Movies for the Day, Sunday, December 1, 2019

Today's movies mark the release date of an early western and the birthdays of Woody Allen and Richard Pryor.

Which of today's movies would you watch?






The Great Train Robbery (1903) is
a milestone western.  This 12-minute
silent movie is on the National Film
Registry.  It was released December 1,
1903.






The Great Train Robbery










Sleeper (1973) is a Woody Allen
science fiction comedy about a man
frozen to sleep for 200 years (from
1973).  Sort of a Rip Van Winkle tale.
Allen was born December 1, 1935.  A
very good movie.




Sleeper












Richard Pryor- Live in Concert (1979)
features the controversial comedian.  Pryor
was born December 1, 1940.  See also Richard Pryor
Is Back Live in Concert (1979), Richard Pryor
Live on the Sunset Strip (1982), and Richard Pryor
Here and Now (1983).



Richard Pryor Live in Concert

Movies for the Day, Saturday, November 30, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Jonathan Swift and Lucy M. Montgomery and St. Andrews Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957)
is a science fiction horror movie.  Jonathan
Swift, first to explore little people in Gulliver's
Travels, was born November 30, 1667.  This
movie is on the National Film Registry.  See
also The Incredible Shrinking Woman (1981)
(semi-spoof).




The Incredible Shrinking Man








Road to Avonlea (January 7, 1990 to
March 31, 1996) is about a young girl sent
to live with relatives on Prince Edward Island in
the early 1900s.  It lasted seven seasons and 91 episodes plus a
TV movie.  It is based on books by Lucy
Maud Montgomery, born November 30, 1874.
The TV movie was An Avonlea Christmas.  The series won
Emmys for Lead Actor, to Christopher Lloyd (1991),
and Costume Design (1995) and Guest Actress,
to Dianne Wiest (1997).


Road to Avonlea











The Dollar Bottom (1981) is about British school
boys in a boarding school and an odd
business scheme.  It is set in Scotland in 1953.
The patron saint of Scotland is St. Andrew, whose
feast day is November 30.  This movie won an
Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film.




The Dollar Bottom

Movies for the Day, Friday, November 29, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Busby Berkeley, Robert Guillaume, and C.S. Lewis.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Footlight Parade (1933) is a musical
about a stage director.  It features three
Busby Berkeley numbers at the end- dance
and music.  This very good movie is on the
National Film Registry.  Busby Berkeley was
born November 29, 1895.




Footlight Parade










Benson (September 13, 1979, to
April 19, 1986) is a sitcom about a
butler who succeeds in politics.  It stars
Robert Guillaume, born November
30, 2019.  It won Emmys for Supporting
Actor, to Guillaume (1979) and Lead
Actor, to Guillaume (1985) and Technical
Direction (1985).  It was on for seven
seasons and 158 episodes.


Benson











The Chronicles of Narnia:  The Lion, the
Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) is a fantasy
adventure suitable for children and adults.
It is based on the book by C.S. Lewis, born
November 29, 1898.  It won an Oscar for
Makeup.



The Chronicles of Narnia

Movies for the Day, Thursday, November 28, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Gloria Grahame, the launch of Mariner 4, and Thanksgiving.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Bad and the Beautiful (1952) is a very
good Hollywood melodrama.  It won Oscars for
Supporting Actress, to Gloria Grahame, born
November 28, 1923, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography,
Costume Design, and Art/Set Decoration.  It
is on the National Film Registry.





The Bad and the Beautiful









Invaders From Mars (1953) is
a science fiction horror thriller told
from a little boy's point of view who
lives in a small town.  See also Invaders
From Mars (1986).  Mariner 4 launched
on its exploratory visit to Mars on
November 28, 1964.




Invaders From Mars













What's Cooking (2000) is about
Thanksgiving traditions as four ethnic
families in Los Angeles prepare for the
holiday.  In 2019, Thanksgiving is Thursday,
November 28.




What's Cooking

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Today's movies mark Games and Puzzles Week, Bible Week, and the birthday of Jimi Hendrix.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









The Last of Sheila (1973) combines
a murder and a mystery game.  November
24 to November 30, 2019, is Games and
Puzzles Week.  A very good movie.





The Last of Sheila












King David (1985) recounts
the Bible story of King David, king
of the ancient Israelites.  November
24, 2019, begins National Bible Week.




King David














Jimi Hendrix:  Hear My Train a Comin
(2014) is an episode of the PBS American
Masters series.  This profile won an
Emmy for Sound Mixing.  Hendrix, a rock n roller,
was born November 27, 1942.




Jimi Hendrix: Hear My Train a Comin

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Bill Wilson, Charles Schulz, and Tina Turner.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Birds Anonymous (1957) is a cartoon
spoof (at least the name) of Alcoholics
Anonymous starring Tweety Bird and
Sylvester the Cat.  It won an Oscar for Short
Subjects, Cartoons.  AA was founded
by Bill Wilson, born November 26, 1895.



