TCM in April: Highlights

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

Red Skelton is the April Star of the Month. Over a dozen Skelton films will be shown on Monday evenings beginning April 7th.

Skelton was previously honored in April 1998. I will have some recommendations of his films below; please note that there is not a separate Star of the Month post this month.

The April Noir Alley films are THE NARROW MARGIN (1952) on April 5th and 6th, THE STEEL TRAP (1952) on the 12th and 13th, THE SET-UP (1949) April 19th and 20th, and THE PROWLER (1951) April 26th-27th.

THE NARROW MARGIN is one of my all-time favorite films, and I highly recommend it.

The TCM Spotlight is "Pulp Fiction" on Friday nights, while a Special Theme on Wednesday is "Acts of Faith," with, as one might guess, films with religious themes.

Below are a few of this month's highlights. Please click any hyperlinked title to read my extended review.

...The month kicks off with an April 1st birthday tribute to Debbie Reynolds. I've enjoyed most of the films on the list and am especially fond of THE TENDER TRAP (1955), costarring Frank Sinatra. The title song reels me in every single time.

..."Acts of Faith" begins on April 2nd with half a dozen films including GOING MY WAY (1944) and ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN (1941).

...I love that the daytime lineup on April 4th pays tribute to screenwriter F. Hugh Herbert. There are a couple delightful minor gems showing on that day, SNOWED UNDER (1936) and PERSONAL MAID'S SECRET (1935), both of which I've enjoyed multiple times. The lineup also includes the TCM premiere of VANITY FAIR (1932), a modern-dress version of the Thackeray story starring Myrna Loy.

...The "Pulp Fiction" series starts in the evening on April 4th, with a lineup including TARZAN THE APE MAN (1932) and LOST HORIZON (1937).

...There are several fun films on April 6th, including future WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939) costars Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier in the more lighthearted (and Technicolor!) THE DIVORCE OF LADY X (1938).

...Red Skelton's Star of the Month films on April 7th include HAVING WONDERFUL TIME (1938), which he made at RKO, and all three of the "Whistling" movies with Ann Rutherford. I have fond memories of watching the Whistling movies on local television when I was a child.

...Eddie Muller's newly revised and expanded version of his classic book DARK CITY DAMES is being published on April 8th, and TCM celebrates its publication day with several film noir titles including THE KILLING (1956) and TENSION (1949), both of which I just saw at the Noir City Hollywood festival. I took along my advance review copy of DARK CITY DAMES, and Eddie told me it was the first one he'd signed!

...Greer Garson is the focus in a six-film lineup on April 9th, including top classics RANDOM HARVEST (1942), MRS. MINIVER (1942), and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE (1942).

...Marjorie Main will be celebrated in prime time on April 10th with five films including MA AND PA KETTLE (1949).

...Another "only on TCM" lineup this month, on April 11th, features films costarring the talented dog Asta (real name: Skippy). Titles including FOG OVER FRISCO (1934), CALL IT A DAY (1937), BRINGING UP BABY (1938), and of course, THE THIN MAN (1934).

...April 14th is TCM's 31st anniversary! The Star of the Month films that evening including LADY BE GOOD (1941) with Red Skelton, Eleanor Powell, and Ann Sothern.

...I love that Tax Day, April 15th, features movies about crimes revolving around taxes and tax evasion. The films including George Brent and Bette Davis in SPECIAL AGENT (1935).

...April 17th is one of two evenings featuring the films of Merchant Ivory. Titles include MERCHANT IVORY: THE DOCUMENTARY (2024) which I recently reviewed.

...A night of movies inspired by pulp fiction on April 18th includes the very good THE SAINT IN NEW YORK (1938), featuring a different take on the title character, by Louis Hayward, than we're used to seeing from the next actor to play the Saint, George Sanders.

...The Musical Matinee on April 19th includes the MGM musical LOVELY TO LOOK AT (1952), a very engaging film featuring Kathryn Grayson, Howard Keel, Ann Miller, Red Skelton, and Marge and Gower Champion, who have a couple spectacular dance numbers. The movie will be encored on April 28th as part of the Star of the Month lineup.

