Movies for the Day, Sunday, October 1, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of actress Julie Andrews and of actor Walter Matthau and the premiere of a zombie movie.

Mary Poppins (1964) is the story of a magical
nanny in London, circa 1910.  This Disney musical
stars Julie Andrews, born October 1, 1935.  The movie
features an American Film Institute Song, Supercalifragillisticexpialidocious.  The movie is on
the National Film Registry.  The movie won Oscars for
Best Actress (Andrews), Score, Original Song,
Chim-Chim-Cheree, Visual Effects, and Film Editing.






Mary Poppins





Night of the Living Dead (1968) is the classic
zombie horror movie.  This thrilling movie is on
the National Film Registry and premiered
October 1, 1968 (October is Halloween
month).





Night of the Living Dead









House Calls (1978) is about a
widowed doctor, romance and comedy.  A
perfect vehicle for star Walter Matthau, who
was born October 1, 1920.






House Calls

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 30, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actress Deborah Kerr, the birthday of author Truman Capote, and the death of actor James Dean on September 30, 1955.

An Affair to Remember (1957) is a great
romantic comedy starring Deborah Kerr (born
September 30, 1921) and Cary Grant.  This
passionate movie features a shipboard romance,
New York City and the Empire State Building,
crooner Vic Damone, and served as a plot device for
Sleepless in Seattle.




An Affair to Remember







In Cold Blood (1967) is the chilling
story of the murder of a rural family by
criminals.  It is based on the groundbreaking
book by Truman Capote, who was born
September 30, 1924.  The movie is on
the National Film Registry.





In Cold Blood






September 30, 1955 (1978) is the story of
a fan who goes crazy when actor James Dean
dies tragically and young September 30, 1955.
The movie is about the tragic results of the fan's
obsession and about movie star mystique.





September 30, 1955

Movies for the Day, Friday, September 29, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actress Greer Garson, the birthday of author Cervantes, and the birthday of early rocker Jerry Lee Lewis.



Mrs. Miniver (1942) is about a middle class
English family coping with the early
years of World War II.  This inspiring movie
won Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actress, to
Greer Garson (born September 29, 1904),
Best Supporting Actress, to Teresa Wright, Best
Director, to William Wyler, and for Adapated
Screenplay and for Cinematography.




Mrs. Miniver









Monsignor Quixote (1987) is a television
Great Performances episode based on a
Graham Greene novel which in turn is an
adaptation of the great epic novel by Spanish
writer Miguel de Cervantes, born September
29, 1547.  In the movie, a Spanish priest and
his companion retrace the journey of Don
Quixote and Sancho Panza.  Cervantes' novel
was Don Quixote.



Monsignor Quixote









Great Balls of Fire! (1989) traces the life and
career of great 1950s rock and roller Jerry Lee Lewis.
Lewis was born September 29, 1935.





Great Balls of Fire!

Movies for the Day, Thursday, September 28, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of author Elmer Rice, actress Mira Sorvino, and actor Marcello Mastroianni.

Street Scene (1931) is a slice of life from
the stoop of a New York City tenement in
Hell's Kitchen.  It is based on a Pulitzer
Prize winning play by Elmer Rice, born
September 28, 1892.






Street Scene









Mighty Aphrodite (1995) is a story
about the father of an adopted baby who
becomes obsessed with the unlikely
real mother.  Mira Sorvino, born September
28, 1967, won an Oscar as Supporting
Actress.  The movie was directed by Woody
Allen.




Mighty Aphrodite








Marcello Mastroianni:  I Remember (1997):
acclaimed Italian actor Marcello Mastroianni
reminisces.  The actor was born September
28, 1924.





Marcello Mastroianni: I Remember

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Today's movies mark World Tourism Day, the birthday of a pioneering woman doctor, and the anniversary of an alleged Jack the Ripper letter.

This Is Cinerama (1952) shows views around the
world, including the United States.  This movie is
on the National Film Registry.  Today is World
Tourism Day.







This Is Cinerama











The Girl in White (1952) is about
the first woman to work as a doctor in
a New York City hospital.  It is based on
the memoirs of Emily Dunning, born
September 27, 1876.





The Girl in White






Murder by Decree (1979) is about Sherlock
Holmes investigating the Jack the Ripper
murders.  This date, September 27, is the
anniversary of a famous alleged Jack the Ripper
letter sent to the English Central News Agency in 1888-
the date the Dear Boss letter was postmarked and
received.




Murder by Decree

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of composer George Gershwin, the anniversary of a World War II battle, and National Shamu the Whale Day.

Porgy and Bess (1959) is a legendary George
Gershwin folk opera set among the poor black
residents of a South Carolina fishing village in
1912.  This passionate movie features an
American Film Institute Song, Summertime.  The
movie won an Oscar for Scoring.  The movie is on the
National Film Registry.  Gershwin was born
September 26, 1898.


Porgy and Bess









The Guns of Navarone (1961) is inspired by
the Battle of Leros during the Dodecanese Campaign
(Greece) during World War II, from September
26, 1943, to November 16, 1943.  This thrilling
movie is from an Alistair MacLean novel and
stars Gregory Peck.  It won an Oscar for
Special Effects.  It features Allied commandos.




