TCM in April: Highlights

Welcome to a look at the April schedule on Turner Classic Movies!

April is a particularly exciting month for TCM. The network marks its 30th anniversary this month with the series "The Beginning of a Beautiful Friendship: 30 Years of TCM" each Thursday evening.

On those nights former TCM employees will join current hosts to introduce the films.

April 14th, the exact 30th anniversary of the network's debut, is particularly special. On that day TCM will air Robert Osborne introductions throughout the day.

But wait, there's more!

The new 13-week "Two for One" series debuts Saturday, April 6th. In a program somewhat reminiscent of the long-running "Essentials" series, Ben Mankiewicz will be joined by a different filmmaker each Saturday night for a double bill of films curated by the guests.

The series begins with Martin Scorsese showing BLOOD ON THE MOON (1948) and the TCM premiere of ONE TOUCH OF VENUS (1948).

Other filmmakers participating in the coming weeks include Rian Johnson, Spike Lee, and Steven Spielberg.

I haven't even yet mentioned that TCM will be celebrating the centennial of MGM all day every Monday, or that Marlon Brando's centennial will be celebrated with Star of the Month programming on Wednesdays!

The April Noir Alley weekend schedule will include VIOLENCE (1947) on April 6th and 7th, THE BREAKING POINT (1950) on April 13th and 14th, BORN TO KILL (1947) on the 20th and 21st, and THE BIG KNIFE (1955) on April 27th-28th.

Below are just some of the month's highlights. Click on any hyperlinked title to read my full-length review.

...The MGM centennial series begins on Monday, April 1st, focused on the 1920s and 1930s. Among the classic titles are THE DIVORCEE (1930) and THE THIN MAN (1934).

...A whopping 10 films featuring actress Ann Dvorak will be shown on April 2nd, including pre-Code classics like THREE ON A MATCH (1932). That evening, a tribute to actress-writer Emma Thompson includes one of the most perfect movies ever made, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY (1995).

...Marlon Brando's Star of the Month films will begin on his centennial; he was born April 3, 1924. The day's films include the Oscar-winning classics ON THE WATERFRONT (1954) and A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (1951).

...The TCM 30th anniversary celebration on April 4th will include one of Robert Osborne's favorite films, William Wyler's DODSWORTH (1936).

...The excellent April 5th schedule includes great Billy Wilder films such as THE MAJOR AND THE MINOR (1942), seen here with Ray Milland and Ginger Rogers, and FIVE GRAVES TO CAIRO (1943) with Franchot Tone.

...One of my favorite Westerns -- indeed, one of my favorite films -- is RIDE LONESOME (1959), and it will be shown on TCM April 6th.  Randolph Scott leads an excellent cast in this Budd Boetticher movie which was partly filmed in Lone Pine's Alabama Hills.

...The MGM 100th Anniversary films on April 8th focus on the 1930s and 1940s, including MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY (1935), THE WIZARD OF OZ (1939), and THE PHILADELPHIA STORY (1940).

...The Marlon Brando films on April 10th include THE GODFATHER (1972). I first saw the film less than two years ago and quite enjoyed it. My detailed thoughts are at this link!

...TCM's anniversary celebration films on April 11th will include Ernst Lubitsch's classic TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1942), starring Jack Benny and Carole Lombard.

...It's the month for centennial celebrations! Director Stanley Donen's April 13th centennial will be celebrated with a few titles, including an all-time favorite of mine, SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS (1954).

...The MGM films on April 15th will be from the 1940s and 1950s. It's a great lineup which includes MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS (1944) and SINGIN' IN THE RAIN (1952).

...The centennial of composer Henry Mancini will be marked on April 16th, with films inlcude TOUCH OF EVIL (1958), DEAR HEART (1964), THE PINK PANTHER (1964), and CHARADE (1963).

...The Marlon Brando films on April 17th include the musical GUYS AND DOLLS (1955), costarring Frank Sinatra and Jean Simmons.

...A day of "baby" themed films on April 19th includes the marvelous BACHELOR MOTHER (1939), starring Ginger Rogers and David Niven.

...TCM has a lovely primetime schedule on April 21st, featuring a pair of films constarring Jennifer Jones and Joseph Cotten, PORTRAIT OF JENNIE (1948) and LOVE LETTERS (1945). Cotten once named Jones as his favorite costar, saying they had "happy days" working together.

...The MGM series on April 22nd features froms from the 1950s through '70s, including FORBIDDEN PLANET (1956) and HOW THE WEST WAS WON (1962).

...A memorial tribute for the late Glynis Johns will take place on April 23rd. The films will include VACATION FROM MARRIAGE (1945), also starring Robert Donat and Deborah Kerr.

...The final evening celebrating TCM's anniversary, on April 25th, will include the holiday classic CHRISTMAS IN CONNECTICUT (1945).

...Director Rian Johnson (KNIVES OUT) will appear on the new "Two for One" series on April 27th. I love the films he's selected: TROUBLE IN PARADISE (1932) and JEWEL ROBBERY (1932). Both movies star Kay Francis.

...The MGM films on April 29th include the marvelous clip film on MGM musicals, THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT! (1974).

...The month wraps up on April 30th with a lineup which includes the noir classic OUT OF THE PAST (1947).

There is much, much more on TCM this month! For additional information on TCM in April 2024, please visit my Quick Preview of TCM in April, along with TCM's online schedule.

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