...Easter Sunday, April 20th, will of course feature EASTER PARADE (1948), along with a lineup of religious films. In the late evening, stick around for Yasujiro Ozu's LATE SPRING (1949) and EARLY SUMMER (1951), both starring the radiant Setsuko Hara.

...Some of Red Skelton's best MGM musicals will be shown the evening of April 21st, including NEPTUNE'S DAUGHTER (1949) and THREE LITTLE WORDS (1950).

...Eight Joan Blondell films will be shown on April 22nd, including the pre-Code gangster drama BLONDIE JOHNSON (1933). Chester Morris costars.

...On April 23rd the daytime lineup focuses on movies set in Los Angeles, including THE BIG SLEEP (1946) with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

...SINBAD THE SAILOR (1947), featuring spectacular Technicolor and stars Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Maureen O'Hara, will be shown April 25th. Marvelous escapism.

...Tim Holt and Marjorie Reynolds star in the RKO "B" Western CYCLONE ON HORSEBACK (1941) on Saturday morning, April 26th.

...The Acts of Faith series concludes on April 30th with a relatively rare TCM showing of the 20th Century-Fox film THE SONG OF BERNADETTE (1943), starring Oscar winner Jennifer Jones.

For more on TCM in April 2025, please visit my Quick Preview of TCM in April, along with TCM's online schedule.

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Tonight's Movie: Outpost in Malaya (1952) - An MGM Blu-ray Review

The post-World War II action film OUTPOST IN MALAYA (1952) was just released on Blu-ray by MGM.

Jim and Liz Frazer (Jack Hawkins and Claudette Colbert) and their young son Mike (Peter Asher) live on a rubber plantation in Malaya in the early '50s.

The Frazer marriage has survived wartime imprisonment in Japanese camps, including the death of one of their children, but their relationship has now been pushed to the breaking point.

Jim is under pressure to protect their estate from local bandits who are terrorizing the community; things are bad enough that planters get check calls from the military every few hours. Meanwhile he's paying scant attention to Liz, partly because he's so concerned about providing for her safety.

Liz is on the verge of taking Mike to boarding school in England and is considering staying there unless Jim can show some interest in the future of their marriage. Before she can leave, things go from bad to worse and the Frazers' home is under attack; Jim's careful preparations for such an eventuality may not be enough. Ironically, the attack may also reset the Frazers' fading relationship.

OUTPOST IN MALAYA is a fairly engrossing 91 minutes, alternating suspenseful action with marital melodrama; it has a bit of a split personality in this regard, with Jim romancing Liz in the middle of an assault on their home, but it remains engaging. Director Ken Annakin (SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON) keeps things moving along nicely.

While Jim has made considerable plans to repel an attack on his estate, at times the Frazers don't seem to recognize the depth of the threats they're facing. Or perhaps they do, but are inured to the danger to some extent, having survived the worst life has to offer during the war. One would think that at least they would show more concern for the safety of their little boy, however, having already lost his sibling.

Hawkins and Colbert are well matched and enjoyable to watch, with Anthony Steel engaging as Hugh, their friend in the local military. There are hints Hugh may be interested in Liz himself, given the very personal nature of his conversations with Liz, but in the end he seems to be genuinely invested in helping his friends save their marriage.

The film's supporting cast includes Ram Gopal, Tom Macauley, Jeremy Spenser, Helen Guss, and Bill Travers.

The screenplay was by Guy Elmes and Peter Proud, based on the novel THE PLANTER'S WIFE by S.C. George. The movie was shown under the novel's title in the UK.

OUTPOST IN MALAYA was filmed in black and white by Geoffrey Unsworth, and MGM's Blu-ray print shows off his cinematography nicely. The movie was filmed in England, with lots of second unit photography which required some obvious use of process shots, but the work is pretty good as these things go.

In the end, while the script could have used some polishing, I enjoyed OUTPOST IN MALAYA and was particularly glad to see a new-to-me film starring one of my favorite actresses, Claudette Colbert. This is a nice-looking disc and a worthwhile pickup for fans of the lead actors.

