Movies for the Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthday of J. Edgar Hoover, Sudan's independence day, and the birthday of E.M. Forster.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








"G" Men (1935) is a crime drama  featuring
the early days of the FBI.  J. Edgar Hoover
was the very long-time director of the FBI- he was
born January 1, 1895.  A very good movie.






"G" Men

The Four Feathers (1939) is a
British military adventure drama set
in the Sudan.  Sudan's independence
day is January 1 (1956).  An excellent
movie.




The Four Feathers











A Room With a View (1986) is a romance
about a young woman's experiences on a
trip to Florence.  It explores British manners
and mores of a certain period.  It is based
on a novel by E.M. Forster, born January 1,
1879.  It won Oscars for Writing, Art Direction/Set
Decoration, and Costume Design.





A Room With a View

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of John H. Collins and John Denver and New Year's Eve.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Girl Without a Soul (1917) is one of
the few extant films from director John H.
Collins, born December 31, 1889.  It is about
twins- one gifted and one troubled.  It is on the
National Film Registry.




The Girl Without a Soul









John Denver With His Special Guest
George Burns:  Two of a Kind (1981)
is a variety special.  Denver was born
December 31, 1943.  It won an Emmy for
Tape Sound Mixing.  Denver is pictured left in
1974.







John Denver With His Special Guest George Burns

New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve
Celebration With Zubin Mehta and Kathleen
Battle (1988) features classical music.
New Year's Eve is December 31.  Mehta is\pictured right
in 2007.



New York Philharmonic New Year's Eve Celebration With Zubin Mehta and Kathleen Battle

Movies for the Day, Monday, December 30, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Rudyard Kipling and Woody Allen and World AIDS Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Captains Courageous (1937) is about
a boy and fishermen at sea.  It is based on the classic
book by Rudyard Kipling, born December 30, 1865.
This inspiring movie won an Oscar for Best Actor,
to Spencer Tracy.





Captains Courageous








The Purple Rose of Cairo (1985) is
about a movie idol who walks off the
screen into the life of a Depression era fan.
This is a Woody Allen film- Allen was born
December 1, 1935, which makes December 1 and
December good dates to watch his films.  A very
good movie.




The Purple Rose of Cairo


























And the Band Played On (1993) is a TV
movie drama about the early days of the
AIDS epidemic, including the scientific
community.  World AIDS Day is December 1,
making December 1 (and December) a good date
to watch this movie.






And the Band Played On

Movies for the Day, Sunday, December 29, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Jon Voight, a Native American massacre, and the death of Rasputin.

Which of today's movies would you watch?






Midnight Cowboy (1969) is about a
hustler/hayseed who comes to New York City.
It won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, and
Screenplay.  It stars Jon Voight, born December 29,
1938, and Dustin Hoffman, born August 8, 1937.  It is on
the National Film Registry.  It features an American Film
Institute Quote, "I'm walking here! I'm walking here!" and
an AFI Song, "Everybody's Talkin'."


Midnight Cowboy









A Song for Dead Warriors- San Francisco
Ballet (1984) is an episode of Great
Performances:  Dance in America which won
Emmys for Individual Achievement, to
Merrill Brockway, and Choreography.  The
massacre at Wounded Knee occurred
December 29, 1890, and the Wounded Knee
occupation was in the spring 1973, February
27 to May 8, 1973.




A Song for Dead Warriors











Rasputin (1985) is about the mad Russian monk
at the Czar's court.  He was born 1871 and assassinated
December 29, 1916.  Aka Agony.  See also Rasputin and
the Emperor (1932) (with three Barrymores), Rasputin-
The Mad Monk (1966), and Rasputin (1996), a TV
movie.




Rasputin

Movies for the Day, Saturday, December 28, 2019

Today's movies mark a endangered species anniversary and the birthdays of Maggie Smith and James Benning.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









America's Endangered Species:  Don't Say Goodbye
(1998) is a documentary which won an Emmy
for Non-Fiction Programming.  The comprehensive
Endangered Species Act of 1973 was signed and
effective December 28, 1973.





America's Endangered Species: Don't Say Goodbye










My House in Umbria (2003) is about
a British romance novelist living in
Italy and reaction to a terrorist attack.
This movie won an Emmy for Lead
Actress, to Maggie Smith, born December
28, 1934.



My House in Umbria

13 Lakes (2004) is a documentary featuring
13 lakes which is like a series of moving
landscape paintings.  It is by James Benning,
born December 28, 1942.  It is on the National
Film Registry.





13 Lakes

Movies for the Day, Friday, December 27, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Maggie Smith, Woody Allen, and Marlene Dietrich.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








Travels With My Aunt (1972) is about a bank
clerk's eccentric aunt and Europe and schemes.
It won an Oscar for Costume Design.  It stars
Maggie Smith, born December 28, 1934.






