Shadowy and Satiny Picks for TCM’s Summer Under the Stars
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – I’m always sad to see August roll around, because it signals the beginning of the end of summer . . . but it’s also my favorite month of the year because it gives us TCM’s Summer Under the Stars! In case you’re not familiar with this month-long celebration, each day features a different classic film star, and serves up 24 hours of their films, back-to-back-to back. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this annually anticipated experience.
The 2022 event features seven stars who are first-time honorees: Jacqueline Bissett, Jack Carson, Laurence Harvey, Maureen O’Sullivan, Gilbert Roland, Ruth Roman, and Raquel Welch. Also in the first-time category are several films that have never been shown on TCM, including Uptown Saturday Night (1974) for Sidney Poitier Day, Meet Danny Wilson (1952) for Shelley Winters, and The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu (1980) for Peter Sellers. Each year, I have my favorite days, and this year is no exception. I’m especially looking forward to Greta Garbo (August 10), Joan Crawford (August 20), and Constance Bennett (August 22).
Normally, in this spot on the first of the month, I offer one Shadowy (film noir) and one Satiny (pre-Code) TCM recommendation, but this month, in honor of Summer Under the Stars, I’m listing a veritable treasure trove of noir and pre-Code films that I urge you to put on your must-see calendar for August:
Shadowy Picks:
The Window (1949) and Strangers on a Train (1951): Ruth Roman Day – August 4
The Big Clock (1948): Maureen O’Sullivan Day – August 8
He Ran All the Way (1951): Shelley Winters Day – August 18
Mildred Pierce (1945) and The Damned Don’t Cry (1950): Joan Crawford Day – August 20
The Strip (1951): Mickey Rooney Day – August 23 (This one, I’ll admit, is a sentimental favorite. It features the song “A Kiss to Build a Dream On.” I fell for this tune the very first time I heard it, and spent close to an hour winding and re-winding my VHS tape, writing down the lyrics so I could learn every word. I still love it to this day – and the movie’s pretty good, too!)
The Asphalt Jungle (1950) and Clash By Night (1952): Marilyn Monroe Day – August 27
Satiny Picks:
Skyscraper Souls (1932): Maureen O’Sullivan Day – August 8
Queen Christina (1933): Greta Garbo Day – August 10
Grand Hotel (1932): Joan Crawford Day – August 20
The Easiest Way (1931) and What Price Hollywood? (1932): Constance Bennett Day – August 22
The Animal Kingdom (1932) and When Ladies Meet (1933): Myrna Loy Day – August 29
Click here for the full month’s schedule – and happy Summering Under the Stars!
shadowsandsatin 