The Guns of Navarone









Free Willy (1993) is about a boy who frees
an Orca whale.  The movie has sequels, Free
Willy 2:  The Adventure Home (1995) and
Free Willy 3:  The Rescue (1997).  Today is
National Shamu the Whale Day.





Free Willy

Movies for the Day, Monday, September 25, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of author William Faulkner, the anniversary of a famous rock band, and National One Hit Wonder Day.

Intruder in the Dust (1949) is about a black
man accused of murder in 1940s Mississippi.
The movie is an adaptation of the classic
novel by William Faulkner, born September
25, 1897.






Intruder in the Dust





U2:  Rattle and Hum (1988) is a
documentary of the famous Irish
rock band's 1987 tour.  The band
formed September 25, 1976.





U2: Rattle and Hum








that thing you do! (1996) is about a 1964 band
that has a hit record.  Today is National One
Hit Wonder Day.






that thing you do!

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 24, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of author F. Scott Fitzgerald, World Rivers Day, and the birthday of puppet master Jim Henson.

The Great Gatsby (1949) is a glimpse of
Long Island high society in the 1920s, and the story
of a bootlegger trying to make it there.  The
movie is based on the classic novel by F. Scott
Fitzgerald, who was born September 24, 1896.






The Great Gatsby

The Search for the Nile (1971) is a six-
episode miniseries about the search for
origin of the legendary river in the late
1800s.  The Nile in Uganda is pictured.
The series won an Emmy for Drama
Documentary.  Today is World
Rivers Day.


The Search for the Nile









The Muppet Movie (1979) features the famous
Muppets as Kermit the Frog goes to Hollywood.
Muppet creator Jim Henson was born September
24, 1936.  The movie includes an American Film
Institute list Song, Rainbow Connection.  The movie
is on the National Film Register.




The Muppet Movie

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 23, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actor Mickey Rooney and the birthday of singer/songwriters Bruce Springsteen and Ray Charles.

A Family Affair (1937) is a about a
family in small town America.  The first
in the Andy Hardy series of films, this
movie is about a judge, his family, and his
re-election.  Mickey Rooney stars as young
Andy Hardy.  Rooney was born September 23,
1920.




A Family Affair








Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band:
Live in New York (2001) is a rock revival
tour by Springsteen.  This documentary won
Emmys for Lighting Direction and
Picture Editing.  Springsteen was born
September 23, 1949.





Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band: Live in New York








Ray (2004) is a biographical look at the life
of Ray Charles, legendary rhythm and blues
singer and songwriter, born September 23, 1930.
This inspiring movie won Oscars for Best
Picture, Best Actor (to Jamie Foxx), and for
Sound Mixing.




Ray

Movies for the Day, Friday, September 22, 2017

Today's movies mark American Business Women's Day, the launching of a hospital ship, and the birthday of actor John Houseman.

Woman's World (1954) is a sophisticated
drama about big business in the 1950s.  In
keeping with the era, the women are the
executives' wives.  Today is American
Business Women's Day.




Woman's World









Project Hope (1961) is about the
maiden voyage of the hospital ship
SS Hope to Indonesia and Vietnam,
beginning this date, September 22,
in 1960.  This film won an Oscar as
Best Documentary, Short Subject.




Project Hope








The Paper Chase (1973) is the classic law school
movie about a first year law student at Harvard
Law School.  This inspiring movie featured John
Houseman as a legendary law professor.  Houseman,
born September 22, 1902, won an Oscar for
Supporting Actor.  September is back to school month
even for law students (though most actually start
in August).



The Paper Chase

Movies for the Day, Thursday, September 21, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of science fiction author H.G. Wells, the birthday of author Stephen King, and World Alzheimer's Day.

The Time Machine (1960) is about time travel
to a dystopian future.  The movie is based on the
book by H.G. Wells who practically invented the
time travel genre.  The movie won an Oscar for
Special Effects.  Wells was born September 21,
1866.





The Time Machine







Carrie (1976) puts together a high
school misfit and telekenesis with
predicatble but thrilling and horrifying
results.  The movie is from the book by
the master of the his own genre, Stephen
King, who was born September 21, 1937.
September is also traditional back to
school month.



Carrie







The Alzheimer's Project (2009) is an HBO
four-part documentary about the disease
that attacks the brain, especially memory and
recognition.  It won an Emmy for
Exceptional Merit.  It is part of a larger
project.  Today is World Alzheimer's Day.





The Alzheimer's Project

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Today marks the birthday of a celebrated nurse, the birthday of Sophia Loren, and the birthday of author Upton Sinclair.

Sister Kenny (1946) is a biographical drama about
Sister Elizabeth Kenny, an Australian nurse who
initiated a treatment for infantile paralysis or polio.  The
movie is based on her autobiography, And They Shall
Walk.  Kenny was born September 20, 1880.
Rosalind Russell won a Golden Globe as Best
Actress.





