TCM in November: Highlights

There's hope that temperatures here in Southern California might drop into the 70s next week, just in time for November! As thoughts begin to turn toward Thanksgiving, it's time for a look at the November schedule on Turner Classic Movies.

Norma Shearer is the November Star of the Month. 22 Shearer movies will be shown on Tuesday evenings this month. I'll have a closer look at the Star of the Month schedule here in a couple of days. (Update: Please visit TCM Star of the Month: Norma Shearer.)

There's much to be thankful for this month on Turner Classic Movies! Here's a look at a few of the highlights; click any hyperlinked title for more information.

...There are some wonderful birthday tributes on TCM this month, starting off with a November 2nd tribute to the late Ann Rutherford. The day's lineup includes two Andy Hardy films, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1940), in which she plays flighty Lydia, and FOUR GIRLS IN WHITE (1939), a "B" film about nurses I enjoy.

...November 3rd is a day of Robert Mitchum war movies, including the WWII film THIRTY SECONDS OVER TOKYO (1944) and the Korean War story ONE MINUTE TO ZERO (1952).

...Kay Francis stars as Florence Nightingale in THE WHITE ANGEL (1936), reviewed here in September. It airs on November 7th.

...A November 11th birthday tribute to Pat O'Brien features an impressive nine films, including BOMBSHELL (1933) and FLIRTATION WALK (1934).

...I love aviation films, and I've never seen BAILOUT AT 43,000 (1957), starring favorites John Payne and Paul Kelly. I'm really looking forward to this one! Karen Steele (RIDE LONESOME) costars. It's on November 12th. BAILOUT AT 43,000 is part of an entire day of films featuring Kelly, who is always compelling, so be sure to check out the full lineup.

...November 13th features Frank Sinatra and Debbie Reynolds in THE TENDER TRAP (1955), which made my list of Underrated Films of 1955 a few weeks ago.

...November 14th features a three-film primetime tribute to actress Dorothy McGuire, with FRIENDLY PERSUASION (1956), THE ENCHANTED COTTAGE (1945), and THREE COINS IN THE FOUNTAIN (1954).

...I'm especially excited about a six-film tribute to Victor Mature on November 16th. The titles include favorite such as MY DARLING CLEMENTINE (1946), KISS OF DEATH (1947), and EASY LIVING (1949). A very deserved tribute.

...November 17th features films about WWII resistance fighters, including WATCH ON THE RHINE (1943) and ASSIGNMENT IN BRITTANY (1943).

...Carole Landis and Dennis O'Keefe are in the supporting cast of TOPPER RETURNS (1941), airing on November 19th. The original TOPPER (1937), incidentally, will be shown the day after Thanksgiving.

...November 20th will be a 12-film 24-hour tribute to Maureen O'Hara.

...Richard Dix and Jane Wyatt star in THE KANSAN (1943) on November 21st.

...Doris Day and Gordon MacRae charm in the musical BY THE LIGHT OF THE SILVERY MOON (1953), airing very early on November 22nd.

...Ricardo Montalban's birthday is observed on November 25th, with excellent titles including TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE (1950), BATTLEGROUND (1949), and NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949).

...Thanksgiving falls on November 26th, and TCM will feature several children's classics that day, including Margaret O'Brien and Dean Stockwell in THE SECRET GARDEN (1949) and Elizabeth Taylor in NATIONAL VELVET (1944).

...Stay home on Black Friday, November 27th, and spend it with Cary Grant instead! Seven Grant films will air that day, and they're all terrific; some of the films are particularly likely to appeal to children who are home for the holiday, including BRINGING UP BABY (1938), MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE (1948), and ROOM FOR ONE MORE (1952).

...Frank Capra's classic LOST HORIZON (1937), starring Ronald Colman, airs on the evening of the 27th. I haven't seen that one in a long time but have always enjoyed it.

...Morgan Conway and the wonderful Anne Jeffreys star in DICK TRACY (1945) on Saturday morning, November 28th.

...One of my favorite Esther Williams movies, EASY TO LOVE (1953), airs early on Sunday morning, November 29th. Set the DVR! Van Johnson and Tony Martin costar.

...The month winds up with an eight-film birthday tribute to Virginia Mayo on Monday, November 30th. Titles will include FLAXY MARTIN (1949), which I just reviewed, and the charming THE GIRL FROM JONES BEACH (1949).

For more details on TCM this month, please visit the complete November schedule.

Have a wonderful month, and early wishes for a very happy Thanksgiving!