TCM in September: Highlights

It's time for a close-up look at the September schedule for Turner Classic Movies!

Peter Sellers is the September Star of the Month. His films will be shown on Monday evenings beginning September 8th. Please note there will not be a separate Star of the Month post for September.

The Noir Alley films in September will be HE RAN ALL THE WAY (1951) on September 6th and 7th, SUDDEN FEAR (1952) on the 13th and 14th, THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US (1946) September 20th-21st, and BERLIN EXPRESS (1948) on the 27th and 28th.

THE MURDERERS ARE AMONG US is a German film which is a TCM premiere, as noted in my September preview last July. I especially recommend SUDDEN FEAR, which has a remarkably good performance by Joan Crawford.

The TCM Spotlight focuses on famed costume designer Edith Head every Wednesday evening. The series traces her career from the '20s through the '70s.

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

...There's a Tracy-Hepburn marathon on the Labor Day holiday, followed by an evening of Johnny Weissmuller Tarzan moveis. Among the Tracy-Hepburn films on the schedule I especially like PAT AND MIKE (1952).

...An evening of Cary Grant movies on September 2nd includes the classic HIS GIRL FRIDAY (1940), costarring Rosalind Russell.

...NEVER LET ME GO (1953) was shown last month for Clark Gable's Summer Under the Stars day, and I'm glad to see it turning up on the schedule again so quickly, as it's not shown especially often. Gene Tierney costars as Gable's Russian ballerina wife. It will air on September 3rd.

...The first night of the Edith Head schedule on the evening of September 3rd is packed with classics, including LOVE ME TONIGHT (1932) and SHE DONE HIM WRONG (1933); Mae West is seen above in the latter film. The whole schedule is worth watching!

...September 4th features an evening with a "Noir or Not?" theme, including the great Western BLOOD ON THE MOON (1948).

...I enjoy Virginia Mayo in SMART GIRLS DON'T TALK (1948), showing on September 5th. She's seen here with costar Bruce Bennett.

...The Musical Matinee film on Saturday, September 6th, is TWO GIRLS ON BROADWAY (1940) with Lana Turner and Joan Blondell.

..The entertaining Rin Tin Tin film CLASH OF THE WOLVES (1925) will be shown as part of Silent Sunday Nights on September 7th.

...A day of WWII films on the 8th includes ASSIGNMENT IN BRITTANY (1943), a minor yet enjoyable film starring Jean-Pierre Aumont and the luminous Susan Peters.

...One of my favorite days on the September schedule is the 9th, dedicated to films from director Jacques Tourneur. The movies are all great, including such diverse pleasures as CAT PEOPLE (1942), EXPERIMENT PERILOUS (1944), STARS IN MY CROWN (1950), and EASY LIVING (1949) to name some of them. All wonderfully entertaining. STARS IN MY CROWN is pictured here, with Dean Stockwell, Joel McCrea, and Ellen Drew.

...The September 10th schedule is also pretty great, with a daytime birthday tribute to Edmond O'Brien followed by an evening of films with costumes designed by Edith Head. Among the O'Brien films, it's a minor movie but I'm very fond of the Western COW COUNTRY (1953), which I've seen multiple times. And from the Head films, you can never go wrong with ALL ABOUT EVE (1950)!

...September 11th is the first of two nights of William Wyler films this month; it features the TCM premiere of the documentary WILLIAM WYLER: FORTY TAKES WILLY (2024). More Wyler films will be shown the evening of the 18th.

...There are several MGM musical biographies on September 12th; the movies aren't always great, but they have terrific musical numbers! One of the best on the schedule is THREE LITTLE WORDS (1950) starring Fred Astaire, Vera-Ellen, and Red Skelton.

...I like ROADBLOCK (1951), a short 73-minute crime film starring Charles McGraw and Joan Dixon. It's showing on the 13th.

...The September 15th schedule includes a favorite Robert Montgomery film, THE MYSTERY OF MR. X (1934). It's shown on TCM relatively infrequently and has never had a DVD release, so set those DVRs!

...September 16th features an evening of MGM films starring Fernando Lamas, including the very enjoyable DANGEROUS WHEN WET (1953), costarring his future wife, Esther Williams.  They married in 1969.

