10 - 16 FEB 2024

Haunted house dramas did not start with The Amityville Horror in 1979 (yes, I saw it on release, but haven’t been watching the Origin Story currently on BBC 2) or even the splendid The Haunting in 1963. I have just pre-ordered the original The Cat and the Canary (1927) from Eureka; I have seen Bob Hope’s 1939 version and the 1978 update, but not this one. The director Paul Leni died much too young – of blood poisoning in 1929 – as did F.W. Murnau, of course; he was killed in a car crash in 1931.   
AFTERSUN (2022) Sunday 11 February 10.00-11.35pm BBC 2    P             
!! Well, would you Adam and Eve it – the Freeview premiere for our lowest-rated film ever! Actually, some members (not many) have been wondering if they misjudged the film, so it gives us an opportunity to take another look. It might just play better on TV, too, and subtitles will help compensate for those Scottish accents. The Radio Times gives it 4 stars and is another media outlet that says it “leaves a lasting impression”.
BLACK TUESDAY (1954) Sunday 11 February 10.05-11.45pm TP (Channel 82)             
We have a clash this evening, so Aftersun might have to be postponed to later on BBC iPlayer. (Black Tuesday is repeated on Thursday, but see the final entry below.) This film is a short, ferocious and rare crime drama starring Edward G. Robinson. He and Peter Graves play convicts who escape from death row. I haven’t seen it, and can hardly wait!
THE ETERNAL MEMORY (2023) Tuesday 13 February 10.00-11.25pm BBC 4    P             
The Eternal Memory is a moving and sensitive documentary from Storyville. Actor (and politician) Paulina Urrutia allowed a film crew to document her husband’s fight against Alzheimer’s.  It has been nominated for a 2024 Oscar. Pablo Larrain (Jackie and No) supported the project as a producer, and director Maite Alberdi’s The Mole Agent was equally well received.  
ONE DAY (2011) Wednesday 14 February 6.40-9.00pm Film Four             
Happy Valentine’s Day! Even if you agree that, structurally, it needs the new Netflix 14-parter to do justice to David Nicholls’ novel, there is still enjoyment to be had watching the cinema original. It had a successful run at the Regent, as I recall.
THE LAST LETTER FROM YOUR LOVER (2021) Wednesday 14 February 10.40pm-12.25pm BBC 2    P             
Reminiscent – in a modest way – of The French Lieutenant’s Woman in that it weaves the present day with past events. A journalist uncovers some love letters from the 1960s; cue flashbacks to the time and place.
THE THREE FACES OF EVE (1957) Thursday 15 February 9.00-10.30pm BBC 4                 
Joanne Woodward won an Oscar for her performance as a young married mother with split personalities. It isn’t as well known as other films of that era, but is worth a look. Who knows – in another life, LRFS might have programmed it!