Quick Preview of TCM in July

It's time for a quick peek ahead at the July schedule on Turner Classic Movies!

As has been the case recently, I'm writing this preview with somewhat less information than usual, but I have enough of the schedule to provide a solid peek at some of the fun things coming to TCM starting 10 days from now.

There will be a "theme month" for Star of the Month, featuring singing stars every Monday evening. Singers featured will include Billie Holiday, Lena Horne, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, and, of course, Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.

The July Noir Alley films will be ANGEL FACE (1953), BLUES IN THE NIGHT (1941), DARK PASSAGE (1947), and THEY WON'T BELIEVE ME (1956).

These four films range from good to great, and it's worth noting that my appreciation for BLUES IN THE NIGHT grew when I saw it at this year's Noir City Hollywood Festival. Jack Carson and Priscilla Lane, seen here, are among the film's stars.

Eddie Muller's "Summer of Darkness: Eddie Muller's Top 25" will continue on Friday evenings in July. The lineup features top classics, including one of my personal favorites, CRISS CROSS (1949).

The TCM Spotlight on Tuesdays is on independent American filmmakers, including names such as Howard Hughes, Ida Lupino, and Hal Roach.

As usual, Independence Day will be celebrated with titles include 1776 (1972), which is also the day's Musical Matinee, YANKEE DOODLE DANDY (1942), and THE MUSIC MAN (1962). Late that evening will be the TCM premiere of INDEPENDENCE DAY (1983) -- not the 1996 blockbuster, but a drama starring Kathleen Quinlan.

Filmmakers receiving multifilm tributes in July include Clarence Brown, Barbara Bel Geddes, Charles Laughton, Tom Hanks, Grace Kelly, Ginger Rogers, and Betty Comden and Adolph Green.

A tribute to Jill Clayburgh will include three TCM premieres, including STARTING OVER (1979).

July 1st, which is Canada Day for our neighbors to the north, will feature Canadian-born actors such as Walter Pidgeon and Jack Carson. Other July programming themes include MGM musicals, con artists, nuns, motorcycles, and hot weather.

I'm also tickled by an evening with back-to-back screenings of the 1934 and 1980 versions of LITTLE MISS MARKER; the later version, starring Walter Matthau and Julie Andrews, will be a TCM premiere.

I'll have a much more detailed look on TCM's July schedule posted here around July 1st.

Happy Summer!

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