...It's June Allyson Day on September 19th. TWO GIRLS AND A SAILOR (1944) is a favorite at hour house.

...I love YOLANDA AND THE THIEF (1945), directed by Vincente Minnelli and starring Fred Astaire and Lucille Bremer. It's an "under-the-radar" film which some musical fans don't care for, but it's always been a personal favorite. Check it out on September 21st.

...THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA (1942) is a charming "B" film starring Marsha Hunt and Richard Carlson. On an occasion when I had a conversation with Miss Hunt, she shared that THE AFFAIRS OF MARTHA was one of her favorite films to make. It will be shown on TCM September 22nd.

...TCM celebrates films restored by UCLA on the evening of September 25th, running through most of the following day. Among the many interesting titles is UCLA's important restoration of the "pre-release" version of MY DARLING CLEMENTINE (1946). Although I personally prefer the theatrical release, the pre-release version is an important piece of film history.

...Loretta Young stars in the 60-minute pre-Code PLAY-GIRL (1932) on the 27th. I always love Loretta's pre-Codes!

...The little-known yet quite fun MGM musical ATHENA (1954) will be shown on TCM September 28th.  Jane Powell and Debbie Reynolds star, along with Vic Damone (seen here). The only unfortunate thing about the movie is that MGM swiped the story idea from Esther Williams and director-choreographer Charles Walters without giving them credit.

...The month comes to a close on September 30th with a day of films directed by Nicholas Ray, including the great ON DANGEROUS GROUND (1952) starring Robert Ryan and Ida Lupino.

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

Happy September movie viewing!

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Tonight's Movie: Ponyo (2008)

Last week I saw Hayao Miyazaki's PONYO (2008) for the first time thanks to Studio Ghibli Fest 2025.

The annual Studio Ghibli Fest, hosted by Fathom Events, screens Miyazaki's films each year at my local Cinemark Theatre.

Over the years I've gradually been watching all of the Miyazaki films my kids have recommended for me; I've watched each one on a big screen, in the original Japanese language, with English subtitles. Review links for all of the Miyazaki films I've watched to date are at the bottom of this post.

I described PONYO to friends as "sweet, innocent, and mildly creepy." Creepiness aside, I really enjoyed it, ranking it just behind MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988) and KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (2009).

Ponyo (Yuria Nara) is a little fish who kisses one of her many fishy sisters goodbye and escapes from her strict -- and rather weird -- father Fujimoto (George Tokuro). She heads for the surface and a shoreline off Japan, where a little boy named Sosuke (Hiroki Doi) finds her and gives her her new name.

Ponyo becomes very attached to Sosuke, especially after he feeds her some ham, which she loves. Ponyo uses magic -- and a lick of blood -- to transform into a little girl, and she's eventually taken in by Sosuke's mother Lisa (Tomoko Yamaguchi).

Ponyo's rather spooky father wants her back, but her beautiful sea goddess mother (Yuki Amami) may hold the answers so that everyone is happy with their futures.

PONYO was also written by director Miyazaki, and as with his other films, PONYO is very much a "fairy story" in which things happen which aren't logical to us but seem perfectly normal to the characters in the world it portrays.

A 13-year-old witch leaving home is a normal rite of passage in KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE, and here Lisa, an otherwise very normal mother "holding down the fort" while her husband Koichi (Kazushige Nagashima) works on a ship, thinks nothing of a little girl who was once a fish moving in.

One of the ongoing themes in my favorite Miyazaki films is people caring for one another, and that "reassuring" quality reappears again here, not only with Lisa and Sosuke caring for Ponyo, but with Lisa's work at the local old people's home.

I also love the multigenerational interactions in Miyazaki's films, where young children spend time with and make friends with the elderly as a matter of course. I like the way we see how they benefit one another's lives.

Like Miyazaki's other films, PONYO is at once unique and derivative, drawing on classic children's literature for some of its inspirations. In this case it's easy to see allusions to stories such as THE LITTLE MERMAID and THE PRINCESS AND THE FROG, from wanting to become a human with legs to a magical kiss.

At the same time, the movie has its own tremendous creativity, humor, beautiful visuals -- I loved the sea goddess -- and most of all, heart. I really enjoyed it.

PONYO runs 101 minutes. It's rated G.

