Movies for the Day, Friday, December 1, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Woody Allen, World AIDS Day, and an anniversary of the Antarctica Treaty.





Bananas (1971) is an early Woody Allen
comedy about a "banana republic" revolution.
This movie by Allen, born December 1,
1935, is one of his classics.






Bananas









Common Threads:  Stories From
the Quilt (1989) is about the stories
of AIDS victims told through a great
quilt.  This movie won an Oscar
for Best Feature Documentary.  Today,
December 1, has been United Nations
World AIDS Day, since 1988.




Common Threads: Stories From the Quilt

Mountain of Ice (2003) is an episode of
nova on PBS.  Conrad Anker leads an expedition
to climb the highest peak in Antartica in
2001.  The Antarctica Treaty was signed
December 1, 1959.  This episode won an
Emmy for Cinematography.



Mountain of Ice

Movies for the Day, Thursday, November 30, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Mark Twain, the release of an iconic rock album, and the birthday of Jonathan Swift.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938) is
an early movie version of the classic tale
by Mark Twain.  It features the adventures pre-
adolescent Tom and his friends, especially
Huckleberry Finn.  Many of the adventures center
on the Mississippi River.  Twain was born November 30,
1835.




The Adventures of Tom Sawyer











Pink Floyd- The Wall (1982) is a
visualization of the album about a
rock star's descent into madness.  The iconic
album was released November 30,
1979.





Pink Floyd- The Wall

Gulliver's Travels (1996) is a television
miniseries based on the classic book by
Jonathan Swift in which the hero travels
to allegorical lands, especially Lilliput,
the land of the little people.  Swift was born
November 30, 1667.  The miniseries won
Emmys for Writing, Art Direction, Visual
Effects, Hairstyling, and Outstanding
Miniseries.



Gulliver's Travels

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, November 29, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of author Louisa May Alcott, the birthday of entertainer Busby Berkeley, and the TV premiere of Kukla, Fran & Ollie.

Little Women (1933) is an early version of
the classic novel by Louisa May Alcott, born
November 29, 1832.  It is about four sisters
growing up in the Civil War era.  The movie
won an Oscar for Adapted Screenplay.






Little Women







Babes in Arms (1939) is about
young people who try to make it
to Broadway.  It is from a Rodgers
& Hart musical.  It was directed
by the famed Busby Berkeley, born
November 29, 1895.





Babes in Arms











Kukla, Fran & Ollie (1947 to 1957) is an early
favorite children's puppet program.  It won an
Emmy as Best Children's Program in 1954.  It
premiered November 29, 1948.





Kukla, Fran & Ollie

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, November 28, 2017

Today's movies mark a Mars anniversary, Albania Independence Day, and an Opryland anniversary.

Conquest of Space (1955) is a science fiction
story about the first manned trip to Mars.  Mariner
4, the first non-manned successful mission to
Mars, was launched this date, November 28, in
1964.




Conquest of Space









Action of the Tiger (1957) is set in
Albania during the Cold War and is
about rescuing pro-Western refugees.
November 28, 1912, is Albania
Independence Day.  Also, November
19 to 21, 1990, is the anniversary of the
end of the Cold War.



Action of the Tiger

Opryland Celebrates 200 Years
of American Music (1988) .  The
Grand Ole Opry show began
November 28, 1925.


Opryland Celebrates 200 Years of American Music

Movies for the Day, Monday, November 27, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Jimi Hendrix, a Penn Station anniversary, and the birthday of Bruce Lee.

Jimi Hendrix (1973) is a biography
of the legendary rock musician made
three years after his early death.  Hendrix
was born November 27, 1942.





Jimi Hendrix









The Lunch Date (1990) is about a
man and a woman who meet in a train
station.  The movie won an Oscar for
Best Short Film, Live Action; it is also
on the National Film Registry.  Penn
Station in New York City opened
November 27, 1910.




The Lunch Date










Dragon:  The Bruce Lee Story (1993)
is a fictionalized biography of the great
martial arts master who died in 1973.
Lee was born November 27, 1940.





Dragon: The Bruce Lee Story

Movies for the Day, Saturday, November 25, 2017

Today's movies mark International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the birthday of Pope John XXIII, and National Game and Puzzle Week.

No Lies (1973) is a 16-minute New York
University student film- a searing interview
of a rape victim.  Today is United Nations
International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women.






No Lies







Portrait:  A Man Whose Name Was
John (1973) is a television movie
about Pope John XXIII, born November
25, 1881.  It focuses on his role, while
Archbishop Angelo Roncali, in trying to save
Italian Jews from the Nazis in Italy
during World War II.

Portrait: A Man Whose Name Was John










Dungeons and Dragons (2000) is a fantasy
adventure film based on the game of the
same name.  This is National Games and
Puzzles Week (Sunday to Saturday of
Thanksgiving week).




