Category: All Posts

Troubled Classic Movies

After the first round of layoffs at Turner Classic Movies, TCM Underground was cancelled. I was talking with someone last weekend who was enough of a TCM Underground fan that he cancelled his cable TV service.

Reassurances from the new axe-wielding boss at Warner Discovery that, despite his recent removal of the TCM management team, the station will continue as before aren’t convincing me, or most anyone else it seems.

The New Yorker’s film critic is calling TCM a national treasure.

https://www.newyorker.com/culture/cultural-comment/turner-classic-movies-is-a-national-treasure

The final movie that was shown on TCM Underground was that sterling classic of compelling inhuman drama by Ed Wood, Bride of the Monster.

Another source of classic movies, the Movies! TV Network, is no longer being broadcast on Boston television. The only way to watch it is online with the FrndlyTV service. I might give it a try.

https://try.frndlytv.com/

Wu Who?

Today I was asked an out-of-nowhere question by my eldest sister. “Do you remember meeting Michelle Wu?” Boston mayor Michelle Wu? Uh, no.

At my nephew’s wedding in 2006, Wu was his wife’s maid of honor, and when I was told that, I remembered her at the ceremony and reception. In a toast to the happy couple, Wu gave a moving speech that had some people in tears, wait staff as well as invited guests.

A Pair of Jeans

In 1951, Jeanne Crain and Jean Peters appeared together in the fluffy film Take Care of My Little Girl. When I see Jeanne I think she was more beautiful than Jean, and when I see Jean I think she was more beautiful than Jeanne. When they’re together I can’t make up my mind.

Jeanne Crain and Jean Peters in Take Care of My Little Girl

Jeanne and Jean became close friends. They looked as though they could have been sisters, and in a bit of casting that was equally obvious and inspired, they played sisters in Vicki, from 1953.

Jean Peters and Jeanne Crain in Vicki

As a murder mystery Vicki isn’t a great movie, but it’s fast-paced and entertaining. Along for the ride with Jeanne and Jean there is Richard Boone before Have Gun Will Travel, Carl Betz before The Donna Reed Show, and Aaron Spelling before he became a TV producer.

Louie Lewy, Me Gotta Go

I’ve been going through old recordings on my FiOS TV DVR. How old? Last night I watched an episode of Louie that was recorded on August 2, 2012. “Whoever dies first,” says Robin Williams. Almost exactly two years later, he committed suicide.

Williams had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. An autopsy revealed Lewy Body Dementia. Then Louie C.K. pulled a “metoo” and committed career suicide, but it was temporary and he’s been back on stage for a while.