Movies for the Day, Monday, January 1, 2018

Today's movies mark college football bowl games, the Wolf Moon, and the opening of Ellis Island.

Pigskin Parade (1936) is a musical
comedy about college football and a bowl
game.  The New Year's holiday is a traditional
time for college football bowl games.






Pigskin Parade









Wolfen (1981) is about a detective
tracking down mysterious beasts
in New York City.  January 1 through
2, 2018, is the so-called Wolf Moon.
In January 2018, I will list wolf/werewolf
movies on January 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and
30.



Wolfen











The Second Civil War (1997) is a satire about
anti-immigration sentiment gone wild, from
the President on down.  Beau Bridges won an
Emmy as Supporting Actor.  Ellis Island, gateway for
many of the nation's immigrants, opened
January 1, 1892.


The Second Civil War

Movies for the Day, Sunday, December 31, 2017

Today's movies mark New Year's Eve, the birthday of Simon Wiesenthal, and the birthday of actor Anthony Hopkins.

Repeat Performance (1947) is about a woman
who murdered her husband on New Year's
Eve reliving the year.






Repeat Performance










Murderers Among Us:  The Simon
Wiesenthal Story (1989) is the story
of Holocaust survivor and Nazi
hunter Simon Wiesenthal, born
December 31, 1908.  It won an
Emmy for Writing.




Murderers Among Us: The Simon Wiesenthal Story











The Silence of the Lambs (1991) features
a cannibalistic serial killer.  This thrilling movie won Oscars
for Best Picture, Best Actor, to Anthony Hopkins,
Best Actress, to Jodie Foster, Director, and Writing.
This movie is on the National Film Registry.  It provides
an American Film Institute Villain, Dr. Hannibal
Lecter, played by Hopkins, and an AFI Hero, Clarice
Starling, played by Foster.  Hopkins was born
December 31, 1937, and this is one of his
signature roles.



The Silence of the Lambs

Movies for the Day, Saturday, December 30, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Rudyard Kipling, the anniversary of a series of murders, and the birthday of Tracey Ullman.

Jungle Book (1942) is based on the classic
book by Rudyard Kipling about jungle
animals in India.  Kipling was born
December 30, 1865.  Several movies based
on this book have been made.




Jungle Book








The Hitch-Hiker (1953) is about
two men on a hunting trip who
pick up a murderous psychopath.  It is
based on the true story of Billy
Cook whose murder spree began
December 30, 1950.  This movie is on
the National Film Registry.




The Hitch-Hiker










The Tracey Ullman Show (April 5, 1987
to May 26, 1990) is a variety show which won
several Emmys including an Emmy to Ullman
as host in 1989.  This show ran 4 seasons and
88 episodes.  Ullman was born December
30, 1959.


The Tracey Ullman Show

Movies for the Day, Friday, December 29, 2017

Today's movies mark Texas admission day, the birthday of Mary Tyler Moore, and the anniversary of the Wounded Knee Massacre.

Giant (1956) is a sprawling story of a Texas cattle
rancher and his family.  It is based on an Edna
Ferber novel.  It is James Dean's last film.  This film
won an Oscar for Directing and is on the National
Film Registry.  Texas was admitted to the Union
on December 29, 1845.




Giant








The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1970 to
1979) is a beloved sitcom about a single
woman at work and at home.  Star Mary
Tyler Moore was born December 29, 1936.
It won many Emmys including to Moore for
Acting in 1973, 1974, and 1976, and to her
co-stars for acting:  Edward Asner in 1971,
1972 and 1975, Valerie Harper in 1971, 1972, and 1973,
Ted Knight in 1973 and 1976, Cloris Leachman
in 1974 and 1975, and Betty White in 1975 and
1976.  The show also won Emmys for
Outstanding Comedy Series.

The Mary Tyler Moore Show










Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee (2007)
is a historical narrative about Native
Americans.  The Wounded Knee
Massacre occurred December 29,
1890.





Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee

Movies for the Day, Thursday, December 28, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of President Woodrow Wilson, actress Maggie Smith, and actor Denzel Washington.

Wilson (1944) is a biography of President
Woodrow Wilson, born December 28, 1856.
It won Oscars for Screenplay, Cinematography,
Interior Decoration, Film Editing, and Sound.






Wilson











The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (1969)
is about a teacher in an Edinborough
girls' school.  It is based on a novel by
Muriel Spark.  It won an Oscar for Best
Actress, to Maggie Smith, born
December 28, 1934.





The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie










Glory (1989) is an excellent movie
about African American soldiers in
the Civil War.  This inspiring film won
Oscars for Supporting Actor, to Denzel
Washington, Cinematography, and Sound.
Washington was born December 28, 1954.






Glory

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, December 27. 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of actress Marlene Dietrich, the birthday of scientist Louis Pastuer, and the birthday of  actor Gerard Depardieu.

Shanghai Express (1932) is a romantic movie
featuring a train through China during civil
warfare.  It starred Marlene Dietrich and was indeed
a vehicle for her stardom.  Dietrich was born December
27, 1901.  The movie won an Oscar for
Cinematography.





