Every year in August, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) celebrates a different actor each day by showcasing various pictures from their filmography. Starting bright and early at 6am August 1st running straight through the 31st, viewers may expect to find an eclectic mix of masterpieces, forgotten films, and uncovered gems from a specific Hollywood star.

by Rosalie Kicks, Old Sport & Editor in Chief

The second week of TCM Summer Under The Stars programming brings a lot of films and actors that I have yet to do deep dives on. I am looking forward to the discovery of some new favorite motion pictures. Below are my must watches for week two, and in case you missed it, find my picks from last week here. If you decide to join me under the stars, shoot me a note and let me know what you’ll be checking out old sport!

Rosalie (1937)
Airs 9:45 AM

As a small child, I recall going to amusement park gift shops and searching for my name on a tchotchke such as a key chain, bracelet, or pencil. Sadly, I would inevitably leave with the name of the amusement park emblazoned on the souvenir instead. My name was simply not in fashion unless you time travel back to the nineteen thirties. I’ve seen Rosalie before, but for obvious reasons had to add it to the list. Eleanor Powell is a most excellent hoofer and plays the delightful character Rosalie, who falls in love with a military trainee. Unbeknownst to him, Rosalie is actually a European Princess.

The motion picture is stuffed to the brim with plot which is cause for a bloated runtime. However, the grand dance sequences and costumes make up for it. My favorite aspect is the pleasure of hearing my name pronounced correctly. To find a film that shares your name is quite thrilling and even with the faults Rosalie still managed to tap its way into my heart. I also was enthralled with Frank Morgan’s ventriloquist dummy Nappy, which was an exact replica of himself. What a splendid idea.

Honolulu (1939)
Airs 9:45 AM

This movie sold me with its title. I adore Hawaii and am hoping this motion picture can provide me with the feeling of being there. When a Tinseltown star needs a break from his hectic rat-race life, he flees to Hawaii and switches places with a farmer for several weeks. I am always down for a switch-a-roo tale.

Born To Dance (1936)
Airs 2:00 AM

Born To Dance has a promising cast that look to be decked out in sequins, glitter, and feathers. While on leave, a sailor falls head over heels for a gal who dreams of being a Broadway hoofer. Things get rocky when a big time Broadway starlet becomes smitten with him. James Stewart and Virginia Bruce join Eleanor Powell in her first starring role which, from the look of the stills, promises to be a glorious watch.

Lonelyhearts (1958)
Airs 7:45 AM

I have seen a few Monty Clift pictures and, overall, I enjoyed them, in particular a trio that are part of Summer Under The Stars: The Heiress, Suddenly Last Summer and the Alfred Hitchcock, I Confess. Lonelyhearts intrigued me due to Monty playing a journo that takes on a role as an advice columnist. I love stories about newspaper reporters and with a tagline “His name was Adam… but he wasn’t the first man to to yield to temptation!”, I feel this flick has the potential to be a humdinger. Another interesting tidbit is that Lonelyhearts is directed by Vincent J. Donehue, who happens to be the filmmaker that made one of my favorite versions of Peter Pan - the nineteen sixty television movie starring Mary Martin.

Freud (1962)
Airs 11:30 AM

Freud caught my eye for two specific reasons: it was directed by John Huston and features hypnosis. Clift plays psychologist Sigmund Frued and the film shares the story about when he began treat people that suffered from hysteria, with the method of hypnotism. This was the second to last film Montgomery made and am hoping for a compelling picture.

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
Airs 6:00 PM

This is one of those flicks that I have been meaning to watch for years as it often pops up on “best of” lists. Starring Meryl Streep and Dustin Hoffman, Kramer vs. Kramer is about a wife that is fed up with her husband’s overly consuming work life so much so, that she decides to leave him. This forces her spouse to learn the ropes of everyday housekeeping, caring for himself, and their young son. Upon her return to the home and desire to see their son, it leads to a bitter custody dispute. I’ve always found the subject of this picture to be heavy and somewhat off-putting. Hope I don’t regret hitting play on this one.

Silkwood (1983)
Airs 1:00 AM

I had never heard of this Mike Nichols directed movie until I began making my Summer Under The Stars selections. Silkwood, shares the story of Karen Silkwood, an employee at a plutonium processing plant, who is deliberately poisoned, mentally tortured, and almost killed in order to keep her from sharing the truth about the safety of the working conditions. This based on a true story seems like it will be intense and includes two stellar co-stars, Kurt Russell and Cher, giving it promise that it will be a great watch.

Ironweed (1987)
Airs 3:30 AM

Ironweed had me with the mention of it taking place on Halloween. I absolutely cherish spooky season and love when a picture features a fall setting. Starring Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson, the film centers around an alcoholic, Francis Phelan (Jack Nicholson) whom returns to his hometown on Halloween after being away for many years.

