TCM Schedule for Thursday, November 22 (Guest Programmer Contest Winner)

[Staph]

Happy Thanksgiving!

The daytime films today are from the Andy Hardy series, MGM's 1930s/1940s look at an all American family, seen through Louis B. Mayer's rose-colored glasses. The kids argue, Andy gets in a bit of trouble, but a heart-to-heart talk with father solves all the family's problems.

This evening's movies were chosen by the guest programmer contest winner, Paul Aguirre. Over 350 submissions were received for this first edition of the contest, and the winner was chosen by viewers. (Though, somehow, I missed out on this voting thing myself. Bad voter! Bad voter!)

Actor and writer Paul Aguirre has spent many years working on the New York theatre circuit. He has also written on film and stage history and is currently pursuing a master’s degree to become a therapist.



3:45am -- Benji (1974)
A stray dog sets out to rescue two kidnapped children.
Cast: Patsy Garrett, Allen Fiuzat, Edgar Buchanan.
Dir: Joe Camp.
C-86 mins, TV-G

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Music, Original Song -- Euel Box (music) and Betty Box (lyrics) for the song "Benji's Theme (I Feel Love)"


5:12am -- Short Film: From The Vaults: Some Of The Best - 1949 (1949)
Released as part of the studio's 25th anniversary (Silver) celebration, the film shows highlights of MGM's major productions from 1924 through 1948. Subtitle depicted: "Twenty-Five Years of Motion Picture Leadership".
Host: Lionel Barrymore.
BW-42 mins

The three Barrymore siblings, John, Ethel, and Lionel, appeared in only one film together: Rasputin and the Empress (1932).


6:00am -- Festival of Shorts #53 (2007)
Features Double Exposure (1935) a Warner Comedy short starring Bob Hope.
Cast: Bob Hope, Jules Epailly, John Berkes.
Dir: Lloyd French.
BW-22 mins

Bob Hope is among the select few non-band members who have had the honor of dotting the "i" during The Ohio State University Marching Band's 'Script Ohio' routine. This is considered the greatest honor the band can bestow to any non-band person and is an extremely special (and rare) event.


6:30am -- Private Screenings: Child Stars (2006)
Robert Osborne sits down with former child stars Margaret O'Brien, Jane Withers, Dickie Moore and Darryl Hickman for an interview on their lives and careers.
BW-82 mins, TV-G

Dickie Moore, Former child and then juvenile actor, will always be remembered for bestowing on a 14-year-old Shirley Temple her first screen kiss - in Miss Annie Rooney (1942).


8:00am -- A Family Affair (1936)
In the first Hardy Family film, a small-town judge fights for re-election while dealing with family problems.
Cast: Lionel Barrymore, Spring Byington, Mickey Rooney.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-69 mins, TV-G

The first of the Andy Hardy movies, it was based on a play called Skidding by Aurania Rouverol.


9:15am -- You're Only Young Once (1938)
Andy Hardy and his sister find romance during a family vacation in Catalina.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-78 mins, TV-G

The second of the Andy Hardy movies. Lewis Stone replaced Lionel Barrymore as Judge Hardy, Andy's father, Fay Holden replaced Spring Byington as Mrs. Hardy, and Ann Rutherford replaced Margaret Marquis as Andy's sometime girlfriend Polly Benedict.


10:45am -- Judge Hardy's Children (1938)
A small-town judge's Washington trip lands his son in hot water with a diplomat's daughter.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Ann Rutherford.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-77 mins, TV-G

Lewis Stone, born in 1879, fought in the Spanish-American War (1898). His death in 1953 was a particularly tragic one. A group of rowdy teenagers had invaded his meticulously kept garden, and he ran out to prevent damage and ask them to leave. The effort proved to much for the gallant 73-year-old and he collapsed of a heart attack, dying almost instantly.


12:15pm -- Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)
A small-town boy tries to juggle two girlfriends at once.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Judy Garland.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-91 mins, TV-G

Shot on a 19-day production schedule with an additional week allotted for Judy Garland's production numbers. Released a mere two months after production wrapped.


1:56pm -- Short Film: From The Vaults: Walter Pigeon Announcement (1955)
BW-2 mins

I wonder what Walter is announcing? (He's dead, you know. And so is Generalissimo Francisco Franco.)


2:00pm -- Out West With The Hardys (1938)
A small-town judge takes his family on a western vacation so he can help a friend negotiate water rights.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Virginia Weidler.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-84 mins, TV-G

The young girl on the ranch is played by Virginia Weidler, probably best known for playing Katharine Hepburn's younger sister in The Philadelphia Story. Weidler singing Lydia the Tattooed Lady to Jimmy Stewart and Ruth Hussey is one of the highlights of that film.


