Movies for the Day, Monday, May 1, 2017

Today's movies celebrate English history, the birthday of actor Glenn Ford, and Law Day.




The Iron Duke (1935) is a British film
chronicling the life of the first Duke of
Wellington, especially his conquest of
Napolean at Waterloo, negotiating peace
between France and England, and as Prime
Minister.  The Duke was born May 1, 1769.
England and Scotland merged to become
the Kingdom of Great Britain on May 1,
1707.



The Iron Duke





The Big Heat (1953) is a great post-
war film noir about a tough cop vs.
a city crime syndicate.  The movie
stars the great actor Glenn Ford, born
this date, May 1, in 1916.  The movie
features a famous coffee hurling scene.
The film is listed on the National Film
Registry.


The Big Heat








12 Angry Men (1957) is a great courtroom
and jury drama excellent for viewing today, Law
Day 2017.  It stars Henry Fonda, also born in
May, on May 16, 1905.  This inspiring and
thrilling and thought provoking film is on
the National Film Registry.



12 Angry Men

Movies for the Day, Sunday, April 30, 2017

Today's movies feature the 1904 World's Fair, Bugs Bunny, and jazz greats.



Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) is a musical
about a family during the year leading up to
the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, which
opened this date, April 30, in 1904.  A comedy
and drama, this musical was later on
Broadway.  Two of its songs are on the
American Film Institute's Great Movie Songs list:
The Trolley Song and Have Yourself a Merry
Little Christmas.  Margaret O'Brien won an
Oscar as best child actress for 1944.  The movie
is on the National Film Registry.

Meet Me in St. Louis





What's Opera, Doc? (1957) is
considered one of the greatest
cartoons of all time, as Elmer Fudd
and Bugs Bunny turn operatic.
Bugs Bunny's debut was this date,
April 30, in 1938.  The film is on
the National Film Registry and
parodies a Richard Wagner opera,
particularly The Ring Cycle.  Today
is National Bugs Bunny Day.



What's Opera, Doc?





A Great Day in Harlem (1994) is a jazz
documentary featuring many jazz greats.
Today is International Jazz Day (UNESCO)
and the last day of Blues and Jazz
Appreciation Month (April 2017).




A Great Day in Harlem

Movies for the Day, Saturday, April 29, 2017

Today's movies celebrate jazz, a publishing magnate, and birds.




Black and Tan (1929) is a short musical
film starring jazz great Duke Ellington,
born this date in 1899.  Only two days are
left in Jazz and Blues Appreciation Month.
This movie is on the National Film Register.





Black and Tan






Considered one of the greatest movies
ever, Citizen Kane (1941) is the story of
a publishing tycoon, based in part on real
life publisher William Randolph Hearst, born
this date, April 29, in 1863.  This story about
journalism, power and money won an Oscar
for Screenplay (Orson Welles and Herman J.
Mankiewicz).  Welles also starred.  It features
an American Film Institute Great Quote,
"Rosebud."  The movie is on the National Film
Registry.

Citizen Kane




Today is Go Birding Day.  Kes (1969) is
a British film about a boy and a falcon (and
larger themes).





Kes

Movies for the Day, Friday, April 28, 2017

Today's movies commemorate the mutiny on the Bounty, author Harper Lee's birthday, and Arbor Day.



Mutiny on the Bounty (1935) is the movie
version of the Nordhoff-Hall book about
the famous ship mutiny.  The mutiny took place
this date, April 28, in 1789.  The movie won an
Oscar for Best Picture.  It features Captain Bligh,
who is on the American Film Institute's Villains
list.  Another worthwhile movie version was made
in 1962.




Mutiny on the Bounty



In To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), a Southern
lawyer defends a black man accused of rape.
It is based on the Pulitzer Prize novel by
Harper Lee, born this date, April 28, in 1926.
It won Oscars for Best Actor (Gregory Peck,
born this month, on April 5, 1916), Screenplay,
and Art Direction/Set Decoration.  This inspiring
movie features an enduring fictional
hero, Atticus Finch, also listed on the American
Film Institute's Heroes list.  It has great courtroom
drama and a great score.

To Kill a Mockingbird




In It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown (1976), the
Peanuts kids confront Arbor Day, which is
today.  The animated movie won an
Emmy for Outstanding Children's Special.  The
comic strip Peanuts characters were created
by Charles Schulz.




