Friday, October 30, 2009

Great Films Not on DVD: November

Well, I signed up for classes again this week. I was unfortunately in the last group of juniors to sign up so all of the classes I needed to take were already full. This was especially disappointing because the two film classes being offered next semester are Hollywood Musicals and Hitchcock. Dream classes! Looks like next week I’ll be begging the professors to let me in.

Sorry I slacked on last month’s edition of Great Films. I had a lot more going on than usual. I still have a lot going on this weekend, but it’s a bit more fun. I’m working on a paper for my film class on Leo McCarey and have to analyze Love Affair, The Awful Truth, and The Bells of St. Mary’s. What a tough assignment! : )

Tortilla Flat (1942)
Starring Spencer Tracy, Hedy Lamarr, and John Garfield
Airs November 4 on TCM

Based on a John Steinbeck novel of the same name, it tells the story of a group of bums who spend their time in prison or drinking as much wine as they can get their hands on. When Danny (Garfield) inherits two houses, the conniving Pilon (Tracy) makes a mess of his friends newfound fortune and even tries to ruin his odds with the new girl in town.

Watch for a great performance by Frank Morgan in the role of Pirate. It won him an Oscar nomination.

The Woman in White (1948)
Starring Alexis Smith, Eleanor Parker, and Gig Young
Airs November 4 on TCM

A young artist is brought to an English estate to give art lessons to a beautiful and mysterious young woman. While trying to figure out the mysteries involving her (including a lookalike dressed in white), he becomes involved with a distant relative of the family that stays at the house.

The Mortal Storm (1940)
Starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan
Airs November 28 on TCM


Banned by the Nazis, the film tells the story of Martin Breitner, a man who refuses to join up with the Nazis when they take over town. In order to fight them, he joins up with other anti-Nazis and ends up falling for a beautiful young Jewish woman.





Once again showing how neglected Ginger Rogers’ non-Astaire films are, here is a list of some of her dvdless films that are playing this month.

Primrose Path (1940)
Airs November 5
Tender Comrade (1943)
Airs November 11
Twenty Million Sweethearts (1934)
Airs November 17
Rafter Romance (1933)
Airs November 17

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I am so excited that Primrose Path & Twenty Million Sweethearts are going to be on!! I have them both on old VHS tapes I recorded from TCM ages ago, but I've wanted to record them on DVD for years -- I don't think they've been played in at least 3 or 4 years, unless I missed them!

Good luck with the Hitchcock & Hollywood Musicals professors!! If all else fails, try bribery! It's worth it :D

Genevieve said...

Kate: I am too! I think I saw Primrose Path three years ago too. They really don't play Ginger's movies often enough.

It looks like I'm going to have wait even longer to see if I can get into those classes. So annoying!

George: Thank you very much!

Lauren said...

Rafter Romance is on DVD...

I'm trying to get into History of American Cinema... I'm on the wait-list!!! Any pointers as how I should go about smooth-talking my way in? :)

Lauren

Genevieve said...

Lauren: Oops..my bad! Thanks for pointing that out.

You're lucky you at least have a wait-list. There is no such thing at my school! I would just try to see the professor and try to talk your way into it with your film knowledge. Good luck!