Birds Anonymous














You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown (1975)
is a cartoon special about members of the
Peanuts kids in a motocross race.  It won an
Emmy as Outstanding Children's Special.
Creator of the Peanuts, Charles M. Schulz, was
born November 26, 1922.




You're a Good Sport, Charlie Brown

What's Love Got to Do With It (1993)
is a musical biography of singer Tina
Turner, born November 26, 1938.  An
inspiring movie.




What's Love Got to Do With It

Movies for the Day, Monday, November 25, 2019

Today's movies mark International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women, the appearance of Woody Woodpecker, and the founding of the Department of Homeland Security.

Which of today's movies would you watch?






Pandora's Box (1929) is about an alluring
young woman who falls prey to men.  November
25 is International Day for Elimination
of Violence Against Women.  An excellent
movie.  Silent.






Pandora's Box











The Barber of Seville (1944)
is a Woody Woodpecker cartoon about
Woody Woodpecker as a barber.  Woody
Woodpecker first appeared in Knock
Knock, released November 25, 1940.







The Barber of Seville










Homeland (2011-) is a TV series about a bipolar
CIA operative convinced of an imminent
terrorist attack.  This show won multiple
Emmys including Lead Actor, to Damian Lewis
(2012), Lead Actress, to Claire Danes (2012, 2013),
and Outstanding Drama Series (2012).  The
Department of Homeland Security was founded
November 25, 2002.



Homeland

Movies for the Day, Sunday, November 24, 2019

Today's movies mark Puzzles and Games Week, the Mother Goose Parade, and the birthday of Ruben Santiago-Hudson.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









The Luzhin Defence (2000) is about a
Russian chess master in 1920's Italy who falls
in love.  It pictures chess as a compulsion.
Games and Puzzles Week brackets Thanksgiving
each year.





The Luzhin Defence











Shrek (2001) is a fairy tale
about a troll and others.  This popular
movie won an Oscar as Best Feature
Animation.  See also sequels- Shrek 2
(2004) and Shrek the Third (2007).  The
Mother Goose Parade celebration of
fairy tales in California takes place annually
on the Sunday before Thanksgiving.



Shrek

Lackawanna Blues (2005) is a TV movie about
a young boy growing up in a boarding house
in Lackawanna, New York, in the 1960s against
a backdrop of rythym and blues.  This movie won an
Emmy for Lead Actress, to S. Epatha Merkerson,
born November 28, 1952, and for Casting.  Ruben
Santiago-Hudson was born November 24, 1956.


Lackawanna Blues

Movies for the Day, Saturday, November 23, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Billy the Kid, Native Americans Month, and the birthday of Bruce Vilarich.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Young Guns (1988) is a western
about Billy the Kid, born November
23, 1859, and other young guns.  It was
followed by Young Guns II (1990).






Young Guns










Thunderheart (1992) is about an
FBI agent investigating a murder on
a Sioux reservation.  It it attentive to
the Sioux way of life.  November is
Native Americans Month.






Thunderheart











Get Bruce! (1999) is an inside
Hollywood comedy about comedy
writer Bruce Vilanch, born November
23, 1948.






Get Bruce!

Movies for the Day, Friday, November 22, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Charles DeGaulle, independence day in Lebanon, and the birthday of George Eliot.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Day of the Jackal (1973) is a Cold
War thriller about a plot to assassinate the
leader of France, Charles DeGaulle, born
November 22, 1890.  This very good movie
is based on a novel by Frederick Forsythe.



The Day of the Jackal












Circle of Deceit (1981) is
a drama about a journalist in
Beirut in the midst of the Lebanese
civil war.  Lebanon's independence day
is November 22 (1943).  An excellent
movie.



Circle of Deceit

Silas Marner (1985) is about a man
who becomes a recluse after being
falsely accused.  It is based on the classic
novel by George Eliot, born November
22, 1819.  A very good TV movie.





Silas Marner

Movies for the Day, Thursday, November 21, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Goldie Hawn, Henri Laborit, and Isaac Bashevis Singer.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Private Benjamin (1980) is a comedy about
a privileged woman who joins the military and
gets more than she bargained for but nevertheless
succeeds.  It stars Goldie Hawn, born November
21, 1945.






Private Benjamin










My American Uncle (1980) (aka Mon oncle d'Amerique)
is a very good movie illustrating research
scientist's Henri Loborit's theories on human
conduct and relationships through the stories of
a plant manager, an actress, and a media executive.
Laborit was born November 21, 1914.





My American Uncle

Enemies, A Love Story (1989) is a very
good movie about a Holocaust survivor making
a life in Coney Island- it combines drama,
comedy and romance.  It is based on a story
by Isaac Bashevis Singer, born November
21, 1902.





Enemies, A Love Story

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Today's movies mark the start of the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials, the birthday of Gene Tierney, and Universal Children's Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?








