Movies for the Day, Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Today's movies mark a famous horse race anniversary, the birthday of author Stephen Crane, and American Indian Heritage Month.

The Story of Seabiscuit (1949) is the story
of one of the most famous horse races of all
time when Seabiscuit beat War Admiral on
November 1, 1938, at Baltimore's Pimlico
race course.





The Story of Seabiscuit









The Red Badge of Courage (1951) is
about a Union soldier finding the courage
to fight during a heated battle in the
Civil War.  It is based on the classic
novel by Stephen Crane, who was born
November 1, 1871.





The Red Badge of Courage









DreamKeeper (2003) is a television movie
in which an older Indian relays Indian
stories to his troubled grandson.  November
is American Indian Heritage Month.







DreamKeeper

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Today's movies all mark Halloween.

It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (1966)
is a television special in which the Peanuts gang,
created by Charles M. Schulz, celebrates
Halloween.  It was nominated for several
Emmys, including Outstanding Children's
Program (although enjoyed by adults also).





It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown








Halloween (1978) is a classic horror
movie featuring a psychotic killer.  This
thrilling Halloween movie has had several
sequels.





Halloween











A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) features
a serial killer who kills people while they
dream.  This teenage horror movie gave the movies
an American Film Institute Villain, Freddy
Krueger.  There have been several sequels.  Perfect
for Halloween.




A Nightmare on Elm Street

Movies for the Day, Monday, October 30, 1938

Today's movies mark a famous radio broadcast, Devil's Night, and a great boxing match.

The Night That Panicked America (1975)
is a dramatization of the hysteria caused
by Orson Welles' radio play of HG Wells'
War of the Worlds about an alien invasion.
The broadcast was on October 30, 1938.  It won
an Emmy for Sound Editing.






The Night That Panicked America

Beetlejuice (1988) is a comedic
and surreal look at the afterlife, starring
the devilish Beetlejuice.  This movie won
an Oscar for Makeup.  Tonight, the
night before Halloween, is Devil's
Night.




Beetlejuice










When We Were Kings (1996) is a documentary
about the Rumble in the Jungle, October
30, 1974, in Kinshasha, Zaire, between
George Foreman and Muhammed Ali.  One
of the greatest boxing matches ever.  This film
won an Oscar for Documentary Feature.





When We Were Kings

Movies for the Day, Sunday, October 29, 2017

Today's movies mark National Cat Day, the birthday of actor Richard Dreyfuss, and the Great
Depression.

Cat People (1942) is a horror movie
about a woman who fears she will
turn into a panther.  Today is National
Cat Day.  This is also a good Halloween
movie.  This movie is on the National
Film Registry.




Cat People







Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
is a terrific science fiction movie about
UFOs and alien contact.  This thrilling
and inspiring movie won Oscars for
Cinematography and Sound Effects
Editing.  Richard Dreyfuss stars- he was born
October 29, 1947.




Close Encounters of the Third Kind










King of the Hill (1993) is about a
12-year-old boy who faces the
Great Depression alone.   This movie, set in the
Midwest, gives a vivid depiction
of the Great Depression.  The Great
Depression's start is often pegged to the
stock market crash of October 29,
1929.




King of the Hill

Movies for the Day, Saturday, October 28, 2017

Today's movies mark Halloween, a Statue of Liberty anniversary, and a great storm.

Ugetsu (1953) is a ghost story set in 16th
century Japan, but is also about much more-
family, love, war, and ambition.  Try this
excellent movie for Halloween.






Ugetsu








America, America (1963) is about
the desire of a Greek man to emigrate
to America.  The movie is on the National
Film Registry.  It won an Oscar for Art
Direction/Set Decoration.  The Statue
of Liberty was dedicated today in 1886.





America, America








The Perfect Storm (2000) is about a a storm
of the century that in 1991 sunk
a fishing boat off Gloucester, Massachusetts.
The Andrea Gail was lost at sea in the storm,
which occurred October 28 to November 2,
1991.




The Perfect Storm

Movies for the Day, Friday, October 27, 1914

Today's movies mark the birthdays of author/poets Dylan Thomas and Sylvia Plath and of Halloween.

Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night (1967)
is the story of a man's struggle for meaning after
he is moved into a nursing home.  The CBS Playhouse
TV episode is based on the poem by Dylan Thomas,
born October 27, 1914.  The episode won Emmys for Lead
Actor, to Melvyn Douglas, and for Writing.





Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night








The Bell Jar (1979) is about a successful
young woman who suffers mental illness
in the 1950s.  It is based on the novel by
Sylvia Plath, who was born October 27,
1932.





The Bell Jar









The Sixth Sense (1999) is about a boy who
sees ghosts and the psychologist who tries
to help him.  The movie features an
American Film Institute Quote, "I see dead
people."  An excellent Halloween movie.






