TCM Look-Ahead (Jan. 23)
I am starting a regular feature (going to try for weekly, to be published on Fridays) that looks ahead to the TCM (Turner Classic Movies) schedule and recommend films for immediate watch or recording. If you are lucky enough to have TCM on cable or on You Tube t.v. or the TCM app, I hope you find this useful.
Saturday, 01/24/26
07:00 a.m. PST. Some Came Running. Vincente Minelli's brilliant adaptation of the classic novel by James Jones, with Frank Sinatra at his best, Dean Martin's legendary cowboy hat (wait for that last shot!), and an absolutely heartbreaking Shirley MacLaine.
01:45 p.m. PST. The Big Combo. Quintessential noir directed by one of the Kings of the B's, Joseph Lewis. Featuring noir icons Cornel Wilde, Richard Conte and Brian Donlevy. Also, the D.P. is the great John Alcott (best known for his noirs with Anthony Mann), and you will not believe the images he gets in this film. I could watch The Big Combo on a loop.
Monday, 01/26/26
02:15 a.m. PST. Pitfall. A lesser known but pungent work by Hiroshi Tesagahara (Women in the Dunes).
04:00 a.m. PST. Women in the Dunes. The aforementioned devastating masterpiece. I cannot recommend it highly enough for fans of Japanese cinema. Or any cinema for that matter.
Wednesday, 01/28/26
12:15 a.m. PST. Kes.
A young lad finds purpose and meaning in an otherwise bleak life through the training of a pet falcon. An early film from the great Ken Loach.
09:45 a.m. PST. Something Always Happens.
I consider myself to be a Powell/Pressberger nut, but I have to admit I have never heard of this "quota quickie" attributed solely to Michael Powell. This may go under the category of completism but, who knows?
Thursday, 01/29/26
02:00 p.m. PST. Party Girl.
Part of TCM's Chicago day, this somewhat disreputable work from the great Nicholas Ray is visually dazzling but pretty goofy. However, Cyd Charisse is very easy on the eye and has several dances. What more recommendation does one need?
10:15 p.m. PST. The Plainsman.
Calamity Jane (Jean Arthur), Wild Bill Hickock (Gary Cooper) and Buffalo Bill (James Ellison) in Cecil B. DeMille's wildly speculative western, wherein our three heroes fight Indians with many anti-woke results. What would one expect from DeMille? You will have fun, though, as you grit your teeth.
Friday, 01/30/26 PST. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance.
Probably comes under the category of "I don't need to tell you to watch this one," but just in case. John Ford's film about heroism (in all it's forms) and storytelling is on the short list of the greatest American films ever made. With Duke Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Vera Miles and, as the title character, and absolutely despicable Lee Marvin.
