Movies for the Day, Friday, March 1, 2019

Today's movies mark National Pig Day and the birthdays of David Niven and Javier Bardem.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Three Little Pigs (1933) tells the fairy tale of
the three little pigs and the big bad wolf.  This
Disney animated short (8 minutes) is on the National
Film Registry and won an Oscar for Best Short Subject,
Cartoons.  It is considered one of the greatest cartoons
ever.  Today, March 1, 2019, is National Pig Day.





The Three Little Pigs









Stairway to Heaven (1946) is about a
World War II pilot who cheats death and
then pleads for life vs. heaven.  This
excellent movie is also known as A Matter
of Life and Death.  It stars David Niven, born
March 1, 1910.





A Stairway to Heaven












No Country for Old Men (2007) is about a drug
deal and its aftermath in the 1980s (and a killer) and
the U.S./Mexico border.  This movie won Oscars for
Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor, to Javier Bardem,
born March 1, 1969, Directing, to the Coen brothers,
and Writing.  It is based on a Cormac McCarthy novel- McCarthy was born July 20, 1933.


No Country for Old Men

Movies for the Day, Thursday, February 28, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Zero Mostel, Hugh O'Flaherty, and Bugsy Siegal.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the
Forum (1966) is a musical comedy set in ancient
Rome.  It was a Broadway show first.  It won an Oscar
for Music.  It stars Zero Mostel, born February 28,
1915.




A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum












The Scarlet and the Black (1983) is
the story of Monsignor Hugh O'Flaherty,
born February 28, 1898, a Roman Catholic
priest who saved thousands of Allied escaped POWs
and Jews in Rome during World War II.  This
TV movie won and Emmy for Sound Mixing.





The Scarlet and the Black










Bugsy (1991) is the story of Bugsy
Siegal, born February 28, 1906, a gangster
who "started" Las Vegas.  This movie
won Oscars for Art/Set Decoration and
Costume Design.




Bugsy

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of John Steinbeck, Joanne Woodward, and Elizabeth Taylor.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Of Mice and Men (1939) is about two
migrant workers on a ranch and their dreams
and tribulations.  One is mentally handicapped.
This excellent movie is based on the acclaimed
novel by John Steinbeck, born February 27,
1902.  Also filmed in 1981 (TV movie) and 1992.




Of Mice and Men








The Three Faces of Eve (1957) is about
a woman with multiple personalities and
her psychiatrist.  This very good movie
won an Oscar for Best Actress, to Joanne
Woodward, born February 27, 1930.




The Three Faces of Eve












Cleopatra (1963) is the epic story of
Queen Cleopatra of Egypt and Rome's
Julius Caesar and Marc Antony and the clash
of empires.  This very good movie stars
Elizabeth Taylor, born February 27, 1932.  It won
Oscars for Costume Design, Cinematography,
Art Direction/Set Decoration, and Visual Effects. See
also Cleopatra (1934) which won an Oscar for
Cinematography.

Cleopatra

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Victor Hugo, a Grand Canyon anniversary, and the birthday of Tony Randall.


Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939)
combines horror and romance.  It is based
on the famous novel by Victor Hugo, born
February 26, 1802.  This passionate film has
been filmed often:  see The Hunchback of Notre
Dame (1923- silent with Lon Chaney) (1957- French),
(1982- TV movie), and (1996- Disney).  The 1939
version is very good.



The Hunchback of Notre Dame








Grand Canyon (1958) is a pictorial view
of the Grand Canyon accompanied by Ferde
Grofe's Grand Canyon Suite.  There is no
dialog or narration.  This unusual movie from
Walt Disney won an Oscar for Short Live
Action Subject.  The Grand Canyon National
Park was established February 26, 1919.




Grand Canyon











The Odd Couple (1970 - 1975) is a very
popular TV sitcom about two men separated from
their wives, one neat and one sloppy, who live
together in a New York City apartment.  It stars Tony
Randall, born February 26, 1920, and Jack Klugman, born
April 27, 1922.  It was preceded by a movie based on the
Neil Simon story.  It won Emmys for Acting, to Jack Klugman
(1971, 1973) and Tony Randall (1975).