PONYO is available on DVD and Blu-ray, as well as in a DVD/Blu-ray combo set.

Voices in the English-language cast, for those interested, include Liam Neeson, Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Noah Cyrus, Tina Fey, Cloris Leachman, Betty White, and Lily Tomlin.

Previous reviews of Miyazaki films: CASTLE IN THE SKY (1986), MY NEIGHBOR TOTORO (1988), KIKI'S DELIVERY SERVICE (1989), HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE (2004), and THE WIND RISES (2013).

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Around the Blogosphere This Week...

...will not be appearing this weekend, as I'm attending the Cinecon Classic Film Festival.

The column will return next weekend, on Saturday, September 6th.

For recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my August 23rd column.

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Quick Preview of TCM in October

Here's a quick preview of what's ahead on the Turner Classic Movies schedule this October!

The October Star of the Month will be Angela Lansbury. Lansbury was previously TCM's Star of the Month over a decade ago, in January 2012. This October TCM will be honoring the centennial of Lansbury's birth, which was October 16, 1925.

Lansbury's films will be shown on Thursday evenings, excepting October 30th. There will be a two-day Halloween horror marathon on October 30th and 31st.

One of this month's "Special Themes" will be Alfred Hitchcock on Sunday evenings. The TCM Spotlight series will be Creepy Cinema on Friday nights, hosted by Mario Cantone. 

October's Noir Alley schedule will consist of THE BIG STREET (1942) followed by three TCM premieres: NEW YORK CONFIDENTIAL (1955), BLACK TUESDAY (1954), and SOUTHSIDE 1-1000 (1950).

In addition to lots of spooky movies over the course of the entire month, October programming themes will include oil, 1980s movies, WWII, cars, spies, the French Revolution, military comedies, the theater, and films with "dark" and "little" in the title.

On October 1st there will also be a great lineup celebrating films released 75 years ago, in 1950.

Filmmakers honored with multifilm tributes in October will include Julie Andrews, Randolph Scott, Otto Preminger, Montgomery Clift, and Van Heflin.

On October 6th there will be an evening honoring Chill Wills, including three of the Francis the Talking Mule films, two of which are TCM premieres.

In the meantime, a new month is right around the corner, and Peter Sellers will be featured as the September Star of the Month.

Update: For more on TCM in October 2025, please visit TCM in October: Highlights and TCM Star of the Month: Angela Lansbury.

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New Western RoundUp Column: Shane (1953)

My newest Western RoundUp column for Classic Movie Hub, a review of the classic Western SHANE (1953), has just been posted.

I recently revisited the film for the first time in years thanks to the new Kino Lorber Studio Classics Blu-ray.

Kino Lorber has also released SHANE in a 4K edition.

Please click over to Classic Movie Hub for my thoughts on a wonderful movie, as well as a bit of interesting background, 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; March 2025; April 2025; May 2025; June 2025; July 2025.

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Tonight's Movie: The Prisoner of Zenda (1952) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The marvelous romantic adventure THE PRISONER OF ZENDA (1952) has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

This was at least the third filming of the famous based on the Anthony Hope novel, in which Englishman Rudolf Rassendyll (Stewart Granger) is recruited to temporarily take the place of his cousin King Rudolf V (also Granger) after the King is drugged and kidnapped as part of a plot by the King's half-brother Michael (Robert Douglas) to take the throne.

There was a silent version in 1922, which is delightfully included as an extra on this Blu-ray, and there was also a much-loved edition starring Ronald Colman and produced by David O. Selznick in 1937.

The 1937 version is considered by many to be the finest telling of this story, and indeed it is splendid, with a superb cast. I reviewed it here in 2010.

That said, perhaps the first version one sees becomes one's favorite, as I fell in love with this 1952 MGM remake when I saw it in 2008.

It's such a faithful re-filming of the story that MGM even arranged to use Alfred Newman's Oscar-nominated 1937 score, with cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg emulating some of James Wong Howe's camera angles from the earlier version.

I didn't know any of that the first time I saw it and was swept away by the marvelous cast and story, and returning to the movie now I feel the same way. This is simply a wonderful film which I love, remake or not.

Granger is excellent in the dual role as the dashing, noble Englishman and the less admirable King, who learns life lessons from both his experiences and his cousin.

