TCM in September: Highlights

It's time for a look at the September schedule on Turner Classic Movies!

This month TCM is showcasing the support of three directors who made news a few months ago advocating for the network's preservation. Martin Scorsese has long made TCM recommendations, going back to the printed guide, but this month he's filmed a video.

Steven Spielberg also filmed a TCM recommendations video, and Paul Thomas Anderson shared a list of five picks for the month.

Dirk Bogarde is the September Star of the Month. 19 Bogarde films will be shown spread across Wednesday evenings this month. Please note there will not be a separate Star of the Month post for September.

Noir Alley returns after taking August off for Summer Under the Stars. The September Noir Alley titles are THE SECRET FURY (1950) on September 2nd and 3rd, THE WRONG MAN (1956) on the 9th and 10th, OUT OF THE FOG (1941) on September 16th-17th, TWO O'CLOCK COURAGE (1945) on the 23rd and 24th, and WHIPLASH (1948) on September 30th and October 1st.

I've somehow not yet seen three of this month's Noir Alley films! I love the "B" film TWO O'CLOCK COURAGE, starring Ann Rutherford and Tom Conway (both seen here), and I enjoyed revisiting WHIPLASH at last month's Noir City Hollywood Festival. WHIPLASH stars Dane Clark, Alexis Smith, Zachary Scott, and Eve Arden.

The September TCM Spotlight Theme is "Coming of Age" films on Friday evenings.

Other September highlights include guest programming by Richard Dreyfuss (September 24th) and Rebecca Miller (September 28th); National Silent Movie Day on September 29th; and the first of a two-night tribute to director William Friedkin on September 14th. The second night will air in November; more details on the Friedkin tribute may be found here.

Below are a few additional September highlights. Please click any hyperlinked title for my review.

...The lineup on Saturday, September 2nd includes THE BIG SLEEP (1946) and RIO BRAVO (1959). That's my kind of holiday weekend viewing!

...Charles Farrell and Mary Duncan star in F.W. Murnau's CITY GIRL (1930), which makes its TCM debut on September 3rd.

...There's a day of good '60s comedies on Labor Day, September 4th, including a real fave, SUNDAY IN NEW YORK (1963), starring Rod Taylor, Jane Fonda, Cliff Robertson, and Robert Culp.

...September 7th features a day of Lana Turner films, including favorites like DANCING CO-ED (1939), KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY (1945), and LATIN LOVERS (1953). A great day to curl up on the couch and watch some very enjoyable movies! Then stay tuned that evening for a centennial tribute to Peter Lawford which includes GOOD NEWS (1947).

...Irene Dunne and John Boles star in BACK STREET (1932), which makes its TCM premiere on September 9th.

...A day of Alfred Hitchcock movies on September 10th includes one of my favorites, THE LADY VANISHES (1938). This is a film which has stood up to multiple repeat viewings! Margaret Lockwood and Michael Redgrave star.

...Director Leo McCarey is celebrated on September 11th. One of the films in the lineup is THE MILKY WAY (1936) starring Harold Lloyd, which I don't believe has been shown on TCM with frequency. It's got a great supporting role for Verree Teasdale and is worth checking out.

...Claudette Colbert stars in another TCM premiere, I COVER THE WATERFRONT (1933). It's available on DVD from the Alpha public domain label; it will be interesting to see the print condition on TCM. I COVER THE WATERFRONT is part of an excellent eight-film birthday tribute to Colbert on September 13th. A film I'm particularly fond of airing that day is WITHOUT RESERVATIONS (1946), costarring John Wayne.

...The Lane Sisters and Gale Page star as FOUR WIVES (1939), the middle film in the wonderful Lemp Sisters trilogy. It's on September 14th.

...September 15th features films about maids. One of my favorites is an engaging "B" picture, PERSONAL MAID'S SECRET (1935), which runs less than an hour. Margaret Lindsay, Ruth Donnelly, and Anita Louise star.

...I'm absolutely delighted that TCM is honoring Ellen Drew with a three-film primetime tribute on September 17th. It kicks off with Preston Sturges' CHRISTMAS IN JULY (1940), costarring Dick Powell.

...There's a fabulous day of pre-codes on September 19th. Titles include the delightful BEAUTY AND THE BOSS (1932) and PENTHOUSE (1933).

...Amnesia is the theme on September 20th, including Stewart Granger, Phyllis Calvert, and Patricia Roc in MADONNA OF THE SEVEN MOONS (1945)

...I like the "valley" theme on September 21st; the creative lineup includes a favorite Esther Williams film, DUCHESS OF IDAHO (1950), which is set in Sun Valley.

...September 22nd's movies include THE LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY (1937), starring Joan Crawford, Robert Montgomery, and William Powell.

...The Musical Matinee film on September 23rd is one of my all-time favorite movies, YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER (1942), which stars Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, and the music of Jerome Kern.

...The Tim Holt Western GUNPLAY (1951) airs on September 27th. The leading lady is Joan Dixon, who I wish had made more movies.

...National Silent Movie Day on the 29th includes a pair of terrific Harold Lloyd films, SAFETY LAST! (1923) and WHY WORRY? (1923). Both films celebrate their centennials this year.

For more on TCM in September, please visit my Quick Preview of TCM in September or TCM's online schedule.

Happy September movie viewing!

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