TCM in October: Highlights

Here's a look at the October schedule on Turner Classic Movies!

Christopher Lee is the October Star of the Month. Lee's films will be shown on Monday evenings, continuing into the wee hours on Tuesday. There will not be a separate Star of the Month post for October.

As was the case last October, Tuesdays and Thursdays will be devoted to "Trailblazing Women," hosted by Illeana Douglas.

This year's theme is "Actresses Who Made a Difference," highlighting women who made significant contributions to the entertainment industry, WWII, politics, philanthropy, and more. The actresses celebrated include Mary Pickford, Lucille Ball, Olivia de Havilland, Hedy Lamarr, Shirley Temple, and many more. Over the course of the month Douglas will be joined by a few cohosts, including Jane Alexander and Rita Moreno. TCM has created a special microsite which has more information on the series.

The October schedule is filled with spooky seasonal titles; since horror isn't my thing, I'll be focusing on the many other options on TCM this month. Here's a look at just a few of the interesting titles being shown in October. Click any hyperlinked title to read the corresponding film review.

...October 1st kicks off with a fun primetime tribute to the team of Dennis Morgan and Jack Carson, starring in TWO GUYS FROM MILWAUKEE (1946), TWO GUYS FROM TEXAS (1948), and IT'S A GREAT FEELING (1949).

...A couple weeks ago I reviewed YOURS, MINE AND OURS (1968) starring Lucille Ball, Henry Fonda, and Van Johnson. It's being shown on TCM on October 4th.

...Carole Lombard receives a birthday tribute on October 6th, with several films on the schedule including IN NAME ONLY (1939), which I was fortunate to see at UCLA last spring. Cary Grant and Kay Francis costar.

...Nine DR. KILDARE films are on the agenda for Friday, October 7th, starting with YOUNG DR. KILDARE (1938). Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, and Laraine Day star, with a deep cast of recurring actors.

...GOLD DIGGERS OF 1935 (1935) may not be on a par with the very best Busby Berkeley films, but it contains two of his all-time greatest numbers, including "Lullaby of Broadway." Dick Powell stars. It's on October 9th.

...One of the lesser-known titles I look forward to in October is FIND THE BLACKMAILER (1943) on October 12th. Jerome Cowan stars as a private eye; I enjoyed him in a similar type of role in CRIME BY NIGHT (1944). Faye Emerson costars.

...There's a Laraine Day birthday tribute on October 13th, with favorite titles including JOURNEY FOR MARGARET (1942), seen at left, plus KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY (1945) and THE LOCKET (1946).

...Dennis O'Keefe fans will want to check out one of his early starring roles in BURN 'EM UP O'CONNOR (1939), costarring Cecelia Parker and Harry Carey Sr. It airs October 14th.

...ON THE TOWN (1949) is one of the movies which made me fall in love with MGM musicals. Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra lead a great cast in this bouncy, energetic film on October 16th.

...A Rita Hayworth birthday tribute on October 17th includes a notable early supporting role in ONLY ANGELS HAVE WINGS (1939), costarring Cary Grant, Jean Arthur, and many more.

...A Miriam Hopkins birthday tribute on October 18th includes the wonderful comedy THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD (1934), costarring Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, and Reginald Denny.

...I just saw THE STRANGE LOVE OF MARTHA IVERS (1946) at UCLA. It's an interesting psychological noir starring Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas, Van Heflin, and Lizabeth Scott. It's part of a day of films featuring femme fatales on October 19th.

...Glenda Farrell stars as Torchy Blane in five films airing on TCM October 21st. That's a series I haven't tried yet, but I'm looking forward to it.

...I rarely miss an opportunity to recommend one of my favorite Esther Williams films, NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949), which airs on October 23rd. Ricardo Montalban, Betty Garrett, and Red Skelton costar.

...STEP BY STEP (1946) is a very enjoyable RKO "B" suspenser starring Lawrence Tierney and Anne Jeffreys. It's a rare good guy role for Tierney, and he and the feisty Jeffreys have good chemistry. It's on October 25th.

...I'm looking forward to seeing John Ford's 3 GODFATHERS (1949) for the first time at the upcoming Lone Pine Film Festival, introduced by TCM's Ben Mankiewicz. Anyone who can't be at the festival has the chance to see the movie on TCM on October 27th. John Wayne, Harry Carey Jr., and Pedro Armendariz star.

...Only on TCM: A tribute to William Gargan! Gargan films on October 28th include HEADLINE SHOOTER (1933) with Frances Dee.

...Two favorite '50s sci-fi films air on TCM October 29th, THE THING FROM ANOTHER WORLD (1951) and EARTH VS. THE FLYING SAUCERS (1956). They're both terrific fun.

...Cary Grant and Constance Bennett star as a pair of merry ghosts in the supernatural comedy TOPPER (1937), being shown on October 30th.

Please visit the online schedule for TCM's complete listings.

Happy viewing!