MGM's disc has an option for English-language subtitles but no extras.

Thanks to Allied Vaughn and MGM for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray. OUTPOST IN MALAYA may be purchased from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...While at the Lone Pine Film Festival last fall, I was excited to learn directly from author Scott Eyman that he was working on a biography of Joan Crawford. It's now been announced by publisher Simon & Schuster that the book will be out on November 18th, 2025; the title is JOAN CRAWFORD: A WOMAN'S FACE. I'm very interested in getting Eyman's take on the beloved-yet-controversial actress.

...CineSavant Glenn Erickson's latest reviews include the Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of TOPKAPI (1964).

...GENERAL HOSPITAL celebrates its 62nd anniversary on April 1st, and as part of that, the show will honor Dr. Monica Quartermaine, the character played for decades by the late Leslie Charleson. Charleson is seen here at the bottom left, with fellow longtime cast members John J. York, Genie Francis, Kristina Wagner, and Jon Lindstrom.

...Warner Bros. plans to demolish the building where Looney Tunes cartoons were created dating from the '50s.

...The blog Dear Mr. Gable shares lovely photos of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard, who married March 29, 1939.  The post includes a reprint of a 1939 article, "The Gables at Home," which is a fun read.

...Notable Passings: Clive Revill, who voiced the Emperor in THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980), has passed on at the age of 94. EMPIRE is one of my all-time favorite films...Dennis Arndt, a busy working actor for decades, has died at 86. He had a recurring role as attorney Jack Sollers on L.A. LAW.

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear on April 5th, when I'll be spending the day attending multiple events, including an appearance by ADAM-12 star Kent McCord at the Hollywood Heritage Museum. The column will return on Saturday, April 12th.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my March 22nd column.

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New Classic Movie Hub Column: Lots of Western Movie News!

My latest Western RoundUp column has now been posted at Classic Movie Hub!

This month I share a wide variety of news items related to Western movies, including new and upcoming disc releases, film festivals, and more.

Please click over to Classic Movie Hub to check out my column, and thanks very much for reading!

Previous Classic Movie Hub Western RoundUp Column Links: June 2018; July 2018; August 2018; September 2018; October 2018; November 2018; December 2018; January 2019; February 2019; April 5, 2019; April 30, 2019; May 2019; June 2019; July 2019; August 2019; September 2019; October 2019; November 2019; December 2019; January 2020; February 2020; March 2020; April 2020; May 2020; June 2020; July 2020; August 2020; September 2020; October 2020; November 2020; December 2020; January 2021; February 2021; March 2021; May 2021; June 2021; June 2021 (No. 2); July 2021; August 2021; September 2021; November 2021; December 2021; December 2021 (No. 2); January 2022; February 2022; March 2022; April 2022; May 2022; June 2022; July 2022; August 2022; September 2022; November 2022; November 2022 (No. 2); January 2023 (No. 1); January 2023 (No. 2); March 2023; April 2023; May 2023 (No. 1); May 2023 (No. 2); June 2023; July 2023; September 2023; September 2023 (No. 2); October 2023; November 2023; December 2023; January 2024; February 2024; March 2024; April 2024; May 2024; June 2024; July 2024; August 2024; September 2024; October 2024; November 2024; December 2024; January 2025; February 2025.

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Tonight's Movie: The Enforcer (1951) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

I first saw Humphrey Bogart in THE ENFORCER (1951) last year at the Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival in Palm Springs.

I absolutely loved the movie but didn't have time to review it at that point, so I was delighted to revisit the the film thanks to Kino Lorber's Dark Side of Cinema XXII collection.

I must have read about THE ENFORCER in books on Bogart once upon a time, but nothing seems to have stuck in my mind, and I thus first saw this movie completely "cold." It proved to be a very happy experience, and the film is so good it remained completely engrossing viewing it a second time 10 months later.

Bogart plays District Attorney Martin Ferguson, who's on the verge of convicting a killer named Mendoza (Everett Sloane) when Mendoza's confederate, Rico (Ted de Corsia), turns state's evidence.

