Movies for the Day, Thursday, November 1, 2018

Today's movies mark Algeria's fight for independence, the Day of the Dead, and Stephen Crane's birthday.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Pepe Le Moko (1937) is a critically
acclaimed movie about a gangster
in Algeria.  Algeria's war for independence
from France began November 1, 1954 and
achieved success in 1962.






Pepe Le Moko









The Loved One (1965) is a satire
about the funeral business in Hollywood.
October 31 to November 2 marks the Day
of the Dead in Mexico and tomorrow is
All Souls Day.






The Loved One












Face of Fire (1959) is about a man
whose face is horribly disfigured in
a fire.  It is based on a Stephen Crane
short story, The Monster.  Crane was born
November 1, 1871.





Face of Fire

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, October 31, 2018

Today's movies a baptismal date for Johannes Vermeer, Halloween, and the birthday of Brian Piccolo.  Which of today's movies would you watch?






Light in the Window (1952) is a portrait
of artist Johannes Vermeer, baptized October
31, 1632.  Aka, Light in the Window:  The Art
of Vermeer.  This movie won an Oscar for
Best Short Films (10 minutes).






Light in the Window








Night of the Demon (1958) is a
horror movie about a psychologist
who investigates a curse which
allegedly causes a series of deaths.
The action occurs on Halloween, which
is today.  This critically acclaimed movie
is also know as Curse of the Demon.





Night of the Demon








Brian's Song (1971) is a television movie
about Brian Piccolo, a professional football
player on the 1960s Chicago Bears who is dying
of  a terminal illness.  It is also about race relations.
Piccolo was born October 31, 1943, and died June 16,
1970.  Piccolo was a Wake Forest University football
player stricken with cancer after turning pro.  The movie
won Emmys for Acting, to Jack Warden, Writing, and
Outstanding Single Program.



Brian's Song

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Ruth Gordon and John Adams and Otis Williams.  Which of today's selections would you watch? 

Rosemary's Baby (1968) is a great horror
movie about a baby, devils and witches.  This
thrilling movie won an Oscar for Best
Supporting Actress, to Ruth Gordon, born
October 30, 1896.  This movie is on the National
Film Registry.  October is Halloween month.





Rosemary's Baby








The Adams Chronicles (1976) is a
13-episode miniseries about five
generations of the Adams family, so
influential in United States history, beginning
with President John Adams, born October 30,
1735.  Issued in the bicentennial year, the
miniseries won Emmys for Lead Actress, to
Kathryn Walker, Technical Direction, Writing,
and Editing.


The Adams Chronicles






The Temptations (1998) is a two-
episode miniseries about the famous
Motown group, focusing on the lives
of its members.  It is based on the autobiography
of Otis Williams, born October 30,
1941.  It won an Emmy for Directing.



The Temptations

Movies for the Day, Monday, October 29, 2018

Today's movies mark National Cat Day, Devil's Night, and the Stock Market Crash.  Which of today's films would you watch?








The Milky Way (1940) is about three
kittens who try to go the Milky Way for
milk.  This film won an Oscar for Best
Short Film, Cartoon.  Today is National Cat
Day.





The Milky Way








The Omen (1976) is a horror
movie about the anti-Christ, the
son of an American diplomat.
This thrilling movie won an Oscar for
Original Score.  Tomorrow night,
October 30, is Devil's Night.  There are
sequels to this movie.




The Omen











Riding the Rails (1997) is a
documentary look at Great
Depression "hobos".  The stock market
crash on October 29, 1929, is
considered the start of the Great
Depression.



Riding the Rails

Movies for the Day, Sunday, October 28, 2018

Today's movies mark the date of a 1964 concert, Halloween, and the birthday of Julia Roberts.  Which of today's films would you watch?

The T.A.M.I. Show (1964) is about a concert
held October 28 and 29, 1964, at the Santa
Monica Civic Auditorium featuring the big
names in popular rock and rhythm and blues music.
It was the Teenage Awards Music International
(aka T.A.M.I.).  This film is on the National
Film Registry.