It's Arbor Day, Charlie Brown

Movies for the Day, Thursday, April 27, 2017

A famous murder trial, a children's book, and the African American experience are the subjects of today's movies.




The People vs. Jean Harris (1981) is the
television movie story of the sensational
murder and trial of Herman Tarnower,
cardiologist and author of The Complete
Scarsdale Medical Diet by Harris, his
mistress and a headmistress of a girls'
school in Virginia.  Harris was played by
Ellen Burstyn, who was nominated for an
Emmy.



The People vs. Jean Harris





Madeline (1998) is based on Ludwig
Bemelmans' children's book about an
orphan girl at school in Paris.  Bemelmans
was born this date, April 27, in 1898.






Madeline









Fences (2016) is based on a play by
August Wilson set in the 1950s.  It
is the sixth of his ten-part Pittsburgh
Cycle about African American life.
Viola Davis won an Oscar as Best
Supporting Actress.  Wilson was born
April 27, 1945.


Fences

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, April 26, 2017

Today's movies are about baseball, Chernobyl, and a trapped mountain climber.



The Natural (1984) is about a greatly talented
baseball player.  The movie is based on a book
by Bernard Malamud.  The major league baseball
season is still young and Malamud was born
this day, April 26, in 1914.





The Natural







The Chernobyl nuclear disaster occurred
this date in 1986.  This film is about
one of the aftermaths- children with heart
disease.  Chernobyl Heart (2003) won an
Academy Award for Best Documentary,
Short Subjects.




Chernobyl Heart







127 Hours (2010) is the true story of
canyoneer Aron Ralston (born
October 27, 1975), trapped in a Utah
mountain crevasse.  His ordeal
began this date, April 26, in 2003.
The movie was nominated for an
Academy Award as Best Picture.



127 Hours

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, April 25, 2017

Today's movies are about a botched bank heist, the McCarthy era, and penguins.





Dog Day Afternoon (1975) is the story of a
bank robbery gone awry, with hostages and
a media circus and Al Pacino at his best front
and center.  Pacino was born this date, April 25,
in 1940.  The movie won an Oscar for Original
Screenplay.  It also features an American Film
Institute Great Movie Quote:  "Attica! Attica!"


Dog Day Afternoon







Good Night, and Good Luck (2005) is
the story of television journalist Edward
R. Murrow's battle with Senator McCarthy
in the 1950s.  The movie was nominated for
an Oscar as Best Picture.  Murrow was
born this date, April 25, in 1908.  The
title reprises Murrow's sign-off line on
his newscast.


Good Night, and Good Luck









March of the Penguins (2005), a documentary
about penguins, won an Oscar for Best
Documentary and seems perfect for watching
today, World Penguin Day.  Also known as
Marche de l'empereur.




March of the Penguins

Movies for the Day, Monday, April 24, 2017

Today, April 24, is the birthday of Shirley MacLaine and Barbra Streisand.  It is also the anniversary of the Easter Rising in 1916 in Ireland.  Today's movies celebrate both actresses and take us to 1920s Ireland.



Shake Hands with the Devil (1959), is about an
American student who becomes involved with
rebels in war-torn 1920s Ireland.  The Irish
"Easter Rising" had taken place on this date,
April 24, in 1916.






Shake Hands with the Devil





What a Way to Go! (1964) is about
a rich widow whose four husbands
all died rich.  This comedy stars
the iconic actress and star Shirley
MacLaine, born April 24, 1934.




What a Way to Go!








Funny Girl (1968) is the story of early 1900s
comedienne and entertainer Fanny Brice.  It stars
Barbra Streisand, born this date, April 24, in 1942,
as Brice.  The movie is a passionate musical and
Streisand, one of the most famous stars of the
second half of the 20th century, won an Oscar for
her role.  It features an American Film Institute
Great Quote, "Hello, gorgeous" and two AFI Great
Songs, "People" and "Don't Rain on My Parade."  There
was a sequel, Funny Lady (1975).



Funny Girl

Movies for the Day, Sunday, April 23, 2017

Today, April 23, William Shakespeare, the greatest playwright in the English language, was born, in 1564, and died, in 1616.  I have selected three movies to celebrate his life, a history, a tragedy and a romance.



Henry V (1945) is the Shakespeare story of Henry
V's battle against France in the early 1400's, during
the Hundred Years War.  Henry V was crowned King
of England on April 9, 1413.







