Movies for the Day, Saturday, July 1, 2017

Gettysburg, zoos, and the Rough Riders, all grist for today's movies.

Gettysburg (1993) is about the
decisive Civil War battle, from
July 1 to July 3, 1863.  The movie
is based on the Pulitzer Prize
novel, The Killer Angels, by Michael
Shaara.





Gettysburg







Creature Comforts (1989) is the
first of a series of films about
animals in zoos from their point
of view.  It won an Oscar as Best
Short Animated Film.  A television
series also ensued (June 4, 2003 to
January 29, 2006).  The first zoo
in America opened this date, July 1,
in 1874, in Philadelphia.



Creature Comforts







Rough Riders (1997) is the story
of the Rough Riders cavalry unit
that was commanded by future
President Theodore Roosevelt during
the Spanish American War (April 25 to
August 12, 1898) and the famous
Battle of San Juan Hill on July
1, 1898.  This two-part television series
on TNT won an Emmy for Sound
Editing.


Rough Riders

Movies for the Day, Friday, June 30, 2017

Movies about the gas chamber, a meteor, and the Hungarian Revolution are relevant to today.

I Want to Live! (1958) is about an
innocent sentenced to death in the
gas chamber.  Susan Hayward won an
Oscar and Golden Globe as Best Actress.
Hayward was born this date, June 30, in
1917.




I Want to Live!







Meteor (1979) is a disaster
movie about an asteroid heading
straight for Earth.  Today, June 30,
is Asteroid Day.  June 30 is the
anniversary of the Siberian Tunguska
Event, a supposed giant meteor
strike in Siberia in 1908.




Meteor









The Hour (July 19, 2011 to December 13
2012) is a BBC America period drama about
a current affairs show being launched
in June 1956 during the Cold War and especially
during the Hungarian Revolution and the Suez
Canal Crisis.  The series (12 episodes) won
an Emmy for Writing.




The Hour

Movies for the Day, Thursday, June 29, 2017

St. Peter, rock n roll, and moving day- all part of today's films.

The Big Fisherman (1959) is the story
of the life of St. Peter.  Today, June 29, is
the feast day of St. Peter and St. Paul, both
martyrs.







The Big Fisherman







Fillmore (1972) is a
rock n roll film about bands
playing at the famed hall during
its waning days, filmed from
June 29 to July 4, 1971.




Fillmore








The New Tenants (2009) is a short
live action film about a terrible
moving in day.  June is a busy
moving day month.  The film won an Oscar
in its category.






The New Tenants

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, June 28, 2017

Gilda Radner, Stonewall, and the Tudors- see all of them in today's selections.

Gilda Live (1980) is the movie version
of the Broadway show starring comedienne
Gilda Radner, including her characters
from TV's Saturday Night Live.  Radner was
born this date, June 28, in 1946.






Gilda Live








Stonewall (1996) is about the
June 28, 1969, Greenwich Village
bar riot which sparked the gay rights
movement.  June is also Gay Pride
month.




Stonewall










The Tudors (April 1, 2007 to June 20, 2010)
is a Showtime series about King
Henry VIII, especially his early years.  His
coronation was June 24, 1509 (we have already
listed Henry VIII and His Six Wives for that
date) but was born this date, June 28, in 1491.  This
historical drama lasted four seasons.
It won Emmys for Costumes, Cinematography, and
Art Direction.


The Tudors

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, June 27, 2017

The Potemkin, Captain Kangaroo, and Helen Keller- all share this day.

Battleship Potemkin (1925) is one of the most
critically acclaimed movies.  This silent
movie is based on the June 27, 1905, mutiny
aboard the Russian vessel during the 1905
Russian Revolution.






Battleship Potemkin







Captain Kangaroo (October 3,
1955 to December 8, 1984) is a classic
daytime children's program series
starring the beloved Captain
Kangaroo, played by Bob Keeshan,
born this date, June 27, in 1927.  It was
nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding
Achievement in Children's Programming
or Outstanding Children's Program from
1960 to 1963 and in 1966.  Keeshan
was nominated for an Emmy in 1969.

Captain Kangaroo






The Miracle Worker (1962) is the story
of Annie Sullivan's struggle to teach the
blind and deaf Helen Keller, who later
went on to world wide fame because of
and in spite of her disabilities.  The movie
is from a Broadway play.  This inspiring movie
won Oscars for Best Actress, to Anne Bancroft,
and Best Supporting Actress, to Patty Duke.
Keller was born June 27, 1880, and Sullivan
was born April 14, 1866.  An excellent
television version of the story aired in 1958 as
part of Playhouse 90.


The Miracle Worker

Movies for the Day, Monday, June 26, 2017

China, drug addiction, and Madagascar are all part of today's films.

