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6:00 AM Turner Classic Movies
Purple Noon (1960 FRA): Yeah, it’s looking like it’s going to be one of those TCM kinda weeks. Like I’ve said before, don’t blame me, blame TCM, who consistently hire the best programmers in the business. This superb Rene Clement adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley features the immaculately-coiffed Alain Delon (to paraphrase singer-songwriter Jyoti Mishra, I wish I had his hair) as Tom Ripley, the young man hired to sniff out playboy and ne’er-do-well Philippe Greenleaf (Maurice Ronet). Superb Henri Decae cinematography, a top-notch score by Nino Rota, and sexy love interest Marie Laforet add up to an essential film-going experience that will please cineastes and mystery fans alike.

5:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
There’s Always Tomorrow (1956 USA): Fans of Douglas Sirk admire the director’s penchant for florid romantic melodrama, and despite being in black and white this Universal production fits the bill. Fred MacMurray goes somewhat against type as Clifford Groves, a Pasdena toy mogul tired of being a loyal husband and father. Left to his devices when spouse Marion (Joan Bennett) is off entertaining the kiddies one evening, Clifford finds temptation thrust in his way by a surprise visit from old friend Norma (Barbara Stanwyck), who he promptly takes to the theater. From there, you can probably guess the story’s narrative arc, but the film’s predictability doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. Yes, There’s Always Tomorrow is soap, but soap of the highest quality (none of that gritty stuff you get in gas station restrooms!), and it’s fun to see MacMurray and Stanwyck paired up for a third and final time.

Friday 5/10/13

Midnight The Movie Channel
Quadrophenia (1979 GB): The film that temporarily convinced teenage me that being a mod was cooler than being a punk, Quadrophenia was adapted for the big screen from The Who's classic double LP of the same name. Directed by Franc Roddam, it stars newcomer Phil Daniels (who briefly parlayed the role into a musical career with his group The Cross) as Jimmy, a pill-popping teenager desperate for kicks and determined not to settle for Mum and Dad's boring, nine to five working class lifestyle. Like most teen lads, spotty faced Jimmy is also trying to pull the birds, including sexy Steph (Leslie Ash), but has a hard time competing with the sharply dressed and smooth complected competition, including Ace Face (Sting), the reticent figurehead leader of the local scooter club. A day trip to Brighton soon beckons, of course, and the inevitable battle between the Vespa-riding Mods and their greasy-haired, Norton mounted enemies, the Rockers, leads Jimmy to a tragic turning point. I was 17 when Quadrophenia came out, and it's safe to say the film changed my life about as much as any film can change anyone's life. For one thing it led to some truly embarrassing behavior, such as chanting "we are the Mods, we are the Mods, we are, we are, we are the Mods" on the way out of the cinema. Yikes. Also airs at 3:00 AM.

12:30 AM Turner Classic Movies
Man On Fire (1957 USA): Ready for another dose of ‘50s family feuding? Here’s Ranald MacDougall’s Man On Fire, in which Bing Crosby plays yet another successful businessman, this one coping with the fallout from an ugly divorce. Der Bingle is factory owner Earl Carleton, whose ex-wife Gwen (Mary Fickett, in the first of her two big screen appearances) is trying to win custody of son Ted (Malcolm Brodrick, also in the first of his two big screen appearances). Naturally, things get ugly – and matters aren’t helped much when Earl turns to drink to cope with the stress. Though no Long Weekend, Man On Fire provided Crosby a rare opportunity to essay a serious role, and he doesn’t embarrass himself. Look for William Schallert as a court stenographer!

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