Deborah Kerr is a lovely Princess Flavia, the King's fiancee, her eyes shining as she discovers she unexpectedly loves the man she is to marry. This was a reunion for Kerr and Granger, who previously costarred in KING SOLOMON'S MINES (1950), and they are again very nicely paired.

And while I firmly believe Douglas Fairbanks Jr. should have been Oscar-nominated for his portrayal of Rupert of Hentzau in 1937, James Mason is perfectly fun and enjoyable in this edition. Mason was perfect for the role.

Other notable cast members include Jane Greer as the woman who loves Michael and Louis Calhern and Robert Coote as the King's loyal servants who hatch the plot to save his reign via a temporary impersonation.

In a lovely touch, the Cardinal is played by Lewis Stone, who had starred in the silent version three decades previously.

This film is grand fun and a very fast-paced 96 minutes which I find thoroughly delightful. Everyone in the cast is at the top of their games, and the gorgeous color, beautiful costumes (by Walter Plunkett), and exciting climactic duel add to the viewing pleasure.

Richard Thorpe directed from a screenplay by John L. Balderston (who worked on the 1937 edition) and Noel Langley, from an adaptation by Wells Root. Additional dialogue was by Donald Ogden Stewart. Both Root and Stewart also worked on the '37 version.

The Warner Archive Blu-ray is from a 1080p HD master from a 4K scan of the original Technicolor camera negatives. It is absolutely stunning; I can't praise the quality of this Blu-ray disc enough. It's sumptuous, with an excellent soundtrack. The Warner Archive Collection has built an excellent reputation for the quality of their Blu-rays, and this disc surely must rank at or near the top in terms of picture quality. I was very impressed.

As mentioned previously, the extras include the 1922 silent version starring Lewis Stone, Ramon Navarro, and Alice Terry. The Blu-ray also includes a couple additional treats, the hour-long 1939 Lux Radio Theater production starring Ronald Colman, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., and Benita Hume (Colman), along with Colman and Hume reprising their roles in a shorter 30-minute Screen Directors Playhouse (1949) radio production a decade later. The trailer is also included.

Both this film and disc are very much recommended.

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

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Tonight's Movie: Father Brown, Detective (1934) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

FATHER BROWN, DETECTIVE (1934) is one of the newest Blu-ray releases from Kino Lorber -- so new that it's not quite out yet!

It will be released on September 16th, 2025.

This is an engaging short mystery romance which I believe many classic film fans will enjoy, as I definitely did.

It's interesting to note that this seems to be the summer for short Kino Lorber releases, as I've recently reviewed SMOOTH AS SILK (1946), which runs 64 minutes, and THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER (1940), which clocks in at 60 minutes.

FATHER BROWN, DETECTIVE, is a 68-minute film, and like THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER, it costars Gertrude Michael. Michael plays a completely different type of character here, and it was a treat to see her in two such disparate roles this weekend.

Walter Connolly stars in the title role, a character based on novels by G.K. Chesterton. The script was written by Henry Myers and C. Gardner Sullivan.

Father Brown receives a letter from a thief, Flambeau (Paul Lukas), warning him, in the nicest possible way, that he intends to steal the church's crucifix with precious gems. Instead of being alarmed, Father Brown is intrigued by the letter, and he hopes that he can hold on to the crucifix while saving Flambeau's soul.

Flambeau also plans to steal gems from Sir Leopold Fischer (Halliwell Hobbes). Flambeau is in love with Fischer's niece Evelyn (Michael) and wishes to give her all of the diamonds as proof of his adoration. Evelyn, though, doesn't want the diamonds -- she only wants the man, Flambeau, she's come to love.

This was a charming little movie which I quite enjoyed. I was completely unfamiliar with it prior to watching, and by the end I wished Connolly had done a series as the religious detective. Alas, this film -- one of 11 Connolly was in in 1934! -- was the only one.

The romantic aspect is quite well conveyed. Flambeau and Evelyn's eyes meet across a crowded room, and it's all over. Michael played a temperamental, bossy leading lady in THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER and I wasn't initially sure about her character here, given that she's first seen in an illegal (albeit high-class) gambling establishment. Her character proves to be a quiet, lovely woman who's soon enmeshed in a very...complicated...love affair.

