TCM Schedule for Friday, May 19, 2017 -- What's on Tonight: 1967

[Staph]

In the daylight hours, TCM is showing an unusual selection of films based on radio shows, including The Whistler, I Love A Mystery, and Dr. Crabtree. Then in prime time, we've got five more films from from the golden year of 1967. Enjoy!


6:00 AM -- THE WHISTLER (1944)
A grieving widower hires an assassin to kill him only to have his late wife turn up alive.
Dir: William Castle
Cast: Richard Dix, J. Carrol Naish, Gloria Stuart
BW-60 mins, CC,

In the film, the deaf-mute young man, who passes the message to the contract killer, is shown reading a comic book. The cover (featuring Superman and Lois Lane) clearly identifies the issue as Superman #27. The release date of this comic was about January 5, 1944, so the scene could not have been shot before that date. And that date is probably too early, since comics were generally printed in the New Jersey area and then had to be shipped by train or truck around the country. It is likely that copies would not have appeared on Hollywood newsstands until the 8th or later, perhaps not until the 12th. Of course, the scene could have been shot several weeks later than that, as Superman was bimonthly at the time and new copies of that issue could have been found on the stands up to the first week of March 1944. However, a March date for filming the scene is not likely, since according to IMDb the finished film was released on March 30, 1944. So that scene was probably filmed between January 8th and February 29th, 1944.


7:03 AM -- GUN TO GUN (1944)
This short western focuses on a ranch owner who must deal with corrupt officials over a cattle transaction.
Dir: D. Ross Lederman
Cast: Roy Bucko, John Dilson, Pedro de Cordoba
BW-18 mins,

Third episode in Warner Bros. Santa Fe Trail 2-reel Western series


7:30 AM -- THE POWER OF THE WHISTLER (1945)
A young woman seeks an amnesiac's true identity in the clues in his pockets.
Dir: Lew Landers
Cast: Richard Dix, Janis Carter, Jeff Donnell
BW-66 mins, CC,

There were eight entries in the "Whistler" series, and Richard Dix appeared in all but the last one. Unusually, he played a different character in each.


8:47 AM -- LITTLE WHITE LIE (1945)
In this short film, an orphan is uncertain whether she wants to stay with her adopted family or return to the orphanage.
Dir: Paul Burnford
Cast: Naomi Childers, Donald Curtis, Sharon McManus
BW-11 mins,

Paul (Donald Curtis) is driving a stylish 1942 Lincoln Zephyr Convertible, the last pre-war Lincoln, and a rare and beautiful bird indeed.


9:00 AM -- VOICE OF THE WHISTLER (1945)
A dying millionaire marries his nurse for companionship, only to experience a miracle cure.
Dir: William Castle
Cast: Richard Dix, Lynn Merrick, Rhys Williams
BW-60 mins, CC,

The average budget for The Whistler series was $65,000 - $75,000.


10:09 AM -- THE STUDIO MURDER MYSTERY (1932)
When the leading lady of a motion picture is murdered in the middle of a scene, two inspectors are called in to investigate in this short film. Vitaphone Release 1332-1333.
Dir: Joseph Henabery
Cast: Robert Middlemass, Walter Fenner, Thelma Tipson
BW-19 mins,

The sixth of eleven Dr. Crabtree mysteries.


10:30 AM -- THE MYSTERIOUS INTRUDER (1946)
A detective discovers the woman he's been hired to track down is the key to an unusual inheritance.
Dir: William Castle
Cast: Richard Dix, Barton MacLane, Nina Vale
BW-62 mins,

Fifth of the eight Whistler films.


