TCM in March: Highlights
It's time for a review of the March schedule on Turner Classic Movies!As has been the case the last few months, TCM no longer shares the complete monthly schedules before the first of the month. This post was written using information from multiple sources, including what's been visible to date on TCM's upcoming daily schedules as well as advance schedules made available by blogger Movie Collector Ohio.
The full March schedule will go live at the TCM website on March 1st.
The March Star of the Month is Doris Day. She'll be celebrated with screenings of over 30 films on five consecutive Monday evenings beginning on the 1st.
The TCM Spotlight for March is "Growing Up On Screen." This series will focus on several child actors who made the transition to adult acting, including Judy Garland, Dean Stockwell, Kurt Russell, Elizabeth Taylor, Natalie Wood, and more.
There are a couple of "Special Themes" on TCM in March. "Reframed: Classic Films in the Rearview Mirror" takes a look at classic films which have elements which may be considered problematic by modern-day viewers. It's an interesting idea for a series, though quite frankly there are at least a couple of films on the list I just can't see as having issues warranting discussion, unless one is trying hard to be offended. I mean...SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954), really? Enough said.
The other theme, "Movie MacGuffins," is a two-evening lineup of films about mysterious or elusive objects, such as CITIZEN KANE (1941).
The Noir Alley films in March are KILLER'S KISS (1955) on March 6th-7th, THE NIGHT HOLDS TERROR (1955) on the 13th and 14th, THE THIRD MAN (1949) on March 20th-21st, and PEPE LE MOKO (1937) on March 27th and 28th.
Here are a few additional March highlights. Please click on any hyperlinked title for an extended review.
...The interesting pre-Code BLONDIE OF THE FOLLIES (1932) is on March 2nd. Marion Davies stars as a young woman looking for a way out of poverty, with Robert Montgomery as her true love.
...There's a wonderful day of Dennis Morgan films on March 3rd. My top recommendation are THE DESERT SONG (1943), where he gets to show off his singing talent, and the World War II romance THE VERY THOUGHT OF YOU (1944), costarring Eleanor Parker.
...A few months ago I enjoyed BIG LEAGUER (1953), a "baseball procedural" about players auditioning for minor league contracts, starring Edward G. Robinson, Jeff Richards, and Vera-Ellen. It's on March 6th.
...One of my very favorite silent movies airs on Silent Sunday nights March 7th: GIRL-SHY (1924), starring Harold Lloyd and Jobyna Ralston. Very highly recommended.
...The great Olivia de Havilland receives a daytime tribute on March 9th. I especially recommend THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD (1938), one of my favorite movies ever made, and a more recent discovery, LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA (1962).
...A birthday tribute to director Gregory La Cava on March 10th includes a film I've enjoyed more on each viewing, 5th AVENUE GIRL (1939), with Ginger Rogers heading a fine cast in a tale of an unemployed young woman who helps a wealthy family rediscover happiness.
...There's more Dennis Morgan on March 11th, with MY WILD IRISH ROSE (1947). Not a great film, but pleasant, with two interesting leading ladies, Arlene Dahl and Andrea King.
...Kay Francis receives a three-film prime time tribute the evening of March 14th. The night of pre-Code films features Ernst Lubitsch's TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932), followed by JEWEL ROBBERY (1932) and MANDALAY (1934).
...Leslie Caron stars in the Cinderella tale THE GLASS SLIPPER (1955) on March 15th. It's part of a day of fairy tales.
...The Hal Roach Streamliner HERE COMES TROUBLE (1948) will be shown on March 19th. Bill Tracy, Joe Sawyer, and Joan Woodbury star.
...Yasujiro Ozu's LATE SPRING (1949), starring Setsuko Hara and Chishu Ryu, will be shown on March 21st. It's one of their very best.
...March 24th features a lineup of films costarring Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre, including THE CONSPIRATORS (1944). Hedy Lamarr and Paul Henreid star.
...It's been so long since I last saw Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn in CHARADE (1963) that it's never been reviewed here. I'm overdue for a revisit! It's on March 28th.
Happy March movie viewing!
posted by Laura @ 2:45 PM
11 Comments:
Thank you so much for this! The TCM website is useless to me since it was redesigned. On any given day I can only see one film on the Daily Schedule! There's only room for one film at a time!
Regarding Elisa's comment: They must be out of their minds at TCM. Your site is just grand and helpful, especially as it seems many attractive features are coming up. Thanks, Laura.
What a treat, all these great movies in one month. We have nothing like it here in Scotland.
Looking forward to the Streamliner, and I haven't seen the interesting I Shot Jesse James in a while.
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers indeed! I don't know if I want to know why it needs to be "reframed." My "choice" for March: https://www.caftanwoman.com/2021/03/caftan-womans-choice-one-for-march-on.html
I assume TCM's "Reframing" series is their bow to wokeness. The audience simply must get a hefty helping of preaching and lecturing. They can't be trusted to know what to think without, as we all know.
Margot, you may have hit it out of the park. How I am beginning to hate them.
I automatically tune out when the preaching starts.
Thank you all for the comments!
Elisa and Barrylane, I'm truly delighted to know that my overview has been especially helpful of late. There has been one recent improvement in the "new" TCM site -- it is now "staying put" on the Pacific time zone for me instead of changing every time I click on a page. I've hoped for other improvements but am starting to wonder if that's all they're going to do in terms of resolving the new "usability" issues.
Vienna, we are truly fortunate!!
Caftan Woman, thank you *so* much for the link to your SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS post, have now visited and left a comment. One of my top favorite films ever.
Margot and Barrylane, without intending to get too political, in an environment where even Dr. Seuss is cancelled -- wonder what's going to happen to the Geisel Library at my son's alma mater in San Diego? -- this Reframed series does have a touch of feeling as though they're trying to head off the woke mob at the pass. I love good discussions but I worry they're presenting a list of easy targets for future cancellation, as discussion isn't enough for many people -- only eradication will do, and that's alarming.
And I'm frankly troubled an American masterpiece as profound and thought-provoking as THE SEARCHERS is now labeled as "difficult." That movie and its lead character are *supposed* to challenge viewers. It's one of the reasons it's great art, along with all its other virtues.
Best wishes,
Laura
Really not political Laura, at least in terms of Democrat and Republican or left and right, but a controlling mob mentality. Sort of nuts.
Agreed.
Best wishes,
Laura
Here's what TCM's Jacqueline Stewart says of the "Reframed" series, for those who are interested:
https://apnews.com/article/movies-mickey-rooney-ccac676ad469ca3932a0890b0dd4e67a
Best wishes,
Laura
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