21 - 27 OCTOBER 2023

The media has recently reported the passing of two industry personnel, the names of whom should be familiar to members. British director Terence Davies - by all accounts a gentle, if tortured, soul -  gave a lyricism to working-class life, particularly in Distant Voices Still Lives (1988), which few of his colleagues have matched. It is a great shame that his films didn’t enjoy a wider acceptance by the public. And, alas, this is reflected by the voting on the films we have shown: The Deep Blue Sea (65%) and A Quiet Passion (57%). In the case of actor Piper Laurie, she is best known for her roles in Carrie (1976), Children of a Lesser God (1986) and her Emmy-nominated performance in the TV series Twin Peaks. She began her career as a ‘contract starlet’ at Universal-International at the same time as Lori Nelson, Tony Curtis and Rock Hudson. In fact she co-starred with Tony Curtis in at least four movies, starting with The Prince Who Was a Thief (1951). According to Mr Curtis, their teaming in this was so popular the studio offered him $30,000 to marry her. However, his dislike of Ms Laurie proved too strong – and he was soon to marry Janet Leigh.   
DREAM HORSE (2020) Saturday 21 October 9.25-11.40pm Channel 4    P              
Based on actual events, Dream Horse stars Toni Collette and Owen Teale as a wife and husband with little money, who put together a syndicate to raise and own a race horse. You don’t even have to like the ‘sport of kings’ to be thoroughly entertained!  
THE GRAVEDIGGER’S WIFE (2021) Sunday 22 October 1.45-3.10am Channel 4    P       
We wanted to programme this drama, for members, in February 2024, but the computer-file format was a risk for us. Set in Somalia (and a boost for film-making there), the gravedigger of the title returns to his home village to raise money for his wife’s operation. It is a worthy addition to Channel 4’s Black and Proud season. You will need to set your recorder Saturday evening, though – or watch it later on their streaming platform!
JULIUS CAESAR (1953) Sunday 22 October 12noon-2pm BBC 2           
Julius Caesar is regarded widely as one of the best screen adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. The key factor is that it was made at MGM and their resources were second to none. Joseph L. Mankiewicz was a top director (he also adapted the screenplay), the set design won an Oscar and the cast includes Marlon Brando, James Mason (as Brutus), Greer Garson, Deborah Kerr and John Gielgud. There is a repeat 9pm Thursday evening.
THE GANG’S ALL HERE (1939) Thursday 26 October 3.10-4.50pm TP (Channel 82)            
This is not the 1943 Busby Berkeley musical starring Alice Faye, but a rarer UK offering starring Jack Buchanan, a Scottish actor/singer/dancer who was very popular in the 1920s and 1930s. He co-produced this private-eye drama (a follow-up to 1937’s Smash and Grab) that was re-titled The Amazing Mr Forrest for the American market. He and Googie Withers make a good team.