Shanghai Express








The Story of Louis Pasteur (1936) is a
biography of the famous French
scientist (pasteurization, for example).
The movie won Oscars for Best Actor,
to Paul Muni, Adapted Screenplay, and
Original Story.  Pasteur was born
December 27, 1822.





The Story of Louis Pasteur











The Return of Martin Guerre (1982) is a story
of a peasant who returns home to his family a seemingly
better person, or an imposter.  This French film is
set in the 16th century and gives a good lesson in
history.  It stars Gerard Depardieu, born December
27, 1948.





The Return of Martin Guerre

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, December 26, 2017

Today 's movies mark the anniversary of Shenandoah National Park, the birthday of actor Richard Widmark, and the birthday of author Henry Miller. 

Shenandoah (1965) is the story of a Virginia
family during the Civil War.  It was later a
Broadway musical.  The Shenandoah National
Park was established December 26, 1935.






Shenandoah

Madigan (1968) is a movie about a
New York City police detective.  Richard
Widmark, born December 26, 1914, played
Madigan.  It was later a TV series from
1972 to 1973.




Madigan












Tropic of Cancer (1970) is based on the
classic by Henry Miller about amorous
adventures in 1920s Paris.  Miller was
born December 26, 1891.







Tropic of Cancer

Movies for the Day, Monday, December 25, 2017

Today's movies mark the Christmas season, the birthday of author Rod Serling, and the birthday of the founder of Pakistan.

Holiday Inn (1942) is a musical set in a
hotel.  It features a romantic triangle.  Most
famously, it features White Christmas
which won an Oscar for Song and which is one
of the top movie songs listed by the American Film
Institute.





Holiday Inn










The Twilight Zone (October 2, 1959
to June 19, 1964) is a fantasy/science
fiction anthology series featuring ordinary
people in extraordinary situations.  Its five seasons
and 156 episodes featured Rod Serling
as host and benefited from his writing.  Serling
was born December 25, 1924.  The series
won Emmys for writing in 1960 and 1961, to
Serling, and for Art Direction and Scenic
Design in 1962.


The Twilight Zone









Jinnah (1998) is the story of
Mohammed Ali Jinnah, the founder
of Pakistan.  He was born December
25, 1876.






Jinnah

Movies for the Day, Sunday, December 24, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of Kit Carson, the birthday of Howard Hughes, and the Christmas season.

Kit Carson (1940) follows adventures
of famed westerner Kit Carson.  Carson
was born December 24, 1809.








Kit Carson









The Aviator (2004) is a biopic of
legendary director, aviator and
industrialist Howard Hughes, born
December 24, 1906.  It won Oscars for Best
Actress, to Cate Blanchett, Cinematography,
Art Direction, Costume Design, and
Editing.




The Aviator








Prep & Landing (2009) began as an
animated short about elves preparing
the way on Christmas Eve.  It has since
grown into a holiday tradition with sequels such
as Prep & Landing Stocking Stuffer:  Operation:
Secret Santa and Prep & Landing:  Naughty and
Nice.  The shows have won a number of Emmys.
Today is Christmas Eve.




Prep & Landing

Movies for the Day, Saturday, December 23, 2017

Today's movies mark a national holiday in Japan and the Christmas season.

The Dragon Painter (1919) provides a
view into Japanese culture.  Today is the
Emperor's birthday in Japan and a national
holiday.




The Dragon Painter












The Polar Express (2004) is about
a boy's magical journey to the
North Pole on Christmas Eve.  It is
a Christmas favorite.  Christmas is
just two days away.





The Polar Express










Memoirs of a Geisha (2005) provides another
glimpse into Japanese culture and society.  Today
is a national holiday in Japan- the Emperor's
birthday.  This movie won Oscars for
Cinematography, Art Direction, and Costume
Design.




Memoirs of a Geisha

Movies for the Day, Friday, December 22, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of composer Giacomo Puccini, the birthday of actress Peggy Ashcroft, and the Christmas season.

La Boheme (1977) is a famous opera by Giacomo
Puccini about bohemians living in the Latin
Quarter of Paris in the 1840s.  Puccini was born
December 22, 1858.  This was an episode of
Live From the Metropolitan Opera.





La Boheme











A Passage to India (1984) is about
British life in India in the 1920s and is based
on an EM Forster novel.  It won two
Oscars, for Supporting
Actress, to Peggy Ashcroft, who was
born December 22, 1907, and for Best
Original Score.



A Passage to India












The Nutcracker (1993) is a version from
the New York City Ballet.  It is a beloved
story of Christmas Eve.  Christmas is just
three days away.





The Nutcracker

Movies for the Day, Thursday, December 21, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actress Jane Fonda, the Christmas season, and the winter solstice.

Klute (1971) is the story of a detective who
becomes enmeshed with a prostitute as he tries
to solve a crime.  Klute is the detective.  Jane Fonda,
born December 21, 1937, is the call girl.  Fonda
won an Oscar as Best Actress for her role.





