TCM in November: Highlights

Time for a look at the November schedule on Turner Classic Movies!

Natalie Wood is the November Star of the Month. Wood's films will be shown every Friday evening in November. I'll have a look at the Star of the Month schedule later in the week. (Update: Please visit TCM Star of the Month: Natalie Wood.)

Incidentally, this is a repeat appearance by Wood as Star of the Month; she was previously Star of the Month in 2010. This time around her selection coincides with the publication of a new book, NATALIE WOOD: REFLECTIONS ON A LEGENDARY LIFE by Manoah Bowman. It's described as a "photographic study" which was authorized by Wood's family.

The TCM Spotlight for November, "To Tell the Truth," focuses on a broad spectrum of documentaries, accompanied by a new TCM series narrated by Alec Baldwin. There are a number of interesting titles on the schedule, although as I wrote in my initial November preview, I question a couple of the selections and their scheduling, especially showing a divisive, partisan Michael Moore film on Election Eve.

Here's a roundup of a number of the interesting titles showing this month on Turner Classic Movies! Click any hyperlinked title for the review.

...A day of films directed by Stuart Heisler on November 1st includes the amusing ALONG CAME JONES (1945). It's a cheaply made Western with back projections galore, but stars Gary Cooper, Loretta Young, and Dan Dureya make it a lot of fun.

...One of the documentaries which sounds interesting to me is NIGHT MAIL (1936), about an overnight train delivering mail to Scotland. OLYMPIC CAVALCADE (1948), about the 1948 London Olympics, is another title of interest. And a documentary about the Antarctic, THE SECRET LAND (1948), has a stellar trio of narrators in Robert Taylor, Van Heflin, and Robert Montgomery. Look for these documentaries and more on November 2nd.

...On November 6th Cary Grant stars with Grace Moore in WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE (1937), a rarely seen Grant film which was shown at this year's TCM Classic Film Festival. Another Moore film, LOVE ME FOREVER (1935), will also be shown on the 6th.

...Must viewing on November 8th: LIVE FROM THE TCM CLASSIC FILM FESTIVAL: NORMAN LLOYD (2016). The special airs on Lloyd's 102nd birthday! Those of us who have been privileged to enjoy Norman Lloyd's appearances at the festival firsthand adore him, and now many more viewers will be able to enjoy his tales of classic Hollywood. The special is followed by an evening of excellent films in which Lloyd appeared, including SABOTEUR (1942), seen at right, THE SOUTHERNER (1945), and THE BLACK BOOK (1949), aka REIGN OF TERROR.

...The documentary lineup on November 9th includes John Ford's DECEMBER 7TH (1943) and THE BATTLE OF MIDWAY (1942); Ford was present at the latter battle.

...There's an eight-film tribute to Joel McCrea on November 11th. The films span three decades, ranging from early titles such as THE MOST DANGEROUS GAME (1932) to RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY (1962).

...An interesting pair David Lean films will be shown back to back on November 12th: BLITHE SPIRIT (1945), a comedy-fantasy, and BRIEF ENCOUNTER (1945), which I saw at this year's TCM Classic Film Festival.

...A day of Howard Hawks films on November 15th includes Bogart and Bacall in TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT (1944), which I recently reviewed. It's a longtime favorite.

...Ann Rutherford is celebrated on November 16th, kicking off with four shorts in which she appeared, including ANNIE LAURIE (1936) with Dennis Morgan and CARNIVAL IN PARIS (1937) with Henry Brandon. The day continues with Andy Hardy and "Whistling" films, as well as one of my favorite "B's," TWO O'CLOCK COURAGE (1945).

...I'm excited about the November 17th TCM premiere of Paramount's rarely seen THE SAINTED SISTERS (1948), starring Veronica Lake and Joan Caulfield. It's part of an evening of films about con women; I've seen the other four films on the schedule, and it's a great lineup. (November 5th Update: Sadly THE SAINTED SISTERS has been removed from the TCM lineup.)

...I love when early Dennis O'Keefe films show up on TCM's schedule. This month TCM is showing POP ALWAYS PAYS (1940), costarring Leon Errol and Walter Catlett. It airs November 18th.

...November 20th is an especially great day on the schedule, with showings of Deanna Durbin in NICE GIRL? (1941) and I'LL BE YOURS (1947), neither of which is available on DVD. I'LL BE YOURS is one of just three Durbin films I've not yet seen or reviewed at this blog. (The others, for the record, are CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY and UP IN CENTRAL PARK, which I own and will be catching up with at some point!). Also on the November 20th schedule is the Thanksgiving film PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE (1952).

...November 21st there's an eight-film birthday tribute to dancer Eleanor Powell, including HONOLULU (1939), which I reviewed earlier this year.

...On November 22nd TCM celebrates the centennial of the National Park Service. The evening includes four Traveltalks shorts filmed at national parks, as well as films shot in national and state parks, including 3 GODFATHERS (1948), reviewed here after I recently saw it at the Lone Pine Film Festival.

...Thanksgiving Day, November 24th, is filled with family films including MR. BLANDINGS BUILDS HIS DREAM HOUSE (1948), MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944), THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1941), FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950), and more.

...The Black Friday lineup on November 25th consists of seven of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers' 10 films together. A great day for taking it easy and enjoying leftovers with TCM!

...There are a number of great movies on TCM Sunday, November 27th, including Jeanette MacDonald and Nelson Eddy in ROSE-MARIE (1936), Judy Garland in THE HARVEY GIRLS (1946), Cary Grant and Irene Dunne in MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940), and Bogart and Bacall in THE BIG SLEEP (1946). One of those days where you could happily leave TCM running all day long!

...It's Alfred Hitchcock Day on November 29th, with eight films including the underseen, very enjoyable YOUNG AND INNOCENT (1937). Hitchcock fans who haven't seen it should give it a look, it's a treat, starring Nova Pilbeam and Derrick DeMarney.

...The month comes to an end with a day featuring eight Christmas and winter-themed films on November 30th, including the enjoyable comedy SNOWED UNDER (1936) with George Brent and Genevieve Tobin. Incidentally, be watching for a look at TCM's December lineup of Christmas films here around the end of November!

Please visit TCM's online schedule for the most complete, up-to-date November listings.