Travels With My Aunt









Interiors (1978) is a dark family
drama from famed director and
writer Woody Allen.  He was born
December 1, 1935, making December
1 and December month good dates to
watch his films.  A very good movie.





Interiors










Marlene (1984) is a documentary about
the famous actress and diva.  Marlene
Dietrich was born December 27, 1901.




Marlene

Movies for the Day, Thursday, December 26, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Richard Widmark, Richard Pryor, and Charles Babbage.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Warlock (1959) is a western about a
"vigilante" sheriff and the mentality of a
lynch mob.  It stars Richard Widmark, born
December 26, 1914.





Warlock










Wattstax (1973) is a documentary
about a 1972 music festival in the
Watts area of Los Angeles featuring
music and comedy, including monologues
by Richard Pryor, born December 1, 1940.
The black experience at the time.



Wattstax









Silicon Valley (2014-2019) is a TV
series about a Silicon Valley startup.
This comedic take has had 53 episodes.
It won Emmys for Picture Editing and
Production Design.  Computer pioneer
Charles Babbage was born December 26,
1792.





Silicon Valley

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Today's movies mark World War II and Christmas.

Which of today's movies would you watch?





Casablanca (1942) is about intrigue and romance
during World War II; it is set in Morocco.  This thrilling, inspiring, and
passionate movie won Oscars for Best Picture, Director, and
Screenplay.  It stars Humphrey Bogart, born December 25, 1899.
It is on the National Film Registry.  It features American Film Institute great quotes:  "Here's looking at you, kid"; "Louis, I think this is the
beginning of a beautiful friendship"; "Play it, Sam.  Play 'As Time Goes By'"; "Round up the usual suspects"; "We'll always have Paris"; and "Of all the gin joints in all the towns in the world, she walks into mine".  It also features an AFI Hero, Rick Blaine, and an AFI Song,
As Time Goes By.  A great movie.

Casablanca










The Tiny World (1972) is a documentary
about antique mechanical toys.  Aka
Deze kleine wereld.  This movie from the
Netherlands won an Oscar for Best Short
Subject Documentary.  December 25 is
Christmas which prominently features toys.





This Tiny World












Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus (1974)
is an animated short.  It won an Emmy for
Outstanding Children's Special.  Christmas
is December 25.






Yes, Virginia, There Is a Santa Claus

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, December 24, 2019

Today's movies mark Christmas.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, Christmas
Special (1963) is an episode of the
anthology series which won an Emmy for
Outstanding Variety Special.  Christmas is December
25.





Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre











A Christmas Carol (1971) is an
animated version of the famous
story.  It won an Oscar for Best
Short Subject Animated Film.  Christmas
is December 25.




A Christmas Carol














Ruldolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer:  The Movie
(1998) takes the beloved reindeer to the big screen
where he saves Christmas.  This animation is mostly
for young children.  Christmas is December 25.






Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer The Movie

Movies for the Day, Monday, December 23, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Julie Harris and Christmas.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Little Moon of Alban (1958) is a
Hallmark Hall of Fame episode about
a nurse following World War I falling
in love.  It won Emmys for Lead Actress,
to Julie Harris (pictured right in 1973), born
December 2, 1925, Direction and Writing.





Little Moon of Alban















Santa Claus The Movie (1985) is about
Santa Claus threatened by an unscrupulous
toy manufacturer.  Christmas is December
25.





Santa Claus The Movie












Small Soldiers (1998) is about
toy soldiers with chips coming to
"life" and declaring war on enemy toys.
Christmas is December 25 and toys play
a huge role in the holiday.





Small Soldiers

Movies for the Day, Sunday, December 22, 2019

Today's movies mark Christmas and the birthdays of Giacomo Puccini and Joe Paterno.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








Home Alone (1990) is a very popular
Christmas time family comedy about a boy
left home alone who has to contend with
bumbling burglars.  Christmas is December 25.
See also Home Alone 2:  Lost in New York
(1992) and Home Alone 3 (1997).


Home Alone










New York City Opera:  Madama
Butterfly (2008) is a presentation
of the famous opera by Giacomo
Puccini, born December 22, 1858.
It won an Emmy for Classical
Music.  It was aired as an episode of
Live From Lincoln Center on PBS
season 33, episode 2).


Madama Butterfly












Paterno (2018) is the story of legendary
football coach Joe Paterno's involvement
in Penn State's sexual abuse scandal in 2011.
This TV movie movie was nominated for an
Emmy as Outstanding TV Movie.  Paterno was
born December 21, 1926, and died January 22,
2012.


Paterno

Movies for the Day, Saturday, December 21, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Jane Fonda, an Apollo 8 anniversary, and the birthday of Ray Romano.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








Coming Home (1978) is about
Vietnam vets and romance.  This
passionate movie won Oscars for Best
Actor, to Jon Voight, born December 29,
1938, Best Actress, to Jane Fonda, born
December 21, 1937, and Writing.  A very
good film.



