Thursday Thirteen #71: Reasons Why I Love Turner Classic Movies

This month, Turner Classic Movies is celebrating its 15th anniversary. If I had to get rid of all my cable channels but one, TCM would be the keeper. I can get my news, sports, and many of the scripted series that I watch online. However, TCM is the only place on the dial that pays tribute to classic film dating back to the silent era all the way up to the 21st century. While many channels have lost their way in an effort to attract a younger demographic, TCM remembers what it was that made them popular in the first place. Although TCM has added newer films to its schedule in recent years, it hasn't kicked the older favorites to the curb in the process.

It's a pleasure any time I get the chance to pimp TCM. Because it's becoming increasingly rare that TV execs actually give a damn about their audience, I think it's important to make note when a channel gets it right. Below in no particular order are 13 reasons why I love Turner Classic Movies.

1. It airs movies uninterrupted and commercial free- One thing that turns me off is when channels butcher theatrical films by either tossing in commercial breaks haphazardly or compressing them so that they fit into a 2 hour time slot. TCM airs movies in their entirety. They also don't clutter up the closing credits of movies with the dreaded "split screen" process.

2. Shows films in letterbox format whenever possible. This means that when you watch a widescreen spectacle like Ben-Hur on TCM, you are seeing it the way the director intended. Below is a short explaining why the letterbox format is better than the pan and scan process:

3. Hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz- Although Robert and Ben have two different styles when it comes to hosting (Robert exudes old-Hollywood sophistication, while Ben has a devil-may-care approach), they share a common love of movies that comes through clearly during their on-screen introductions and closing discussions of the films they present.

4. Images in Film series- In the past, TCM has done month long film festivals spotlighting the changes in the way that certain groups have been portrayed in the movies. Previously, they've done retrospectives on the big screen portrayal of African Americans, Asians, and gay/lesbians. In May, TCM will continue this tradition with its Latino Images in Film Festival.

5. Summer Under the Stars- Every August, TCM suspends its regular schedule for a special "month of stars", featuring entire days devoted to a single star, offering movies and specials pertaining to the star of the day. It's an excellent way to enjoy movies by your favorite stars or to look at a performer in a whole new light. Last year, I took the opportunity to discover the work of silent film icon Charlie Chaplin.

6. TCM Underground- This weekly cult film showcase airs Friday nights at 2 am EST (unless pre-empted by special programming). Since debuting in 2006, TCM Underground has presented such cult classics as Ed Wood's Plan 9 From Outer Space, Ladies and Gentleman, The Fabulous Stains starring Diane Lane and Laura Dern, the Monkees' only feature film Head, and Freaks.

7. Celebration of the obscure- Instead of always going for the obvious, TCM makes an effort to spotlight films and artists that many people may not know. Last year, the channel paid tribute to the work of African-American director Charles Burnett. On April 8th, TCM will honor the work of photographer turned director Morris Engel. I had never heard of Mr. Engel so I am looking forward to discovering his work.

8. 31 Days of Oscar- Every Academy Awards season, TCM sets aside its regular programming to spotlight movies that are either Oscar winners or nominees. Along with famous Oscar winners, TCM also features lesser known films that may have received only 1 nomination.

9. "What A Character" profiles- In between films, TCM occasionally profiles the careers of character actors. Although some of these performers never became household names, TCM recognizes that they were very important to a film's success. Some of the character actors that they've featured include S.Z. Sakall, Edna May Oliver, Conrad Veidt, and Marjorie Main.

10. TCM's Guest Programmer of the Month. Each month, TCM turns over its library to a famous person and lets them play programmer for the night. The star sits down with host Robert Osborne and discusses their film picks and why they chose them. It's cool to watch a celeb as their eyes light up while talking about which films have made an impression on them. Some of the celebs who've had the honor of being guest programmers on TCM are Sally Field, director John Landis, boxer Evander Holyfield, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, and Tracey Ullman. This month, TCM is taking a break from the famous by allowing 15 fan programmers the opportunity to share their film favorites. These special blocks will air from April 13-April 17 starting at 8 pm EST.

11. It tries to get the younger generation interested in classic movies. In 2007, TCM launched "Funday Night at the Movies" and featured such family oriented classics as The Wizard of Oz, Sounder, and Singing In the Rain. The following year, the cable channel debuted a youth-oriented version of "The Essentials" (called "The Essentials Jr.") that included such movies as National Velvet, Captains Courageous, and Our Town. Both of these programs were excellent ways for adults to introduce their kids, nieces, nephews, etc. to older films.

12. One-reel wonders- In between airing feature films, TCM often shows "short subjects" (movies that are normally less than 30 minutes in length). Some of my favorites are the Joe McDoakes series starring George O'Hanlon (best known as the voice of George Jetson) and the "Crime Does Not Pay" films.

13. It airs modern classics- Although most of its schedule is devoted to movies made pre-1970, TCM recognizes that a film doesn't have to be old to be a classic. Some of the modern classics that TCM has aired include A Beautiful Mind, Philadelphia, Crimes and Misdemeanors and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

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