Rico is terrified, and with good reason, as hit men (including one played by Bob Steele) are after him.

Rico does die near the outset of the film, and Ferguson is facing the prospect of having to let Mendoza walk free due to the lack of enough evidence for a conviction. Ferguson and Police Captain Frank Nelson (Roy Roberts) spend hours combing through evidence books and interview tapes desperately searching for something else which might be enough to keep Mendoza in prison and take him to trial.

Directors Bretaigne Windust and the uncredited Raoul Walsh keep the story moving forward at a rapid pace for all of its 87 minutes, building to an exciting climax.

The movie at times seems to have as many flashbacks as THE LOCKET (1946), but it works very well thanks to Martin Racklin's well-constructed and engrossing screenplay. I even wondered if perhaps Kurosawa's HIGH AND LOW (1963) drew any inspiration from this film, as far as the use of flashbacks to explain a police investigation.

One of the interesting aspects of the film is that terms such as "contract" and "hit man" were apparently new concepts mid century, with the police initially confused by these references.

Bogart plays a fairly button-down, "by the book" character, but his charisma does a great deal to maintain interest. I especially enjoyed Bogart's relationship with Roy Roberts, who's essentially repeating his police detective character from HE WALKED BY NIGHT (1948); they share a large number of scenes, and it's enjoyable watching these two pros discussing their case.

I also especially enjoyed King Donovan as a police sergeant. Susan Cabot and Patricia Joiner play two young women whose lives are in danger. The cast includes many more interesting faces including Zero Mostel, Lawrence (Michael) Tolan, Don Beddoe, Tito Vuolo, John Maxwell, Ralph Dunn, John Kellogg, Jack Lambert, and more.

The movie was filmed in atmospheric black and white by Robert Burks.

Kino Lorber's good-looking Blu-ray print is from an HD master of a 4K scan.

THE ENFORCER was previously available on DVD and Blu-ray from the now-defunct Olive Films. Happily Kino Lorber has now reissued several of Olive's releases, including THE ENFORCER, and in some cases also included new commentary tracks.

THE ENFORCER has a commentary track by Alan K. Rode, who in a nice "full circle" connection is also the producer and host of the Arthur Lyons Festival, where I first saw the movie!

This set, which also contains the previously reviewed THE SCARLET HOUR (1956) and PLUNDER ROAD (1957), is highly enjoyable and very much recommended.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...Movie Zyng is hosting a Warner Archive Collection 16th Anniversary Blu-ray sale through March 31, 2025. Use the code ARCHIVE16 to get four discs for $49, with additional Blu-rays priced at $12.25.

...A trailer is now up for FIGHT FOR GLORY (2025), the Apple TV documentary on the 2024 World Series in which the Los Angeles Dodgers triumphed over the New York Yankees.

...Coming in 2026 from Film Masters and the 3D Archive: CAT WOMEN OF THE MOON (1954) starring Marie Windsor and Sonny Tufts. I have to see this!

...THE PEACEMAKER (1997), starring George Clooney and Nicole Kidman, is "coming soon" from Kino Lorber. I saw it many years ago but can't say I remember it well; I'm curious to revisit it.

...Bear Manor Media has a Q&A with Laura Jerrolds, author of LAURA LA PLANTE: SILENT CINDERELLA.

...Hallmark has announced plans for a six-episode Christmas series starring Jane Seymour and Mary McDonnell. The working title is THE TWELVE DATES OF CHRISTMAS.

...As many of my readers are aware, Jeff Arnold of Jeff Arnold's West sadly passed away last summer, which I noted here. His site is being maintained by two longtime readers, Bud and RR, and they're doing a fine job. I particularly want to mention that they are regularly featuring new posts on a range of topics, such as visiting McCrea Ranch, reviewing Robert Nott's book on RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY (1962), and reviewing lots of fun "B" Westerns, such as THE THREE OUTLAWS (1956). I encourage readers to click over and spend some time enjoying the site.