11:47 AM -- SO YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR HAIR (1946)
In this comedic short, Joe McDoakes searches for any cure that will halt his disappearing hairline. Vitaphone Release 1484A.
Dir: Richard Bare
Cast: Leo White, Jack Mower, George O'Hanlon
BW-11 mins,


12:00 PM -- THE SECRET OF THE WHISTLER (1946)
An artist plots murder when his rich wife when she catches him in an affair with one of his models.
Dir: George Sherman
Cast: Richard Dix, Leslie Brooks, Michael Duane
BW-64 mins, CC,

The signature whistling at the beginning of all The Whistler movies was provided by Dorothy Roberts, backed by the theme's composer Wilbur Hatch and his orchestra.


1:13 PM -- HOLLYWOOD WONDERLAND (1947)
In this short film, tour guides take visitors on a promotional guide of Warner Brothers' studios.
Dir: Jack Scholl
Cast: Robert Arthur, Wanda Hendrix, Creighton Hale
C-16 mins,

Features musical numbers edited from earlier Warner Bros. Technicolor shorts: "The Blue Danube" from Gypsy Sweetheart "Drifting on the Rio Grande" from Swingtime in the Movies "Swinging Through the Kitchen Door" from Swingtime in the Movies "Annie Laurie" from The Changing of the Guard "Dancing is the Darndest Fun" from Ride, Cowboy, Ride "Beyond the Open Road" from Sunday Roundup.


1:30 PM -- THE RETURN OF THE WHISTLER (1948)
When a woman goes missing on the eve of her wedding, her fiancee hires a detective to track her down.
Dir: D. Ross Lederman
Cast: Michael Duane, Lenore Aubert, Richard Lane
BW-62 mins,

The only Whistler film without Richard Dix. He had suffered a heart attack during the seventh Whistler film in 1947 and died in 1949.


2:46 PM -- THE GREAT TOE MYSTERY (1914)
A jealous husband becomes angered by what he feels are the inappropriate advances of a shoe clerk toward his wife in this silent short comedy.
Cast: Charley Chase, Dixie Chene, Alice Howell
BW-11 mins,

Although he was unbilled, Chase was performing under the name of Charles Parrott at the time.


3:00 PM -- I LOVE A MYSTERY (1945)
A detective tries to protect a man who has predicted his murder will take place in three days.
Dir: Henry Levin
Cast: Jim Bannon, Nina Foch, George Macready
BW-69 mins, CC,

First of three films based on the popular radio series, 'I Love a Mystery'. The next two were The Devil's Mask (1946) and The Unknown (1946).


4:18 PM -- SO YOU THINK YOU'RE A NERVOUS WRECK (1946)
In this short film, Joe McDoakes fights his phobias and fears...and his boss. Vitaphone Release 1513A.
Dir: Richard Bare
Cast: Tex Cooper, Jack Rice, George O'Hanlon
BW-11 mins,


4:30 PM -- THE DEVIL'S MASK (1946)
A detective tries to identify a shrunken head found in a crashed cargo plane.
Dir: Henry Levin
Cast: Anita Louise, Jim Bannon, Michael Duane
BW-66 mins, CC,

Second of the three 'I Love a Mystery' thrillers, based on the popular radio series of the same name.


5:47 PM -- SURE CURES (1946)
This short film presents the folly of using "home remedies" for various ills.
Dir: Dave O'Brien
Cast: Dave O'Brien,
BW-11 mins,

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Short Subject, One-reel -- Pete Smith


6:00 PM -- THE UNKNOWN (1946)
A woman with amnesia hires two detectives to keep her alive long enough to claim her inheritance.
Dir: Henry Levin
Cast: Karen Morley, Jim Bannon, Jeff Donnell
BW-71 mins, CC,

Third and final entry in the 'I Love a Mystery' series, based on the popular radio program of the same name.


