Sunday is the 117th anniversary of the birth of John Wayne and Great Action (Channel 42) is showing four of his films. Three are standard; the fourth (and first on) is more interesting (see below). Also this week, look out for several documentaries on D-Day and, Wednesday evening, all five episodes of the classic Boys from the Blackstuff on BBC 4.
CLOSE (2022) Saturday 25 May 9.00-10.40pm BBC 4 P One of last season’s successes makes its terrestrial debut. It’s a superbly judged drama about a friendship between two teenage boys that goes awry. In its quiet, very effective way, I think it could lay serious claim to being the best we showed – although the audience reaction (82%) didn’t go quite that far! THE BIG TRAIL (1930) Sunday 26 May 11.00am-1.30pm Great Action (Channel 42) Such was the authentic look of this epic wagon-train saga, when glass plates from the film were found a few years ago some thought they were original to the period. And, whilst the dialogue and the sound recording now seem primitive, there are some stunning set pieces. It was filmed in the revolutionary 70mm Grandeur process, but cinemas couldn’t afford to upgrade their equipment. Consequently, it was a box-office flop and its new star – John Wayne – spent years (and 80 films) in Poverty Row, before hitching a ride on Stagecoach (1939). And how effectively did he make the transition from swing gang and bit parts to lead actor? Pretty well, actually – some of his line delivery is awkward, but the physical presence and ease of movement were already present. Note the scene where, effortlessly, he picks up Marguerite Churchill like she weighed nothing at all. TENET (2020) Sunday 26 May 10.20pm-12.20am BBC 2 P Director Christopher Nolan is definitely flavour of the month after Oppenheimer and the BBC is showing several of his films this week. Tenet is a sci-fi puzzle involving an arms dealer (Kenneth Branagh) who can change time itself. Mr Nolan is one of a handful whose work can ease audiences away from streaming platforms and into a cinema and, in 2024, we need this more than ever.
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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. |
By David JohnsonChairman of Lyme Regis Film Society Archives
June 2024
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Updated 29.10.2024
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