...Glenn Erickson's latest reviews at Trailers From Hell include OUTPOST IN MALAYA (1952) starring Claudette Colbert. It's just been released on Blu-ray by MGM. I'll be reviewing it here soon.

...Over at 50 Westerns From the 50s, Toby Roan reviews JOHNNY RENO (1966) starring Dana Andrews and Jane Russell.

...Coming to UCLA's Billy Wilder Theater on April 4th, a tribute to the late David Lynch, with a marathon screening of the seven episodes of his short-lived TV series ON THE AIR (1992). Ian Buchanan, better known to me from his role as Duke on GENERAL HOSPITAL, starred on the show and will be at the theater in person.

...A reminder that the Noir City Hollywood Festival is now underway at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Films will be screened this weekend and then the 27th through the 30th. Complete details are in this post.

...A tribute to the late film historian Michael Schlesinger is set for the afternoon of April 6th at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. Anyone interested in attending should RSVP to celebrateschlesinger@gmail.com.

...Notable Passings: Actor-Stuntman Jack Lilley has passed away at the age of 91. Melissa Gilbert of LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, where Lilley served as a stuntman and bit player, called him "one of my favorite people on the planet." Lilley also played bit parts on MAVERICK and many other TV Westerns...Actor Wings Hauser has died at 77. He appeared in many TV shows over the years. His son Cole Hauser is in the cast of YELLOWSTONE.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my March 15th column.

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Quick Preview of TCM in May

Here's a quick advance peek at some of the programming coming to Turner Classic Movies in May 2025!

Mae West will, fittingly, be the May Star of the Month. Her films will be featured on the first three Sunday evenings of the month.  The titles are still being finalized.

The May Noir Alley titles are RIFFRAFF (1947), THE KILLERS (1946), TOUCHEZ PAS AU GRISBI (1954), CORNERED (1945), and THE BIG STEAL (1949).  

CORNERED was chosen to fit with the theme of the annual Memorial Day Weekend war movies marathon which will begin on Friday evening, May 23rd, and run through prime time on Monday, May 26th.

I'm especially happy that Westerns will be featured in prime time every Tuesday and Thursday evening in May.  The schedule begins with silent Westerns and runs through the 1970s.

Additional May programming themes will include New York apartments, airplanes, biographies, horror, mysteries, and Iowa.

Cinco de Mayo will be celebrated on May 5th with a lineup which includes several Mexican Spitfire films starring Lupe Velez. Mother's Day, on May 11th, will also featured themed viewing including I REMEMBER MAMA (1948) and MILDRED PIERCE (1945).

Gene Hackman will be honored with a memorial tribute on May 12th. 

Additional filmmakers celebrated with multifilm tributes in May are Stanley Kramer, Norman Lloyd, Alexis Smith, Katharine Hepburn, Keiko Kishi, Margaret Sullavan, John Cromwell, Leslie Caron, Howard Hawks, Louis Armstrong, and Robert Montgomery.

I'll have much more on the May schedule posted here around the first of that month. In the meantime, Barbara Stanwyck continues as the March Star of the Month, with Red Skelton coming in April.

Related post: Book Review: The Mae West Films. The book was written by James L. Neibaur, and it makes an excellent companion to the upcoming Mae West viewing schedule.

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Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Here's actress Peggy Knudsen in a studio publicity shot to celebrate the holiday.

Knudsen's grandson, via her 11-year marriage to Jim Jordan Jr. (son of "Fibber McGee and Molly"), is screenwriter John Orloff, creator of MASTERS OF THE AIR.

Have a wonderful holiday!

Previous St. Patrick's Day Posts: 2013 (Maureen O'Hara), 2014 (Angela Greene), 2015 (actresses in green), 2016 (Maureen O'Hara), 2017 (more actresses in green), 2018 (posters for Irish-themed movies), 2019 (Maureen O'Sullivan), 2020 (THREE CHEERS FOR THE IRISH photo gallery), 2021 (GOING MY WAY sheet music); 2022 (Arlene Dahl); 2023 (Dorothy Malone); 2024 (Lori Nelson).