My Favorite Wife (1940)
Airs 10:15 PM

I have always had a fondness for Cary Grant. When I first started watching classic film, he was one of my first dead guy crushes. My Favorite Wife has been on my watch list for years and I look forward to finally catching it. When his wife, Ellen (Irene Dunne), is presumed dead due to a shipwreck, Nick Arden (Cary Grant) decides to remarry after seven years of loneliness. On the day of his second marriage, Ellen returns home and has some surprises of her own. This appears like it will be a fun rump filled with antics and Cary Grant charm.

Room For One More (1952)
Airs 12:00 AM

Well, Room For One More is sure to pull on my heartstrings. George (Cary Grant) and Anna Rose (Betsy Drake) foster disadvantaged kids and try to give them a better life. When they adopt a depressed teenage girl and a disabled boy, the Rose couple find the duo may be more than they can handle.

None But The Lonely Heart (1944)
Airs 12:00 AM

As much as I admire Cary Grant, what drew me to None But The Lonely Heart was that the motion picture also features Dan Duryea as Lew Tate. Duryea always manages to give a memorable performance, even if his screen time is minimal. When wayfarer, Ernie Mott (Cary Grant) returns home to help his mom (Ethel Barrymore) with her failing business, they find that the only way to stop from going under is to turn to crime. In looking up the director, Clifford Odets, I was surprised to find that he only directed None But The Lonely Heart and one other picture from nineteen fifty-nine, entitled The Story on Page One. I was also elated to find that he was from Philadelphia and the inspiration for the titular character, Barton Fink. I love learning stuff like this and have definitely added Clifford to my list of corpses I want to dig up on my movie podcast, Cinematic Crypt.

Our Dancing Daughters (1928)
Airs 10:30 AM

I have only watched one Anita Page picture - Our Blushing Brides (1930). I’ll come clean though, it was not Anita that drew me to that particular movie; it was Joan Crawford. Which is also the reason that Our Dancing Daughters was added to my watch list on letterboxd five years ago. With Joan Crawford starring in this pre-code drama, I know Our Dancing Daughters will be something to behold. A story of flappers that vie to nab a millionaire at any cost. I am sure this will be a raucous good time and I am hoping that by the time the film ends, I’ll be a new fan of Anita Page.

Under Eighteen (1932)
Airs 3:15 PM

Under Eighteen is another pre-code flick in which a young woman, Margie Evans (Marian Marsh) is willing to do whatever it takes to help her sister pay for a divorce lawyer. Set during the depression, my guess is that this will not be an uplifting tale.

Prosperity (1932)
Airs 6:30 PM

After their children marry, two women find their friendship turned upside down when become mother in-laws. I’d like to believe that after watching Under Eighteen, this pre-code this will come in with the laughter.

Seven Days…Seven Nights (1960)
Airs 2:15 PM

Much like Anita Page, I have not yet delved into Jean-Paul Belmondo’s filmography. At the present time, I have only seen one of his pictures; the famed nineteen sixty Breathless. Therefore, I was pretty much game for watching any of the flicks featured on Summer Under The Stars. Seven Days…Seven Nights moved to the top of my list, though, with the promise of murder. Anne (Jeanne Moreau), an affluent lady who witnesses a murder in a cafe, returns the next day and meets a fellow witness, Chauvin (Jean-Paul Belmondo). Chauvin shares more information about the event with her and the two find themselves falling for one another. Based on the description, this flick sounds like it could be a bit twisted, so of course I am intrigued.

Borsalino (1970)
Airs 1:45 AM

Being set in 1930s France and co-starring Alain Delon, Borsalino grabbed my attention. Delon and Belmondo play two small time grifters that meet after they fight over a lady and decide to set their feelings aside and team up instead. Borsalino seems like it will be a fun time and based on the trailer the production design looks like a feast for the eyes.

The Naked Street (1955)
Airs 6:00 AM

Another picture with a character named Rosalie! Anne Bancroft plays Rosalie Regalzyk, who finds herself pregnant by a murderer (Farley Granger). Her brother, Phil (Anthony Quinn) a New York mobster, does everything in his power to get him sprung from jail. The Naked Street has the potential to be absolutely wild and I am very much looking forward to checking it out.

Agnes of God (1980)
Airs 4:00 PM

When Agnes (Meg Tilly), a demure nun, is found with a dead newborn, a psychiatrist, Dr. Martha Livingston (Jane Fonda) is sent to the convent to conduct an investigation. I have an affinity towards stories about nuns. There is something very mysterious about those that choose to follow this path, and when a nun tale involves a dead body - no matter the age - that is simply icing on the cake.

The Pumpkin Eater (1965)
Airs 6:00 PM

I’ve wanted to watch The Pumpkin Eater for quite some time due to the director being behind one of my favorite motion pictures, The Innocents (1961). Anne Bancroft plays Jo, a mother of five that jumps from husband to husband. It is not clear what she is seeking but it appears that her philandering leads her to suffer from mental health issues. The subject matter may be grim, but I look forward to seeing Anne showcase her acting skills in this character study.