20 - 26 APRIL 2024

This week sees celebrations for the 60th birthday of BBC 2 get underway. And, whilst we must give thanks for classics like Fawlty Towers and the ground-breaking series Civilisation, the wave of nostalgia that is enveloping me, as I write, is taking my focus elsewhere. Namely - on a Monday evening – we watched The High Chaparral, Alias Smith and Jones (“that’s a good deal?”) and Lancer. Plus, I would seek out the Saturday Western (unless Burnley were at home), and then there was the Midnight Movie which was my introduction to more adult fare. Anyway, this week is not so much light as non-existent but there are, at least, three golden oldies to enjoy.
THE GOLD RUSH (1925) Saturday 20 April 1.00-2.45pm Sky Arts (Ch 36)             
Sky Arts began its Chaplin season last Saturday with The Kid (1921) – a great film, but The Gold Rush is better and quintessential Chaplin. Some have challenged his reputation in recent times and, technically, Keaton might be a better director but – let’s be clear – Chaplin was a genius and a true cinema great. The film has a repeat showing on Sunday evening.
KIND HEARTS AND CORONETS (1949) Wednesday 24 April 11.00am-1.10pm Film Four             
For many, this is the greatest of all the great Ealing comedies. Alec Guinness is phenomenal, in eight roles, as the D’Ascoyne family – all of whom stand in the way of cad Dennis Price inheriting their title and land. I highlight it this week because, as part of 75th anniversary celebrations, a Once More with Ealing season will soon be in UK cinemas – and hopefully in a cinema near us!
NO NAME ON THE BULLET (1959) Wednesday 24 April 2.25-4.00pm 5 Action (Channel 33)             
This is probably Audie Murphy’s most unusual western and, certainly, is one of his best. Here darkly attired, Audie – as killer John Gant – arrives in town and paranoia sets in shortly afterwards. Why? Well, none of the citizens knows which one of them he has been hired to kill . . . .