7:18 PM -- OUT OF DARKNESS (1941)
This short film focuses on the Nazi's efforts to shut down underground newspapers.
Dir: Sammy Lee
Cast: John Nesbitt, Egon Brecher, Lotte Palfi Andor
BW-11 mins,


7:30 PM -- DARK SHADOWS (1944)
This short film focuses on a psychiatrist investigating the murder of another psychiatrist.
Dir: Walter Hart
Cast: Henry O'Neill, Morris Ankrum, Arthur Space
BW-22 mins,



TCM PRIMETIME - WHAT'S ON TONIGHT: 1967



8:00 PM -- COOL HAND LUKE (1967)
A free-spirited convict refuses to conform to chain-gang life.
Dir: Stuart Rosenberg
Cast: Paul Newman, George Kennedy, J. D. Cannon
C-127 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

Won an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role -- George Kennedy

Nominated for Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role -- Paul Newman, Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium -- Donn Pearce and Frank Pierson, and Best Music, Original Music Score -- Lalo Schifrin

Originally, the scene where Luke plays "Plastic Jesus" as an ode to his mother was scheduled for the beginning of the shoot, but after Paul Newman insisted on learning the instrument, Stuart Rosenberg delayed it a few weeks. When they tried it and the playing was unsatisfactory, it was bumped until the next to last day of production. Newman and Rosenberg had a shouting match after Newman still couldn't get it down. In what Kennedy remembered as a "tense, electrically charged, quiet" place, Newman tried again. When he finished, Rosenberg called "Print." Newman insisted he could do better. "Nobody could do it better," Rosenberg replied.


10:15 PM -- BONNIE AND CLYDE (1967)
The legendary bank robbers run riot in the South of the 1930s.
Dir: Arthur Penn
Cast: Warren Beatty, Faye Dunaway, Michael J. Pollard
C-111 mins, CC,

Won Oscars for Best Actress in a Supporting Role -- Estelle Parsons, and Best Cinematography -- Burnett Guffey

Nominated for Oscars for Best Actor in a Leading Role -- Warren Beatty, Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Faye Dunaway, Best Actor in a Supporting Role -- Gene Hackman, Best Actor in a Supporting Role -- Michael J. Pollard, Best Director -- Arthur Penn, Best Writing, Story and Screenplay - Written Directly for the Screen -- David Newman and Robert Benton, Best Costume Design -- Theadora Van Runkle, and Best Picture

Warner Brothers had so little faith in the film that, in an unprecedented move, it offered its first-time producer Warren Beatty 40% of the gross instead of a minimal fee. The movie then went on to gross over $50 million.


12:15 AM -- POINT BLANK (1967)
A gangster plots an elaborate revenge on the wife and partner who did him dirty.
Dir: John Boorman
Cast: Lee Marvin, Angie Dickinson, Keenan Wynn
C-92 mins, CC, Letterbox Format

This was the first major picture to film on location at Alcatraz Island after the closure of the federal prison in 1963.


2:00 AM -- BELLE DE JOUR (1967)
A frigid young housewife decides to spend her midweek afternoons as a prostitute.
Dir: Luis Buñuel
Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Jean Sorel, Geneviève Page
C-100 mins,

"Belle de jour" is a day lily in French, a flower that blooms only by day, as Severine is available only during the afternoons. "Belle de jour" is also a sort of pun, as it reminds us of "belle de nuit", an euphemism for prostitute.


3:49 AM -- THE COMEDIANS IN AFRICA (1967)
A behind the scenes short film detailing the making of "The Comedians" (1967).
Dir: Peter Glenville
C-11 mins,


4:00 AM -- WAIT UNTIL DARK (1967)
A blind woman fights against drug smugglers who've invaded her home.
Dir: Terence Young
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Alan Arkin, Richard Crenna
C-108 mins, CC,

Nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in a Leading Role -- Audrey Hepburn

During World War II, 16-year-old Audrey Hepburn was a volunteer nurse in a Dutch hospital. During the battle of Arnhem, Hepburn's hospital received many wounded Allied soldiers. One of the injured soldiers young Audrey helped nurse back to health was a young British paratrooper - and future director - named Terence Young who more than 20 years later directed Hepburn in Wait Until Dark (1967).