Dungeons and Dragons

Movies for the Day, Sunday, November 26, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of cartoonist Charles Schulz, the birthday of AA founder William G. Wilson, and Alzheimer's Awareness Month.

Snoopy, Come Home (1972) features
the lovable Peanuts gang, created by
Charles Schulz, born November 26,
1922.  The focus this time is on Snoopy.






Snoopy, Come Home







My Name Is Bill W. (1989) is the story
of the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous.
James Woods won an Emmy as Lead
Actor.  Wilson was born November 26,
1895.




My Name Is Bill W.











Still Alice (2014) is a story of a
professor afflicted by Alzheimer's.
November is Alzheimer's Awareness
Month.  Julianne Moore won an
Oscar as Lead Actress.




Still Alice

Movies for the Day, Friday, November 24, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of the creator of Pinocchio, the birthday of children's author Frances Hodgson Burnett, and Games and Puzzles Week.

Pinocchio (1940) is about a puppet transformed
into a boy and his travails.  This Walt Disney classic
is based on The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo
Collodi, born November 24, 1826.  This inspiring
animated movie features an American Film Institute
Song, When You Wish Upon a Star.  The film won Oscars
for the AFI song and for Score.  This movie is on
the National Film Registry.




Pinocchio





The Secret Garden (1949) is about an
orphan sent to live with relatives on a
mysterious estate, with a secret garden.  The
movie is based on the children's story
by Frances Hodgson Burnett, born
November 24, 1849.  It was remade under the
same name as a movie in 1993 and as a
Hallmark movie for television in 1987.  The
TV version won an Emmy for Outstanding
Children's Program.


The Secret Garden









Clue (1985) is based on the popular whodunit
board game.  Games and Puzzles Week is from
the Sunday to Saturday of Thanksgiving Week.






Clue

Movies for the Day, Thursday, November 23, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Billy the Kid, the premiere of Dr. Who, and the anniversary of The Band's farewell concert.

Billy the Kid (1941) is the story of
the infamous western outlaw, born
November 23, 1859.  It is a remake
of the 1930 version of the same name.







Billy the Kid








Dr. Who (1963-) is a television
series about a Time Lord and travel
through time and space.  There have been
major episodic TV incarnations, from
1963 to 1989, and since 2005.  Dr.
Who first appeared on November
23, 1963.




Dr. Who









The Last Waltz (1978) presents the farewell
concert of The Band on Thanksgiving Day in
1976 (on November 25).  Today is Thanksgiving
Day, 2017, and a good day to watch this great
film.





The Last Waltz

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Today's movies mark the anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy, the release of Toy Story, and Thanksgiving.

Zapruder Film (1963) is home movie
footage that caught the assassination
of President John F. Kennedy on
November 22, 1963.  This footage by
Abraham Zapruder is on the National
Film Registry.




Zapruder Film









Toy Story (1995) is the hugely popular
computer animation of toys come to life,
especially Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
It won an Oscar for Special Achievement
to the Pixar Toy Story team.  It was the first
feature length computer animated film.  It is on the
National Film Registry.  It was released November
22, 1995.  It has had several sequels.


Toy Story











Pieces of April (2003) is a comedy/drama
about a wayward daughter who invites her
dying mother and estranged family to
her New York City apartment for
Thanksgiving dinner.  Thanksgiving is
tomorrow.




Pieces of April

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, November 21, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actress Goldie Hawn, National Bible Week, and World Television Day.

Cactus Flower (1969) is a romantic
comedy with the male lead as a dentist.
Goldie Hawn, born November 21,
1945, won an Oscar as Supporting
Actress.






Cactus Flower








The Prince of Egypt (1998) is a
spectacular animated version of
the Book of Exodus, the story of
Moses.  This is National Bible
Week (November 19 to November 26).
This movie won an Oscar for Original
Song, When You Believe.




The Prince of Egypt










The Truman Show (1998) is a satire depicting
life as a 24-hour-a-day television show
on a giant set.  Today is World Television
Day.







The Truman Show

Movies for the Day, Monday, November 20, 2017

Today's movies mark Universal Children's Day, National Bible Week, and the birthday of Robert Kennedy.

World of Kids (1951) is a short documentary about
children that won an Oscar for short films.  Today is
United Nations Universal Children's Day, first
observed in 1953.







World of Kids









The Story of Ruth (1960) combines romance,
history and religion in this movie based on
the Biblical tale.  This is National Bible
Week (November 19 to 26).







The Story of Ruth










Robert Kennedy Remembered (1968) is a moving
tribute to the Presidential candidate tragically
assassinated just months before, on June 6, 1968.  This
documentary was shown simultaneously in August
1968 on all TV networks and at the Democratic
National Convention in Chicago.  It won an Oscar
for Best Short Subject.  Kennedy was born
November 20, 1925.




