TCM Classic Movie Alert 2/15/11

TCM ^ | 2/15/11 | Vision

[Vision]

I had an idea to alert The Big Broadcast ping list of when fantastic classic movies play on TCM. Just trying the idea out to see if there is interest.

Tonight a gem...My Man Godfrey (1936), at 8pm est.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

I have all of those movies on a supplemental hard drive from my DishNetwork DVR. Only thing I cannot figure out is how to make the hard drive compatible with my computer, so I can burn them to disc and save them more easily. ANYONE KNOW HOW TO DO THIS?

Sorry I can't be of help. I usually just buy DVDs from Amazon when I really like them.

[stephenjohnbanker]

I have watched it at least half a dozen times.

Great film!

[6323cd]

“Swing Time” is, in my opinion, the very best Astaire/Rogers movie; I think it’s even better than “Top Hat”. The first time I saw it, I literally broke down when Fred sang “The Way You Look Tonight”. Excellent, excellent film.

[wtc911]

Circa 1981 a movie theater on West 57th Street in Manhattan ran a week of Astaire/Rogers movies. I caught both Swing Time and Top Hat on the big screen. It was movie magic and a million times better than seeing them on TV.

Every once in a while I find myself in a conversation about film and somebody mentions seeing those films at that theater too. It seems to have left a lasting impression on quite a few of us.

[6323cd]

Same here; about 10 years ago "Swing Time" was shown at a revival theatre not too far from my house, mirabile dictu, on a Saturday afternoon when I was actually able to go see it. I can't remember how many times the audience burst into applause during it; after every dance routine, and a few other times too.

This particular theatre also ran a lot of Buster Keaton's silent films with a live band accompaniment. It was just indescribably wonderful. My favorite was "The Navigator".

[Dr. Scarpetta]

“Swing Time” is, in my opinion, the very best Astaire/Rogers movie; I think it’s even better than “Top Hat”. The first time I saw it, I literally broke down when Fred sang “The Way You Look Tonight”. Excellent, excellent film.

I wasn't home tonight, and I'm sorry to say I missed it. I love that song too.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

$6.99 at Amazon...

[6323cd]

Get it, now! :)

[Dr. Scarpetta]

TCM Greatest Classic Film Collection: Astaire & Rogers

Amazon...$27.49 with free shipping...

[Dr. Scarpetta]

You actually have a revival theater near you?

[6323cd]

We used to; The Times Cinema in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. It closed down about four years ago.

[Theo]

Oh, if you have a classic movie ping list, please put me on it. My wife and I have grown to LOVE older movies. Anything newer than the 60s is suspect.

[6323cd]

I was misinformed; The Times Cinema is still in operation, but they seem to be more "avant-garde" now. Here's their schedule; I just might go see "The African Queen" next month.

[Vision]

Anything newer than the 60s is suspect.

Agreed. Even in the 60's things were going downhill fast. Best film decades for America are 1930 - 1960. 1939 is universally awarded the greatest year of film.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

That’s quite a variety of films they have at the Times. The Big Sleep is also playing. We have an historic theater nearby, but they play new movies.

[6323cd]

Actually, the Times isn’t one of those grand picture palaces; it’s a renovated auto dealership! Not very pretty, really. Our local historic theatre is the Oriental, but they also show only new releases.

[Theo]

Totally agree.