Movies for the Day, Monday, October 1, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthday of Walter Matthau, a zombie day, and China's National Holiday.  Which of today's movies would you watch?








The Fortune Cookie (1966) is about a lawyer
cooking up a fraudulent personal injury case.  This
comedy won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor,
to Walter Matthau, born October 1, 1920.







The Fortune Cookie







Dawn of the Dead (1978) is about
zombies and is a worthy sequel to the classic
Night of the Living Dead, which was
released October 1, 1968.  October
is Halloween month.





Dawn of the Dead











Mulan (1998) is a Disney animated movie
about a Chinese legendary hero, a girl in the
army.  Today is China's National Holiday,
celebrated since October 1, 1949, with the
victory of the Communists in China.





Mulan

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 30, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Truman Capote and Angie Dickinson and World Rivers Day.  Which of today's selections would you watch?

Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961) is a romantic comedy
about lead character Holly Golightly in New York
City.  This passionate movie from a story by Truman
Capote features an American Film Institute Song, Moon
River, which also won an Oscar for Original Song.  The
movie also won an Oscar for Musical Scoring.  Capote
was born September 30, 1924.  Star Audrey Hepburn was
born May 4, 1929.




Breakfast at Tiffany's








Police Woman (1974 to 1978) is
a popular TV series starring Angie
Dickinson as undercover Los Angeles
police detective Sgt. "Pepper"
Anderson.  Dickinson, born September
30, 1931, was nominated in 1975, 1976, and
1977 for Emmys as Outstanding Lead
Actress.



Police Woman










The River (February 7, 2012 to March
20, 2012) is about horror on the Amazon
river.  This TV series lasted eight episodes.
It won an Emmy for Sound Editing.  Today
is World Rivers Day.




The River

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 29, 2018

Today's movies mark a Scotland Yard anniversary, the premiere of Dobie Gillis, and the birthday of Michelangelo Antonioni.  Which of today's selections would you watch?







Green for Danger (1946) is a whodunit set in
a World War II hospital.  The death is
investigated by Scotland Yard, which made its
first appearance on September 29, 1829.  This is
a highly regarded movie.





Green for Danger







The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953) is a
movie about a girl crazy college student.
It was later a popular television series.
The series premiered September 29,
1959.




The Affairs of Dobie Gillis











L'Avventura (1960) is about a woman's
mysterious disappearance on an uninhabitated
island and the search for her by friends and the
relationships that develop among the searchers. Followed
by La Notte and L'Eclisse.  This move was directed
by Michelangelo Antonini, born September 29, 1912.





L'Avventura

Movies for the Day, Friday, September 28, 2018

Today's movies mark National Hunting and Fishing Day, the birthday of John Sayles, and the release of The Big Chill.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Man-Eater of Kumaon (1948) is an
adventure movie about hunting a deadly
tiger.  September features National Hunting
and Fishing Day, this year on September 23,
2018.




Man-Eater of Kumaon










Return of the Seacaucus Seven (1980) is about
the reunion of 1960s college friends, baby
boomers.  They spend a weekend together in
New Hampshire.  This movie is on the National
Film Registry.  This movie was written and directed
by John Sayles, born September 28, 1950,
who also acted in it.




Return of the Seacaucus Seven

Beyond Forty (1982) is a time of life
movie, aka Over Forty.  It is similar to
The Big Chill and is about baby boomer
friends.  It was released September 28,
1983.  An excellent movie from Canada.





Beyond Forty

Movies for the Day, Thursday, September 27, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthday of William Conrad, a Jack the Ripper anniversary, and the birthday of Jim Thompson.  Which of today's movies would you watch? 

Cannon (September 14, 1971 to March
3, 1976) is a popular TV series about an ex-cop
who becomes a private investigator (with some
expensive tastes).  It stars William Conrad as
Frank Cannon.  Conrad was born September
27, 1920.    Over five seasons, 124 episodes aired.






Cannon

Time After Time (1979) is about science
fiction author H.G. Wells pursuing Jack the
Ripper from Victorian England to 1979
America- both using a time machine (one of
Wells' most famous books is about a time machine).
Today is the anniversary of an infamous Jack the
Ripper letter in 1888.  Also, H.G. Wells was born
in September, on the 21st, in 1866.



Time After Time











The Kill-Off (1990) is a film-noir about
a woman who terrorizes a town with gossip.
Violence ensues.  It is based on a Jim
Thompson novel.  Thompson was born
September 27, 1906.  There was a bit of a
Jim Thompson revival in the early 1990s:  see
also The Grifters and After Dark, My Sweet.




The Kill-Off

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, September 26, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of George Raft, George Gershwin, and Edmund Gwenn.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Johnny Angel (1945) essentially
pits George Raft against the mob.
Raft was born September 26, 1901.






Johnny Angel










Rhapsody in Blue (1945) is a
dramatic biography of composer
George Gershwin, born September
26, 1898.