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Tonight's Movie: The Scarlet Hour (1956) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

THE SCARLET HOUR (1956) has had its long-awaited U.S. release for home viewing as part of the Kino Lorber Dark Side of Cinema XXII collection.

I was fortunate to see this previously overlooked film at the 2019 Arthur Lyons Film Noir Festival. Although this Paramount Pictures movie has had releases in Europe and Australia, to my knowledge this new Blu-ray is its first U.S. disc release. I've been unable to verify whether it ever was released on VHS.

THE SCARLET HOUR is a twisty 95-minute crime film directed by Michael Curtiz. It was filmed in slick-looking black and white VistaVision by Lionel Lindon, shown off to excellent effect on Kino Lorber's Blu-ray.

Carol Ohmart plays Pauline "Paulie" Nevins, who is unhappily married to the older Ralph (James Gregory), a real estate developer. Paulie is having an affair with Ralph's righthand man, "Marsh" Marshall (played by future novelist Tom Tryon).

One evening the couple are parked at a lovers' lane when a trio of men pull up. Paulie and Marsh stay out of sight as they listen to the men plan a lucrative burglary. Paulie then gets the idea that if she and Marsh swipe the jewelry from the burglars, they'll have enough to run away together.

Oh, what a tangled web...especially as Ralph has become suspicious of Paulie and follows her on the night of the fateful burglary.

I'll hold off saying anything further to avoid spoilers, but suffice it to say this is a well-played and engaging film with a couple fun plot developments which come out of left field.

This was my second time to watch the movie, and I enjoyed it just as much as the first time. That's due in part to the excellent cast, with Ohmart terrific as a woman who's simultaneously icy and red hot, depending on what she wants.

Tryon is just right as her slightly dim-witted dupe, and Gregory is his usual dependable self as her husband. Ralph wants to make things right with his wife, but unfortunately he also has a violent side; Gregory somehow manages to be both touching and creepy.

The marvelous supporting cast includes Jody Lawrance as Ralph's secretary, who quietly carries a torch for Marsh; E.G. Marshall and Edward Binns as the detectives on the case; future Emmy-winner David Lewis (GENERAL HOSPITAL) as the burglary victim; Richard Deacon as a jewelry store employee; and Elaine Stritch as Paulie's friend.

When I watched the film I remembered spotting famed "dress extra" Bess Flowers in a nightclub scene the first time around; I was then able to add her to the film's IMDb cast.

Best of all, the movie features Nat King Cole performing twice at the Beverly Hills Hotel. The Jay Livingston-Ray Evans song "Never Let Me Go," which I knew long before the movie, was written for this film.

The Blu-ray print is an HD master from a 4K scan. As is typical for Kino Lorber, the movie looks and sounds terrific.

Extras consist of a three-film trailer gallery and a commentary track by Michael Curtiz biographer Alan K. Rode.

I need to listen to the commentary to find out if the funeral scene was filmed, as I suspect, across the street from Paramount at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The movie was also shot in several other locations in the Greater Los Angeles area.

The other films in this Dark Side of Cinema collection are THE ENFORCER (1951), a terrific Humphrey Bogart film I'll be reviewing here soon, and the highly enjoyable PLUNDER ROAD (1957). I love all of the Dark Side of Cinema sets, but XXII is especially recommended.

Thanks to Kino Lorber for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection.

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Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements

TCM has made several interesting announcements in recent days regarding the upcoming TCM Classic Film Festival.

A few days ago TCM announced that actress Michelle Pfeiffer will be honored with a hand and footprint ceremony at the Chinese Theatre during the festival.

Pfeiffer, who incidentally hails from my area in Orange County, will also appear at a screening of THE FABULOUS BAKER BOYS (1989). Pfeiffer was Oscar-nominated for her role in the film, one of three Best Actress nominations she's received during her career.

There's more information on Pfeiffer and the festival from Mike Barnes at The Hollywood Reporter.

Several additional titles were also just announced for the festival, including a pair of films starring Joan Crawford which will be screened in nitrate prints.

