Throughout the month of August, I’ll be sharing recommended films from TCM’s Summer Under the Stars programming every Tuesday, ending with a final post sharing what I watched during SUTS, ending with a final post sharing what I watched during SUTS. Feel free to share your own recommendations for me in the comments below, as they’re running a ton of films I haven’t seen this year!
The following recommendations cover TCM’s scheduled programming from August 8th through 14th. All times are Eastern, and the schedule is subject to change, so be sure to check your local listings!
August 8 – Rita Hayworth
- 2:30 PM – Tonight and Every Night(1945)
- Rita’s role: Rosalind Bruce, an American showgirl engaged in a love affair with a British pilot in London, where her troupe performs, during World War II
- Dir. Victor Saville
- Also starring Lee Bowman and Janet Blair
- Musical, Columbia Pictures
- 6:00 PM – The Strawberry Blonde(1941)
- Rita’s role: The title character – a beautiful but gold-digging young woman named Virginia who has captivated the attention of Biff Grimes and his rival, Hugo Barnstead
- Dir. Raoul Walsh
- Also starring James Cagney and Olivia de Havilland
- Romantic comedy, Warner Bros.
- 2:00 AM – You Were Never Lovelier(1942)
- Rita’s role: Maria Acuna, a woman who, after receiving surprises from an unknown man every day, becomes convinced that a poor American dancer is her secret admirer
- Dir. William A. Seiter
- Also starring Fred Astaire and Adolphe Menjou
- Musical/Romantic comedy, Columbia Pictures
August 9 – Toshiro Mifune
- 12:45 PM – Throne of Blood(1961)
- Toshiro’s role: Washizu, a samurai who commits murder after being confronted by a soothsayer
- Dir. Akira Kurosawa
- Also starring Isuzu Yamada
- Drama, Toho Co.
- 4:45 PM – Red Beard(1966)
- Toshiro’s role: Dr. Niide, aka “Red Beard,” a doctor dedicated to his work at a public clinic
- Dir. Akira Kurosawa
- Also starring Yuzo Kayama and Yoshio Tsuchiya
- Historical drama, Kurosawa Films/Toho Co.
August 10 – Lionel Barrymore
- 10:15 AM – Grand Hotel(1932)
- Lionel’s role: Otto, a terminally ill man who wishes to spend his final days living it up in style
- Dir. Edmund Goulding
- Also starring Greta Garbo, John Barrymore and Joan Crawford
- Drama, MGM
- 6:30 PM – Young Dr. Kildare(1938)
- Lionel’s role: Dr. Gillespie, a surgeon whose career has suffered because he is confined to a wheelchair
- Dir. Harold S. Bucquet
- Also starring Lew Ayres
- Drama, MGM
- 12:00 AM – Key Largo(1948)
- Lionel’s role: James Temple, the father of a man who died under Frank McCloud’s command during World War II.
- Dir. John Huston
- Also starring Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson and Lauren Bacall
- Crime drama, Warner Bros.
August 11 – James Mason
- 11:00 AM – The Seventh Veil(1945)
A Star is Born features top-notch performances from both Mason and Garland. - James’ role: Nicholas, the man who controlled Francesca Cunningham’s life before her suicide attempt
- Dir. Compton Bennett
- Also starring Ann Todd and Herbert Lom
- Drama, Ortus Films
- 12:30 AM – A Star is Born(1954)
- James’ role: Norman Maine, an aging star who marries up-and-coming singer Esther Blodgett
- Dir. George Cukor
- Also starring Judy Garland
- Musical/drama, Warner Bros.
August 12 – Ginger Rogers
- 7:30 AM – Carefree(1938)
- Ginger’s role: Amanda Cooper, a woman who has broken up her engagement one too many times
- Dir. Mark Sandrich
- Also starring Fred Astaire and Ralph Bellamy
- Musical, RKO
- 6:15 PM – Vivacious Lady(1937)
Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant are one of the silver screen’s most beloved pairs thanks to their most well-known film, An Affair to Remember. - Ginger’s role: Francey, a feisty nightclub singer who marries into a conservative family
- Dir. George Stevens
- Also starring Jimmy Stewart and James Ellison
- Comedy, RKO
- 11:45 PM – Stage Door(1937)
- Ginger’s role: Jean Maitland, a witty dancer who lives with her somewhat-rival, Terry
- Dir. Gregory LaCava
- Also starring Katharine Hepburn and Adolphe Menjou
- Show biz drama/comedy, RKO
August 13 – Deborah Kerr
- 11:45 AM – Dream Wife(1953)
- Deborah’s role: Effie, who is engaged to marry salesman Clemson Reade, but isn’t exactly ready to commit to marriage because she’s focused on her career
- Dir. Sidney Sheldon
- Also starring Cary Grant, Walter Pidgeon and Betta St. John
- Comedy, MGM
- 10:00 PM – Tea and Sympathy(1956)
- Deborah’s role: Laura Reynolds, the wife of a dormitory headmaster, who risks her marriage to help a student who is taunted by his classmates
- Dir. Vincente Minnelli
- Also starring John Kerr and Leif Erickson
- Melodrama, MGM
- 2:30 AM – The Innocents(1961)
- Deborah’s role: Miss Giddens, a governess who comes to
suspect that the children she cares for can see spirits, and
therefore decides that they must undergo psychological treatment - Dir. Jack Clayton
- Also starring Peter Wyngarde, Martin Stephens and Pamela Franklin
- Thriller/drama, Twentieth Century Fox
- Deborah’s role: Miss Giddens, a governess who comes to
August 14 – James Cagney
- 7:30 AM – The Public Enemy(1931)
- Cagney’s role: Tom Powers, an Irish-American man who becomes a major figure in the organized crime world in Chicago
- Dir. William Wellman
- Also starring Jean Harlow
- Crime drama, Warner Bros.
- 5:30 PM – A Lion is in the Streets(1953)
- Cagney’s role: Hank Martin, a manipulative man who marries a schoolteacher and rises to local political prominence
- Dir. Raoul Walsh
- Also starring Barbara Hale and Anne Francis
- Political drama, Warner Bros.
- 12:00 AM – Footlight Parade(1933)
- Cagney’s role: Chester Kent, a producer who fights against a number of obstacles after talkies become popular and put him out of work.
- Dir. Lloyd Bacon
- Also starring Joan Blondell, Ruby Keeler and Dick Powell
- Musical, Warner Bros.
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