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7:00 PM Flix
Louie Bluie (1985 USA): This Terry Zwigoff-helmed documentary examines the life and times of Howard "Louie Bluie" Armstrong (not to be confused with Louis Armstrong), an African-American fiddle player who entertained generations of Chicagoans from the 1930s through the 1970s. Zwigoff tracked Armstrong down in the early '80s, after he had relocated to Detroit, and records his observations herein (Armstrong would live until 2003, when he was well into his 90s). It’s a loosely structured salute to a genre-defying musician who was also an artist and amateur philosopher, and will be best appreciated by admirers of films such as American Splendor and Zwigoff’s own Crumb. Especially noteworthy: Armstrong’s jam with Banjo Ikey Robinson, whose 1930s hit My Four Reasons is performed herein with great gusto.

Friday 03/25/11

1:30 AM Turner Classic Movies
Synanon (1965 USA): Here’s something pretty special: Columbia Pictures' forgotten "salute" to the once trendy Synanon rehab center, which came to prominence in the mid-'60s before being revealed as little more than a cult a decade later. Directed by Richard Quine, the film was shot on location and is an adulatory salute to the center and its work with recovering junkies. Alex Cord stars as Zankie, a strung-out newbie forced to go cold turkey whilst exchanging sob stories with fellow smackheads played by Chuck Connors, Eartha Kitt, Richard Conte, and Stella Stevens. He also crosses swords with cult leader — sorry, Synanon director — Charles Dederich (played in the film by a bloated Edmond O’Brien), whilst hairdresser Jay Sebring, later a murder victim of the Manson cult, makes a cameo appearance as Synanon’s barber. It’s not quite as lurid as you might hope, but remains a fascinating reflection of America’s attitudes towards addiction and recovery during the not so swingin’ '60s.

11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Carnival Magic (1982 USA): This appalling yet strangely appealing film actually debuted on TCM last Halloween, but somehow I overlooked it at the time. To the delight of dozens, Carnival Magic now makes an encore appearance! It’s a children’s film directed by the infamous Al Adamson, a name that strikes fear in the hearts of cineastes and glee in those of a more psychotronic persuasion. The film stars one-time child actor Don Stewart as Markov the Magician, whose talking monkey is threatened by a jealous competitor eager to see the simian seconded to scientists set on discovering the secret of its surprising ability. Seriously! Shot for peanuts in North Carolina and co-starring buxom Regina Carrol (Mrs. Al Adamson), Carnival Magic was thought lost for years but is now available on Blu-Ray. Thank God for home video.

Saturday 03/26/11

7:30 AM Turner Classic Movies
Spook Chasers (1957 USA): For approximately the umpteenth time, the Bowery Boys have a run-in with the supernatural. In this outing, Sach, Duke, and Chuck get stuck in a spooky old house during inclement weather and find themselves threatened by gorillas, ghosts, and — surprise — gangsters. Yep, the old dark house is actually a cover for robbers looking to scare away prying intruders. Betcha didn’t see that plot development coming.

7:00 PM IFC
The Human Centipede (2009 HOL): I know I wrote last week that, due to IFC’s short-sighted decision to air commercial breaks during film broadcasts, I would only recommend films screening on the channel in exceptional circumstances. I jettisoned AMC and Bravo for the same reason and haven’t regretted it. So it is with some reluctance that I give the channel’s programming a mention this week — but when the programming in question involves a movie the likes of The Human Centipede, allowances must be made. Widely considered one of the grossest horror films of recent vintage, it’s the story of Dr. Heiter (Dieter Laser), a mad scientist who grafts people together, anus to mouth, to create the titular monster. And with that charming image in your mind, I leave you to your own devices. Airs again 3/27 at 1:00 AM.

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