5 - 11 AUGUST 2023

n talks he was giving to film students 10 years ago, even Steven Spielberg expressed concern that a studio “would rather invest $250m in one film for a real shot at the brass ring” than back more personal projects. Indeed, he stated for the record that Lincoln (shown at the Regent in February 2013) only earned a theatrical release because of the clout he had with the production companies. In the early 1970s, he had started his career working in television. At the time, Universal (his employer) was the most powerful operator in the medium. One of the studio’s most successful shows in those cheesy days, The Six Million Dollar Man, starts a rerun on Legend next Tuesday evening. Mr Spielberg was quite right, of course, although he did not predict that, by 2023, six million wouldn’t even cover a top footballer’s wages. Should Mbappé go to Saudi Arabia he will earn £19 a second . . .  
THE LONE RANGER (1956) Saturday 5 August 3.00-4.50pm Legend (Channel 41)         
Hi-yo Silver and away . . . Such was the popularity of the TV series, WB decided that a colour feature with the same actors might be profitable. The plot – the baddies, led by Lyle Bettger, are after the Indians’ silver – is perfunctory but entertaining. A sequel, The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold, followed in 1958 and Legend is showing it Wednesday afternoon. A double DVD was released in 2013 because ‘the team that brought you Pirates of the Caribbean’ had just spent around $200m on an update. With apologies to Johnny Depp, there was only one Tonto (Jay Silverheels) and one Lone Ranger (Clayton Moore). Moore’s fondness, and respect, for the character, in later life, was actually more interesting than the films. In costume, he had continued to open supermarkets and nurture American youth until in the late 70s the copyright holder took legal action. A public outcry followed and the Masked Man rode again soon after! Spielberg opens The Fabelmans with archive footage involving Lyle Bettger, who was the consummate ‘let others do the dirty work’ villain of the era.
CLEMENCY (2019) Tuesday 8 August 11.15pm-1.00am BBC 2         
I wrote about this drama when it had its first showing in early March, but I make no apology for including it again. Alfre Woodard is superb as the warden who has to deal with the consequences of the imposition of the death penalty. 
C’MON C’MON (2021) Wednesday 9 August 11.10pm-1.25am Film four    P         
Another near miss from a recent questionnaire has come to Freeview. Joaquin Phoenix is a radio producer who sets out on a road trip with his 9-year-old nephew. It was filmed in b/w. 
 TOP HAT (1935) Thursday 10 August 10.40pm-12.15am BBC 4             
What is there not to like about the quintessential Astaire-Rogers musical? It is witty, romantic, has fantastic set design and memorable songs. Members still rated it 89% over 50 years after its initial release!