Quick Preview of TCM in July

The July schedule for Turner Classic Movies is now available online!

The July Star of the Month is Maureen O'Hara, which seems especially appropriate given that TCM just honored her at the TCM Classic Film Festival. I had the opportunity to see Miss O'Hara twice -- more on that coming in festival coverage -- and it was quite a thrill. It meant a great deal to me to be part of the audiences which had the opportunity to express our love and admiration for her.

Over two dozen O'Hara films will be shown on Tuesday nights in July, including titles such as THE BLACK SWAN (1942), SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY (1946), SITTING PRETTY (1948), RIO GRANDE (1950), and THE LONG GRAY LINE (1955).

Some key O'Hara titles are missing from the lineup -- no MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET (1947), THE QUIET MAN (1952), or THE PARENT TRAP (1961) -- but there are some less well-known movies I'm looking forward to checking out, such as IMMORTAL SERGEANT (1943) and THE BATTLE OF THE VILLA FIORITA (1965).

July will also feature multi-film tributes to Leslie Caron, Chester Morris, George Sanders, Mae West, Elizabeth Taylor, Sophia Loren, Kay Francis, Ginger Rogers, Barbara Stanwyck, James Cagney, and Red Skelton.

One of the really fun "theme" days features two musicals apiece starring Dick Powell, Eleanor Powell, and Jane Powell. The Saturday morning series is Bonita Granville in the NANCY DREW movies, and the Friday Night Spotlight theme for July is WWI.

Among the titles I especially look forward to checking out: JOURNEY TO ITALY (1955) with George Sanders and Ingrid Bergman, which I first read about after the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival; DARK DELUSION (1947), the last "Dr. Gillespie" film with Lionel Barrymore, James Craig, and Lucille Bremer; SECRET COMMAND (1944) with Pat O'Brien, Chester Morris, and Carole Landis; THE MARRYING KIND (1952) with Aldo Ray and Judy Holliday; THE FLORENTINE DAGGER (1935), about a descendant of the Borgias, starring Margaret Lindsay; LADY GANGSTER (1942) with Faye Emerson; and LADY SCARFACE (1942) with Dennis O'Keefe and Judith Anderson.

In the meantime, John Wayne is the Star of the Month for April, with a special multi-day marathon beginning next Monday, April 21st, and running through April 26th. He's followed by June Allyson as the Star of the Month for May and Rock Hudson as the Star of the Month in June.

June 30th Update: For a more detailed look at TCM in July, please visit TCM in July: Highlights.

July 1st Update: For more information on TCM's tribute to Maureen O'Hara, please visit TCM Star of the Month: Maureen O'Hara.