Quick Preview of TCM in December

Turner Classic Movies has released its December schedule!

Dick Powell will be the December Star of the Month. My records indicate that he has been Star of the Month once previously, way back in October 2000.

Over three dozen Powell films will be shown on Thursdays, including the rarely screened comedy gem YOU NEVER CAN TELL (1951). I'm curious whether that Universal Pictures film is a TCM premiere.

As is usual for TCM in December, Christmas movies will be playing on the network throughout the month. There are two Christmas films in the lineup I can't recall having been on TCM before, Roy Rogers' TRAIL OF ROBIN HOOD (1950) and the British film THE HOLLY AND THE IVY (1952), starring Celia Johnson and Ralph Richardson.

Also turning up for Christmas: The 1994 version of LITTLE WOMEN, starring Winona Ryder; the 1933 and 1949 versions are on the schedule as well. Many other seasonal favorites will be shown in December, including LADY ON A TRAIN (1945) and COVER UP (1949). I'll have a separate preview of Christmas films posted at the end of November, along with the usual monthly highlights and a Star of the Month post.

December's Treasures From the Disney Vault features THE ABSENT MINDED PROFESSOR (1961), its sequel SON OF FLUBBER (1963), plus THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE (1973), THE STRONGEST MAN IN THE WORLD (1975), and GUS (1976).

December's Noir Alley titles: CRACK-UP (1946), TOO LATE FOR TEARS (1949), TALK ABOUT A STRANGER (1952), BEWARE, MY LOVELY (1952), and DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1944).

Last year Eddie Muller stated on Twitter that CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY (1944) with Deanna Durbin and Gene Kelly would be on TCM "for holiday season 2018" but sadly it didn't make the final schedule. BEWARE, MY LOVELY, incidentally, is also set at Christmas.

Another treat on the December schedule is KING OF JAZZ (1930). Also of note: December 26th features a tribute to the late Burt Reynolds.

As has often been the case in years past, New Year's Eve will be spent with the THIN MAN movies followed by the THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! series of great clips from MGM musicals.

Click any hyperlinked title in this post for my review and cast info. As mentioned, I'll have much more on the December schedule posted here around December 1st!

Coming up next: Rita Hayworth's centennial will be celebrated when she is the Star of the Month in October, and Glenda Farrell is Star of the Month for November.

Update: For more on TCM in December 2018, please visit TCM in December: Highlights, TCM in December: Christmas Movies, and TCM Star of the Month: Dick Powell.