classic Movies recently posted the online preview for the March 2015 schedule.

The March Star of the Month will be Ann Sothern, star of many entertaining films of the '30s, '40s, and '50s. Over 30 Sothern films will be shown on Wednesday evenings, including an entire evening devoted to the MAISIE series.

A bit of interesting TCM trivia: My records indicate that Sothern also had a turn as Star of the Month nearly 14 years ago, in July 2001.

The Friday Night Spotlight will be devoted to "roadshow" musicals of the '60s and '70s. I suspect that Matthew Kennedy, author of ROADSHOW! THE FALL OF FILM MUSICALS IN THE 1960S is a likely cohost.

For many viewers a highlight of the month will be the second evening of "Treasures From the Disney Vault." The evening's lineup will feature a St. Patrick's week showing of DARBY O'GILL AND THE LITTLE PEOPLE (1959), paired with the promotional short I CAPTURED THE KING OF THE LEPRECHAUNS (1959). Next up will be the Silly Symphony cartoon BABES IN THE WOODS (1932) and the 1955 short THE STORY OF THE ANIMATED DRAWING.

The Disney evening continues with the classic THE THREE CABALLEROS (1944), followed by the documentary WALT AND EL GRUPO (2008), about the South American tour which inspired Disney and his animators to create both THE THREE CABALLEROS and SALUDOS AMIGOS (1943). The evening concludes with a lesser-known live-action film, THE FIGHTING PRINCE OF DONEGAL (1966).

The month also includes multi-film tributes to Guy Kibbee (including M'LISS with Anne Shirley and John Beal, seen at left), Gregory La Cava, Robert Donat, Katharine Hepburn, and Shirley Jones. One "Silent Sunday Evening" will be devoted to shorts starring Harold Lloyd.

Daytime themes include love affairs, MGM musicals, Perry Mason, and spring. St. Patrick's Day features a lineup of a dozen Irish-themed films.

I'll be sharing more detailed information on the March schedule sometime around March 1st.

The Star of the Month in January is Robert Redford, with 31 Days of Oscar to follow in February.

Update: For more detailed information on TCM in March, please visit TCM in March: Highlights.