Sunday, October 14, 2018

What to Catch on TCM This Week - October 14 - October 20, 2018

Mummy's and goblins and art and love fill this week on TCM. I love October on TCM, it's filled with so many different genres and and the best horror films around.

Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy - Two Americans stranded in Cairo get involved in a plot to steal an Egyptian Princess' treasure. The two men are almost killed when they decide to stop the plot. I remember seeing this with my father at Crystal's Pizza and Spaghetti in Wheat Ridge. My family loved that place we would get pizza, salad bar, and a family spaghetti and watch old black and white movies in Crystal's theater while eating. This is where I really learned to love Abbott and Costello. My father already loved the duo, but being able to see them on the big screen really made me appreciate their comedy and genius. Buck Privates was probably the first movie of Abbott and Costello's that I watched her and I instantly loved their back and forth, I especially adored Lou Costello. He was personable, funny and entertaining. I always thought that I would have to marry someone that could make me laugh like Lou Costello did, unfortunately, I've had a man that makes me smile, but he doesn't make me laugh like Lou Costello, which is probably why I'm not married. Sunday, October 14th at 6:00 P.M. MST.

The Robot vs. The Aztec Mummy - The evil Dr.Krupp is back! After escaping being thrown into a snake pit at the end of The Aztec Mummy, Dr.Krupp comes back full speed to destroy the mummy with his half human/robot to kill the mummy and steal his treasure! It's a fun but a really silly B-movie. Sunday, October 14th at 8:45 P.M. MST.

A Room with A View - Poor Lucy Honeychurch is on an Italian holiday from Surrey with her much older and oppressed cousin, Charlotte Bartlett. In Florence, Lucy meets a young man named George and falls in love, unfortunately, George is not a good man and Lucy returns home to Surrey to marry a very sturdy and emotionally suppressed Cecil. However, George comes back into Lucy's life and Lucy runs. Probably one of Maggie Smith's best roles and Helena Bonham Carter's most noticeable performances, this movie is breathtaking in the scenery and the performances. Monday, October 15th at 1:45 A.M. MST.

Flight of the Navigator - David is sent to pick up his little brother at a friend's house and falls in a ravine along the way and is knocked out. Upon awakening and returning home, David finds that his house is not his house and his parents are missing. David finds that he has been missing for eight years and that his little brother is now older than him and that he had been abducted by a spaceship named Max for a biological experiment and was the Navigator of the ship while on board. It's a sweet story about friendship and family. Monday, October 15th at 8:25 P.M. MST.

The Cat from Outer Space - A UFO crash lands on earth with the most unusual of occupants, a cat with telepathic collar. This little feline is on the run from the U.S. Government and trying to repair his ship since his mothership cannot be reached for help. It's just a cute movie for kids for Halloween, an introduction to Sci-Fi. Tuesday, October 16th at 12:09 A.M. MST.

Lust for Life - The life of Vincent Van Gogh is examined in this film directed by Vincent Minnelli and starring Kirk Douglas as Van Gogh. It's a look at the falling decent of greatness. Tuesday, October 16th at 4:00 A.M. MST.

Salome - Queen Herodias has been marked as an adulteress by John the Baptist and will do anything not to be killed by her husband, King Herod, including using her own daughter to save her life and kill John. Rita Hayworth puts in a wonderful performance as Christian convert Salome in this biblical retelling of the story of Salome. Wednesday, October 17th at 2:00 A.M. MST.

The Walking Dead - John Ellman has been convicted of a murder he didn't commit and sentenced to the electric chair. After his execution his body is retrieved by a Doctor wanting to revive a body and find out what happens to the soul after death. After being revived, Ellman goes on a killing spree murdering those responsible for his demise. Boris Karloff plays the brought back from the dead John Ellman. Wednesday, October 17th at 7:30 P.M. MST.

Born Yesterday - I absolutely love Judy Holliday as Billie Dawn, a mole for an unscrupulous businessman that brings her to Washington D.C. to grease a few politicians for a transaction that he wants to go through. Sure Billie is a little ditzy and loud, but she has backbone galore and an actual brain under all that blonde hair and wants something more for herself than just being used and a plaything. Thursday, October 18th at 6:00 P.M. MST.

Forever, Darling - Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz once again team up as an on screen married couple, this time with a guardian angel (James Mason) to try to help their marriage after Ball's character feels neglected by her husband. The film was a flop for Ball and Arnaz, but still worth the watch if you love to watch them together. Friday, October 19th at 12:00 A.M. MST.

Are These Our Children? - A pre-code film about the dangers of alcohol. Teenager Eddie Brand has just lost an oratory competition and leaves his girlfriend and takes up with a loose girl and her friends and becomes an alcoholic, murdering for drink. Friday, October 19th at 12:00 P.M. MST.

Blackbeard the Pirate - Captain Edward Teach is actually Blackbeard, a notorious pirate terrorizing the high seas and has just taken over the ship of pirate Charles Bellamy. It's a swashbuckling story about the dangers of being a British Officer in the British Navy and a kidnapped pirate bride. Saturday, October 20th at 4:00 A.M. MST.

Sweet Bird of Youth - Based on the play by Tennessee Williams, this film focuses on the failing relationship of a young drifter and an aging movie star. Chance, returns to his hometown with the ageing movie star in tow, not realizing that his move to Hollywood to become a star was orchestrated by the town Boss just so that Chance would stay away from his young daughter, Heavenly. It's the contrast of ageing out of a system that may no longer want you and the beginning of wonderful, naive youth. Saturday, October 20th at 7:45 P.M. MST.