Movies for the Day, Sunday, March 1, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthday of Rodger Daltry, a kidnapping, and a hockey anniversary.

Which of today's movies would you watch?






The Kids Are Alright (1979) is a
rockumentary about The Who and
its founder Rodger Daltry, born
March 1, 1944.






The KIds Are Alright












The Vanishing (1988) is a mystery
thriller about a girlfriend who vanishes or is
abducted at a vacation rest stop.  It
is also a psychodrama.  The famous
Lindbergh kidnapping occurred March
1, 1932.  See also The Vanishing (1993),
a remake.





The Vanishing









The Mighty Ducks (1992) is a Disney family
movie about a youth hockey team followed by
sequels, an animated series, and a TV movie.
The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim were so named
March 1, 1993- now Anaheim Ducks.





The Mighty Ducks

Movies for the Day, Saturday, February 29, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Dinah Shore, Dennis Farina, and James B. Donovan.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Dinah Shore Show (1951-1960)
was a popular musical and variety show
starring Dinah Shore, born February 29,
1916.  It won Emmys for Best Continuing
Performance, to Dinah Shore (1958, 1959),
Direction (1958), and Best Variety Series
(1958, 1959).  See also Dinah's Place
(1970-1972) which won an Emmy for
Outstanding Daytime Program (1973).



The Dinah Shore Show










Buddy Faro (1998) was a short-
lived private eye series
starring Dennis Farina, born
February 29, 1944.  It won an Emmy
for Art Direction (1999).






Buddy Faro










Bridge of Spies (2015) is a Cold War movie
and the story of lawyer James B. Donovan, born
February 29, 1916, who negotiates the release of
Francis Gary Powers from the USSR after his U-2
spy plane is shot down in exchange for Rudolf Abel,
spy held by the United States.  This movie won
an Oscar for Supporting Actor, to Mark
Rylance.



Bridge of Spies

Movies for the Day, Friday, February 28, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Marcel Pagnol, Merrill Brockway, and a DNA anniversary.

Which of today's movies would you watch?









Fanny (1961) is about a young girl
left with a child by a sailor and a
May/December romance.  It is part of
a trilogy by noted French filmmaker
Marcel Pagnol, born February 28, 1895.




Fanny











Gattaca (1997) is a science fiction thriller
about genetically engineered humans.
February 28, 1953, was the informal announcement
of the discovery of DNA's double helix
structure.  The film's title is based on the first
letters of guanine, adenine, thymine and cytosine, the
nucleobases of DNA.





Gattaca









Operation Undersea (1954) is an episode of
Disneyland (later Magical World of Disney)
which explores the sea and the making of 20,000
Leagues Under the Sea based on the science
fiction novel by Jules Verne, born in February
(8) 1828.  Season 1, episode 7.  It won Emmys for
Best Individual Program of the Year and Film Editing.


Operation Undersea

Movies for the Day, Thursday, March 5, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Frank Norris, Rex Harrison, and Rosa Luxemburg.

Which of today's movies would you watch?










A Corner in Wheat (1909) is a silent
short about a greedy tycoon who corners the
wheat market with devastating effects on
bread prices.  It is from The Pit by Frank
Norris, born March 5, 1870.  It is on the National
Film Registry.




A Corner in Wheat











Unfaithfully Yours (1948) is a comedy, romantic
and musical, about a symphony conductor who
suspects his wife of infidelity and considers
course of action.  It stars Rex Harrison, born
March 5, 1908.  An excellent movie.  See also
Unfaithfully Yours (1984).






Unfaithfully Yours








Rosa Luxemburg (1986) is a
bio of Rosa Luxemburg, born March
5, 1871, a German figure and political
activist (Marxist and pacifist) from the
early 20th century.  A very good movie.





Rosa Luxemburg

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, March 4, 2020

Today's movies mark International Women's Day and the Cold War.

Which of today's movies would you watch?










Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears
(1980) is about three young women in
Moscow who seek love and work.
It won an Oscar as Best Foreign Film.
March 8 is International Women's Day and
March is Women's History Month.



Moscow Does Not Believe in Tears











The Heidi Chronicles (1995) is
a TV movie about women and their
changing roles from the 1960s to
the 1990s.  It won an Emmy
for Supporting Actor, to Tom Hulce.
International Women's Day is March 8
and March is Women's History Month.



The Heidi Chronicles












The Americans (2013-2018) is a TV
series set in the Cold War 1980s.  KGB spies
in America pose an American couple in the DC
suburbs.  This series had 75 episodes and won
Emmys for Guest Actress, to Margo Martindale
(2015, 2016), Lead Actor, to Matthew Rhys (2018),
and Writing (2018).  Churchill's famous Iron Curtain
speech was on March 5, 1946.



The Americans

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Betty Hutton, Jackie Gleason, and Johnny Cash.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944) is a
screwball comedy about a woman who gets pregnant and married
at a farewell party for soldiers but does not know
the father.  This farce is on the National Film
Registry.  This excellent movie stars Betty Hutton,
born February 26, 1921.