Sister Kenny







Two Women (1960) is about a widowed
mother and her daughter trying to navigate
the horrors of World War II in Italy, including,
for them, rape by Allied Moroccan soldiers.
The movie stars Sophia Loren, born
September 20, 1934, who won an Oscar as
Best Actress.  Marocchinate is a term applied to women who
were victims of mass rape and killings committed during
World War II after the Battle of Monte Cassino (January 17
to May 18, 1944) in Italy.  Theses crimes were committed
mainly by Goumiers, colonial troops of the French Expeditionary Corps.  A monument Mamma Ciociara was erected in
remembrance.

Two Women





There Will Be Blood (2007) is a drama
about the turn-of-the century oil business and
its amorality.  The movie is based on a book
by acclaimed author Upton Sinclair, born
September 20, 1878.  Daniel Day-Lewis won
a Screen Actors Guild award for his leading
role.



There Will Be Blood

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, September 19, 1944

Today's selections mark a World War II battle, the birthday of a television series star, and Talk Like a Pirate Day.

Ski Troop Attack (1960) is about an American
patrol during World War II.  It is inspired by
the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest, which began
September 19, 1944, and ended February 10,
1945.







Ski Troop Patrol








Room 222  (September 11, 1969 to July
11, 1974) is about an African
American teacher in a high school.
Lloyd Haynes, born September 19,
1934, stars as teacher Pete Dixon.  The show
lasted five seasons and 112 episodes.
Michael Constantine won an Emmy as Supporting
Actor and Karen Valentine won an Emmy as
Supporting Actress.


Room 222







Pirates of the Caribbean:  The Curse of
the Black Pearl (2003) is the first of the
popular movies starring Johnny Depp as
pirate "Captain" Jack Sparrow.  Today is
Talk Like a Pirate Day.





Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl

Movies for the Day, Monday, September 18, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actress Greta Garbo, the establishment of the USAF, and back to school.

Grand Hotel (1932) is about the patrons
of a luxury hotel in Berlin.  It is on the
National Film Registry and features an American
Film Institute Quote by star Greta Garbo, "I want
to be alone."  It won the Oscar for Best
Picture.





Grand Hotel








Strategic Air Command (1955) is a
drama set in the Strategic Air Command,
part of the United States Air Force and
part of the United States nuclear deterrence.
It won an Oscar for Writing.  The United
States Air Force was established September
18, 1947.



Strategic Air Command








if .... (1968) is a highly regarded but violent and
sexually charged movie about an insurrection
at a British boarding school.  September is back
to school month but hopefully school is never this
bad.




if ....

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 17, 2017

Today's films mark the "birthday" of Speedy Gonzalez, the birthday of country singer Hank Williams, and the premiere of a high school movie.

Speedy Gonzalez (1955) is a cartoon about
a Mexican mouse whose first official
appearance was September 17, 1955.  This is also
National Hispanic Heritage Month.  A not very
recognizable Speedy first appeared August 29,
1953 in Cat-Tails for Two.  This cartoon won an
Oscar for Short Films in 1956.





Speedy Gonzalez








Your Cheatin' Heart (1964) is a movie
biography of legendary country
and western artist Hank Williams, who was
born September 17, 1923.







Your Cheatin' Heart







Massacre at Central High (1976) is a thriller
released on September 17, 1976.  The name
describes the movie.  September is also
the traditional back to school month.






Massacre at Central High

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 16, 2017

Today's selections mark the birthday of actor Peter Falk, the birthday of magician David Copperfield, and the date of a museum's incorporation.

Columbo (1971 to 2003) is a television
detective series.  Detective Columbo is
Peter Falk's signature role.  Falk was born
September 16, 1927.  It won Emmys for Acting
by Falk, Writing, Film Editing, and Cinematography.
Some noteworthy early episodes include Death Lends a Hand,
Dead Weight, Suitable for Framing, Lady in Waiting,
Short Fuse, Blueprint for Murder, Etude in Black,
The Greenhouse Jungle, The Most Crucial Game,
Dagger of the Mind, Requiem for a Falling Star,
A Stitch in Crime, and The Most Dangerous Match.


Columbo

The Magic of David Copperfield (1978)
is the first of the magician's many
television specials, numbered with Roman
numerals.  Copperfield was born September
16, 1956.






The Magic of David Copperfield














The Relic (1997) features a monster that
runs amok in the Field Museum of Natural
History in Chicago, which was
incorporated by the State of Illinois on
September 16, 1893.





The Relic

Movies for the Day, Friday, September 15, 2017

Today's movies mark National Hispanic Heritage Month, The Lone Ranger, and Agatha Christie's birthday.

The Three Caballeros (1945) is a 1940s salute to
South America through the eyes of Disney and
Donald Duck.  It is a live action animation.  September
15 begins National Hispanic Heritage Month.








The Three Caballeros








The Lone Ranger (September 15, 1949, to
June 6, 1957) is an iconic television western
starring Clayton Moore as The Lone Ranger and
Jay Silverheels as his Indian sidekick Tonto.







The Lone Ranger









Murder on the Orient Express (1974) is from the
classic murder mystery by Agatha Christie, born
September 15, 1890.  It takes place in the 1930s and
features detective Hercule Poirot.  Ingrid Bergman
was awarded an Oscar as Supporting Actress in this
film.




Murder on the Orient Express