TiVoPlex
TiVoPlex for March 16 2010 through March 22 2010
By John Seal
March 15, 2010
Thursday 3/18/10
6:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Tip-Off (1931 USA): Three top-notch headliners elevate this otherwise unexceptional comedy from wearisome to watchable. Eddie Quillan stars as Tommy, a young and foolish radio repairman who falls in love with dime-store clerk Baby Face (Ginger Rogers). Unfortunately for Tommy, however, Baby Face already has a man—pugilist Kayo (Robert Armstrong). Complications ensue when gangster Nick Vatelli (Ralf Harolde) tries strong-arming Kayo into joining his organization, but the inventive Tommy scares the mugs away with a radio device of his own design, and then becomes fast friends with the boxer. The Tip-Off is a bit grittier than your standard Great Depression-era comedy, but ends on a predictably happy note: someone gets married to someone else, though I won't tell you who!
5:30 PM HBO
Afghan Star (2009 GB): Hard to believe, but true: there really is a Pop Idol/American Idol-style talent show on Afghani television. This British documentary, shot on behalf of HBO by filmmaker Havana Marking, takes a look at four contestants (three men and a woman) competing for the big prize: the joy of winning. There's not a Clay Aiken or a Leona Lewis amongst them, which, of course, is very good news indeed for music fans. Also airs at 8:30 PM and on 3/22 at 6:00 PM and 9:00 PM.
Friday 3/19/10
1:20 AM Encore
Child's Play 2 (1990 USA): Once cable staples, the adventures of Chucky the Good Guy Doll haven't been rearing their ugly, roto-molded plastic heads much recently. That changes this morning with an airing of Child's Play 2, in which the Chuckster (voice of Brad Dourif), recovering from the horrific burns suffered in the first film, continues to try to steal the soul of Andy (Alex Vincent), who's a little older but not much wiser. Also on hand: Jenny Agutter and Gerrit Graham as the very unlikely couple fostering poor little Andy. Also airs at 4:20 AM.
3:45 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Las Vegas Story (1952 USA): If you want to get an early glimpse of Vegas—at a time before its transition from backwater berg to gambling capital of the nation was complete—look no further. The Las Vegas Story stars Jane Russell and Vincent Price as Linda and Lloyd Collins, a married couple stopping off in Sin City for a few days. Lloyd, a none-too-straight arrow commodities broker, is desperate to try his luck at the tables, whilst former nightclub singer Linda reconnects with old flame Dave Andrews (Victor Mature), now a police lieutenant. Meanwhile, and not coincidentally, insurance investigator Tom Hubler (Brad Dexter) has also pulled into town, and when Lloyd's dishonest ways get the better of him, murder—and insurance fraud—is the case. The first film to feature a helicopter in a chase sequence, The Las Vegas Story also features Hoagy Carmichael, Paul Frees, and Clarence Muse.
10:55 AM The Movie Channel
Conjuror (2008 USA): If you like horror movies but are sick of torture porn and zombies, you might want to give this Georgia-shot indie a chance. Written and directed by Clint Hutchison (and no, I hadn't heard of him before, either), Conjuror stars Andrew Bowen as a photographer who moves to the country to help him and his wife recover from the recent death of their child. Well, if finding that your new home is haunted by the spirit of a witch, mission accomplished! This evenly-paced, almost gore-free chiller played at Slamdance and other film fests, but sadly never got a proper theatrical release. Also airs at 1:55 PM.
Continued:
1
2
3
Print this column