Henry V





Hamlet (1948) is a great tragedy
by Shakespeare.  This movie version
won Oscars for Best Picture, Best
Actor, Laurence Olivier, Costume
Design, and Art/Set Decoration.





Hamlet







West Side Story (1961) updates Shakespeare's
Romeo and Juliet to young lovers in rival
gangs in 1950s New York City.  This movie, from
a Broadway musical, won Oscars for Best
Picture, Supporting Actor, George Chakiris, Supporting
Actress, Rita Moreno, Director, Cinematography,
Art/Set Decoration, Costume Design, Sound, Film
Editing, and Music.  One of greatest musicals of all
time, this passionate film is on the National Film
Registry.  Three of the  songs are on the American Film
Institute's Greatest Songs list.

West Side Story

Movies for the Day, Saturday, April 22, 2017

Today's movies celebrate an early English novelist, take us into an insane asylum, and warn against global warming.




Tom Jones (1963) is an adaptation of a novel
by Henry Fielding, born this date, April 22, in
1707.  The movie is a great period piece about
a young man in 18th century England.  It won
Oscars for Best Picture, Director (Tony
Richardson), Screenplay, and Music Score.




Tom Jones






One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
is a classic Jack Nicholson film about insane
asylum inmates asserting themselves.  This
inspiring movie won Oscars for Best Picture,
Best Actor, Jack Nicholson, Best Actress, Louise
Fletcher, Director, Milos Forman, and Screenplay.
The movie is based on a Ken Kesey book.
Nicholson was born this date, April 22, in 1936.
Fletcher's character, Nurse Ratched, is on the
American Film Institute's Villains list.  The movie
is on the National Film Registry.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest






Years of Living Dangerously (2014) is a Showtime
documentary series about climate change that is
appropriate viewing for today, Earth Day.  In
2014, the series won an Emmy for Outstanding
Documentary.





Years of Living Dangerously

Movies for the Day, Friday, April 21, 2017

Today's selections feature the classic Jane Eyre, ancient Rome, and John Muir, famous for Yosemite National Park.



Jane Eyre (2006) is a television miniseries based
on the classic novel by Charlotte Bronte, who was
born this date, April 21, in 1816.  This romance has
been filmed many times.  This four-episode miniseries
on PBS won Emmys for Art Direction, Costumes,
and Hairstyling.




Jane Eyre





Gladiator (2000) is set in
ancient Rome, the birthday of
which is April 21, 753 B.C.  This movie
won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor:
Russell Crowe as General Maximus Decimus
Meridus, Costume Design, Sound and
Visual Effects.  The General is on the American
Film Institute's Heroes List.  Crowe
was born in April 1964, on the 7th.


Gladiator

John Muir in the New World (2011) is
a biography of the famous wilderness
preservationist, born April 21, 1838.  This
PBS American Masters offering won an
Emmy for Music Composition, Original
Dramatic Score.  Muir is especially well
known today for his efforts in preserving
Yosemite, now a national park.





John Muir in the New World

Movies for the Day, Thursday, April 20, 2017

Today's selections include a famous silent comedy, a satirical cartoon about Hitler, and a documentary about Columbine.




Safety Last (1923) is a Harold Lloyd silent
comedy which includes his famous building
climbing sequence.  Lloyd was born this date,
April 20, in 1893.  This thrilling movie
is on the National Film Registry.




Safety Last

Der Fuehrer's Face (1943) is an
anti-Nazi World War II propaganda
film.  It is usually listed on greatest
cartoons lists.  It was awarded an Oscar
for Animated Short Film.  Adolf Hitler,
"Der Fuehrer," was born this date,
April 20, in 1889.




Der Fuehrer's Face






Bowling for Columbine (2002) is a documentary
that explores the tragic high school killings
at Columbine as well as gun violence in America
more generally.  Columbine occurred this date,
April 20, in 1999.  The movie won an Oscar as
Best Documentary Feature.





Bowling for Columbine

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, April 19, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Eliot Ness, famous FBI agent, and a Bronx anniversary.



A Bronx Morning (1931) is an 11-minute film
about a Bronx street before it is crowded with
traffic.  This film is on the National Film
Registry.  On this date, April 19, in 1912, Bronx
County was newly constituted as the 62nd
and last county to be created by the State of
New York, effective in 1914.