The Good Earth (1937) is about a farming
couple in China.  It is based on the novel
by Pearl Buck, born this date, June 22, in
1892.  Luise Rainer won an Oscar for
Best Actress.






The Good Earth







A Hatful of Rain (1957) is about
a Korean War veteran's struggle
with drug addiction.  Today, June 26,
is United Nations Day Against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.




A Hatful of Rain








Madagascar (2005) is an animated
movie about zoo animals that
leave the Central Park Zoo for the
wilds of Madagascar.
Madagascar's Independence Day
is June 26 (1960).  There have been
sequels to this movie.





Madagascar

Movies for the Day, Sunday, June 25, 2017

The Korean War, the Battle of Little Bighorn, and mosquitoes inform today's films.

The Bridges at Toko-Ri (1954) is about a
Navy jet fighter pilot during the Korean
War, which began June 25, 1950.  It is
based on the book by novelist James
Michener.  The movie won an Oscar for
Special Effects.






The Bridges at Toko-Ri






Chief Crazy Horse (1955) is the story
of Chief Crazy Horse, a Lakota Sioux
Chief, who led his people to victory at
the Battle of Little Bighorn, aka Custer's
Last Stand.  This western is told from the
Indian viewpoint.  The Battle took place
June 25 to 26, 1876.



Chief Crazy Horse







Skeeter (1993) is a horror flick
starring big mutant mosquitoes.
Today, June 25, 2017, begins the
annual National Mosquito Control
Awareness Week.







Skeeter

Movies for the Day, Saturday, June 24, 2017

Flying saucers, King Henry VIII, and Scotland are all part of today's movies.




The Bamboo Saucer (1968) is science fiction
about a flying saucer found in China.  Some
trace the modern UFO era to a UFO sighting
by pilot Kenneth Arnold north of Mount
Rainier, Washington, on June 24, 1947.





The Bamboo Saucer








Henry VIII and His Six Wives (1973)
is a historical pageant of the famous
English king, whose coronation was
on June 24, 1509.  He was born June 28,
1491 (which see).





Henry VIII and His Six Wives









Brave (2012) is a fantasy set in
the medieval Scottish highlands.  The
famous Battle of Bannockburn, a very
important battle for Scottish
independence, was from June 23 to
June 24, 1314.  This movie won an
Oscar for Best Animated Feature.


Brave

Movies for the Day, Friday, June 23, 2017

Today's movies feature a seagull, a dancer, and glam rock.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull (1973) is the
story of a seagull based on the bestseller
by Richard Bach, born this date, June 23, in
1936.







Jonathan Livingston Seagull







All That Jazz (1979) is a
semi-autobiographical fantasy
based on aspects of Bob Fosse's
life and career as a dancer,
choreographer and director, especially
on Broadway.  Fosse was born June 23,
1927.  The movie is on the National
Film Registry and won Oscars for
Art Direction/Set Decoration, Costume
Design, Film Editing, and Original
Song Score.

All That Jazz






Velvet Goldmine (1998) explores early
1970s glam rock youth culture.  June is Gay
Pride Month.







Velvet Goldmine

Movies for the Day, Thursday, June 22, 2017

Adventure, nature, and a river infuse today's films.



She (1935) is an adventure and fantasy
movie of a search for a fabled lost
land.  It is based on the book by
H. Rider Haggard, born June 22, 1856.  It was
remade in 1965 (She).






She





Born Free (1966) is the iconic
movie about lions in Africa
and a family.  It was released June
22, 1966.  It won Oscars for
Original Song, Born Free, and Original
Music Score.



Born Free







The River Wild (1994) is about a
family whitewater rafting and two
killers.  June is National Rivers
Month.




The River Wild

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, June 21, 2017

Skateboarding, summer camp, and Edward Snowden are the topics for today's features.





Skateboard (1978) seems a logical choice
for today, National Skateboarding Day.









Skateboard








Camp Lazlo (July 8, 2005 to March 27, 2008) is
about summer camp with anthropormorphic
animal characters.  Today is the first day of summer.
A Cartoon Network offering, this series (61
episodes) garnered several Emmys including
Outstanding Animated Program.  Especially noted
are Where's Lazlo?, Squirrel Streets, and Lazlo's
First Crush.  The series was created by Joe Murray.


Camp Lazlo









Citizenfour (2015) is an HBO documentary
about infamous Edward Snowden who
leaked classified National Security Agency
information.  Snowden was born this date, June 21,
in 1983.  The film won an Emmy for
Exceptional Merit and an Oscar for Feature
Documentary.


Citizenfour

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, June 20, 2017

The Battle of Peking, a great white shark, and drag balls inspire today's movies.



55 Days at Peking (1963) is a movie account
of the Battle of Peking from June 20, 1900,
to August 14, 1900, during the Boxer
Rebellion in China.  The battle was the
turning point of the rebellion.  The battle
is also known as the Siege of the International
Legations.