The Sixth Sense

Movies for the Day, Thursday, October 26, 2017

Today's movies mark an historic shootout, National Mule Day, and Halloween.

My Darling Clementine (1946) is a classic
version of the shootout at the OK Corral
between the Clantons and the Earps.  This
western is on the National Film Registry.  The
shootout took place October 26, 1881.




My Darling Clementine









Francis the Talking Mule (1950) is
about a soldier who can hear a mule
talk, but only he can.  This movie led
inevitably to Mr. Ed, a television series
about a talking horse.  Today is National
Mule Day.





Francis the Talking Mule








The Haunting (1963) is about a haunted
house, investigation of the paranormal, and
a woman who goes crazy.  Next week is
Halloween!






The Haunting

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, October 25, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of composer Johann Strauss, actor Leo G. Carroll, and artist Picasso.

The Great Waltz (1938) is a biography of Johann
Strauss, the great waltz composer, focusing on 1840s
Vienna.  Strauss was born October 25, 1825.  The movie
won an Oscar for Cinematography.







The Great Waltz









Topper (October 9, 1953 to July
15, 1955) is about an uptight banker
and two ghosts only he could see.  This
fantasy sitcom lasted two seasons and
78 episodes.  This memorable television
series fits into the Halloween season.
The star, Leo G. Carroll, was born
October 25, 1886.




Topper

The Mystery of Picasso (1956) is a
documentary of Picasso, the great
painter, in action.  Picasso was born
October 25, 1881.






The Mystery of Picasso

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, October 24, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of a classical vocalist, Halloween, and the birthday of a Broadway playwright.

The Glass Mountain (1950) is based on a Polish
fairy tale which featured a glass mountain and a
man's attempt to climb it to win the love of a princess.  The
man this time is a downed British airman who seeks the
love of his rescuer.  This operatic tale features
Tito Gobbi, born October 24, 1913, an acclaimed
classical vocalist as himself.





The Glass Mountain






What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
is a black comedy about two former movie stars
living in a mansion, one a cripple at the
mercy of her demented sister.  This psychological
thriller dabbles in the macabre and horror
and is an excellent choice for Halloween
month.  It gave us an American Film
Institute Villain, Baby Jane Hudson.  It won an
Oscar for Costume Design.


What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?







Act One (1963) is the story of Moss
Hart, Broadway actor and playwright.  Hart
was born October 24, 1904.






Act One

Movies for the Day, Monday, October 23, 2017

Today's movies mark Pluto's birthday, the birthday of author Michael Crichton, and the opening of EPCOT.

Lend a Paw (1941) stars Pluto of the Mickey
Mouse gang.  Pluto first appeared officially in
The Pinic, released October 23, 1930.  His first
ever appearance was in The Chain Gang on
September 5, 1930.  This short won an
Oscar for best Short Film, Cartoon.




Lend a Paw










The Andromeda Strain (1971) is
about a group of scientists that
attempt to control a deadly virus.
The movie is based on the book by
Michael Crichton, born October 23,
1942.



The Andromeda Strain

EPCOT Center:  The Opening
Celebration (1982) aired
October 23, 1982; the actual opening
was October 1, 1982.  Shown
is the EPCOT Center symbol,
spaceship Earth.


EPCOT Center: The Opening Celebration

Movies for the Day, Sunday, October 22, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Annette Funicello, a world's end day, and International Stuttering Awareness Day.

Beach Blanket Bingo (1965), the fourth of the
series starring Annette Funicello and Frankie
Avalaon, combines teenagers, the beach, skydiving,
comedy, music, and romance.  Funicello was
born October 22, 1942.






Beach Blanket Bingo







The Quiet Earth (1985) is an end of the
world saga, especially about a man who finds
himself alone but then finds two others.
This science fiction movie seems appropriate
for the date the world was predicted to
end by William Miller- October 22, but
in 1844.  He founded Millerism.




The Quiet Earth










Stutterer (2015) is about a lonely typographer
who struggles to overcome his severe speech
impediment while attempting to form a
romantic relationship.  The film is only 12
minutes long and won an Oscar for Live Action
Short Film.  Today is International
Stuttering Awareness Day.



Stutterer

Movies for the Day, Saturday, October 21, 2017

Today's movies mark an anniversary of the USS Constitution, the birthday of author Ursula K. LeGuin, and National Reptile Awareness Day.

Old Ironsides (1926) is a silent movie
about the battle between the American
merchant marine and early 19th century
Mediterranean pirates.  The USS
Constitition, also known as Old
Ironsides, was launched October 21, 1797,
partly to stop such piracy.