The newly announced titles include:

*MILDRED PIERCE (1945) (nitrate print)

*DAISY KENYON (1947) (nitrate print)

*CINDERELLA (1950) (75th anniversary screening hosted by Leonard Maltin and Mario Cantone)

*THE INCREDIBLE SHRINKING MAN (1957)

*FANTASTIC VOYAGE (1966)

*BABE (1995) (Special Guest: James Cromwell)

44 movies have now been announced for the festival. The TCM Classic Film Festival typically shows around 80 films, give or take a few titles, so that means we now know roughly half the films to be shown this year.

Based on past history, I anticipate that the complete schedule will probably be out by early April, roughly three weeks ahead of the festival.

The TCM Classic Film Festival will be held in Hollywood from April 24th through 27th, 2025. For more information, please visit the links below along with the official festival site.

March 19th Update: TCM announced today that the opening night film at the Chinese Theatre will be a 45th anniversary screening of THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK (1980) with George Lucas in attendance.

Previously: TCM Classic Film Festival Tickets on Sale December 10th; New Titles Announced for 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival; Around the Blogosphere This Week (Robert Osborne Award);Latest Titles Announced for 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival; New Titles Announced for TCM Classic Film Festival.

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

Miscellaneous bits of news and fun stuff from around the Internet...

...In what's sure to be some of the best release news of the year, the Criterion Collection has announced the company will be releasing the screwball comedy classic MIDNIGHT (1939) on Blu-ray in June 2025.

...Last summer I mentioned the upcoming book EXPECT GREAT THINGS! HOW THE KATHARINE GIBBS SCHOOL REVOLUTIONIZED THE WORKPLACE FOR WOMEN by Vanda Krefft, author of THE MAN WHO MADE THE MOVIES: THE METEORIC RISE AND TRAGIC FALL OF WILLIAM FOX. The book was just published and I ordered it. Based on a quick flip through it, it looks fascinating,

...Fantastic news from Kino Lorber: Dates have now been announced for the Audie Murphy Collections IV and V. Collection IV will be out on May 27th, with Set V due out June 24th. The May set will feature THE KID FROM TEXAS (1950), THE CIMARRON KID (1952) and DRUMS ACROSS THE RIVER (1954), with the June set including WALK THE PROUD LAND (1956), SEVEN WAYS FROM SUNDOWN (1960), and BULLET FOR A BADMAN (1964).

...James L. Neibaur reviews a new two-film Blu-ray set containing Audie Murphy in APACHE RIFLES (1964) and Rod Cameron in PANHANDLE (1948). The latter film is a particular favorite of mine.

...ViaVision Imprint Films in Australia has announced some interesting new boxed sets featuring the films of David Lean and Carroll Baker, plus a Shakespeare collection.

...Michael Lyons of Cartoon Research celebrates the 75th anniversary of Disney's CINDERELLA (1950). Additionally, it was just announced that Leonard Maltin and Mario Cantone will introduced a 75th anniversary CINDERELLA screening at next month's TCM Classic Film Festival. I'll have more on the latest TCMFF announcements here soon.

...For my fellow Jason Statham fans, here's the trailer for his latest film, A WORKING MAN (2025), due out at the end of March 2025.

...Miyazaki's PRINCESS MONONOKE (1997) will be shown in IMAX theaters in late March.

...At Riding the High Country, Colin reviews John Wayne in THE SONS OF KATIE ELDER (1965).

...The Warner Archive Collection just announced April Blu-ray titles, which will include SPRINGFIELD RIFLE (1952), LILI (1952), and SIDE STREET (1950). And announced for June: Looney Tunes Collector's Vault Volume 1.

...The problem of disc rot in Warner Bros. DVDs released from 2006-08 has long been known to classic film collectors, but it's been nice to see some recent media coverage of the problem. Here's an article by Scharon Harding for Ars Technica. I've sadly had to replace several discs because of this problem.

...Glenn Erickson has reviewed the Kino Lorber Blu-ray release of THE KILLER IS LOOSE (1956) with Joseph Cotten and Wendell Corey.

...Here's Thomas Doherty on the history of Technicolor for The Hollywood Reporter.

