TCM Star of the Month: Fredric March

Fredric March, considered by many to be one of the finest actors to ever appear in films, is the Star of the Month for October on Turner Classic Movies.

March had a long film career, which stretched from the '20s to 1973. Over two dozen March films will be shown this month, starting this evening, October 5th, with March's Oscar-winning role in DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE (1931). DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE was directed by Rouben Mamoulian and costars Miriam Hopkins.

March was as adept at comedy as he was at more dramatic roles, which is demonstrated in the classic I MARRIED A WITCH (1942), also airing tonight. I MARRIED A WITCH costars Veronica Lake, Susan Hayward, and Robert Benchley. I've watched this one again since my first viewing in 2007, and I liked it even more the second time.

THE MAN IN THE GRAY FLANNEL SUIT (1956), ANNA KARENINA (1935), and EXECUTIVE SUITE (1954) are among the other titles scheduled this evening.

On the 12th March's second Oscar-winning role will air: the William Wyler classic THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (1946).

A STAR IS BORN (1937) and the fun comedy BEDTIME STORY (1941) are among the other titles on the 12th. ONE FOOT IN HEAVEN (1941), in which March plays a minister, is a movie which has been on my "to see" list for some time now.

October 19th showcases the comedies DESIGN FOR LIVING (1933) and NOTHING SACRED (1937), along with dramas like MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (1959), SUSAN AND GOD (1940), and THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET (1934). I especially recommend THE BARRETTS OF WIMPOLE STREET, which I've enjoyed more than once.

The March tribute concludes on October 26th with titles including INHERIT THE WIND (1960), SEVEN DAYS IN MAY (1964), ANTHONY ADVERSE (1936), and one of my favorite March comedies, THERE GOES MY HEART (1938). He's absolutely charming in the latter film, which costars Virginia Bruce; the plot may be lightweight, but there's some zippy dialogue and March is terrific.

For an overview of other good things airing on TCM in October, please visit this post.

The complete schedule for October is available at Turner Classic Movies.