the motion pictures

All recommendations are listed in EST and subject to change; check TCM’s website for changes or to view the schedule in your time zone. As always, films that I’ve never seen and hope to catch are marked with an asterisk. I’ve decided to do the streaming recs a bit differently this week by finding out … Continue reading »

Schyler Jarvis (Louis Jordan) is a wealthy music star nearing the end of his life. He hopes to leave behind something beneficial for his son, Louis Jarvis (also played by Louis Jordan), a bandleader: a plan for his future happiness Schyler is willing to leave his entire estate to his son… if he will find … Continue reading »

Kay Colby (Carole Lombard) is a rich New Yorker torn between two men. Bill Wadsworth (Cesar Romero) is Kay’s fiance, but Scott Miller (Preston Foster) also has a thing for her. In order to eliminate the competition, Scott decides to buy out the company that Bill works for and send him to Japan on business. … Continue reading »

The Young Victoria (2009) is a period film dramatizing the life of one of one of the most beloved figures of the British monarchy: Queen Victoria. Victoria held the throne from 1837 until her death in 1876 and became known as “the grandmother of Europe.” The Young Victoria paints a picture of Victoria’s life before … Continue reading »

Ace Detective Agency has been hired… to babysit an infant. What they don’t know is that he baby is just a cover. They’ve really been hired by a couple of jewel thieves who want their loot protected, so they hire someone to “watch the baby” and make sure that no one enters the room where … Continue reading »

Jimmie Powers (William Powell) was once a reporter with a budding career, but after a scandal he found himself unable to find work in the United States. Now living in Paris, Jimmie goes by “Michael Trevor” and runs a sleazy newspaper, writing about the wealthy American men who come to Paris. The latest in Michael’s … Continue reading »

Katharine Houghton Hepburn was born on May 12, 1907 in Hartford, Connecticut. After graduating from Bryn Mawr College she began her stage career, and a few years later found Hollywood success in the 1930s. She went on to amass 51 film and television credits between 1932 and 1994. As we celebrate her birthday today, the … Continue reading »

WARNING: This post contains spoilers for both films. Back in March I scored Warner Archive’s “horror double feature” DVD of 1960′s Village of the Damned and its sequel, Children of the Damned (1963). I had never seen either film before purchasing it and wasn’t sure whether to go in expecting horror-corn or true thrills, but … Continue reading »

SEASON 1, EPISODE 11: “FORTY-FOUR TICKETS” DIR. JOHN RICH WRITTEN BY CARL REINER ORIGINALLY AIRED DECEMBER 5, 1961 Recap: Rob complains of tripping over Ritchie’s toys that he always forgets to pick up, and Laura says that Ritchie’s forgetfulness was inherited from his father. This proves true when Rob realizes that he forgot to reserve 44 tickets for … Continue reading »

This post is a part of TMP’s Historical Context series, where I share excerpts from my collection of vintage publications. Much like the rival magazines in the 2004 rom-com 13 Going on 30, fan magazines of the mid-20th century were constantly competing for cover stars. By either coincidence or crafty, competitive scheming between the magazines, … Continue reading »