...Next month at the UCLA Film and Television Archive's Billy Wilder Theater a 35mm screening of Jean Harlow in BOMBSHELL (1933) will be accompanied by a discussion between former Los Angeles Times film critics Kenneth Turan and Justin Chang. Turan has a brand-new book I've previously mentioned here, LOUIS B. MAYER AND IRVING THALBERG: THE WHOLE EQUATION, published by Yale University Press. I admire both Turan and Chang's work and hope to attend.

...Coming to the Billy Wilder March 29th: A screening of the documentary THE AUTOMAT (2021) with director Lisa Hurwitz and famed restaurateur Alice Waters.

...Notable Passing: Oscar-winning producer Stanley R. Jaffe (KRAMER VS. KRAMER) has passed away at the age of 84.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my March 8th column.

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Tonight's Movies: Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Cartoon Collection - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The Warner Archive Collection has released some wonderful cartoon sets on Blu-ray in recent months.

Regular readers are no doubt aware of the Looney Tunes Collector's Choice Volumes 1, 2, 3, and 4; my reviews for all but the first set are linked here.

The latest cartoon collection from the Warner Archive is Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection.

The set contains 23 cartoons plus three "bonus" cartoons, for a total of 26.

These widescreen cartoons span the years 1954 to 1957. Like the other Warner Archive sets, the cartoons can be played by choosing individual titles or by simply hitting "Play All."

Tom and Jerry are longtime cartoon favorites of mine; I love the way the adorable little Jerry the mouse always gets the better of Tom the cat. Some critics find them a little too "cute" but honestly, I think that's what appeals to me about this series.

I have especially fond memories of seeing a few Tom and Jerry cartoons theatrically when I was a pre-teen, in the mid '70s; they were shown ahead of classic MGM films at the UA Cinema Center in Westwood, California.

In fact, an ad I saved for that series reminds me I saw PUP ON A PICNIC (1955), which is included in this set, prior to a showing of IT'S ALWAYS FAIR WEATHER (1955). It was a joy to revisit it thanks to this Blu-ray.

I also particularly remember seeing TOUCHE, PUSSY CAT! (1954) when I was young; that's another short I enjoyed seeing again in this set.

Other favorites in the collection include SOUTHBOUND DUCKLING (1955), about a domestic farm duck determined to fly south for the winter, and THAT'S MY MOMMY (1955) in which a baby duckling mistakes Tom for its mother.

Some critics rate Tom and Jerry cartoons which preceded the titles in this set as the best of the long-running series; hopefully they'll also be released on Blu-ray at some point, but in the meantime I really enjoyed these cartoons.

The cartoons all look sharp, with vivid colors. Like the previous WAC cartoon sets, there are no extras, but all cartoons do have optional English subtitles.

The complete list of all 26 cartoons contained in this collection, listed in chronological order: PET PEEVE (1954), TOUCHE, PUSSY CAT! (1954), SOUTHBOUND DUCKLING (1955), PUP ON A PICNIC (1955), TOM AND CHERIE (1955), THAT'S MY MOMMY (1955), THE FLYING SORCERESS (1956), THE EGG AND JERRY (1956), BUSY BUDDIES (1956), MUSCLE BEACH TOM (1956), DOWN BEAT BEAR (1956), BLUE CAT BLUES (1956), BARBECUE BRAWL (1956), TOPS WITH POPS (1957), TIMID TABBY (1957), FEEDIN' THE KIDDIE (1957), MUCHO MOUSE (1957), TOM'S PHOTO FINISH (1957), HAPPY GO DUCKY (1958), ROYAL CAT NAP (1958), THE VANISHING DUCK (1958), ROBIN HOODWINKED (1958), TOT WATCHERS (1958), plus "bonus cartoons" GOOD WILL TO MEN (1955), GIVE AND TYKE (1957), and SCAT CATS (1957).

Thanks to the Warner Archive for providing a review copy of this Blu-ray collection. Warner Archive Blu-rays may be ordered from Movie Zyng, Amazon, and other online retailers.

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