Quick Preview of TCM in June

The tentative June schedule for Turner Classic Movies is now available online.

There is a special theme for the June Star of the Month, focusing on "pin-up girls" and sex symbols. Movies screened on Wednesday evenings including Betty Grable in PIN-UP GIRL (1944), Rita Hayworth in GILDA (1946), Ava Gardner in THE KILLERS (1946), Veronica Lake in THE GLASS KEY (1942), Esther Williams in BATHING BEAUTY (1944), and Jane Russell in THE OUTLAW (1943).

The first two Wednesdays focus on the '40s, then the series shifts to the '50s and films such as Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1943), Jayne Mansfield in WILL SUCCESS SPOIL ROCK HUNTER? (1957), Diana Dors in I MARRIED A WOMAN (1958), and Mamie Van Doren in UNTAMED YOUTH (1957).

The last Wednesday of the series focuses on the '60s and '70s, including films with Raquel Welch and Jane Fonda.

Fridays in June will be nothing short of amazing, with 24-hour film noir marathons every Friday. Will we see the return of the Film Noir Foundation's Eddie Muller as host of the Friday Night Spotlight? It was recently reported on Twitter that he had visited TCM in Atlanta so that's my expectation. He also hosted the Friday Night Spotlight last June.

Richard Dix fans can look forward to a six-film primetime tribute to the actor, and Don Ameche receives a primetime tribute as well. There's also a most interesting evening devoted to films directed by Dick Powell, and another evening showcasing the Bulldog Drummond detective series.

Other May tributes will include Frank Morgan, Merle Oberon, Alexis Smith, Fritz Lang, Lassie, MacDonald and Eddy, Evelyn Keyes, Esther Williams, Paul Newman, and Montgomery Clift.

May themes include rain, monsters, WWII resistance fighters, and Father's Day.

I'll have a more detailed look at the June schedule around the very end of May. In the meantime, Anthony Quinn continues as the April Star of the Month, with Sterling Hayden ahead as Star of the Month for May.

Update: For much more on TCM in June, please visit TCM in June: Highlights and TCM in June: Summer of Darkness.