The magnetic force of Burt Lancaster

TCM’s yearly Summer Under the Stars festival is now underway, with each day in August dedicated to a different star for 24 hours. Today’s star is Burt Lancaster, him of the countless teeth that were usually bared in a jolly or menacing smile; it could even be both at times.  One of his films airing …

First time at the rodeo: The Lusty Men (1952)

Nicholas Ray's The Lusty Men shares traits with some of his finest films; it's tough, bleak, tender, and unexpectedly poetic. The devastation of this one film is swift and total. It's one of the films being shown as part of Susan Hayward's 24 hour marathon for Summer Under the Stars. Indisputably one of the greatest …

High Barbaree (1947): No beginning and no end

June Allyson is TCM's star of the day, one of the last as August draws to a close. A perpetually sunny screen personality, most of the movies in today's lineup reflect that. The one exception is my recommendation, High Barbaree, her second film with best friend and frequent co-star Van Johnson. It is my favorite …

Summer Under the Stars: Ricardo Montalban double feature

For those who don't know, Ricardo Montalban is one of my movie husbands. Handsome, suave, distinct voice, devout Catholic, a faithful husband who adored his wife Georgie unto death. He's just the ideal. I know that for many, he's Khan from Star Trek. Having never watched the series, he's forever the dreamy Old Hollywood star …

Summer Under the Stars: Sidney Poitier in The Defiant Ones (1958)

Sidney Poitier occupies a very unique place in Hollywood history. As one of the few black actors to gain prestige during the Golden Era, he's a heroic figure. He paved the way for so many talented men and women who came after him. And that's noteworthy because neither his career nor his life were sacrificed …

Summer Under the Stars: Eleanor Parker in The Woman in White (1948)

It's Eleanor Parker day on TCM today, and my recommendation is The Woman in White (1948). My love for this film simply can't be overestimated. It airs at 2 am, which is the perfect time for a film as eerie as this one. Based on the 1859 novel by Wilkie Collins, this mystery film also …

Summer Under the Stars: Robert Mitchum at 100

"The beauty of that man. He's so still. He's moving and he's not moving." -Lee Marvin Robert Mitchum was both actor and movie star, and he didn't care about either. Possibly Hollywood's best beloved bad boy, he once served time in jail on a marijuana charge. It only enhanced his glamorous bad boy persona. In …

Summer Under the Stars: Gene Kelly in Inherit the Wind (1960)

Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with Gene Kelly. I, who had been courted by Fred Astaire, found my loyalties shifting. Yes, I can and do love both. Their different styles deserve to be celebrated, and both contributed to the Hollywood musical in innumerable, undisputed ways. But I'm a Gene Kelly girl now. …

Audrey Hepburn: Star of the Month

Audrey Hepburn, the star of my heart, gets a month long tribute in June on TCM! As a perfect antidote to Monday doldrums, TCM will be airing her films on every Monday throughout the month. Thanks to Keisha, who first announced the news on twitter, I also have a schedule of what films will be …