What To Catch on TCM This Week - July 3-July 7, 2018

This is a little late this week mostly because I have been a little sick and this is a crazy week on TCM and I've had a particularly bad time pairing it down so I decided to wait until today and post. TCM is having another interesting week by throwing a few curve balls in the usual fair. There is a lot of Sci-Fi and Beach Blanket movies going on with a lot classic movies going on.

How To Stuff A Wild Bikini - One of the last beach party films to star Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon, and really this film is the reason why beach party films went away. Frankie Avalon had outgrown the genre and besides the premise was insanely ridiculous and the acting mundane. I have a hard time believing that Mickey Rooney was involved in this movie but there he is, of course he was a known womanizer and he was also in Breakfast at Tiffany's so maybe not so much a hard idea that he's in such a fluff movie. But this is a fluff movie and silly, really silly. Tuesday, July 3rd, 12:00 P.M. MST.

King Kong - In my opinion nothing beats this movie, hands down the best of all the great ape movies. It breaks my heart every time the big guy dies at the end, I'm a sap for this movie. It's also kind of unrealistic, how do you really keep a huge ass ape sedated on a ship for that long journey home? Right there animal abuse! But that abuse doesn't stop that ape from falling for Faye Wray, he just wanted to keep her safe he never wanted to hurt her, he was like Elymra in Tiny Toon Adventures! All he wanted to do was to hold her and cuddle her and keep her with him forever! Which I get with his big hands and anxiety for planes and being shot at from said planes wasn't a great idea but still, they killed an ape for being in love. Couldn't they have come up with a better idea? I never understood why they couldn't lure him down and away from the city and sedate him again, they did it before right? Anyway, it's on Tuesday, June 3rd, 6 P.M. MST.

On The Waterfront - One of my favorite Brando roles, next to Paul in Last Tango in Paris, which I have no clue why it's my favorite, but he plays the lost boxer so well, you can tell that his character genuinely regrets giving up what he loved so well for a quick buck and a favor. It's also introspective of what life is like for dockworkers and what it's like to be locked into that life. Eva Marie Saint is wonderful as Brando's would be girlfriend if only he hadn't of played a bigger role in her brother's death. The turmoil in Kazan's story is beautifully told in such a hard way, right from the beginning you know why this film is so acclaimed, it hits on the humanity of real life instead of portraying life through rose colored glasses it just gives you the reality. Tuesday, July 3rd at 8 P.M. MST.

America America- Another of Eli Kazan's films, if you haven't noticed I am a big Kazan fan, with my favorite two being Baby Doll and A Face In the Crowd. Adapted from Kazan's novel of the same name, it's about a man who wants with ever fiber of his being to go to America. It's what keeps him going, the dream of America. It shows what people will do to get to our shores for a decent chance at life. That's all that they really want is a chance. The end scene is worth sitting through the whole movie and makes you realize what the Statue of Liberty is there for, she's the biggest symbol of hope for immigrants and Americans. Wednesday, July 4th. 7:30 A.M. MST.

1776 - The title it self is explanatory, it's about America's revolution and how the Continental Congress led us to becoming the nation that we have become. Although there are many, many historical inaccuracies in this film, still kind of worth the watch, just be aware of the many inaccuracies, like Adams being obnoxious, when in reality he was most respected and well liked members of the congress. Plus it's a musical....Can't help it there have been a lot of musicals on TCM lately and no matter how I try, I end up with at least one every week. Wednesday, July 4th, 8:15 P.M. MST.

Excuse My Dust - Red Skelton leads in this movie about a guy that invents a "horseless" carriage that starts to drive his girl's stable out of business. It has a car race and did I mention Red Skeleton? It's worth it just for the laughs. Thursday, July 5th, 4 A.M. MST.

The Great Race - Jack Lemmon once again proves why he is one of the funniest and enigmatic actors of the century. A race around the world and the love of a great woman is what spurs this film on. It's great for laughs and there's a polar bear scene! So why not watch this for kicks? Thursday, July 5th, 1:15 P.M. MST.

Somebody Up There Likes Me - Based on the life of fighter Rocky Graziano, this film starts with his childhood and ends with him winning the title fight against Tony Zale. It's notable as one of Paul Newman's first lead roles and one of Steve McQueen's first films. Also James Dean was supposed to play Rocky but died in a tragic automobile accident right before filming began, if he had been in this film it might have been one of his most notable roles. Friday, July 6th, 12:15 A.M. MST.

Forbidden Planet - This film sets the stage for the future of science fiction films and the genre as a whole. It's a great film and done well about a group of people sent to find out what is happening on the far away land of Altair IV that was colonized years earlier. A young Leslie Nielsen is the Captain of the ship that investigates the mysterious planet. My question, why did they keep Robby the Robot? Friday, July 6th, 7:30 A.M. MST.

2001:A Space Odyssey - I remember watching this for the first time when I was 10 and from then on I was afraid that computers would take over and honestly in a way they have, although not in the way that HAL wanted them to. Beautifully shot by Geoffrey Unsworth this masterpiece pulls you in with the scenery and the lack of a real soundtrack. This is Stanley Kubrick's long lasting legacy, a tribute to his film making. There is nothing that he got wrong about space. Friday, July 6th, 1:15 P.M. MST.

I'm Gonna Get You Sucka - Jack Spade has returned from war to Any Ghetto, U.S.A. and finds that his brother and the neighborhood is overdosing on OG, or gold chains. Kung Fu, a pimp or two and a Mr.Big bring this blaxploitation film to fruition.Keenen Ivory Wayans directorial debut and one of the best things he ever did. Saturday, July 7th, 12:30 A.M. MST

The Searchers - Ethan Edwards returns from war and after his brother's family is murdered by Comanches and his niece is kidnapped. Ethan searches with for relentlessly and finally finds her living as a Comanche and does not want to return to her old life. Deciding that murdering her would be a far better thing than seeing her live among the natives, he tries to kill her. Based on the book by Alan Le May  and influenced by the kidnapping of Cynthia Ann Parker by Comanche Indians in 1836, this movie is thought provoking and makes you think about the bigger picture in terms of our American story, it points directly to our racism. Saturday, July 7th, 2:00 P.M. MST.

Party Girl - Beautiful Cyd Charisse does some wonderful dance numbers and makes her very cliche part as a dance girl for hire work in this movie. It's a basic film noir with no real twists and turns, but it's a beautifully stunning film, the clothes and Cyd Charisse are worth the watch. Saturday, July 7th, 10 P.M. MST.