3:30pm -- The Hardys Ride High (1939)
A small-town family inherits a fortune but has trouble adjusting to society life.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Cecilia Parker.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-81 mins, TV-G

The matrimonially-minded Mickey Rooney has been married eight times, to
Jan Rooney (18 July 1978 - present)
Carolyn Hockett (27 May 1969 - 1974) (divorced) 2 children
Marge Lane (10 September 1966 - 1967) (divorced)
Carolyn Mitchell (1 December 1958 - 31 January 1966) (her death) 4 children
Elaine Devry (1952 - 18 May 1958) (divorced) 2 children
Martha Vickers (3 June 1949 - 25 September 1952) (divorced) 1 child
Betty Jane Rase (30 September 1944 - 3 June 1948) (divorced) 2 children
Ava Gardner (10 January 1942 - 21 May 1943) (divorced)


5:00pm -- Andy Hardy Gets Spring Fever (1939)
A teenage boy falls in love with his drama teacher.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Cecilia Parker, Fay Holden.
Dir: W.S. Van Dyke II.
BW-86 mins, TV-G

The Andy Hardy series also served as a platform for MGM to introduce new performers, some of whom became stars themselves. Love Finds Andy Hardy featured Lana Turner in one of her first film appearances, while Andy Hardy's Private Secretary was the start of Kathryn Grayson's film career, and Andy Hardy's Double Life launched the film career of Esther Williams.


6:30pm -- Judge Hardy And Son (1939)
A small-town judge tries to save an elderly couple from eviction while coping with his wife's illness.
Cast: Mickey Rooney, Lewis Stone, Fay Holden.
Dir: George B. Seitz.
BW-90 mins, TV-G

Munk the tire man is played by Joseph Ninian Ewell, aka Joe Yule, Mickey Rooney's father.


What's On Tonight: TCM GUEST PROGRAMMER: GP COMPETITION WINNER


8:00pm -- The Greatest Show on Earth (1952)
A circus ringmaster and an egotistical trapeze artist vie for the love of a pretty acrobat.
Cast: Betty Hutton, Charlton Heston, James Stewart.
Dir: Cecil B. DeMille.
C-152 mins, TV-PG

Won Oscars for Best Writing, Motion Picture Story -- Fredric M. Frank, Theodore St. John and Frank Cavett, and for Best Picture.

Nominated for Oscars for Best Costume Design, Color -- Edith Head, Dorothy Jeakins and Miles White, Best Director -- Cecil B. DeMille, and Best Film Editing -- Anne Bauchens

Cecil B. DeMille was always demanding of his actors and actresses. He insisted that everyone truly learn to perform the circus stunts they were supposed to be performing. This meant that Betty Hutton really learned the trapeze and Gloria Grahame had to let an elephant rest its foot an inch from her face. Cornel Wilde probably had it the worst since he was portraying a high-wire artist. He was seriously afraid of heights in real life.


10:45pm -- The Happy Time (1952)
A Quebec patriarch fights to keep his wayward son from leading his grandson astray.
Cast: Charles Boyer, Louis Jourdan, Bobby Driscoll.
Dir: Richard Fleischer.
BW-94 mins, TV-G

Based on the play of the same name by Samuel A. Taylor, who also wrote the screenplay for Sabrina (1954), The Eddy Duchin Story (1956) and Vertigo (1958).


12:30am -- The Crowd (1928)
In this silent film, an office worker deals with the simple joys and tragedies of married life.
Cast: James Murray, Eleanor Boardman, Bert Roach.
Dir: King Vidor.
BW-93 mins, TV-G

Nominated for Oscars for Best Director, Dramatic Picture -- King Vidor, and Best Picture

King Vidor filmed many scenes in New York City streets using real crowds instead of extras, real buses and trains, and even real traffic cops. In one scene, a police officer is looking toward the camera, admonishing someone to "move along". In fact, he was actually addressing Vidor and his disguised film crew. Vidor cleverly incorporated it into the scene.


2:15am -- Westward The Women (1951)
A frontiersman leads a wagon train full of mail-order brides.
Cast: Robert Taylor, Denise Darcel, John McIntire.
Dir: William A. Wellman.
BW-117 mins, TV-PG

Denise Darcel's French-language dialog includes a few words which prove that no one in the 1950's version of the Hays Office understood French. Some of the terms she used while angry at "Buck Wyatt" would never have gotten past the censors in English.


4:30am -- Comanche Station (1960)
After saving a woman kidnapped by Indians, a cowboy has to fight to get her back to civilization.
Cast: Randolph Scott, Nancy Gates, Claude Akins.
Dir: Budd Boetticher.
C-73 mins, TV-PG

Shot in 12 days.