The T.A.M.I. Show







Celine and Julie Go Boating (1974)
is a critically acclaimed comedy
fantasy involving a haunted house and ghosts.
October is Halloween month.






Celine and Julie Go Boating














Pretty Woman (1990) is about a
businessman who spruces up a call girl
and the subsequent romance.  This
passionate film is an update of
Cinderella and/or Pygmalion.  It stars
Julia Roberts, born October 28, 1967.




Pretty Woman

Movies for the Day, Saturday, October 27, 2018

Today's movies mark Halloween, Hug a Sheep Day, and the birthday of Dylan Thomas.  Which of today's films would you watch?








I Walked with a Zombie (1943) is
a zombie horror movie set on a
Caribbean island and involving voodoo
and legendary tales.  October is Halloween
month.  Also, the classic Night of the Living
Dead zombie movie was released October
1, 1968.




I Walked with a Zombie









So Dear to My Heart (1949) is a
Disney story about a boy who raises
black sheep for a State Fair competition.
The movie has some songs and animation.
Today is Hug a Sheep Day, usually the
last Saturday in October.  This is a worthwhile
movie.




So Dear to My Heart









A Tribute to Dylan Thomas (1961) is
about the great Welsh poet and
dramatist.  Thomas was born October
27, 1914.  This film won an Oscar for Best
Documentary, Short Subject.





A Tribute to Dylan Thomas

Movies for the Day, Friday, October 26, 2018

Today's movies mark the gunfight at the OK Corral, Mule Day, and Halloween.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Law and Order (1932) is a version
of the infamous gunfight at the OK
Corral between Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday
and the Clanton gang.  This exceptional
western uses different names.  The gunfight
occurred October 26, 1881.




Law and Order










Au Hasard Balthazar (1966) is the
story of a girl and her beloved donkey.
The movie has many levels of meaning,
including spiritual.  Today is Mule Day,
dating from 1785.





Au Hasard Balthazar











Nadja (1994) is a vampire tale set in
contemporary Manhattan's East Village.
October is Halloween month.






Nadja

Movies for the Day, Thursday, October 25, 2018

Today's movies mark World Spina Bifida Day, the birthday of George Bizet, and Magic Week.  Which of today's selections would you watch?

I'll Find a Way (1977) is about a child
with spina bifida.  Today is World Spina Bifida
and Hydrocephalus Day.  This film won an Oscar
for Best Short Film- Live Action.






I'll Find a Way









Carmen (1983) is loosely based on
the George Bizet opera and is a Spanish
film featuring flamenco and romance.  Bizet
was born October 25, 1838.  See also
Carmen Jones (1954) which is on the National
Film Registry and Carmen (1984).




Carmen

Wizards of Waverly Place (October 12, 2007 to
January 6, 2012) is a sitcom about sibling
wizards.  Its four seasons had 106 episodes.  It
won Emmys for Outstanding Children's Program
(2009, 2010, and 2012).  Magic Week is October
25 through October 31, 2018.  October is also
Halloween month.



Wizards of Waverly Place

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, October 24, 2018

Today's movies mark the Hunter Moon, a light bulb anniversary, and China's national holiday.  Which of today's selections would you watch?

The Most Dangerous Game (1932) is about
a megalomaniac who hunts humans on a remote
island.  This is an oft filmed story by Richard
Connell.  Today is the Hunter's Moon, the October
full moon.  National Hunting and Fishing Day was
the fourth Saturday in September.





The Most Dangerous Game

Light's Diamond Jubilee (October 24, 1954)
was a documentary celebration of the 75th
invention of the incandescent light bulb by Thomas
Edison.  The first successful test of the bulb was
October 22, 1879.  The show featured major stars and
directors.  It won an Emmy for Scoring.

