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Thursday 07/02/09

8:30 AM Turner Classic Movies
Li'l Abner (1959 USA): As I've probably mentioned once or twice before, I am not a fan of 1950s musicals. The tunes tend to be too syrupy for my liking, and though the dance sequences are generally well-choreographed, they also aren't anywhere near as much fun as, say, the equivalent scenes in Gold Diggers of 1933 or 42nd Street. Li'l Abner, though...that's a different kettle of fish. Based on Al Capps' popular long running cartoon strip of the same name, Li'l Abner had already been turned into a successful Broadway show and was a natural for the big screen. Written and directed by Melvin Frank, the film features many of the original stage production's cast, but it's the script that pushes it into must-see tee-vee territory. A wickedly subversive look at '50s society, the film has fun at the expense of the redneck residents of Dogpatch, U.S.A., but also offers a takedown of their well-spoken betters, including the military men who want to evacuate Dogpatch and utilize the town as an atomic testing site. Acting highlights include Bern Hoffman's performance as hulking Earthquake McGoon, Stubby Kaye as Marryin' Sam, and the incomparable Al Nesor as zoot-suited con man Evil Eye Fleagle. Shot in widescreen and in eye-popping Technicolor, Li'l Abner is a delight from start to finish — especially for those of us who wouldn't get within a country mile of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

1:20 PM Encore Dramatic Stories
Wanted: Dead or Alive (1987 USA): A sequel of sorts to the excellent, Steve McQueen-starring television series of the same name, Wanted: Dead or Alive is a brainless time killer that manages to provide decent entertainment value whilst also playing to some rather malicious and unfortunate racial stereotypes. Rutger Hauer is Nick Randall, the great-grandson of McQueen's character, who must come out of espionage retirement to stop the deadly activities of Arab terrorist Malak Al Rahim (Knights In Satan's Service rocker Gene Simmons). Al Rahim doesn't seem to have much in the way of motivation, but as we are taught from an early age, Arabs just like to blow stuff up, so who needs back story? Incidentally, I find it quite interesting that Jewish and/or Israeli actors are frequently cast as Arabic killers in movies of this ilk — there's an interesting film studies thesis lurking hereabouts! Anyhoo, if you can overlook the stereotypes and appreciate the film as a broad, silly thriller, you'll probably enjoy it. Look for Robert Guillaume as one of Randall's fellow CIA operatives.

7:00 PM Sundance
Apres Lui (2003 FRA): Catherine Deneuve stars in this intense French drama from director Gael Morel. Deneuve plays Camille, a bookseller and loving mother who loses her young adult son in a car wreck and begins to obsess about his (still living) best friend Franck (Thomas Dumerchez). Camille wants to help Franck, and hires the lad to work in her shop, but things get out of hand when she decides to stalk him during his holiday in Portugal. Deneuve is excellent and the film features impressive cinematography from Jean-Max Bernard, but its tale of Oedipal Complex by Proxy probably isn't for everyone. Also airs 7/6 at 12:45 AM.

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