TCM in December: Highlights

It's amazing to realize it's already the last month of the year!

Here's a look ahead at some of the programming coming to Turner Classic Movies in December.

Merle Oberon is the December Star of the Month. Her films will be shown on the first four Tuesday evenings of the month, starting on December 2nd. Please note there will not be a separate Star of the Month post for December.

Complete information on the many Christmas movies showing this month may be found in my post TCM in December: Christmas Movies. Christmas films will be shown throughout the month, culminating in a marathon from December 19th through Christmas Day. This post also covers New Year's programming.

Noir Alley films will be show on December 6th and 7th (CRY OF THE CITY), December 13th and 14th (CASH ON DEMAND), and December 27th and 28th (ODD MAN OUT).

CRY OF THE CITY is a particular favorite of mine which I highly recommend. Victor Mature, Richard Conte, and Debra Paget star.

The TCM Spotlight theme on Thursday evenings is "Divine Intervention." Films shown will include I MARRIED AN ANGEL (1942), CABIN IN THE SKY (1943), THE BISHOP'S WIFE (1947), and CAROUSEL (1956), to name just a few.

Other themes of interest this month include a two-night celebration of Hanna-Barbera animation and three evenings which showcase Art Deco style.

Here are just a few additional highlights from a packed December schedule. Please click any hyperlinked title to read my extended review.

...The first evening of Merle Oberon films, on December 2nd, includes the highly regarded THE SCARLET PIMPERNEL (1934), costarring Leslie Howard.

...THIS COULD BE THE NIGHT (1957) is a warm-hearted comedy about a teacher (Jean Simmons) who takes a second job working on the books at a nightclub and discovers a "found family" of good friends. The movie's spirit makes it perfect for the Christmas season. Robert Wise directed. It's on December 3rd.

...Later in the evening of the 3rd, the Hanna-Barbera tribute includes the TCM premiere of the cartoon short A CHRISTMAS STORY (1972) and a trio of MGM musicals featuring live action/animated sequences: ANCHORS AWEIGH (1945), DANGEROUS WHEN WET (1953), and INVITATION TO THE DANCE (1956).

...There are several very good films airing as part of the "Divine Intervention" series on December 4th, including the classic HERE COMES MR. JORDAN (1941) starring Robert Montgomery and Claude Rains.

...A December 5th birthday tribute to Agnes Moorehead, who was born December 6th, 1900, includes the lovely OUR VINES HAVE TENDER GRAPES (1945), featuring Moorehead and Edward G. Robinson in atypical roles as farmers who are the parents of young Margaret O'Brien. The movie includes a Christmas sequence, making it perfect seasonal viewing.

...The December 6th Musical Matinee features Carole Lombard and Fred MacMurray in SWING HIGH, SWING LOW (1937). TV prints are often not very good, though an excellent 35mm print exists at UCLA, so we'll have to see how this one looks.

...One of my favorite musicals, YOU WERE NEVER LOVELIER (1942), shows on December 7th. Fred Astaire, Rita Hayworth, and Jerome Kern music. What more could one want?!

...On December 9th TCM celebrates films released 70 years ago, in 1955, including the MGM musicals KISMET (1955) and THE GLASS SLIPPER (1955).

...The second evening celebrating Hanna-Barbera, on December 10th, includes several TCM premieres, including CHARLOTTE'S WEB (1973). The voice cast features Debbie Reynolds.

...Dick Van Dyke turns 100 on Saturday, December 13th. TCM will show three of his films for the occasion, including a very special TCM premiere of MARY POPPINS (1964).

...There's a terrific Esther Williams double bill on December 14th: EASY TO LOVE (1953) and THRILL OF A ROMANCE (1945).

...An evening of films featuring Art Deco design on December 15th includes a trio of Busby Berkeley classics: 42ND STREET (1933), FOOTLIGHT PARADE (1933), and GOLD DIGGERS OF 1933 (1933). All are absolute must-sees.

...A year before WUTHERING HEIGHTS (1939), Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier costarred in the romantic comedy THE DIVORCE OF LADY X (1938). They have good chemistry, and the film has a very distinctive Technicolor style. It will be shown December 16th as part of an evening of Oberon's films. (And don't miss the day of classic '50s sci-fi which precedes the Oberon lineup!)

...A day of films featuring Douglas Fairbanks Jr. on December 17th includes HAVING WONDERFUL TIME (1938) with Ginger Rogers.

...Ernst Lubitsch's classic HEAVEN CAN WAIT (1943) will air on December 18th. Don Ameche and Gene Tierney lead an amazing cast of character actors.

...The wonderful RACHEL AND THE STRANGER (1948) is part of a day of William Holden films on December 19th. Loretta Young and Robert Mitchum costar.

...An evening of films "In Memoriam" on December 26th honors several filmmakers who died this year and were not previously honored on TCM. The films include THE YEARLING (1946) with Claude Jarman Jr.

...December 28th features sseveral good comedies including MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940) with Cary Grant and Irene Dunne.

...Animal movies on December 30th include GYPSY COLT (1954) with Donna Corcoran, Ward Bond, and Frances Dee.

For more on TCM in December 2025, please check out my posts Quick Preview of TCM in December and TCM in December: Christmas Movies, along with TCM's online schedule.

TCM also has a December promo video on YouTube.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all!

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