TCM Look-Ahead (March 6)
Our long national nightmare (31 Days of Oscar on TCM) is almost over. We must remain brave and vigilant until our victory is won. Here are some non-obvious things to be watching or recording for the next week.
Saturday, 03/07
08:00 p.m. PST The Flight of the Phoenix. Recently I have spoken enthusiastically about John Farrow's great Five Came Back, a plane crash survivor film of the highest order. The Flight of the Phoenix is arguably of the highest order still. Robert Aldrich's taut, vicious, sand-swept tale gets at the very worst of the human condition even as your root for those human's survival. James Stewart, in mean Jimmy Stewart mode, leads a tremendous cast. Nominated for Best Supporting Actor (Ian Bannen) and Best Editing.
Sunday, 03/08
03:30 a.m. PST The Flame and the Arrow. Jacques Tourner's marvelous swashbuckler which takes full advantage of Burt Lancaster's past life as an acrobat and his astounding hair. Virginia Mayo, an underrated actress, never so fetching. Nominations for Ernest Haller's gorgeous technicolor cinematography (shamefully, he did not win) and for Best Musical score.
Monday, 03/09
08:00 p.m. PST Sunrise. Probably more of an official classic not requiring my recommendation, but it is astounding to revisit F.W. Murnau's masterpiece (A Song of Two Humans) every once in a while to be reminded of the very peak of the art of film. Winner of three Oscars, including what they used to call "Unique and Artistic Feature" (basically best film) and best actress for the great Janet Gaynor.
Thursday, 03/12
It's train day on TCM, and who doesn't love a train movie?
06:00 a.m. PST The Narrow Margin. Richard Fleischer's marvel of economic tension, set largely aboard a train, coming in at a tidy 72 minutes. It could not have been 71 or 73. Featuring a glass-chewing Charles McGraw and the ineffable Marie Windsor. They made a remake in 1990 which adds stars (Gene Hackman, etc.) and about 30 minutes. Needless to say, it wasn't even close. Nominated for Best Screenplay.
11:45 a.m. PST The Train. Lancaster again, this time 15 years older than in Flame and the Arrow, but no less athletic (he did all his own stunts, including the incredible final sequence where he basically runs down the titular train). This concerns the art theft by an elegant but still Nazi Nazi played by the great Paul Schofield. Some interesting reflections on the Spoils of War. John Frankeheimer, at the point in his career where he was throwing 100 mile-an-hour fastballs, directs. Oscar nomination for best original screenplay.