The Odd Couple

Movies for the Day, Monday, February 25, 2019

Today's movies mark the premiere of a comedy series, the birthday of Enrico Caruso, and a boxing championship anniversary.


Which of today's movies would you watch?

Your Show of Shows (1950 - 1954) is an iconic
variety sketch comedy series which starred Sid
Caesar, Imogene Coca, and Carl Reiner.  It won
Emmys for Best Variety Show in 1951 and 1952.
It premiered February 25, 1950.




Your Show of Shows










The Great Caruso (1951) is a
fictionalized biography of the great
singer.  This movie won an Oscar
for Sound.  Caruso was born February 25, 1873.






The Great Caruso

Champions Forever (1989) is about the careers
of boxing champions Muhammed Ali, Joe
Frazier, et al., but mostly Ali.  Ali became
champion February 25, 1964.






Champions Forever

Movies for the Day, Saturday, February 23, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Mayer Amschel Rothschild, Peter Fonda, and Kelly Macdonald.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

House of Rothschild (1934) is a somewhat
positive look and drama about the famous
banking family- during the time of Napolean.
The family descends from Mayer Amschel
Rothschild, born February 23, 1744.




House of Rothschild










Ulee's Gold (1997) is a family drama,
even a quagmire, about a beekeeper veteran
living in North Florida.  The movie stars
Peter Fonda, born February 23, 1939.





Ulee's Gold













The Girl in the Cafe (2005) is a romance between
an aging civil servant and an enigmatic young woman.
It won Emmys for Supporting Actress, to Kelly
Macdonald, born February 23, 1976, Writing, and
Outstanding Made for TV Movie.





The Girl in the Cafe

Movies for the Day, Sunday, February 24, 2019

Today's movies mark Oscar night and African-American History Month.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

In a Lonely Place (1950) is about
a Hollywood screenwriter accused of
murder.  This is also a romantic film.  This
very good movie is on the National Film Registry
and stars Humphrey Bogart, born December 25,
1899.  February 24, 2019, is Academy Awards (Oscars)
night.




In a Lonely Place







The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)
is about a black man hired to integrate
the CIA who uses his counter-revolutionary
training to spark black nationalist revolution
in America's urban streets.  This move is
on the National Film Registry.  February is
African-American History Month.



The Spook Who Sat by the Door

The Day of the Locust (1975) is about
the lure of Hollywood in the 1930s but
focuses on its seamy unglamorous side.  This
very good movie is based on a novel by
Nathaniel West.  Today, February 24, 2019,
is Academy Awards (Oscars) Sunday.




The Day of the Locust

Movies for the Day, Friday, February 22, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of George Washington, John Mills, and Jonathan Demme.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







George Washington Slept Here (1942) is a comedy
about a New York City couple who buy a
dilapidated house in which George Washington
once slept and fix it up.  Washington's birthday is
February 22, 1732.




George Washington Slept Here











The Way to the Stars (1945) is a
World War II movie focusing on the
personal relationships men at a
British airfield develop during wartime.
This excellent movie stars, among
others, John Mills, born February 22,
1908.  Aka Johnny in the Clouds.




The Way to the Stars















Cousin Bobby (1992) is a somewhat
autobiographical documentary about the search
for and about director Jonathan Demme's cousin,
an Episcopalian minister in Harlem.  Demme
was born February 22, 1944.  February is
African-American History Month.  This is
a very good movie.



Cousin Bobby

Movies for the Day, Thursday, February 21, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Sam Peckinpah, a Nixon/China anniversary, and Language Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Ride the High Country (1962) is one of
the best westerns directed by highly acclaimed
director Sam Peckinpah, born February 21, 1925.
This excellent movie, which is on the National
Film Registry, stars Randolph Scott, born
January 23, 1898.




Ride the High Country











Nixon in China (1988) is a performance
of the opera by the same name.  It was aired
February 2, 1988, as the second episode of
PBS's Great Performances series season 16.
It won an Emmy as Outstanding Classical Program
in the Performing Arts.  Nixon went to China
February 21, 1972; February is also Presidents'
month.  Nixon was born January 9, 1913.

