TCM TiVo Alert for May 23-31

TCM TiVo ALERT

For

May 23–May 31

DAVID’S BEST BETS:

THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES (May 28, 5:00 pm): An authentic film that pulls no punches about three soldiers returning home from World War II attempting to adjust to life. The film features incredible performances by the legendary and lovely Myrna Loy, Dana Andrews, Fredric March and Harold Russell (an actual WWII vet who lost both his hands in the war). The film won seven Oscars, including Best Picture. Unlike some multi-Oscar films, this one is truly a classic that remains as real and as powerful as it must have been to movie-goers when it was released in 1946. It's very touching and beautiful. It’s nearly impossible to not be emotionally moved while watching this film.

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION (May 31, 10:00 pm): This 1957 film, directed by Billy Wilder, is one of the best suspense movies you'll ever see. The story takes many interesting twists and the acting is outstanding, particularly Charles Laughton as an ill, but still brilliant, barrister who takes the case of a man, played by Tyrone Power in his last role, charged with murder. All of the evidence points to Power's character, Leonard Vole, as the killer, but Sir Wilfrid Robarts (Laughton) can't resist defending him. Things take a turn for the worse – or maybe it doesn't – when Vole's wife, played by Marlene Dietrich, is called as a witness for the prosecution. The ending is so unexpected and executed exceptionally well by all parties involved in the film. It is a shock that's heightened by the closing credits asking moviegoers to not reveal the ending to anyone who hasn't seen it. 

ED’S BEST BETS:

THE THIN MAN (May 23, 8:00 pm): Shot in only 16 days by fast working director Woody “One-Take” Van Dyke, this first pairing of William Powell and Myrna Loy proved so popular with the public that it led to numerous sequels. Nick and Nora Charles are investigating the disappearance of an inventor, but the mystery takes a back seat to the romantic and sophisticated screwball comedy. Powell and Loy surprised and delighted audiences with their unconventional doings of the couple, displaying their unique chemistry. Nick Charles was a suave man of the world who only had eyes for his rich, funny and good-natured wife, as they traded witty one-liners and affectionate bon mots, combined with a delightful teasing one-upmanship, all the while downing numerous martinis and tending to their wire-haired pooch, Asta. Adapted from Dashiell Hammett’s novel of the same name by married couple Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich with cinematography by James Wong Howe with a musical score by William Axt and sumptuous art deco sets by Cedric Gibbons. Plotted at a leisurely pace, it takes its time getting there, but it’s a wonderful ride along the way.

THE SAINT IN NEW YORK (May 30, 10:00 am): The Saint, a sort of mysterious Robin Hood created by famed mystery writer Leslie Charteris, has been translated into all three major mediums: film, radio, and television. This is the first of the Saint movies, and in my opinion, the best. It’s also the least known, due to the fact it’s almost never shown on television. In this outing, Louis Heyward plays Simon Templar and never since has Templar been played with such smooth rakishness as that with which Heyward plays him. It’s just plain, good, old-fashioned fun as Templar makes baboons of the bad guys and earns the love of the boss’s moll. Try it and see if you don’t agree about Heyward as Templar.

WE DISAGREE ON ... MANPOWER (May 24, 2:00 am)

ED: B-. Manpower is at its heart is a B-movie with an A-list cast as stars. This is the reason I gave it a grade of B-minus rather than C-plus. However, not even the presence of Robinson, Dietrich and Raft and the direction of the superb Raoul Walsh can overcome the weak script. The story of two Southern California power line troubleshooters (Robinson and Raft) in love with clip-joint hostess Dietrich is a testament to the genius of Warner Bros. in recycling an old plot. This was originally filmed by Howard Hawks in 1932 as Tiger Shark, starring Robinson as a tuna fisherman who lost a hand to a shark battling Richard Arlen for the affections of Zita Johann. A box office success, it was remade in 1936 as Bengal Tiger, with wild animal trainer Barton MacLane battling Warren Hull for the affections of June Travis. In 1937 it was again remade as Slim, with power line builder Pat O’Brien battling co-worker Henry Fonda for the affections of Margaret Lindsay. And in 1940 it was remade as King of the Lumberjacks, with Stanley Fields battling John Payne for the affections of Gloria Dickson. So we can safely say that the plot’s been around, and yet it hasn’t gotten any better since Tiger Shark. But although Manpower is not a great film, it is fun to watch old pros like Robinson and Dietrich trying to breathe life into the plot. Even George Raft gives a decent performance (Will wonders ever cease?), which I credit to the direction of Walsh, who certainly knew how to handle actors. (Check out Errol Flynn in Gentleman Jim if you don’t believe me.) It all comes down to what you’re looking for: if you want a well-plotted romantic noir with plenty of twists and turns, this ain’t for you. But if you’re looking for an enjoyable B with two great leads, you can’t do better than this.

DAVID: C-. There are very few actors in the history of cinema who are in the same class when it comes to talent, screen presence and charisma as Edward G. Robinson. That's what makes Manpower so disappointing. I've seen Eddie G. in some lousy films – A Bullet for Joey, Dark Hazard, I Loved a Woman to name a few – and yet I enjoyed his performances. I can't say the same for Manpower. It's dull and lifeless – and as Ed points out, had been done several times before – and Robinson adds nothing to the film. The cast alone should make it good as it includes some very talented actors such as Alan Hale (Skipper's dad), Frank McHugh, Eve Arden and Ward Bond, and the combination of Eddie G. and Marlene Dietrich sounds promising. Also, Robinson and George Raft played well together in plenty of other movies despite their personal dislike for each other. In this film, Robinson is the foreman of a crew constructing power lines. He used to be a lineman (for the county?), but moved into management after a near-death accident that left him injured and gave him the politically-incorrect nickname Gimpy. Raft is a buddy who works the line. The two fall for Dietrich and a silly love triangle ensues. The storyline is lifeless and at 104 minutes, it's too long. Despite the attempts at action, it's a boring movie.

For the complete list of films on the TCM TiVo Alert, click here.