TCM Schedule for Saturday, October 11, 2014 -- The Essentials - Class Clash

[Staph]

Tonight's Essentials features characters from both sides of the tracks. Grab a hankie and enjoy!



6:01 AM -- How To Vote (1936)
In this short film, an assistant is called upon to give a speech on his candidate's behalf... much to the chagrin of the audience.
Dir: Felix E. Feist
Cast: Robert Benchley, George Guhl, Jules Cowles
BW-10 mins,


6:15 AM -- Boys' Night Out (1962)
A psychology student researches infidelity by becoming a platonic kept woman for four buddies.
Dir: Michael Gordon
Cast: Kim Novak, James Garner, Tony Randall
C-113 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

Originally, the movie's title song was to be sung by Frank Sinatra. His version was recorded on March 6, 1962, almost three months before the film's premiere. At last wind, Patti Page recorded her version which was initially optioned for use while Sinatra's original languished in the Columbia vaults until 1995 when his Reprise box-set was issued.


8:15 AM -- The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1960)
Classic Mark Twain story of a young troublemaker who tries to help a runaway slave.
Dir: Michael Curtiz
Cast: Tony Randall, Patty McCormack, Neville Brand
BW-107 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

The four songs included in the film were originally intended for an M-G-M Technicolor musical version of "Huckleberry Finn" which was supposed to have been filmed in 1952, but was never made. It was supposed to have starred Dean Stockwell as Huck, William Warfield (fresh from his triumph as Joe in Show Boat (1951)) as Jim, and Gene Kelly and Danny Kaye as the two con men. The film was abandoned because Kelly wanted to take advantage of a tax deal that required that he work in Europe for eighteen months.


10:15 AM -- Carson on TCM: Tony Randall (9/17/74) (2013)
TCM presents an interview from The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson, with Tony Randall from 9/17/74.
C-10 mins, CC,


10:30 AM -- The People Vs. Dr. Kildare (1941)
An ice skater sues a young doctor for malpractice.
Dir: Harold S. Bucquet
Cast: Lew Ayres, Lionel Barrymore, Laraine Day
BW-78 mins, CC,

Pat O'Malley is supposed to be in this film as "Onlooker", but he does not appear.


11:50 AM -- Emergency Doctor (1956)
This short film pays tribute to all the doctors who put their lives on hold to save the lives of others.
Dir: Harry W. Smith
BW-8 mins,


12:00 PM -- The Curse of the Mummy's Tomb (1964)
An unearthed mummy returns to life to claim the reincarnation of his lost love.
Dir: Michael Carreras
Cast: Ronald Howard, Terence Morgan, Fred Clark
C-80 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

Michael Carreras' screen-writing pseudonym "Henry Younger" was a play on fellow Hammer producer Anthony Hinds' nom-de-plume "John Elder."


1:30 PM -- A Big Hand for the Little Lady (1966)
A pioneer woman replaces her ailing husband in a poker game after he loses most of their money.
Dir: Fielder Cook
Cast: Henry Fonda, Joanne Woodward, Jason Robards Jr.
C-95 mins, Letterbox Format

Jason Robards plays a character named Henry Drummond. In 1988 he would play a character with the same name in the completely unrelated TV movie version of Inherit the Wind (1960).


3:15 PM -- The Westerner (1940)
A drifter accused of horse stealing faces off against the notorious Judge Roy Bean.
Dir: William Wyler
Cast: Gary Cooper, Walter Brennan, Fred Stone
BW-100 mins, CC,

Won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role -- Walter Brennan

Nominated for Oscars for Best Writing, Original Story -- Stuart N. Lake, and Best Art Direction, Black-and-White -- James Basevi

Opening credits: This story is legend founded on fact and, with the exception of "Judge" Roy Bean and Lily Langtry, all the characters are fictional.


5:05 PM -- Canoeman's Holiday (1956)
This short film takes a look at the Loon Bay Lodge in St. Stephen, Canada.
Dir: Douglas Sinclair
BW-8 mins,


5:15 PM -- Cheyenne Autumn (1964)
A reluctant calvary Captain must track a defiant tribe of migrating Cheyennes.
Dir: John Ford
Cast: Richard Widmark, Carroll Baker, Karl Malden
C-155 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Cinematography, Color -- William H. Clothier

Years earlier Richard Widmark had the historical subject matter researched at Yale. He brought the material to John Ford, who didn't want to make it. Years later Ford, who had kept the research, changed his mind and asked Widmark to star.



TCM PRIMETIME - WHAT'S ON TONIGHT: THE ESSENTIALS: CLASS CLASH



8:00 PM -- Stella Dallas (1937)
After divorcing a society man, a small-town woman tries to build a better life for their daughter.
Dir: King Vidor
Cast: Barbara Stanwyck, John Boles, Anne Shirley
BW-106 mins, CC,

Nominated for Oscars for Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Barbara Stanwyck, and Best Actress in a Supporting Role -- Anne Shirley

The movie was so popular it became a radio serial on 25 October 1937, dramatizing the later lives of characters in the movie. The serial lasted for eighteen years.


10:00 PM -- Cass Timberlane (1947)
An aging judge creates a scandal when he marries a younger woman from the wrong side of the tracks.
Dir: George Sidney
Cast: Spencer Tracy, Lana Turner, Zachary Scott
BW-119 mins, CC,

The poem that Cass Timberlane recites at the picnic with Virginia is "First Fig" by Edna St. Vincent Millay and goes:
My candle burns at both ends
It will not last the night
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends
It gives a lovely light!


12:15 AM -- Kitty Foyle (1940)
A girl from the wrong side of the tracks endures scandal and heartbreak when she falls for a high-society boy.
Dir: Sam Wood
Cast: Ginger Rogers, Dennis Morgan, James Craig
BW-108 mins, CC,

Won an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Ginger Rogers

Nominated for Oscars for Best Director -- Sam Wood, Best Writing, Screenplay -- Dalton Trumbo, Best Sound, Recording -- John Aalberg (RKO Radio SSD), and Best Picture

Among the many letters that Ginger Rogers received for her work in the film, this was the one that she treasured the most: "Hello Cutie - Saw "Kitty" last night and must write this note to say "That's it!" Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! You were superb Ginge - it was such a solid performance - the kind one seldom sees on stage or screen and it should bring you the highest honors anyone can win!! Hope to see you soon, As ever your, Fred."


2:15 AM -- Blacula (1972)
An African prince bitten by Dracula stalks the Los Angeles night in search of his lost princess.
Dir: William Crain
Cast: William Marshall, Vonetta McGee, Denise Nicholas
C-93 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

While the film was in its production stages, William Marshall worked with the producers to make sure his character had some dignity. His character's name was changed from Andrew Brown to Mamuwalde and received a background story about his being an African prince who had been turned into a vampire.


4:00 AM -- Scream, Blacula Scream (1973)
A vengeful Voodoo priestess brings the dreaded African vampire back to life.
Dir: Bob Kelljan
Cast: William Marshall, Don Mitchell, Pam Grier
C-96 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

Before this picture came out employees of AIP were asked to submit titles for a contest.


5:43 AM -- Alert Today - Alive Tomorrow (1956)
This short film promotes the need for cooperation and neighborliness in the event of a nuclear disaster and associated civil defense procedures.
Dir: Larry O'Reilly
BW-15 mins,