Light's Diamond Jubilee








Ju Dou (1989) is a disturbing family
saga set in 1920s China.  It won an Oscar
for Best Foreign Film.  See also
Red Sorghum (1987) and Raise the Red
Lantern (1991).  October 1 is China's
national holiday.





Ju Dou

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, October 23, 2018

Today's movies mark Halloween, baseball's World Series, and the birthday of Michael Crichton.  Which of today's selections would you watch?








Poltergeist (1982) is about a family beset by
ghosts.  This thrilling horror movie features an
American Film Institute quote- "They're here!"
This movie had sequels- Poltergeist II (1986) and
Poltergeist III (1988).  October is Halloween
month.




Poltergeist

Eight Men Out (1988) is about
the bribery scandal that engulfed
the 1919 World Series of baseball.
The World Series begins today,
October 23, 2018.






Eight Men Out











ER (September 19, 1994 - April 2, 2009) is a very
popular medical procedural set in a Chicago hospital.
It was created by Michael Crichton, born October 23,
1942, and lasted 15 seasons with 331 episodes.  It won many
Emmys including for Supporting Actress, to Julianna
Margulies (1995), Directing (1995, 2009), Writing (1995),
Sound Mixing (1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2003),
Editing (1995, 1997), Casting (1995, 1997),  Technical Direction (1998), Sound Editing (1998, 1999, 2001), Picture Editing (2000), Guest Actress, to Sally Field (2001), Guest Actor, to Ray Liotta (2005), and Outstanding Drama Series (1996).


ER

Movies for the Day, Monday, October 22, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Joan Fontaine and Franz Liszt and International Day of Older Persons.  Which of today's movies would you watch?










Suspicion (1941) is a Hitchcock suspense
thriller about a rich wife who suspects her husband
of wanting to kill her.  The movie won an Oscar
for Best Actress, to Joan Fontaine, born
October 22, 1917.  Director Alfred Hitchcock was
born August 13, 1899.





Suspicion







Song Without End (1960) is a
dramatic biography of musician
Franz Liszt, especially his piano
recitals and his scandalous romance.
Liszt was born October 22, 1811.  This
movie won an Oscar for Best Music
Score.




Song Without End










Going in Style (1979) is a comedy about
three retirees who decide to rob a bank.
October 1 is International Day of Older
Persons.





Going in Style

Movies for the Day, Sunday, October 21, 2018

Today's movies mark Halloween, China's national day, and Child Health Day.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Exorcist (1973) is a great horror
film involving exorcism, demons, psychology, and
the Roman Catholic Church.  It won Oscars for
Writing and Sound.  This thrilling movie
features an American Film Institute Villain,
Regan MacNeil.  It was followed by Exorcist II: The
Heretic (1977) and The Exorcist III (1990).  October
30 is Devil's Day and October is Halloween month.


The Exorcist









The King of Masks (1997) is a melancholy
drama about a Chinese street performer
set in 1930s China.  It is based on a true
story.  China's national day is October 1
(from 1949).






The King of Masks











Helium (2013) is about a boy with
a terminal illness and the fantasy world
that provides him escape.  This film
won an Oscar for Best Short Film, Live
Action.  October 1 is United States
Child Health Day.



Helium

Movies for the Day, Saturday, October 20, 2018

Today's movies mark an anniversary of a war in Africa, the birthday of Grizzly Adams, and Halloween.  Which of today's selections would you watch?

Something of Value (1957) is a drama set
in the context of Mau Mau warfare in Kenya.
The Mau Mau uprising was from 1952 to
1960.  The British declared a state of emergency on
October 20, 1952.  The capture of the rebel leader,
Dedan Kimathi, on October 21, 1956, signaled
the ultimate defeat of the Mau Mau.




Something of Value









The Bear (1989) is the story of a bear and
a cub striving to survive.  It is based on
The Grizzly King by James Oliver Curwood.
Today is the birthday of James "Grizzly"
Adams, legendary California mountain man
and trainer of grizzly bears.  He was born
in 1807.