Robert Kennedy Remembered

Movies for the Day, Sunday, November 19, 2017

Today's movies mark an anniversary of the temperance movement, National Adoption Month, and Bible Week.

The Bowery (1933) is about a saloon owner
in the gay 90's (1890's) in New York City and
his pals.  This lighthearted movie was made
as Prohibition was ending.  It depicted a time when
the Prohibition era was gaining steam.  The
Women's Christian Temperance Union was
organized November 19, 1874.




The Bowery








Penny Serenade (1941) is about a couple's
loss of their unborn child and adoption.  This
quintessential soap opera seems a good choice
for November, which is National Adoption
Month.





Penny Serenade










Solomon and Sheba (1959) is an epic
retelling of the Bible story.  Bible
Week, 2017, is from November 19 to
November 26.






Solomon and Sheba

Movies for the Day, Saturday, November 18, 2017

Today's movies mark an elephant day, Mickey Mouse's "birthday", and a cult massacre.

Chang (1927) is a documentary of a family
in Siam, now Thailand, and elephants.  Since
1961, an Elephant Roundup has been observed
in Surin, Thailand, on the third
Saturday in November.







Chang






Steamboat Willie (1928), released November
18, 1928, was Mickey Mouse's first
real appearance and can be considered
his "birthday."  This seven-minute cartoon is a
true classic by Walt Disney and is on the
National Film Registry.




Steamboat Willie









Guyana Tragedy:  The Story of Jim
Jones (1980) tells the story of the
cult leader who led his followers into
mass suicide, the Jonestown Massacre,
on November 18, 1978.  This television
movie won an Emmy for Lead Actor, to
Powers Boothe.




Guyana Tragedy: The Story of Jim Jones

Movies for the Day, Friday, November 17, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of athlete Bob Mathias, the birthday of actor Rock Hudson, and the birthday of producer Lorne Michaels.

The Bob Mathias Story (1954) is a biographical
look at the Olympic athlete who won Gold in the
Decathlon in 1948 and 1952.  Mathias was born
November 17, 1930.






The Bob Mathias Story








Send Me No Flowers (1964) stars
Rock Hudson as a hypochondriac
husband.  This romantic comedy also
stars Doris Day and Tony Randall.
Hudson was born November 17,
1925.






Send Me No Flowers








Saturday Night Live:  40th Anniversary
Special (2015) is a celebration of the
sketch comedy show.  Lorne Michaels,
born November 17, 1944, is the long-time
producer.  The special won Emmys for
Directing, Sound Mixing, Makeup, and
Outstanding Variety Special.




Saturday Night Live: 40th Anniversary Special

Movies for the Day, Thursday, November 16, 2017

Today's movies mark the admission of Oklahoma into the Union, the birthday of a famous surgeon, and Native American Heritage Month.

Tulsa (1949) is about the wildcat oil
business in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  It features
action, romance, and drama.  Oklahoma
was admitted to the Union November
16, 1907.






Tulsa









Dr. James "Red" Duke, Trauma Surgeon (1980)
is an episode of Operation Lifeline and is a
documentary look at the life of the acclaimed
surgeon and Texas icon.  Duke was born
November 16, 1928.  The episode won an Emmy
for Film Editing.


Dr. James "Red" Duke, Trauma Surgeon







The Broken Chain (1993) is a television movie
about two Iroquois brothers caught up in the
Revolutionary War.  November is Native
American Heritage Month.






The Broken Chain

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of a German military leader, the birthday of actor Edward Asner, and American Indian Heritage Month.

The Desert Fox:  The Story of Rommel (1951)
is a biographical depiction of World War II
Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, a respected
military leader for the Germans.  Rommel was
born November 15, 1891.






The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel









Lou Grant (September 20, 1977 to
September 13, 1982) is a spinoff of The
Mary Tyler Moore Show.  It is about
a newspaper city editor and his staff.
The title role is played by Edward Asner,
born November 15, 1929.  It won a number
of Emmys, for Lead Actor, to Asner in
1978 and 1980, for Supporting Actress, to Nancy
Marchand in 1978,  1980, 1981 and 1982, and for
Outstanding Drama Series in 1979 and 1980.  Some
worthwhile episodes are Judge, Dying, Cop, and
Hollywood.

Lou Grant







Squanto:  A Warrior's Tale (1994) is a
Disney version of the 17th century Native
American who straddled the worlds of the Native
Americans and the English in England and
the English who emigrated to America as Pilgrims.
It is only loosely based on the actual historical
figure and is family fare.  November is Native
American Heritage Month.




Squanto: A Warrior's Tale