TCM in August: Summer Under the Stars Highlights

It's time for the August Summer Under the Stars fest on Turner Classic Movies!

For a quick overview of the stars being honored this month, please check out the list in my June preview post.

The complete schedule may be found at TCM's special Summer Under the Stars page.

As always, TCM's regular franchises go on hiatus for August. Noir Alley, Silent Sunday Nights, and other TCM features will return in September.

Below are just a few recommendations from a wonderful month of movies. Click on any hyperlinked title to read an extended review.

...Summer Under the Stars begins on August 1st with Lucille Ball Day. I've seen a majority of the movies being shown and particularly recommend EASY LIVING (1949). She's the secretary for a football team and part of a great ensemble cast which includes Victor Mature, Lizabeth Scott, Lloyd Nolan, Jack Paar, and more. It's a film which deserves a wider audience.

...August 5th is Errol Flynn Day, with many good titles on the schedule. I was impressed with EDGE OF DARKNESS (1943) when I saw it for the first time last year. Flynn and Ann Sheridan play Norwegian resistance fighters during WWII.

...I've seen all but a couple of the movies on Debbie Reynolds Day, August 6th. There are some wonderful titles; I'll mention THE TENDER TRAP (1955), a film I've loved for most of my life. Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, and David Wayne costar.

...You can't go wrong with Robert Ryan movies on August 7th! Several classics are in the lineup including the great ON DANGEROUS GROUND (1951) with Ida Lupino.

...August 8th is a great day to stay home and watch movies 'round the clock: It's Joan Blondell Day! Against, I've seen all but two of the titles and entertainment is guaranteed start to finish, including a trio of Busby Berkeley musicals. I recommend a lesser-known title, BROADWAY GONDOLIER (1935), with Powell starring opposite future husband Dick Powell.

...August 9th is one of the best days on the schedule, honoring The Nicholas Brothers. Be sure to catch the Fox musicals DOWN ARGENTINE WAY (1940) and ORCHESTRA WIVES (1942).

...Rhonda Fleming is celebrated on August 10th. I'm especially fond of the Western GUN GLORY (1957) opposite Stewart Granger.

...I'm thrilled one of my favorite actors, Alan Ladd, is being honored on August 11th. I've enjoyed most of the titles, which include three of his films with Veronica Lake. I'll recommend one of his lesser-known films, THE DEEP SIX (1958); it's about a Quaker serving in WWII. Dianne Foster (seen here with Ladd) is his leading lady.

...Hopefully TCM will be showing the restored print of KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1950) on Deborah Kerr Day, August 12th. It looks incredible!

...A day of wonderful films awaits on Greer Garson Day, August 14th. Among her lesser-known films, I'm very fond of SCANDAL AT SCOURIE (1953), which has a touch of an ANNE OF GREEN GABLES feel to it.

...Garson appears opposite Ronald Colman the very next day, August 15th, in the all-time classic RANDOM HARVEST (1942). Don't miss it! There's also a relatively rare TCM showing of LOST HORIZON (1937) that day.

...Check out the gorgeous mid-Century buildings and decor in BACHELOR IN PARADISE (1961), airing on Bob Hope Day, August 17th. Lana Turner and Paula Prentiss costar.

...August 18th is another "stay home and watch movies all day" day, featuring the films of Carole Lombard. Be sure to catch the drama IN NAME ONLY (1939) with Cary Grant and Kay Francis. A favorite!

...I've seen every single movie showing on Fred Astaire Day, August 19th. Watch them all, but take particular advantage of TCM's rare showing ofthe 20th Century-Fox musical DADDY LONG LEGS (1955) with Leslie Caron.

...Another favorite, Barbara Stanwyck, is honored August 20th. It may not be great but I'm quite fond of CRY WOLF (1947) opposite Errol Flynn and Geraldine Brooks.

...It's James Stewart Day on August 21st. I'm quite fond of COME LIVE WITH ME (1941) which he made with Hedy Lamarr.

...On August 23rd, THE LAS VEGAS STORY (1952) is quite fun. It's part of Vincent Price's day; he stars with Victor Mature and Jane Russell.

...My favorite actress, Loretta Young, is honored on August 24th. I've seen every single movie in the lineup, which is heavy with pre-Codes, and they're all good! One of my all-time favorite pre-Codes is MIDNIGHT MARY (1933) opposite Franchot Tone and Ricardo Cortez.

...On Ernest Borgnine Day, August 25th, I recommend THE WHISTLE AT EATON FALLS (1951), a docudrama about a factory fighting for survival. It's quite different and very good.

...August 26th is another great day: Doris Day Day! It's a wonderful lineup; I'm quite fond of MY DREAM IS YOURS (1949) opposite Jack Carson.

...For those looking for a lesser-known Humphrey Bogart title on his special day, August 27th, I recommend CONFLICT (1945) opposite Sydney Greenstreet and Alexis Smith.

...It's Ann Sheridan Day August 28th. Why not celebrate "Christmas in August" with THE MAN WHO CAME TO DINNER (1942)?

...Woody Strode is honored August 29th. I recommend him in John Ford's SERGEANT RUTLEDGE (1960).

...The month wraps up with John Carradine Day on August 31st. Many wonderful films on the schedule, including five films he made with John Ford. DRUMS ALONG THE MOHAWK (1939) was probably the first Ford film I ever saw. It's a Revolutionary War story starring Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert. I've loved it since I was very young.

For more on TCM in August 2023, please check out my Quick Preview of TCM in August and TCM's Summer Under the Stars microsite.

Happy Summer Under the Stars!

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