[Staph]

1. Westward the Women

The idea for Westward the Women (1951) came from Frank Capra, who in the 1940s read a magazine article about South American women crossing the Isthmus to become brides for a colony of male settlers. What if this event was moved to the American west, the director wondered. Capra had always wanted to make a western, but Columbia wasn't making them at the time and so he put the idea aside. Then one day he mentioned it to his friend William Wellman, who was intrigued. ("He flipped," said Capra.) With Capra's blessing, Wellman took it to Dore Schary at MGM, who not only gave it the green light with Wellman directing, but decided to produce the picture personally. Venerable MGM leading man Robert Taylor was cast as the scout who escorts a wagon train of 150 women from Chicago to John McIntire's ranch in California, where there are no women for all the male workers in a valley which McIntire wants to populate with familes. Along the way, they must fend off Indian attacks, rough weather, forbidding landscapes, and men hired to accompany the group who are unable to control their lust.

Taylor had started his career playing photogenic romantic foils to stars like Greta Garbo, but by this time he had developed into a fine actor, and Westward the Women features one of his most striking and hard-bitten performances. Wellman loved working with him. "I was crazy about Bob Taylor," said the director. "I think he's one of the finest men I've ever known...He was probably handsomest of them all. And he did everything I asked him to."

Though usually remembered for action pictures like Wings, Public Enemy, The Story of G.I. Joe and Battleground, Wellman directed a wide variety of genres and many films with strong women at their centers (including five with Barbara Stanwyck). Before production started on Westward the Women, Wellman gathered all the women together to tell them in no uncertain terms what they were getting themselves into - much like Taylor does in the movie. Wellman biographer Frank Thompson later wrote, "he told them that there would be no room for prima donnas, for the 11-week schedule in the Utah Mountains and California desert would prove to be long, dirty and tiring. He offered everyone a last chance to back out. The women began a three-week period of basic training which involved calisthenics, rope skipping, softball, bullwhip cracking, horseback riding, mule team handling, firing frontier firearms, blacksmithing, and assembling (and disassembling) covered wagons."

While the "feminizing" of a male-oriented genre like the western was nothing new (there existed other women's westerns as well as women's gangster films, prison films, pirate films and combat films), Westward the Women went a step deeper than most. As film historian Jeanine Basinger has written, it is "one of the few films to present positive, overt sisterhood. It is almost a casebook of traditional attitudes toward women that will be refuted by the visual presentation." In other words, while the female characters may be spoken to or treated derisively, the audience is made to see them positively, even heroically. For instance, there are images of the women growing comfortable facing tough tasks, working together to fix a wagon and fight off Indians. Wellman often shoots the women from below, framing them prominently against the sky. His admiration for these characters and their bravery could not be clearer. As Basinger puts it, "dramatic images of individual women against an open and stark landscape are rare in American films, and they are memorable."

Basinger also observes provocatively that "when a woman's version of a male genre is created, things that are associated with the woman's world (primarily issues of love and romance, marriage, sex, rape, and childbirth) must be reconciled in some manner with the male movie." By the end of this film, the women "have been told they can't cope, can't shoot, can't rope, can't ride, can't fight, and can't endure, and they have proved this to be wrong. These 'masculine' things are now absorbed into them."

A final note: To stress the audience's feeling of the harshness and heat of the terrain, Wellman had his cinematographer, William Mellor, use filters as sparingly as possible. This gives the film an intentionally stark, sunbaked look.

Producer: Dore Schary
Director: William A. Wellman
Screenplay: Charles Schnee (based on a story by Frank Capra)
Cinematography: William C. Mellor
Film Editing: James E. Newcom
Music: Jeff Alexander, Henry Russell
Art Direction: Daniel B. Cathcart, Cedric Gibbons
Costume Design: Walter Plunkett
Cast: Robert Taylor (Buck Wyatt), Denise Darcel (Fifi Danon), Hope Emerson (Patience Hawley), John McIntire (Roy E. Whitman), Julie Bishop (Laurie Smith), Lenore Lonergan (Maggie O'Malley), Marilyn Erskine (Jean Johnson), Beverly Dennis (Rose Meyers), Henry Nakamura (Ito).
C-117m. Closed captioning.

by Jeremy Arnold

[Love Bug]

2. Lewis Stone died because he told some kids

to get off his lawn? Man, that's rough.

[vireo]

3. Is "The Crowd" one of the contest winners picks?

I probably would have chosen it as well.

[Staph]

4. Aguirre's choices were

The Greatest Show on Earth
The Happy Time
The Crowd
and Westward the Women

I've not seen the middle two, but Westward the Women is one of my favorites. I loved westerns as a kid, and a western about women was a treat for me.

[vireo]

5. Strange that he didn't select "Aguirre, the Wrath of God"

:D

[eleny]

6. TCM is on all day aorund here today

I like the Andy Hardy movies. And the rest seem like they'll hit the spot for me. A nice change from all the political frenzy.