The Miracle of Morgan's Creek









The Hustler (1961) is about
pool and features an up and coming
expert against the legendary Minnesota
Fats, played by Jackie Gleason,
born February 26, 1916.  This
excellent movie is on the National Film
Registry.  It won Oscars for Cinematography
and Art Direction/Set Decoration.



The Hustler







Walk the Line (2005) chronicles
the life of legendary singer Johnny
Cash, born February 26, 1932.
This movie won an Oscar for Best
Actress, to Reese Witherspoon, born
March 22, 1976, who played June Carter
Cash, born June 23, 1929.



Walk the Line

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, February 25, 2020

Today's movies mark Presidents Day, Valentines Day, and African American History montyh.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The One and Only, Genuine, Original
Family Band (1968) is a Disney movie
about a musical family involved in the 1888
Presidential campaign (Cleveland vs. Harrison).
A drama and comedy.  February is Presidents
month.





The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band










Lantana (2001) is a very good
movie about adult relationships.
Valentines Day is February 14 making
February Valentines month.






Lantana

John Henry and the Inky-Poo (1946)
is animation about the African American
folklore hero and man vs. machine.
It is on the National Film Registry.  See also
John Henry, The Steel Driving Man (2002)
form Animated Tales of the World on HBO.
The latter won an Emmy for Animation.


John Henry and the Inky-Poo

Movies for the Day, Monday, February 24, 2020

Today's movies mark Valentines Day and African American History Month.

Which of today's movies would you watch?






Tom, Dick and Harry (1941) is a romantic
comedy about a woman choosing among
three suitors.  Valentines Day is February 14
and February is Valentines month.  A very good
movie.






Tom, Dick and Harry









The Knack and How to Get It Back (1965)
is a comedy about a whiz with
the ladies and his buddy.  Valentines Day
is February 14 and February is Valentines
month.  A very good movie.






The Knack and How To Get It Back













A Raisin in the Sun (1989) is a TV
American Playhouse production of the famous
play about a black family dealing with
a substantial insurance payout.  The play is by Lorraine
Hansberry.  February is African American History
Month.




A Raisin in the Sun

Movies for the Day, Sunday, February 23, 2020

Today's movies mark Iwo Jima, football, and Presidents Day.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Sands of Iwo Jima (1949) is a World
War II saga about the Battle for
Iwo Jima and the famous flag raising.
Iwo Jima Day is February 23, 1945.






Sands of Iwo Jima










They Call It Pro Football (1967)
is an early and influential sports
documentary about pro football.
It is on the National Film Registry.
The Super Bowl is usually in early
February (used to be January).




They Call It Pro Football









First Kid (1996) is a Disney
comedy about a President's son who
makes life difficult for his Secret
Service agent.  February is Presidents
Month.






First Kid

Movies for the Day, Saturday, February 22, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Luis Bunuel and John Mills.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Tristana (1970) is a film from famed
director Luis Bunuel that tackles themes of
Catholicism, old age, death, desire, and deformity.
A very good movie.  Bunuel was born February
22, 1900.






Tristana









Ryan's Daughter (1970) is a love story
set in Ireland during World War I and after the
1916 Easter Rising.  It won Oscars for Supporting
Actor, to John Mills, born February 22, 1908,
and Cinematography.





Ryan's Daughter










The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie (1972)
is a surreal movie from famed director Luis
Bunuel about six people trying to have a dinner
party.  It won an Oscar for Best Foreign Language
Film.  An excellent movie.  Bunuel was born
February 22, 1900.





The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

Movies for the Day, Friday, February 21, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Zachary Scott, Tyne Daly, and Anais Nin.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

The Southerner (1945) is about the
struggles of a farm family.  It received
Oscar nominations and is an excellent movie.
It stars Zachary Scott, born February 21,
1914.






The Southerner

Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988) is about
two female police detectives in New York
City.  It lasted seven seasons and 125
episodes.  It won Emmys for Lead Actress, to
Tyne Daly, born February 21, 1946 (1983, 1984,
1985, 1988), Directing (1985), Writing (1985),
Film Mixing (1985), Film Editing (1985),
Outstanding Drama Series (1985), and Lead Actress,
to Sharon Gless, born May 31, 1943 (1987).



Cagney & Lacey













Henry & June (1990) is about a
literary love triangle especially featuring
real life persons Henry Miller and
Anais Nin, born February 21, 1903.  Miller
was born December 26, 1891.  Miller wrote
Tropic of Cancer, etc.  A steamy movie.
Based on the diaries of Nin.




Henry & June

Movies for the Day, Thursday, February 20, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Sidney Poitier and Peter Strauss and a rally anniversary.

Which of today's movies would you watch?











