TCM in November: Highlights

It's hard to believe Halloween is almost here! That means it's time to take a look at the upcoming Turner Classic Movies schedule.

The November Star of the Month is James Stewart. This is the third time Stewart has received that honor.

56 Stewart films will be shown in 24-hour marathons beginning each Wednesday morning, starting November 1st. I'll have a closer look at the Star of the Month schedule here tomorrow. (Update: Please visit TCM Star of the Month: James Stewart.)

November's TCM Spotlight focuses on the Blacklist, each Monday and Tuesday evening.

The Spotlight series will include the TCM premiere of the very interesting THE MAN I MARRIED (1940), a suspenseful anti-Nazi film from 20th Century-Fox, starring Joan Bennett, Francis Lederer, and Lloyd Nolan. It screens November 13th.

This month's Sunday morning Noir Alley titles are SPLIT SECOND (1953) on November 5th, THE WINDOW (1949) on November 12th, NIGHT AND THE CITY (1950) on November 19th, and STRANGERS ON A TRAIN (1951) on November 26th. They're all good; I particularly recommend checking out the lesser-known SPLIT SECOND and THE WINDOW, which both deliver spooky, memorable entertainment.

Here's a look at just a few more of the interesting titles being shown this month. Click any hyperlinked title to read the corresponding film review:

...There's a marvelous nine-film birthday tribute to Ann Rutherford on November 2nd. (It's hard to believe it's been five years since her passing.) Titles include the classic A CHRISTMAS CAROL (1938) in which she broke precedent playing the Ghost of Christmas Past, which was traditionally played by male actors; FOUR GIRLS IN WHITE (1939), seen at the left, which I hope to re-review in greater detail in the coming months; and THESE GLAMOUR GIRLS (1939), along with half a dozen other films in which she appeared.

...A day of sports biographies on November 3rd includes Esther Williams as Annette Kellerman in MILLION DOLLAR MERMAID (1952), costarring Victor Mature and Walter Pidgeon.

...Silent Sunday Nights offers Harold Lloyd in THE KID BROTHER (1927) on November 5th. It's a delightful film also starring Lloyd's frequent costar, the charming Jobyna Ralston.

...There's an entire day of Falcon Mysteries on Monday, November 6th. Eleven Falcon films will be shown. This fun series originally starred George Sanders, who was later replaced by his real-life brother, Tom Conway.

...Eight Miriam Hopkins films will be shown on November 7th. My pick of the day is a title I've recommended here regularly, THE RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD (1934). It's great fun, costarring Joel McCrea, Fay Wray, and Reginald Denny.

...The prime time lineup on November 9th consists of dramas which were later turned into musicals, including Irene Dunne and Rex Harrison in ANNA AND THE KING OF SIAM (1946), seen at left, and Ronald Colman and Marlene Dietrich in KISMET (1944).

...There's more Esther Williams on November 10th, when she stars with Howard Keel in PAGAN LOVE SONG (1950).

...Get a jump on watching Christmas movies with HOLIDAY AFFAIR (1949) on Sunday, November 13th. Robert Mitchum and Janet Leigh star, with Wendell Corey in support.

...There's a seven-film tribute to Dick Powell on November 14th, including favorites like IT HAPPENED TOMORROW (1944), seen at right with Linda Darnell, and the career-changing film noir MURDER, MY SWEET (1944).

...The entertaining Robert Montgomery-Joan Crawford comedy NO MORE LADIES (1935) will be shown on November 16th. Franchot Tone and Charlie Ruggles costar, so you know it's fun!

..A nine-film tribute to Irene Dunne on November 17th includes the musical ROBERTA (1935), costarring Randolph Scott, Fred Astaire, and Ginger Rogers. A tenth Dunne film pops up the very next morning, and there are more later in the month, so fans of one of the great ladies of cinema have much to look forward to.

...A prime time tribute to Grace Kelly on November 18th includes HIGH SOCIETY (1956), costarring Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Celeste Holm. It's every bit as fun as the movie it remade, THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940).

...The Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 19th, TCM shows PLYMOUTH ADVENTURE (1952). Although the film could have been better, it has its pleasures, including the performances by Van Johnson and Gene Tierney and a fine musical score by Miklos Rozsa.

...Another early Christmas movie airs on November 20th, with Ginger Rogers and David Niven in the classic comedy BACHELOR MOTHER (1939).

...Those who love "B" cop movies will find CODE TWO (1953) pure fun. Keenan Wynn, Ralph Meeker, Jeff Richards, Sally Forrest, and Elaine Stewart star in this film about motorcycle officers, airing on November 21st.

...Thanksgiving Day, November 23rd, is filled with family-friendly book-based titles including LITTLE WOMEN (1933), I REMEMBER MAMA (1948), A TREE GROWS IN BROOKLYN (1945), NATIONAL VELVET (1944), CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN (1950), and YOURS, MINE AND OURS (1968).

...The Black Friday lineup on November 24th is an interesting assortment, including THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR (1942) and THE QUIET MAN (1952).

...An evening of Henry Fonda films on November 25th includes SPENCER'S MOUNTAIN (1963), which I recently revisited for the first time in years and enjoyed tremendously. Maureen O'Hara costars.

...There's more Irene Dunne on November 27th, with the airing of CONSOLATION MARRIAGE, costarring Pat O'Brien.

...Movies directed by Norman Z. McLeod on November 28th include the very enjoyable LADY BE GOOD (1941) with Eleanor Powell, Robert Young, and Ann Sothern.

..The month wraps up with an eight-film birthday tribute to Virginia Mayo on November 30th. Titles include entertaining films such as THE GIRL FROM JONES BEACH (1949), SHE'S BACK ON BROADWAY (1953), and PAINTING THE CLOUDS WITH SUNSHINE (1951).

...Later on the 30th, TCM celebrates St. Andrew's Day with a lineup of films set in Scotland, including BRIGADOON (1954).

Please visit TCM's online schedule for complete listings. Happy viewing, and happy Thanksgiving!