Rhapsody in Blue












Mister 880 (1950) is a romantic comedy
about an elderly New York City counterfeiter
tracked down by Federal agents.  Edmund
Gwenn won a Golden Globe for Supporting
Actor.  He was born September 26, 1877.






Mister 880

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, September 25, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Robert Breeson and William Faulkner and a newspaper anniversary.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Pickpocket (1959) is a well-regarded
movie about a man who resorts to being
a pickpocket to survive.  Directed by
Robert Breeson, born September 25,
1901.





Pickpocket











Tomorrow (1972) is about a handyman
who cares for and falls in love with a
pregnant woman.  It is based on a story
by William Faulkner, born September
25, 1897.  It takes place in 1930s Mississippi.
A very good movie.






Tomorrow










Between the Lines (1977) is a very good
movie about lives at an alternative
newspaper in Boston.  Today is the anniversary
of the first American newspaper, which was
published in Boston in 1690.





Between the Lines

Movies for the Day, Monday, September 24, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Jim Henson, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and William Adams.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Muppet Show (1976 to 1981) is the classic
show that stars Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and others.
Its creative genius was Jim Henson, born September 24,
1936.  It won Emmys for Supporting Actress, to Rita
Moreno (1977), Outstanding Comedy Variety Series (1978),
Video Tape Editing (1980), and Writing (1981).  There are
120 episodes.



The Muppet Show

The Last Tycoon (1976) is about a
movie producer in the 1930s.  It is
based on the novel by acclaimed
writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, who was born
September 24, 1896.






The Last Tycoon

Shogun (1980) is a television miniseries about
a navigator shipwrecked in feudal Japan.  It is
loosely based on the adventures of William Adams,
born September 24, 1564.  There are five episodes.
It stars Richard Chamberlain, born March 31, 1964.  It
won Emmys for Costume Design, Outstanding
Limited Series, and Graphic Design and Title
Sequences.



Shogun

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 23, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Mickey Rooney and Walter Pidgeon and National Hunting and Fishing Day.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938) is about
all-American Andy Hardy and girlfriends.
It stars Andy Rooney, born September 23,
1920.  It is on the National Film Registry.






Love Finds Andy Hardy









Nick Carter, Master Detective (1939) is
about foiling a spy ring at an airplane factory.
It is one of a series of Nick Carter movies.
They star Walter Pidgeon, born
September 23, 1897.




Nick Carter, Master Detective














Man's Favorite Sport (1964) is a
very funny romantic comedy
centered on a fishing tournament.  Today
is National Hunting and Fishing Day.




Man's Favorite Sport

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 22, 2018

Today's movies mark a United States Post Office anniversary, the birthday of Erich von Stroheim, and American Business Women's Day.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Tol'able David (1921) is about a boy
who must confront heinous criminals
in a rural community.  Delivery of a mailbag
is a plot feature.  The United States Postmaster
General was established September 22, 1789.
This movie is on the National Film Registry.





Tol'able David








Foolish Wives (1922) is a classic silent film
about a con artist who passes himself off as
a Russian count in Monte Carlo in order to
seduce women and steal their money.  The movie
was directed, written by, and starred
Erich von Stroheim, born September 22,
1885.  It is on the National Film Registry.



Foolish Wives













The Devil Wears Prada (2006) is about
a young personal assistant to a very
demanding fashion magazine editor and
office politics.  Today is American Business
Women's Day.





The Devil Wears Prada

Movies for the Day, Friday, September 21, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of H.G. Wells, Larry Hagman, and Stephen King.  Which of today's movies would you watch?







The War of the Worlds (1953) is a classic
science fiction movie about invaders from
Mars.  It is based on the H.G. Wells classic science
fiction book.  Wells was born September 21, 1866.
The movie won an Oscar for Special Effects.  It
features an American Film Institute Villain, the
Martians.




The War of the Worlds






Dallas (1978 - 1991) was an extraordinarily
popular TV series about a wealthy oil and
ranch family in Texas, the Ewings.  It stars
Larry Hagman as J.R. Ewing.  Hagman was born
September 21, 1931.  It won Emmys for Lead
Actress, to Barbara Bel Geddes (1980), Dramatic
Underscore (1983, 1984), and Costume Design
(1985).  There are 356 episodes.




Dallas










Dolores Claiborne (1995) is a murder
mystery thriller based on a book by
Stephen King.  The focus is on a mother
and her daughter.  King was born
September 21, 1947.  An excellent movie.





Dolores Claiborne

Movies for the Day, Thursday, September 20, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Sophia Loren and Upton Sinclair and a Cannes Film Festival anniversary.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1963) is an
anthology of three romantic comedies, each
starring Sophia Loren, who was born September
20, 1934.  This Italian movie is also know as leri
oggi domani.  It won an Oscar as Best Foreign
Language Film.





Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow









The Gnome-Mobile (1967) is a Walt
Disney fantasy movie about gnomes
in the redwood forest.  It is based on
 a book by acclaimed writer Upton
Sinclair, who was born September 20,
1878.





The Gnome-Mobile











Festival in Cannes (2001) is a comedy
about the movie business.  The Cannes
Film Festival is usually held in May but
the first festival was held September 20,
1946.




Festival in Cannes

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Today's movies mark International Talk Like a Pirate Day, the birthday of Jeremy Irons, and the discovery of the Iceman.  Which movie would you watch?










The Crimson Pirate (1952) is a genre
classic about pirates set in the 1700s.  Today
is International Talk Like a Pirate Day.






The Crimson Pirate










Moonlighting (1982) is an excellent movie
about Polish workers illegally in Great Britain
to renovate an apartment.  This drama was made during unrest
in Poland- Solidarity had been founded September
17, 1980.  The movie stars Jeremy Irons, born
September 19, 1948.




Moonlighting

Iceman (1984) is a science fiction movie
about finding and thawing a Neanderthal man.
An actual Iceman (not Neanderthal) was
discovered September 19, 1991.  This is a very
good movie.





Iceman

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Greta Garbo, Frankie Avalaon, and James Gandolfini.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Ninotchka (1939) is a comedy about
a female Russian agent who falls in love
in Paris.  This passionate movie was later on
Broadway as Silk Stockings.  This movie stars
Greta Garbo, born September 18, 1905.  It is on
the National Film Registry.




Ninotchka








Bikini Beach (1964) is about teenagers
at the beach.  It stars Frankie Avalon, born
September 18, 1939, and Annette Funicello.







Bikini Beach










The Sopranos (January 10, 1999 to June
10, 2007) is about a mob family.  It lasted 86
episodes.  It stars James Gandolfini, born
September 18, 1961.  It won Emmys for Lead
Actress, to Edie Falco (1999, 2001, 2003), Editing (1999),
Writing (1999, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2007), Casting (1999), Lead
Actor, to Gandolfini (2000, 2001, 2003),
Makeup (2001), Supporting Actor, to Joe
Pantoliano (2003)  and Michael Imperioli (2004),
Supporting Actress, to Dreade Matteo (2004),
Outstanding Drama Series (2004, 2007), and Directing (2007).

The Sopranos

Movies for the Day, Monday, September 17, 2018

Today's movies mark a Japanese holiday and the premieres of two television series.  Which selection would you watch?









Tokyo Story (1953) is a Japanese masterpiece
about an elderly couple who travel to visit their
busy children and grandchildren in Tokyo.  The film
explores family relationships and aging.  Today is
Respect for the Aged Day in Japan, the third Monday
in September.





Tokyo Story







Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) is a
Disney musical about an amateur witch and children
in a World War II setting.  This movie won
an Oscar for Special Visual Effects.  Another
light-hearted show about witches, Bewitched,
a television sitcom, premiered September 17,
1964.



Bedkobs and Broomsticks












Mission Impossible (1966 to 1973) is an
iconic television series about a government covert
operations unit.  It has since spawned a successful
movie franchise.  The series premiered September
17, 1966.  It won Emmys for Best Actress, to Barbara Bain (1967, 1968, and 1969), Outstanding Writing (1967), and Outstanding Dramatic Series (1967 and 1968).




Mission Impossible

Movies for the Day, Sunday, September 16, 2018

Today's movies mark a Western land rush, Mexico's National Day, and a science fiction TV series.  Which selection would you watch?

Tumbleweeds (1925) is a classic silent
western centered on the Cherokee Strip
land run which began September 16,
1893.





Tumbleweeds









The Fugitive (1947) is about a priest
who ministers to his flock in Mexico
despite persecution by the Mexican
State.  This excellent movie boasts a good
cast.  Today is Mexico's National Day.





The Fugitive













The Outer Limits (1963 to 1965) is
an iconic television anthology of
science fiction tales.  It premiered
September 16, 1963; the final episode
was January 16, 1965.  There are 49
episodes.



The Outer Limits

Movies for the Day, Saturday, September 15, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of James Fenimore Cooper and Agatha Christie and Guatemala Independence Day.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Drums Along the Mohawk (1939) is about
a family in upstate New York buffeted by the
winds of the Revolutionary War.  This movie
is based on the classic by James Fenimore
Cooper.  Cooper was born September 15, 1789.
American Independence was declared July 4, 1776.




Drums Along the Mohawk









And Then There Were None (1945) is
about ten gathered on a remote island and
one by one they end up dead.  This
excellent suspense murder mystery is
based on the Agatha Christie classic.
Christie was born September 15, 1890.




And Then There Were None













El Norte (1983) is about a brother and
sister escaping the violence and hopelessness
of Guatemala and travelling north to the United
States.  This movie is on the National Film
Registry.  Guatemala Independence Day is
September 15, 1821.  Hispanic Heritage Month
begins September 15.




El Norte