Coming Home












The Cosmic Eye (1986) is science
fiction animation with aliens,
good music, and the needs of children
around the world.  Apollo 8, which gave us
an inspiring view of the whole Earth at
Christmas, launched December 21, 1968, and
orbited the moon December 24, 1968.




The Cosmic Eye

Everybody Loves Raymond (1996-2005) is
a popular sitcom about a sportswriter in Queens and his
family.  It stars Ray Romano, born December 21,
1957.  It was on for nine seasons and 210 episodes.
It won Emmys for Lead Actress, to Patricia Heaton
(2000, 2001), Supporting Actress, to Doris Roberts
(2001, 2002, 2003, 2005), Sound Mixing (2001, 2003), Lead Actor, to Ray Romano (2002), Supporting Actor, to Brad Garrett
(2002, 2003, 2005), Writing (2003), and Outstanding Comedy
Series (2003, 2005).


Everybody Loves Raymond

Movies for the Day, Friday, December 20, 2019

Today's movies mark Christmas.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Christmas in Connecticut (1945) is
a romantic comedy set at the end of World
War II.  Christmas is December 25.




Christmas in Connecticut












The Gathering (1977) is a TV
movie about Christmas family drama.
See also The Gathering, Part II
(1979).







The Gathering












The Santa Clause (1994) is a
popular Christmas family comedy.
Christmas is December 25.







The Santa Clause

Movies for the Day, Thursday, December 19, 2019

Today's movies mark Christmas and New Jersey's admission date.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Beyond Tomorrow (1940) is a Christmas
fantasy film about rich and poor at
Christmastime.  Christmas is December 25.



Beyond Tomorrow












Truman's Capote's A Christmas Memory
(1966):  the famed author remembers
Christmas in Depression era Alabama.
An episode of ABC Stage 67:  season 1,
episode 14.  This show won Emmys for
Lead Actress, to Geraldine Page, and Writing.
Christmas is December 25.





Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory











Hysterical Blindness (2002) is a TV movie
about two friends seeking Mr. Right in 1980s
New Jersey.  New Jersey ratified the
Constitution December 18, 1787.   This movie won
Emmys for Supporting Actor, to Ben Gazzara,
Supporting Actress, to Gena Rowlands, and Main
Title Design.


Hysterical Blindness

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Jane Austen, Steve Biko, and Steven Spielberg.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Emma (1996) is about romance in
the early 19th century in England.  It is
based on the classic novel by Jane Austen,
born December 16, 1775.  It won an Oscar
for Score.




Emma












Cry Freedom (1987) is about
a journalist investigating the
death of South African activist Steve Biko,
born December 18, 1946.







Cry Freedom













Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All (1994)
is a Civil War drama and TV miniseries (2 episodes).
It won Emmys for Outstanding Supporting
Actress, to Cicely Tyson, born December 18,
1924, Art Direction, Costume Design, and Hairstyling.





Oldest Living Confederate Widow Tells All

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Philip K. Dick and Beethoven and a strike anniversary.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Blade Runner (1982) is an action science
fiction thriller about androids based on Philip
K. Dick's story, Do Androids Dream of Electric
Sheep?  Dick was born December 16, 1928.  This
movie has a fervent following and is on the National
Film Registry.





Blade Runner

The Magnificent Rebel (1962) aired
as part of TV's The Magical World of
Walt Disney (season 9).  It is a
dramatization of the life of composer
Ludwig van Beethoven, born December
16, 1770.




The Magnificent Rebel












Strikebound (1984) is about
a 1930s coal miners strike in
Australia (many members of Communist
Party).  It is based on an actual event of
December 16, 1929.



Strikebound

Movies for the Day, Monday, December 16, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Noel Coward and two World War II battles.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Cavalcade (1933) follows two English families,
one upper crust the other working class, from the
1890s to the 1930s.  This movie won Oscars for
Best Picture, Director, and Interior Decoration.
It was first on the London stage.  It is based on work
by Noel Coward, born December 16, 1899.  An
excellent movie.




Cavalcade








Three Came Home (1950) is based on
the autobiographical book by Agnes Newton
Keith, born July 4, 1901.  British and
American families on Borneo are sent to a
Japanese prison camp during World War II.
An officer takes an interest in the authoress.
The Battle of Borneo was December 16, 1941,
to March 1942.  A must see- a very good movie.


Three Came Home

A Midnight Clear (1992) takes place
during Christmastime during an early
phase of the Battle of the Bulge, fought from
December 16, 1944, to January 25, 1945.
It is a bit of an anti-war drama.  Christmas
is December 25.  A very good movie.




A Midnight Clear