18 – 24 MAY 2024

It saddens me to report the death of Roger Corman, aged 98. Recognised as the King of the B-movie, he produced and directed for more than five decades, first for American International and then (in the 1970s) for his own New World Pictures. Excluding attention-grabbing titles for the youth market (Viking Women and the Sea Serpent springs to mind), his record was impressive. He gave us The Intruder (1961, an early foray into race relations) and a fine series of Edgar Allen Poe adaptations with Vincent Price. Also, he gave early starts to Francis Ford Coppola and Martin Scorcese, and ensured that there would be American distribution deals for European art-house movies.   
DOG (2022) Saturday 18 May 9.00-10.55pm Channel 4    P             
This would have been an apt title for new release The Fall Guy. As it is, we have a decent tale (sorry) for dog lovers. Channing Tatum (who co-directs) is a former soldier with PTSD who is asked to take Lulu across country to its handler’s funeral. Will they bond? There is a good chance, I think!
THE SYSTEM (1964) Sunday 19 May 10.05-11.55pm TP (channel 82) Also Monday at 11pm             
Photographer Oliver Reed falls in love with Jane Merrow (usually busy in 1960s TV series such as Man in a Suitcase) during the summer season. Michael Winner directs and the b/w cinematography is of a very high standard, courtesy of Nicholas Roeg. Of particular interest to members is the location shooting in Devon; it isn’t televised that often – so well done Talking Pictures!
EL CID (1961) Thursday 23 May 9.00-11.50pm BBC 4             
How can Sight & Sound interview stuntman and now director David Leitch, and neither party references the legendary Yakima Canutt? He did second unit work on this epic adventure (as well as Ivanhoe, Ben-Hur and Where Eagles Dare). It has two great stars (Charlton Heston and Sophia Loren), a fine score from Miklos Rozsa, and thousands of extras . . .  in short, proper cinema!
THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING (2022) Friday 24 May 9.00-11.10pm Film Four    P             
To finish the week, we have quite a different offering from George Miller, whose reputation has been built on the Mad Max franchise. Tilda Swinton plays a lonely divorcee who releases a genie (Idris Elba); then he regales her with his tale of (you guessed it) love and longing.