Nixon in China














Babel (2006) is a searing drama
about events connecting families
across multiple continents.  Today
is United Nations International Mother
Language Day (February 21).  This is a
very good movie.





Babel

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Sidney Poitier, Gloria Vanderbilt, and Roy Cohn.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







To Sir, With Love (1967) is the story
of a novice teacher in a rough London
school.  This very good movie stars Sidney
Poitier, born February 20, 1927.






To Sir, With Love










Little Gloria ... Happy at Last (1982) tells
the story of the younger and very difficult
family life of heiress Gloria Vanderbilt,
born February 20, 1924.  This TV movie
was nominated for multiple Emmys.






Little Gloria ... Happy at Last









Citizen Cohn (1992) is a movie about
the influential but controversial lawyer
Roy Cohn, born February 20, 1927.  This
above average TV movie stars James Woods
as Cohn.




Citizen Cohn

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Lee Marvin and Karen Silkwood and the anniversary of the Japanese internment order.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Point Blank (1967) is a very good movie
about revenge.  This dramatic crime thriller
stars Lee Marvin, born February 19, 1924.






Point Blank









Silkwood (1983) is about Karen Silkwood,
who exposed safety concerns at a nuclear
facility despite great personal danger.  This
inspiring movie features an American Film
Institute Great Hero, Karen Silkwood,
born February 19, 1946.





Silkwood










Days of Waiting (1990) is a documentary
set in the Japanese internship camps set up
during World War II by President Roosevelt's
executive order dated February 19, 1942.  This
film won an Oscar for Best Documentary, Short
Subjects.





Days of Waiting

Movies for the Day, Monday, February 18, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Jack Palance and John Travolta and Presidents' Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Requiem for a Heavyweight (1956) is about
a heavyweight boxing champ in the twilight of
his career.  This Playhouse 90 episode, which aired
October 11, 1956, won Emmys for Best Single
Program of the Year, Acting, to Jack
Palance, born February 18, 1919, Directing, Writing- to
Rod Serling, born December 25, 1924, and Art
Direction.  It was followed by a movie of the same
title in 1962.



Requiem for a Heavyweight








Saturday Night Fever (1977) is about
a young restless man in New York City
and disco dancing.  This iconic movie
stars John Travolta, born February 18, 1955.
It features an American Film Institute Great
Song, Stayin' Alive.  It was later a Broadway
musical.  It is on the National Film
Registry.




Saturday Night Fever









The West Wing (September 22, 1999 to May 14,
2006) is a popular and critically acclaimed TV series
about a President and his family and staff.  It was aired
for 7 seasons, 156 episodes.  It won Emmys for Supporting Actor,
to Richard Schiff (2000), Supporting Actress, to Allison Janney (2000, 2001), Directing (2000, 2001, 2003), Writing (2000), Cinematography (2000, 2001), Art Direction (2000), Outstanding Drama Series (2000, 2001, 2002, 2003), Casting (2000, 2001), Supporting Actor, to Bradley Whitford (2001), Sound Mixing (2001, 2006), Editing (2001), Lead Actress, to Allison Janney (2002, 2004), Supporting Actor, to John Spencer (2002), Supporting Actress, to Stockard Channing (2002), and Supporting Actor, to Alan Alda (2006).  The series stars Martin Sheen,
born August 3, 1940, and President Josiah Bartlett.  See also The
West Wing Documentary Special (2002) which won an Emmy as Special Class Program.  Today is Presidents' Day, February 18, 2019.

The West Wing

Movies for the Day, Sunday, February 17, 2019

Today's movies mark Presidents' Month and the birthdays of Alan Bates and Mo Yan.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Making of the President 1960 (1963)
follows the 1960 Presidential race between
John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon.  It won
Emmys for Documentary Program, Program
of the Year, and Original Music.  It is based on
the book by Theodore H. White, born May 6, 1915.
Presidents' Day is tomorrow, February 18, 2019.






The Making of the President 1960









Nothing But the Best (1964) is a British
black comedy about a social climbing
playboy who will let nothing stand in his way,
maybe not even murder.  This very good movie
stars Alan Bates, born February 17, 1934.





