TCM debuts a brand new “season” this March. Usually, TCM’s calendar year runs from March and ends with the 31 Days of Oscar festival. TCM has hired two new hosts, Dave Karger and Alicia Malone to assist Ben Mankiewicz. Also, with a heavy heart, it has been one year since we lost Robert Osborne.
STAR OF THE MONTH: ELIZABETH TAYLOR (MARCH 12-16)
Technically, Taylor is the Star of the Week. There are 30 movies and one documentary on the docket which will start with a lesser seen Taylor movie, 1947’s Cynthia (March 12 @ 4:15pm/3:15pm) where Elizabeth receives her first onscreen kiss. This festival includes one TCM premiere, 1970’s The Only Game in Town (March 16 @ 12:30am/11:30pm) starring Liz, Warren Beatty, and is the last film directed by George Stevens. Stevens directed Taylor in two of her most memorable films, 1951’s A Place in the Sun (which will not be shown) and 1956’s Giant (March 14 @ 11pm/10pm). Here’s a still of her from the movie.
TCM SPOTLIGHT: MENTAL ILLNESS IN MOVIES (MARCH 5 AND 6)
The first TCM spotlight this month is about how films depict mental illness, for better or for worse. Part one has films all nominated or won an Oscar. The second night all take place at mental health asylums or clinics. So lay on the couch and tell your life story.
TCM SPOTLIGHT: GREAT MOVIE ENDINGS (MARCH 19-23)
The second TCM spotlight focuses on some of the greatest endings in movie history. I won’t spoil anything for you, I promise. Each night has a different chapter including Going Out with a Bang (March 19-20), Ending on a Musical Note (March 20-21), Romantic Endings (March 21-22), Famous Last Words (March 22-23), and Twist Endings (March 23-24). So get ready for your closeup, make it to the top of the world, and remember tomorrow is another day.
NOIR ALLEY (SUNDAY MORNINGS @ 9am AND SATURDAY NIGHTS @ 11pm)
Noir Alley will now air on Saturday nights at 11 with an encore the next morning at 9. This month’s films include The Big Heat, Stranger on the Third Floor, Crossfire, and No Questions Asked.
STARRING ANNA MAY WONG (MARCH 4)
TCM celebrates the career of the first Chinese-American movie star featuring four of her films of the 1920s and the 1930s.
Born Wong Liu Tsong in Los Angeles, Anna began performing bit parts in silent films at the age of 14. Her breakthrough performance was in 1922’s The Toll of the Sea, a rare silent film in color.
The four films which will be shown include 1931’s Daughter of the Dragon (8pm/7pm), 1932’s Shanghai Express (9:30pm/8:30pm), 1929’s Piccadilly (11pm/10pm), and the Silent Sunday Night feature, 1927’s Mr. Wu (1am/midnight) with Lon Chaney.
GUEST PROGRAMMER: DREW SCOTT (MARCH 8)
The realtor Property Brother sits down with host Ben Mankiewicz to discuss his choices for the night. Most were inspired by his father, James Scott, who immigrated from Scotland to Canada after being inspired by American Westerns. Mr. Scott lived out his dream and became a cowboy. Drew’s choices include High Noon (8pm/7pm), To Kill a Mockingbird (9:45pm/8:45pm), Poltergeist (12:15am/11:15pm), and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (2:30am/1:30am).
TREASURES FROM THE DISNEY VAULT (MARCH 29)
Film historian Leonard Maltin again serves as host of the semi-annual series. All are TCM premieres including 1962’s In Search of the Castaways (10pm/9pm) starring Hayley Mills and Maurice Chevallier plus Goldie Hawn’s movie debut in 1968’s The One and Only, Genuine, Original Family Band (midnight/11pm).
STARRING DIANA DORS (MARCH 30)
TCM celebrates Britain’s Marilyn Monroe (aka “The Siren of Swindon) with three films and two of them are TCM premieres 1956’s Yield to the Night and 1952’s Lady Godiva Rides Again. Her birth name was Diana Mary Fluck. She once said, “I suppose they were afraid that if my real name, Diana Fluck, was in the lights, and one of the lights blew.”
RELIGIOUS EPICS (MARCH 31-APRIL 1)
For Passover and Easter, TCM has 8 religious epics from the 1950s and the 1960s (they were really popular then) scheduled, except for The Ten Commandments which will air on ABC, probably on Passover night. However, you will see Paul Newman’s movie debut, 1954’s The Silver Chalice (5am/4am) which he later apologized for. Also, this is the first time I’ve seen a screenshot from the movie, because what the heck is Jack Palance wearing?!!
Come back in April with Star of the Month William Holden, who celebrates his centennial on April 17, and the special Live from the TCM Classic Movie Festival with Michael Douglas.
Mariah's Musings 