Lukas's character almost seems crazy at the outset, but he makes Flambeau's evolution believeable and ultimately quite touching.

Una O'Connor provides comic relief as Father Brown's housekeeper, and the cast is rounded out by Robert Loraine and E.E. Clive.

The movie was directed by Edward Sedgwick and filmed by Theodor Sparkuhl.

Kino Lorber's Blu-ray print is lovely, especially for a film of this vintage, with a strong soundtrack.

Disc extras consist of a commentary track by Jason A. Ney and a gallery of five trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber.

I quite liked this film and will watch it again. I'm very appreciative of Kino Lorber releasing lesser-known titles such as the titles I've watched within the last few days, and I hope we'll see more such releases in the future.

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

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Tonight's Movie: The Farmer's Daughter (1940) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

THE FARMER'S DAUGHER (1940), a cheery minor musical comedy from Paramount Pictures, was just released on Blu-ray by Kino Lorber.

This is the kind of "little" movie I love to be able to check out, and it's also a film a lot of labels might otherwise ignore. I'm grateful to Kino Lorber for putting it out -- and in a lovely print!

Broadway producer Nickie North (Charlie Ruggles) has a backer for his latest show, as long as it stars Clarice Sheldon (Gertrude Michael) and rehearses out of town. There are devious reasons for that stipulation...

Nickie finds a likely rehearsal spot on a farm owned by the Binghams (William Duncan and Ann Shoemaker). The Binghams' daughter, clutzy but cute Patience (Martha Raye), falls head over heels for young leading man Dennis (Richard Denning), which is complicated by Clarice having a similar interest in handsome Dennis.

There are myriad troubles getting the show up and running over the film's 60 minutes, including Clarice suddenly deserting the farm, but the show must go on...

This is one of those "nothing very special but I sure enjoyed spending an hour with it" kind of movies.

Any film which puts together a cast which also includes William Demarest, William Frawley, Darryl Hickman, Inez Courtney, Tom Dugan, Jack Norton, Benny Baker, and Sheila Ryan (billed as Betty McLaughlin) is worth watching, as far as I'm concerned.

I've never been a particular fan of Martha Raye, finding her too often loud and boisterous, but although her Patience has issues, she's nicely subdued in this film and I quite enjoyed her. I also liked the way young Denning interacts with her, charmed from the start.

Denning had been in films in small parts since 1937 and was on a steady upward trajectory; while he was never a huge star, he worked very steadily until 1980, including playing the governor on HAWAII FIVE-O (1968-1980). He was long married to actress Evelyn Ankers; they each appeared in BLACK BEAUTY (1946), which I reviewed a few years ago.

The large group of pros, notably including Ruggles and Michael, all "do their thing" pretty much as one would expect, making THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER a fun hour which leaves the viewer smiling -- and perhaps with a craving for buttermilk and apples.

The movie was directed by James P. Hogan. It's of note that the script was written by another director, Lewis R. Foster, from a story by future director Delmer Daves. Foster had recently won an Oscar for Best Story for MR. SMITH GOES TO WASHINGTON (1939). There's quite a bit of talent behind the screen.

The movie was nicely shot in black and white by Leo Tover; I especially liked a scene where the camera tracks along a porch while Raye sings from inside the house, heard through the open windows. It's lovely.

As Farran Smith Nehme notes in her commentary, one of the movie's pleasures is that many scenes were filmed not only outdoors, but not on a backlot. It gives the film a nice "fresh air" feel which helps elevate the film above the ordinary.

I have listened to the full commentary track and found it both enjoyable and informative, exploring many topics including the career of Gertrude Michael and the nuances between programmers and "B" films.

Also included on the Blu-ray are half a dozen trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber, though a trailer for this film is not included.

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

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Around the Blogosphere This Week

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

...Coming to Blu-ray and 4K from Kino Lorber Studio Classics in late October: THE CAT AND THE CANARY (1927). It's a 4K restoration from original nitrate prints and will include two separate commentary tracks.

...The November releases from the Criterion Collection will include HELL'S ANGELS (1930).

...Stephen Reginald has reviewed DASHING TO THE END: THE RAY MILLAND STORY at his site Classic Movie Man. It was written by Eric Monder for the University Press of Mississippi Hollywood Legends series.