A Raisin in the Sun (1961) is a drama
about the effect of a substantial insurance payment
on a poor black family in Chicago.  This inspiring
movie is on the National Film Registry and is based
on a play.  It stars Sidney Poitier, born February 20,
1927.  February is Black History Month.





A Raisin in the Sun









The Jericho Mile (1979) is a TV movie about a
prisoner who becomes a champion runner.
It won Emmys for Lead Actor, to Peter Strauss,
born February 20, 1947, Writing, and Film
Editing.




The Jericho Mile













A Night at the Garden (2017) consists of'
archival footage of an American Nazi rally
at Madison Square Garden in New York City
on February 20, 1939, before World War II.
It is a short documentary.






A Night at the Garden

Movies for the Day, Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Today's movies mark a World War II anniversary and the birthdays of Amy Tan and Benicio Del Toro.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Farewell to Manzanar (1976) is a TV
movie about the the World War II Japanese
internment camps in the United States under
FDR's Executive Order 9066, dated
February 19, 1942.





Farewell to Manzanar







The Joy Luck Club (1993) is
a drama about Chinese women in
America, especially mothers and
daughters.  It is based on the bestselling
novel by Amy Tan, born February 19,
1952.




The Joy Luck Club













Traffic (2000) is a drama about
the war on drugs seen from different
vantage points.  This movie won Oscars
for Supporting Actor, to Benicio Del Toro,
born February 19, 1967, Directing, to
Steven Soderbergh, Writing, and Editing.





Traffic

Movies for the Day, Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Cybill Shepherd, Jack Palance, and John Travolta.

Which of today's movies would you watch?

Moonlighting (1985-1989) was a
popular TV series about a detective and a
former model.  It stars Bruce Willis, born
March 19, 1955, and Cybill Shepherd, born
February 18, 1950.  It won Emmys for
Editing (1986, 1987), Lead Actor, to Willis (1986),
Costume Design (1987), Hairstyling (1987), and
Art Direction (1989).



Moonlighting

City Slickers (1991) is a western and mid-life
crisis comedy starring Billy Crystal.
It won an Oscar for Supporting Actor,
to Jack Palance, born February 18, 1920.






City Slickers










Miss Evers' Boys (1997) is about the 1932 Tuskegee
Syphilis Experiment in which the United States
government withheld treatment from a group of
blacks.  The matter was revealed 40 years later.
February is African American History month.




Miss Evers' Boys

Movies for the Day, Monday, February 17, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Hal Holbrook and Chaim Potok and a Latino anniversary.

Which of today's movies would you watch? 






Murder by Natural Causes (1979) is a
TV movie about a wife plotting the
murder of her mentalist husband by scaring
him to death.  This movie stars Hal
Holbrook, born February 17, 1925.







Murder by Natural Causes









The Chosen (1981) is a drama about
Jewish life in 1940s Brooklyn.  It is
based on a novel by Chaim Potok, born
February 17, 1929.  Also a Broadway
musical.  A very good movie.





The Chosen










Solomon Northrup's Odyssey (1984) is
a TV movie based on Northrup's autobiography
12 Years a Slave about a black man from
the North in the 1940s kidnapped into
slavery.  February is Black History Month.





Solomon Northrup's Odyssey

Movies for the Day, Sunday, February 16, 2020

Today's movies mark Presidents month, Valentines Day, and the birthday of Sonny Bono.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







Gabriel Over the White House (1933)
is a Depression era fantasy about a political
hack elected President who undergoes
a big change for the better.  February is
"Presidents" month.




Gabriel Over the White House









Jules and Jim (1961) is a great
romantic film about two men in love
with the same woman.  From acclaimed
French director Francois Truffaut.
February is Valentines month
(February 14).



Jules and Jim














The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (August 1, 1971,
to May 29, 1974) was a popular TV variety hour
starring the singing duo.  Sonny Bono was born February
16, 1935, and Cher was born May 20, 1946.  It was on
4 seasons and 63 episodes.  It won an Emmy for Directing
(1972).  See also The Sonny and Cher Show (1976).



The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour

Movies for the Day, Saturday, February 15, 2020

Today's movies mark the birthdays of Hartzell Spence, Jane Seymour, and Matt Groening.

Which of today's movies would you watch?







One Foot in Heaven (1941) is about a
minister and his wife in 20th century
America, especially small towns.  It is
adapted from the autobiography of Hartzell
Spence, born February 15, 1908.





One Foot in Heaven









Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman (1993-1998)
is a TV series about a female doctor in a small
town in the west.  It stars Jane Seymour, born
February 15, 1951.  It won Emmys for
Cinematography and Hairstyling.  It was on for
six seasons, 149 episodes, and two TV
movies.



Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman












Futurama (1999-2013) is a popular
and well-regarded science fiction animated
TV series.  It was developed by Matt
Groening, born February 15, 1954 (see also
The Simpsons).  It won Emmys for
Animation and Outstanding Animation
Program (2002, 2011).





Futurama