Nothing But the Best









Red Sorghum (1988) is about lovers
in rural China in the 1920s to 1930s
against the historical backdrop, including
the Japanese invasion.  This very good movie
is based on the novel by the winner of the
Nobel Prize for Literature Mo Yan, born
February 17, 1955.  See also Ju Dou (1990) and
Raise the Red Lantern (1991).



Red Sorghum

Movies for the Day, Saturday, February 16, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Chester Morris, Sonny Bono, and Jill Kinmont Boothe.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood (1942)
is one of a series of popular and relatively short
detective movies in the 1940s starring Chester
Morris, born February 16, 1901.  See also
One Mysterious Night (1944).





Boston Blackie Goes Hollywood










Good Times (1967) stars Sonny Bono and
Cher as they spoof many classic scenes in
Hollywood movies.  It is the first feature film
directed by William Friedkin.  This is a
musical comedy.  Sonny Bono was born February
16. 1935, while Cher was born May 20, 1946.
Also, this is Academy Wards month- the Oscars
are on February 24.



Good Times








The Other Side of the Mountain (1975)
is about skier Jill Kinmont Boothe and her
life after a paralyzing accident in 1955.
It was followed by The Other Side of the
Mountain 2 (1978).  Kinmont was born
February 16, 1936.



The Other Side of the Mountain

Movies for the Day, Friday, February 15, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of John Barrymore, Gale Sondegaard, and Galileo.

Which of today's movies would you watch?






Counsellor-at-Law (1933) is a rags-to-
riches story of a New York City lawyer.
This excellent comedy drama stars John
Barrymore, born February 15, 1882.




Counsellor-at-Law









Anthony Adverse (1936) is the story
of a young man's adventures abroad
in the early 19th century in Europe,
Cuba, and Africa.  The movie is based on the
novel by Hervey Allen, born December 8,
1889.  The move won Oscars for Best
Supporting Actress, to Gale Sondegarrd, born
February 15, 1899, and Score, Cinematography,
and Film Editing.


Anthony Adverse











Galileo (1974) is a biopic of the great
and controversial Italian scientist
and astronomer, born February 15, 1564.






Galileo

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Chuck Yeager and George Segal and Valentine's Day.


Which of today's movies would you watch?

Breaking the Sound Barrier (1952) is a
fictionalized drama of breaking the sound barrier.
Test pilot Chuck Yeager, born February 13, 1923,
accomplished this major aviation feat on
October 14, 1947.  This very good movie won
an Oscar for Sound.



Breaking the Sound Barrier












Loving (1970) is about a man
torn by marital and occupational woes.
This drama (and comedy) stars
George Segal, born February 13, 1934.
A very good movie.






Loving

Queen of the Stardust Ballroom (1975) is
a TV movie about a widow and a postman who find love
at a dance hall.  This movie was broadcast February 13,
1975, the day before Valentine's Day.  It was nominated
for many Emmys, including Lead Actor, to Charles
Durning, Lead Actress, to Maureen Stapleton, and Supporting
Actress, to Charlotte Rae.  It won Emmys for
Cinematography and Choreography.



Queen of the Stardust Ballroom

Movies for the Day, Thursday, February 14, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Jack Benny and Valentine's Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Jack Benny Program (1950 to 1965)
was a TV comedy series starring Jack Benny,
born February 14, 1894.  It won Emmys for
Best Actor, to Jack Benny (1958, 1959), Writing, for
episode with Ernie Kovacs (1959), Best Comedy
Series (1959), Directing (1960), Writing (1960), and
Outstanding Program Achievement in the Field of
Humor (1961).


The Jack Benny Program









Love, American Style (1969 - 1974) was
a TV anthology series featuring romance
and comedy and many celebrity guest stars.
There are 108 episodes.  It won Emmys for
Music (1970 and 1973).  Today is
Valentine's Day.




Love, American Style












God of Love (2010) is about a lounge singer
whose love prayers are answered by love darts-
a take on Cupid.  This film won an Oscar for
Short Film, Live Action (18 minutes).  It stars
Luke Matheny, born December 23, 1976.  Today
is Valentine's Day.



God of Love