...A new book from the University of Nebraska Press which caught my eye: 1978: BASEBALL & AMERICA IN THE DISCO ERA by David Krell. I first became an avid Dodgers fan as a teen in the mid to late '70s and have put this book on my wish list.

...The September streaming lineup at the Criterion Channel will include '70s Thrillers and a collection of Robert Altman films.

...I enjoyed this interview with Mel Harris of THIRTYSOMETHING (1987-1991), which, as the author says, I found very relatable as a young mother in the '90s. (I also enjoyed Harris in a stage production of LOVE LETTERS around that era.) A reboot/sequel to the series is a possibility.

...Glenn Erickson's latest reviews at Trailers From Hell include Vincente Minnelli's THE COBWEB (1955), just out on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection, and the Sylvia Sidney "Pre-Code Classics" Blu-ray set from Kino Lorber Studio Classics. The Sidney set consists of two films, CONFESSIONS OF A CO-ED (1931) and LADIES OF THE BIG HOUSE (1931); look for a review of that Kino Lorber set here soon.

...Over at Riding the High Country, Colin's latest review is of THE HOUSE ON TELEGRAPH HILL (1951), starring Valentina Cortese, Richard Basehart, and William Lundigan...at Speakeasy Kristina has reviewed SUDDENLY (1954) with Frank Sinatra and Sterling Hayden...and Jessica's latest musical review at Comet Over Hollywood is CAROUSEL (1956)...a film which almost starred Frank Sinatra! In the end, he was replaced by Gordon MacRae.

...For those who live near a theater which features the annual Studio Ghibli Fest, this week's movie, showing through August 27th, is PONYO (2008). I'm hoping to see it in a few days, in the original Japanese language version.

...Coming soon from Angel City Press: ELEMENTS OF LOS ANGELES: EARTH, WATER, AIR, FIRE by D. J. Waldie. The description says it will explore "topics as diverse and resonant as the unlikely history of the Hass avocado, the St. Francis Dam disaster...and the sound of Vin Scully's voice carried across the summer air."

...Happiest birthday wishes to Vera Miles, who turns 95 on August 23rd. She had a fascinating career including working with Ford, Hitchcock, and Disney. She is one of three surviving cast members, along with Patrick Wayne and Lana Wood, from the film which gets my vote as the greatest Western ever made, THE SEARCHERS (1955). Here's an interview with Christopher McKittrick, whose book on Miles was published earlier this year by the University Press of Kentucky. (Thanks to Farran Smith Nehme for the interview link.)

...The American Cinematheque will be screening the terrific crime procedural MYSTERY STREET (1950), starring Ricardo Montalban and Bruce Bennett, on Sunday, August 31st, at the Los Feliz 3 Theatre. Earlier this year I reviewed the film's Blu-ray release.

...Notable Passings: Terence Stamp has passed away at 87. Although I've seen relatively little of his work, I will of course always remember him as General Zod in SUPERMAN (1978)...Joe Caroff, who designed the James Bond 007 logo, has died, one day before turning 104. He also designed the well-remembered poster for WEST SIDE STORY (1961). Caroff was the subject of the documentary BY DESIGN: THE JOE CAROFF STORY (2022).

...Please note that Around the Blogosphere This Week will not appear on August 30th, when I'll be attending the Cinecon Classic Film Festival. The column will return on Saturday, September 6th.

...For additional recent links of interest to classic film fans, please visit my August 16th column.

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Tonight's Movie: Two Weeks With Love (1950) - A Warner Archive Blu-ray Review

The MGM musical TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE (1950) has just been released on Blu-ray by the Warner Archive Collection.

TWO WEEKS WITH LOVE is relatively lesser-known among the great MGM musicals, but it's one of my all-time favorites, and the beautiful new Blu-ray does it full justice.

I last revisited this film a decade ago, in 2015, and rather than completely "reinvent the wheel" I invite readers to click over to that review for my extensive thoughts on a charming movie. I have a lot of love for this film and spent quite a bit of time in that review "digging deep" regarding both my history with the film and my overall feelings about it.