A Bronx Morning





The Untouchables (1987) is the
story of Federal agent Eliot Ness, born
this date, April 19, in 1903.  He battles
the mob and police corruption in
Prohibition Era Chicago.  Actor Sean
Connery was awarded an Oscar for his
role.



The Untouchables







A Bronx Tale (1993) is about making a choice between
the gangster life and a regular life.  As noted above, today
is an important Bronx County anniversary.





A Bronx Tale

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, April 18, 2017

Today's movies mark the anniversary of the San Francisco earthquake in 1906, the opening of Yankee Stadium in 1923, and Tax Day.



San Francisco (1936) is a drama climaxing
with the San Francisco earthquake which
occurred April 18, 1906.  It was awarded an
Oscar for Sound.





San Francisco







Safe at Home! (1962) is about a
Little League boy who has a
friendship with two famous Yankees,
Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris.  A must
see for Yankee fans.  Yankee Stadium
opened this day, April 18, in 1923.




Safe at Home!







Today is Tax Day (usually April 15).  A Taxing
Woman (1987) is a delightful Japanese movie
about a tax investigator vs. a businessman.  It was
followed in 1988 by A Taxing Woman's Return.





A Taxing Woman

Movies for the Day, Monday, April 17, 2017

Today is the birthday of author Thornton Wilder, the anniversary of the first appearance of Daffy Duck, and the occasion of the Boston Marathon.  I have selected three appropriate movies.



Our Town (1940) is based on the Pulitzer prize
winning play by acclaimed author, Thornton
Wilder, born this date, April 17, in 1897.  The
play was on Broadway.  The movie is a family
drama set in a small New England town in the
early part of the 20th century, before World
War I.



Our Town

Duck Amuck (1953) is considered one
of the greatest cartoons of all time.  It is about
seven minutes long and is a surreal
animation in which Daffy Duck is tormented
by his animator.  Daffy Duck made his
first appearance on April 17, 1937, in Porky's
Duck Hunt.




Duck Amuck

The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
(1962), is a British film about a reform school
runner.  It seems a good choice for today, when
the Boston Marathon is run.





The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Movies for the Day, Sunday, April 16, 2017

Today is Easter and the birthdays of Charlie Chaplin and Peter Ustinov and today's movies celebrate all three.


City Lights (1931) stars comedic genius Charlie
Chaplin, born this date, April 16, in 1889.  In this
romantic comedy, Chaplin plays one of the heroes on
the American Film Institute's list of Heroes & Villains,
"The Tramp".  This inspiring and passionate movie
is on the National Film Registry.





City Lights






Easter Parade (1948) is a musical
starring consummate dancer and
actor Fred Astaire.  The movie won
an Oscar for Score.






Easter Parade





Topkapi (1964) is a lighthearted caper movie
in which thieves plan a perfect crime in a
Constantinople museum.  Peter Ustinov, born this
date, April 16, in 1921, won an Academy
Award as Best Supporting Actor.




Topkapi

Movies for the Day, Saturday, April 15, 2017

Today, April 15, is the birthday of author Henry James and blues singer Bessie Smith.  It is also the anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic.  My movie selections follow.




The Heiress (1949) is a 19th century
New York City romance, based on "Washington
Square" by Henry James.  James was born this
date, April 15, in 1843.  Olivia de Havilland won
an Academy Award as Best Actress.  The movie
also won Oscars for Score, Costume Design and
Art/Set Decoration.  The movie is listed on the
National Film Registry.  See also Washington
Square (1997).


The Heiress




One of the most famous disasters in history
occurred this date, April 15, 1912, when the
Titanic oceanliner hit an iceberg and sank.  Titanic (1997),
a thrilling and passionate movie, won Oscars for Best
Picture, Director, Cinematography, Set Decoration,
Costume Design, Sound, Film Editing, Sound Effects
Editing, Visual Effects, Original Song:  "My Heart
Will Go On", and Original Dramatic Score.  It also
boasts an American Film Institute Great Movie Quote:
"I'm the king of the world!"  See also Titanic (1953)
which won an Oscar for Original Screenplay.

Titanic






Bessie (2015) is the story of legendary blues
singer Bessie Smith.  This HBO movie won
Emmys for Cinematography, Sound Mixing,
Original Dramatic Score, and Outstanding
Television Movie.  Smith was born April 15,
1894.  April is also Jazz and Blues Appreciation
Month.  See also St. Louis Blues (1929), 16
minutes of Bessie Smith singing.  This film
is on the National Film Registry.


Bessie