55 Days at Peking






Jaws (1975), released this date, June 20,
in 1975 is the great summer blockbuster.  It is
the story of great white shark vs. New England beach
resort and man vs. beast.  It won Oscars for Original
Score, Film Editing, and Sound.  The Shark is on
the American Film Institute Villains list.  The movie
features an AFI Quote, "You're gonna need a
bigger boat."  This thrilling movie is on the
National Film Registry.  It was followed by sequels.



Jaws






Paris Is Burning (1990) is a
documentary about the drag ball
scene in New York City in
the 1980s, especially Latinos
and African Americans.  June
is Gay Pride Month.




Paris Is Burning

Movies for the Day, Monday, June 19, 2017

Three birthdays today:  Lou Gehrig, Moe Howard, and Garfield.


The Pride of the Yankees (1942) is the inspiring
story of one of baseball's greatest players.  Lou
Gehrig, born June 19, 1903, is on the American
Film Institute's Heroes list.  The movie also
features an AFI quote, "Today, I consider myself
the luckiest man on the face of the earth."  The
movie won an Oscar for Film Editing.




The Pride of the Yankees







Stop! Look! and Laugh! (1960) features
Three Stooges physical comedy material
for children (at least then).  Moe Howard,
the boss stooge, was born June 19,
1897.






Stop! Look! and Laugh!









Garfield on the Town (1983) features
the famous cartoon cat in a television
short that won an Emmy for
Outstanding Animated Program.  Garfield's
birthday is June 19 (1978).



Garfield on the Town

Movies for the Day, Sunday, June 18, 2017

Royalty, Father's Day and golf- all grist for today's movies.

Anastasia (1956) is the story of an
amnesiac refugee who convincingly
impersonates the surviving daughter
of Russia's last Czar.  The real
Anastasia was born June 18, 1901.  Ingrid
Bergman won an Oscar for Best
Actress.




Anastasia






Parenthood (1989) is a comedy
starring Steve Martin.  Today
is Father's Day.







Parenthood






Tin Cup (1996) is about golf, romance, and
the United States Open.  The final round
of the real US Open is today.








Tin Cup

Movies for the Day, Saturday, June 17, 2017

The desert, Barry Manilow, and a mermaid all share this day.

Sands of the Kalahari (1965) is about plane crash
survivors in the desert and man vs. man.  Today,
June 17, 2017, is United Nations Day to Combat
Desertification and Drought.




Sands of the Kalahari

The Barry Manilow Special (1977) won
an Emmy as an outstanding special.  Manilow
was born this date, June 17, 1943.  Manilow
is a famous singer and songwriter and composer.






The Barry Manilow Special









Splash (1984) is about a New York
City man who falls in love with a
mermaid.  Today is the 35th annual
mermaid day parade on Coney Island,
New York City.  The parade celebrates
the beginning of the summer season  and is
usually held on the Saturday closest to the
first day of summer, June 21.  The parade began
in 1983.



Splash

Movies for the Day, Friday, June 16, 2017

Stan Laurel, Monterey, and South Africa, all part of today's movies.

Sons of the Desert (1933) is a classic Laurel and Hardy
comedy.  It is on the National Film Registry.  Stan
Laurel was born this day, June 16, in 1890.  Oliver
Hardy was born January 18, 1892.







Sons of the Desert







Monterey Pop (1968) is a film
about the 1967 Monterey Pop
Festival, which is considered the
greatest pre-Woodstock rock
festival.  This movie is considered the
first major rock concert film.  The festival
was from June 16 to 18, 1967, and
this is its 50th anniversary.


Monterey Pop






Voices of Sarafina! (1988) is a documentary
of young black South African actors
performing in the Broadway musical
Sarafina! which in turn chronicles the
involvement of black schoolchildren in the
1976 uprising in Soweto, South Africa, which
began June 16, 1976.




Voices of Sarafina!

Movies for the Day, Thursday, June 15, 2017

Nature photography, a swamp monster, and a gay couple all appear in today's films.

Secrets of Life (1956) looks at nature, from
large to small.  This film seems just right
for Nature Photography Day, June 15,
2017.







Secrets of Life






The Legend of Boggy Creek (1972)
is a horror docudrama about a
swamp monster around Fouke, Arkansas,
known as the Fouke Monster.
Arkansas was admitted to the Union
this day, June 15, in 1836.




The Legend of Boggy Creek





La Cage aux Folles (1978) is a comedy
about a gay couple who try to hide
their lifestyle from the son of one of them.
June is Gay Pride Month.  Followed by two
sequels, La Cage aux Folles II (1980) and
La Cage aux Folles 3:  The Wedding (1985).
Remade as The Birdcage (1996).  Also a
Broadway musical.



La Cage aux Folles