Klute








National Lampoon's Christmas
Vacation (1989) is a Christmas tradition
movie about a family Christmas where
everything goes wrong.  A very funny
movie starring Chevy Chase.  Christmas is
just four days away.





National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation









Frozen (2013) is a great Disney film
about endless winter.  December 21 is the
winter solstice.  The movie won
Oscars for Original Song, Let It Go, and
for Animated Feature Film.





Frozen

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, December 20, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of actress Irene Dunne, the Christmas season, and the birthday of producer Dick Wolf.

The Awful Truth (1937) is a screwball comedy
romance starring Irene Dunne, born December
20, 1898, and Cary Grant.  It won an Oscar
for Directing.  This passionate movie is on
the National Film Registry.






The Awful Truth








The Homecoming- A Christmas Story
(1971) is a forerunner to the beloved
television series The Waltons.  It was
nominated for several Emmys.
Christmas is just five days away.







The Homecoming- A Christmas Story

Law & Order (September 13, 1990 to
May 24, 2010) ran for 20 years and 456
episodes.  Its format was a police investigation
followed by a court prosecution.  It was set
in New York City.  It spawned a franchise
including Law & Order:  Special Victims Unit,
Law & Order:  Criminal Intent, Law & Order:
Trial by Jury, Law & Order:  LA, etc.  The
creator is Dick Wolf, born December 20,
1946.

Law & Order

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, December 19, 2017

Today's movies mark the launch of Popeye, the Christmas season, and the birthday of a French singer.

Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the
Sailor (1936) is a classic cartoon
on the National Film Registry.  Popeye,
created by Elzie Crisler Segar, was
launched December 19, 1919.





Popeye the Sailor Meets Sindbad the Sailor










A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965) is a
classic from Charles Schulz and the
Peanuts gang.  This won an Emmy
for Outstanding Children's Program.
Christmas is just six days away.



A Charlie Brown Christmas









La Vie en Rose (2007) is the story
of French singer Edith Piaf, born
December 19, 1915, and known as
"Little Sparrow."  The movie
won Oscars for Actress, to Marion
Cotillard, and for Makeup.



La Vie en Rose

Movies for the Day, Monday, December 18, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthday of a Swedish Queen, the Christmas season, and the birthday of  director and producer Steven Spielberg.

Queen Christina (1933) is the story of a
17th century Swedish queen who relinquishes
her throne for her lover.  Queen Christina was
born December 18, 1626.







Queen Christina







A Christmas Carol (1954) is an episode
of Shower of Stars.  This is another version of
the Dickens classic story.  It won an
Emmy for Art Direction.  Christmas is just
seven days away.





A Christmas Carol









E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial (1982) is about
a friendly alien.  It won Oscars for Original Score,
by John Williams, Sound, Visual Effects, and
Sound Editing.  This thrilling and inspiring movie
was directed by Steven Spielberg, born
December 18, 1947.  It is on the National Film
Registry.  It features an American Film Institue
Quote, "E.T. phone home."



E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial

Movies for the Day, Sunday, December 17, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of author Erskine Caldwell and conductor Arthur Fiedler and the first powered flight by the Wright brothers.

Tobacco Road (1941) is about a Georgia
backwoods community, adapted from
the Broadway play based on the novel by
Erskine Caldwell.  Caldwell was born
December 17, 1903.





Tobacco Road








Evening at Pops (1970 to 2005) is
a concert series on public
television featuring the Boston
Pops Orchestra, perhaps most
famously conducted by Arthur
Fiedler from 1970 to 1979.  Fiedler
was born December 17, 1894.  He is
pictured here in 1968.






Evening at Pops










Airplane! (1980) is an air disaster spoof and
a very funny movie.  The Wright Brothers
first powered flight was December 17, 1903.  The
movie features an American Film Institute
Quote, "Striker:  Sureley you can't be serious.
Rumack:  I am serious...and don't call me
Shirley."




Airplane!

Movies for the Day, Saturday, December 16, 2017

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Beethoven, science fiction author Arthur C. Clarke, and author Jane Austen.

Beethoven's Great Love (1936) is a story
of the great classical composer, Beethoven,
who was born December 16, 1770.







Beethoven's Great Love










2001:  A Space Odyssey (1968) is a masterpiece of
science fiction about an expedition to Jupiter, aliens, and
artificial intelligence.  This inspiring film
features an American Film Institute Villain,
the HAL 9000 computer.  It is on the National
Film Registry and won an Oscar for Special
Visual Effects.  It is based on a story by
Arthur C. Clarke, born December 16, 1917.  It
also features an AFI Quote, "Open the pod bay doors,
please, HAL."


2001: A Space Odyssey








Sense and Sensibility (1995) is a period
piece about a widow and her three
daughters.  It is based on the classic novel by
Jane Austen, born December 16, 1775.  This
passionate movie, set in the early
19th century, won an Oscar for Writing.




Sense and Sensibility