Here are five recommendations for what’s coming up on TCM in the next week!
The Glass Bottom Boat (1966)
Airing on TCM: January 30, 4:15 am EST
In this espionage comedy, Doris Day stars as Jennifer Nelson, a widowed woman who works in the PR department of a space innovation lab. Rod Taylor is Bruce Templeton, a brilliant inventor working at the lab. Jenny finds herself in the middle of a mess when some of her unusual behaviors lead her to be suspected as a foreign spy. Doris Day is a delight to watch, and the film spoofs the spy genre very well, throwing in elements of screwball and slapstick comedy. A fun watch you’re sure to enjoy if you’re a Doris Day fan!
Also available to buy on DVD, to rent or purchase on Amazon Instant Video, and to rent on DVD from Netflix.
Wings (1927)
Airing on TCM: February 1, 10 pm EST
This is a very obvious choice for me to include in the week’s five picks, and I considered leaving it out since I’ve written about it before on this blog. But there’s always the chance that someone who has never seen the film may see this post and check it out, and it is a film that I consider required viewing! Buddy Rogers and Richard Arlen star as hometown rivals. They become friends when they’re forced to bunk together after joining the war effort. Spectacular flight scenes, strong performances, and a story that blends personal dramas with the realities of war make this a must-see.
Also available to buy on DVD or Blu-ray, to watch on Amazon Prime Instant Video, and to rent on DVD from Netflix.
Random Harvest (1942)
Airing on TCM: February 2, 9:15 am EST
Like Wings, Random Harvest is a drama focused on the impact of World War I. But while Wings explored the effects of war as it happened, Random Harvest takes a look at the aftermath. Ronald Colman stars as a veteran who suffers from amnesia and has no memory of his life before the war. He marries a kind woman (played by Greer Garson) who wants to help him build a new life… but a second bout of amnesia causes trouble for the couple. Colman and Garson give effective performances, and the story is very emotional. Recommended for fans of romantic dramas.
Also available to buy on DVD, and to rent on DVD from Netflix.
Imitation of Life (1959)
Airing on TCM: February 2, 5:45 pm EST
Douglas Sirk is the king of melodrama, and Imitation of Life is probably his greatest film. It tells the story of two mothers — Lora and Annie, played by Lana Turner and Juanita Moore — as they deal with the ups and downs of raising their daughters. After meeting at the beach one day, the two become close friends. Lora invites Annie and Sarah Jane to live at her apartment, with Annie watching over Lora’s daughter (Sandra Dee) while Lora pursues a modeling/acting career. Annie’s daughter Sarah Jane (Susan Kohner), meanwhile, struggles with her identity. She passes for white, hoping to make a better life for herself by living as a part of the privileged majority. Quite a bit of the film is devoted to the career and love life of Lora, but it is the story of Annie and Sarah Jane that makes the film so memorable.
Available to buy on DVD, to rent or purchase on Amazon Instant Video, and to rent on DVD from Netflix.
Suzy (1936)
Airing on TCM: February 3, 9:00 am EST
I recently reviewed this film, which is one of the lesser-known titles in Cary Grant’s filmography. And again, it’s set in World War I! We’ve got a little bit of a theme going this week! Jean Harlow stars as the title character, a chorus girl who hopes to “marry up” — that is, until she falls in love with a factory foreman (Franchot Tone) and gives up her dream of becoming a royal. After tragedy tears the couple apart, Suzy moves to France, where she meets and falls for pilot Andre Charville (Grant). Soapy romantic drama follows, peppered by scenes of wartime action. A stellar cast and a fast-paced story make Suzy well worth checking out.
Very limited DVD availability; TCM is your best bet for watching this one!
The Motion Pictures 