The Bear

Claymation Comedy of
Horrors Show (1991) is
a short film about a search
for Dr. Frankenswine.  This film
won an Emmy of Outstanding
Individual Achievement in Animation.
October is Halloween month.


Claymation Comedy of Horrors Show

Movies for the Day, Friday, October 19, 2018

Today's movies mark Halloween and the birthdays of John le Carre and John Lithgow.  Which of today's selections would you watch?

Topper (1937) is a comedy about husband
and wife ghosts who haunt a meek banker
friend.  This highly regarded movie was
followed by Topper Returns (1941), Topper 
Takes a Trip (1939), and a television series.
October is Halloween month.





Topper










Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy (1979) is a
television miniseries spy drama set in
the Cold War era.  It is based on the novel
by acclaimed espionage writer John Le Carre,
born October 19, 1931.  There are seven
episodes.  It was shown as part
of Great Performances and was nominated for
an Emmy as Outstanding Limited Series.



Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy











3rd Rock from the Sun (January 9,
1996 to May 22, 2001) is a television
sitcom about aliens posing as a human family.
It won Emmys for Lead Actor, to
John Lithgow (1996, 1997, 1999), Supporting
Actress, to Kristen Johnston (1997, 1999),
Costume Design (1997), Sound Mixing (1997), and
Choreography (1997).  The six seasons had 139
episodes.  Lithgow was born October 19,
1945.

3rd Rock from the Sun

Movies for the Day, Thursday, October 18, 2018

Today's movies mark the birthday of Miriam Hopkins, China's national day, and the birthday of Klaus Kinski.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

Trouble in Paradise (1932) is a sophisticated
comedy involving thieves and romance.  It stars
Miriam Hopkins, born October 18, 1902.
It is a very highly regarded film and is on the
National Film Registry.






Trouble in Paradise









Princess Yang Kwei Fei (1955) is a
critically acclaimed Japanese movie
set in eighth century China about
a royal love story, both fable and
tragedy.  October 1 was China's
national holiday.




Princess Yang Kwei Fei












My Best Fiend (1999) is a director's
view of his relationship with a difficult
actor, Klaus Kinski, born October 18,
1926.  A very good film.





My Best Fiend

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Today's movies mark Halloween and the birthdays of Rita Hayworth and Arthur Miller.  Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Wolf Man (1941) is a classic
rendition of a horror favorite.  This
one stars Lon Chaney, born April 1,
1883.  The Wolf Moon is in January.  It is
listed here as an October Halloween movie.






The Wolf Man








Gilda (1946) is about a love
triangle set in a Buenos Aires
casino.  It stars Rita Hayworth,
born October 17, 1918.  It features
an American Film Institute Song.




Gilda












Death of a Salesman (1951) is about a middle-aged
salesman who confronts his family and career.  It is
a classic movie based on the Pulitzer Prize winning
play by Arthur Miller, born October 17, 1915.  The
play premiered on Broadway on February 10, 1949.
The 1967 television version earned an Emmy for Acting,
to Lee J. Cobb.  The movie stars Frederic March, born
August 8, 1897.



Death of a Salesman

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, October 16, 2018

Today's movies mark World Food Day, the birthday of Angela Lansbury, and Arts and Humanities Month.  Which of today's selections would you watch?

The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) is a
horror comedy about a bloodthirsty plant.
It was followed by a stage musical and a remake
in 1986.  October is Halloween month.  Today
is World Food Day.



The Little Shop of Horrors

Murder, She Wrote (1984-1996) stars Angela
Lansbury as Jessica Fletcher, professional
writer and amateur detective.  Lansbury was
born October 16, 1925.  This very popular
television series had many Emmy
nominations.



Murder, She Wrote












Impromptu (1991) is a romance and
intellectual romp whose main
characters are composer Chopin and
woman writer George Sand.  October
is National Arts and Humanities Month.
This is a critically acclaimed movie.




Impromptu