Old Ironsides







The Lathe of Heaven (1980) is
a science fiction movie about a person
who has the ability to change reality
while dreaming.  The movie is based
on the book of the same name by
acclaimed science fiction writer Ursula
K. LeGuin, born October 21, 1929.



The Lathe of Heaven











Lake Placid (1999) is about a huge
crocodile in a Maine lake.  Today
is National Reptile Awareness Day.






Lake Placid

Movies for the Day, Friday, October 20, 2017

Today's movies mark Photographer Appreciation Month, the birthday of author Thomas Hughes, and a Bigfoot anniversary.

Blow-Up (1966) is about a London
photographer who discovers a dark side
to the mod life in that city.  October is
Photographer Appreciation Month.






Blow-Up









Tom Brown's Schooldays (1971) is
a television miniseries about a boy
in an English school who has to deal with
the discipline and bullying, among other
things.  The miniseries is based on the
semi-autobiographical novel by Thomas
Hughes, born October 20, 1822.  The series
won Emmys for Acting, to Anthony
Murphy, and for Production.



Tom Brown's Schooldays






Sasquatch (1976) is a semi-documentary style
movie about the search for the elusive
Bigfoot.  Today, October 20, is the anniversary of the
1967 famous film clip of Bigfoot by
Roger Patterson and Robert Gimlin.






Sasquatch

Movies for the Day, Thursday, October 19, 2017

Today's movies mark National Roller Skating Month, National Arts and Humanities Month, and the birthday of author John Le Carre.  

The Fireball (1950) stars Mickey Rooney
as a young man who runs away from the
orphanage and becomes a roller derby
star.  October is National Roller Skating
Month.





The Fireball









The Horse's Mouth (1958) is a perceptive
depiction of a somewhat vulgar painter who
strives to achieve his creative peak.  October
is National Arts and Humanities Month.






The Horse's Mouth









The Spy Who Came In From the Cold (1965)
is an excellent Cold War spy movie based on
the classic suspense novel of the same name by
John Le Carre, who was born October 19, 1931.






The Spy Who Came In From the Cold

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, October 18, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of actor Klaus Kinski, musician Chuck Berry, and journalist James Foley.

Fitzcarraldo (1982) is a surreal adventure
film about a man obsessed with building an
opera in the middle of the Amazon jungle.
Simply a great film starring Klaus Kinski, who
was born October 18, 1926.





Fitzcarraldo







Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll (1987)
is a documentary movie celebration of the
great rock 'n' roller's 60th birthday, focusing
on two celebratory concerts.  Berry was
born October 18, 1926.





Chuck Berry Hail! Hail! Rock 'n' Roll









Jim:  The James Foley Story (2016) is
a television documentary of the life and
career of journalist James Foley, who was
abducted by ISIS on November 12, 2012, and
eventually killed in August 2014.  Foley
was born October 18, 1973.





Jim: The James Foley Story

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, October 17, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Evel Knievel, Arthur Miller, and Eminem.

Evel Knievel (1971) is a dramatic
biography of famed motorcyclist and
daredevil Evel Knievel, born
October 17, 1938.






Evel Knievel








The Crucible (1996) is from an
Arthur Miller play about the Salem
witch trials in 1692.  Famed playwright
Miller was born October 17, 1915.  Also
a good watch for Halloween month.
A television version was made in the
1960s which starred George C. Scott and
Colleen Dewhurst and which was
nominated for several Emmys
in 1968.


The Crucible








8 Mile (2002) is about a turning point
in the life of an aspiring rapper in Detroit.
It echoes aspects of Eminem's life story.  It won
an Oscar for Original Song, Lose Yourself.
Rapper Eminem was born October 17,
1972.




8 Mile

Movies for the Day, Monday, October 16, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of authors Oscar Wilde and Eugene O'Neill and the anniversary of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

The Canterville Ghost (1944) is a comedy
about a ghost in a castle.  It is loosely based
on the novella by Oscar Wilde, born October
16, 1854.  It is also a good Halloween movie.
It was remade in the 1990s for TV and won
an Emmy in 1996 for Music Composition.






The Canterville Ghost








Long Day's Journey Into Night (1962)
examines the decline of a dysfunctional family
in1910s Connecticut.  It is faithful
to the classic play by Eugene O'Neill,
born October 16, 1888.  A television
version was aired in 1973 which won an Emmy
for Acting by Laurence Olivier.



Long Day's Journey Into Night










The Missiles of October (1974) is the story
of the Cuban Missile Crisis, which occurred from
October 16 to October 28, 1962.  It is based in
part on Robert F. Kennedy's Thirteen Days.  During the
crisis, the United States and the USSR approached
the brink of nuclear war.  The drama was nominated for
multiple Emmys and won one for Technical Direction.




The Missiles of October