The Stranger (1946) is about an escaped
Nazi war criminal living in a small Connecticut
town, married, and hunted by a war crimes
commission.  The Nuremberg War Crimes
Trials began November 20, 1945.





The Stranger











The Ghost and Mrs. Muir (1947)
is about a widow in a seaside cottage
romanced by a ghost.  This is a very
good passionate film starring
Gene Tierney, born November 19,
1920.





The Ghost and Mrs. Muir









Uncle Grandpa (2010-2017) is
a cartoon series about a magical
character who helps children around the world.
The episodes are about 11
minutes long- there were 153 episodes.
Universal Children's Day is November 20.



Uncle Grandpa

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Clifton Webb, Gene Tierney, and Jodie Foster.


Which of today's movies would you watch?








The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker (1959)
is a comedy about a man with two office
jobs and two families and lots of kids.  It
stars Clifton Webb, born November 19,
1889.




The Remarkable Mr. Pennypacker













Laura (1944) is a classic Manhattan
murder mystery movie.  This thrilling
film noir movie is on the National Film
Registry and won an Oscar for Cinematography.
This movie was directed by Otto Preminger,
born December 5, 1905, and stars Gene
Tierney, born November 19, 1920.




Laura











The Accused (1988) is a rape
courtroom drama.  This movie
won an Oscar for Best Actress, to
Jodie Foster, born November 19, 1962.





The Accused

Movies for the Day, Monday, November 18, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthdays of John Langdon Down, William Gilbert, and Margaret Atwood.

Which of today's movies would you watch? 

Educating Peter  (1992) is about
educating a boy with Down's syndrome
in a school environment.  It won an Oscar
for Best Short Subject Documentary.
Down's Syndrome is named after Dr. John
Langdon Down, born November 18, 1828.





Educating Peter










Topsy-Turvy (1999) is a portrait of
Gilbert and Sullivan and the making of The
Mikado.  Set in the 1880s.  This very good
movie won Oscars for Costume Design and
Makeup.  Sir William Schwenk Gilbert was born
November 18, 1836.  Arthur Sullivan was born
May 13, 1842.  Biography, comedy and drama.




Topsy-Turvy











The Handmaid's Tale (2017-2019) is a
TV series set in a theocratic dystopian
future which features the subjugation of women.
It is based on a novel by Margaret Atwood,
born November 18, 1939.  It won Emmys in 2017 for
Lead Actress, to Elizabeth Moss, Guest Actress, to Alexis Bledel,
Supporting Actress, to Ann David, Directing, Writing,
Cinematography, Production Design, and Outstanding Drama Series,
and in 2018 for Guest Actress, to Samira Wiley,
Production Design, and Picture Editing.

The Handmaid's Tale

Movies for the Day, Sunday, November 17, 2019

Today's movies mark National Adoption Month, the birthday of Lorne Michaels, and the birthday of Mickey Mouse.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Baby Dance (1998) is about a poor
woman and a wealthy woman and adoption.
November is National Adoption Month.






The Baby Dance












Saturday Night Live 25 (1999) is a special
celebrating 25 years of Saturday Night Live.
It won an Emmy for Outstanding Variety,
Musical or Comedy Special, to executive
producer Lorne Michaels, born November 17,
1944.




Saturday Night Live 25














Brave Little Tailor (1938) is a great
cartoon based on a Brothers Grimm fairy
tale.  It stars Mickey Mouse, whose "birthday"
is November 18, 1928.





Brave Little Tailor

Movies for the Day, Saturday, November 16, 2019

Today's movies mark Oklahoma's admission day and the birthdays of Francis D. Fane and W.C. Handy.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







In Old Oklahoma (1943) combines Oklahoma
circa 1906, oil drillers, and romance.
Oklahoma was admitted to the Union November
16, 1907.






In Old Oklahoma












Underwater Warrior (1958) is about
the development of "frogmen" in World
War II and the Korean War.  It is based
on the life of Commander Francis D. Fane
(USNR), born November 16, 1909.





Underwater Warrior











St. Louis Blues (1958) is a biography
of W.C. Handy, called the father of the
blues.  Handy was born November 16,
1873.




St. Louis Blues

Movies for the Day, Friday, November 15, 2019

Today's movies mark the birthday of Sidney Peterson, Native Americans Month, and the birthday of Virginia Ledoyen.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Lead Shoes (1949) is a surreal experimental
film about a woman and a deep sea diver by
Sidney Peterson, born November 15, 1905.
This 17 minute movie is on the National Film
Registry.





The Lead Shoes











Broken Rainbow (1985) is a
documentary about Navajo relocation in
Arizona in the 1980s.  This movie
won an Oscar for Best Feature
Documentary.  November is American
Indian Heritage Month.





Broken Rainbow










A Single Girl (1995) is a slice of life
drama about a single girl who works as
a room service waitress at a fancy hotel and
is dealing with pregnancy and her boyfriend.
This very good movie stars Virginie Ledoyen,
born November 15, 1976.




A Single Girl