Suffice it to say here that this film about the Robinson family spending their annual two-week vacation in the Catskills is a joyous viewing experience, whether it's awkward young Patti (Jane Powell), newly turned 17, falling head over heels for dashing Demi (Ricardo Montalban) or lighthearted younger sister Melba (Debbie Reynolds) chasing after gangly Billy (Carleton Carpenter) and singing "Aba Daba Honeymoon."

There's no original score, but the music is catchy and delightfully performed, and the story and performers are engaging.

As I wrote in 2015, "It's a slender plot yet suffused with real and recognizable emotions...all told in wonderful color."

The gorgeous Technicolor cinematography was by Alfred Gilks. Direction of this 93-minute film was by Roy Rowland.

Additional cast members include Louis Calhern and Ann Harding as Powell and Reynolds' parents and Tommy Rettig and Gary Gray as their little brothers; Clinton Sundberg as the resort owner; and Phyllis Kirk as the glamorous "other woman" going after Montalban.

The lovely Warner Archive Blu-ray print is from a 1080p HD master from a 4K scan of the original nitrate Technicolor camera negatives. Print and sound quality are excellent.

Disc extras consist of the 1995 PRIVATE SCREENINGS episode with Robert Osborne interviewing Jane Powell; the 10-minute Pete Smith Specialty short CRASHING THE MOVIES (1950); another short, SCREEN ACTORS (1950); and the Tex Avery cartoon GARDEN GOPHER (1950). The disc also includes a song selection menu, always a welcome extra for those of us who enjoy revisiting musical numbers.

This film and Blu-ray are both highly recommended.

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

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Tonight's Movie: Smooth as Silk (1946) - A Kino Lorber Blu-ray Review

I'm especially excited about the newest Dark Side of Cinema XXVI Collection from Kino Lorber.

The set contains two films, DR. BROADWAY (1942) and THE GREAT GATSBY (1949), which are being made available for home viewing for the first time, along with SMOOTH AS SILK (1946), which had a previous DVD release from the Universal Vault Collection.

I've seen and liked all three films previously and decided to start this set revisiting SMOOTH AS SILK. I very much enjoyed watching the DVD in 2020 and thus was very glad to have it upgraded to Blu-ray.

I'll start by mentioning right off the bat that, other than a couple odd flashes of red on Milburn Stone's tie late in this black and white film, the Blu-ray looks terrific.

Favorite Virginia Grey plays ultra-manipulative actress Paula Marlowe, who strings along three different men in her quest for a Broadway role: Her boyfriend, attorney Mark Fenton (Kent Taylor); playboy Don Elliott (Danny Morton); and Don's uncle, Broadway producer Stephen Elliott (John Litel).

In the span of 64 minutes Paula has abandoned the unsuspecting Mark and Don in order to marry Stephen and claim the role she desperately wanted.

As I noted in my review of half a decade ago, it's never really clear why the rejected Mark, a successful attorney, would be driven to murder by Paula's duplicity, but indeed he is, framing Paula in the process.

What I particularly enjoy about this movie is it's simply fun. In other hands this story could be very dark indeed, but it all whizzes by like lightning; the cast all make it very enjoyable, in an entertaining tale which also looks great.

My one complaint, just as in 2020, is that the movie ends extremely abruptly. Perhaps writers Dane Lussier and Kerry Shaw (based on a story by Florence Ryerson and Colin Clements) didn't know where else to go, but I would have liked some closure.

For instance, does Paula's charming, sweet sister Susan (Jane Adams) leave New York and head back home, or does she possibly end up with the detective (Stone) she's been dating, who ended up investigating the murder? Does Paula ever have any introspection about her actions, or simply continue on alone, with her great part for company?

Grey seems to be having a ball as Paula, who will do just about anything -- short of murder, as it turns out -- to get what she wants, while Taylor is equally entertaining as a man who is willing to murder in order to exact revenge. I also really like Stone and Adams in this.

The cast is rounded out by Theresa Harris and Harry Cheshire. The movie was directed by Charles Barton, with cinematography by Woody Bredell.

I'm looking forward to the commentary track by Alan K. Rode, who always does very thorough work; I've recently enjoyed his track on SHANE (1953). The SMOOTH AS SILK disc also contains the movie's trailer plus two additional trailers for other films available from Kino Lorber.

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

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