Quick Preview of TCM in June

Turner Classic Movies recently released a preview of its June schedule.

The June Star of the Month will be Ann Sheridan. Approximately three dozen of Sheridan's films will be shown on Tuesday evenings.

I think Sheridan is a terrific choice. She was previously the Star of the Month close to two dozen years ago, in August 1996.

It's a great lineup, though I do wish TCM were able to show her rarely seen but charming film directed by Douglas Sirk, TAKE ME TO TOWN (1953). Perhaps it's on Kino Lorber's list of Universal Pictures films to release this year...we can hope!

The June Noir Alley films are THE UNDERWORLD STORY (1950), MURDER BY CONTRACT (1958), UNDERWORLD, U.S.A. (1961), and THE LADY FROM SHANGHAI (1948).

The TCM Spotlight theme every Monday and Thursday will be "Jazz in Film." The schedule will include everything from band leader bios (for example, THE GLENN MILLER STORY) to films with classic jazz scores (such as ANATOMY OF A MURDER) to jazz musicians on film (HIGH SOCIETY) to documentaries (JAZZ ON A SUMMER'S DAY) and shorts (JAMMIN' THE BLUES).

There's also a "History of the Swimsuit" theme throughout June which includes "Beach Party" and Esther Williams films.

Father's Day will be celebrated on June 21st with a lineup including titles such as FATHER OF THE BRIDE (1950). Additional May themes include prisons, pre-Codes, Miss Marple films, and "B" Westerns, including the rarely shown Tim Holt film DESERT PASSAGE (1952).

Filmmakers receiving multifilm tributes will include Frank Morgan, Rosalind Russell, Sam Peckinpah, the Marx Brothers, Judy Garland, Gregory Peck, Montgomery Clift, Robert Ryan, Jeanette MacDonald, Nicholas Ray, and Billy Wilder.

There's also a prime time double bill of a pair of films starring Carole Lombard and William Powell and a prime time centennial tribute to Ray Harryhausen.

I'll have a more detailed look at the June schedule available here around the end of May.

In the meantime, Jane Russell is the April Star of the Month, with Edward G. Robinson slated for May.

Update: For more on TCM in June 2020, please visit TCM in June: Highlights and TCM Star of the Month: Ann Sheridan.