Saturday, July 30 - The 3rd Voice

The 3rd Voice (1960)

"The Voice" is O'Brien, who has no other name in the film other than that of the man he is impersonating, Harris Chapman. The Voice was offered a great deal of money by Marian Forbes (Day) to impersonate her lover and ex-boss in order to clean out his bank accounts.

First, though, the bitter and revengeful Marian has to kill Harris, and The Voice has to get rid of the body. He has been rehearsing and memorizing every aspect of Chapman's life, and now he begins his impersonation.

He makes a property deal with people in Mexico in order to make arrangements for the money. Meanwhile, he is on the phone daily with his fiancee, a "24-year-old professional virgin" so described by Marian, as they plan their wedding and honeymoon.

It all seems pretty straightforward, but there is more than one agenda in play.

Friday, July 29 - Champagne Charlie

Champagne Charlie (1936)

When a man (Noel Madison) is killed on a ship, two people, Linda Craig (Helen Wood) and a ship's bartender named Fipps (Herbert Mundin) confess to the crime, so the ship's captain has to sort out what happened and why. The story is then told in flashback, concerning a man known as "Champagne Charlie" who was at one time engaged to Linda and had Fipps in his employ. His plan to marry the wealthy Linda was based on the fact that he owed money to some people who had staked him to gamble, the dead man being one, and needed to pay them back.

Thursday, July 28 - Spider's Web

Spider's Web TV Movie (1982)

Clarissa, the wife of a Foreign Office diplomat, is given to daydreaming. 'Supposing I were to come down one morning and find a dead body in the library, what should I do?' she muses. Clarissa has her chance to find out when she discovers a body in the drawing-room of her house in Kent. Desperate to dispose of the body before her husband comes home with an important foreign politician, Clarissa persuades her three house guests to become accessories and accomplices. It seems that the murdered man was not unknown to certain members of the house party, and the search begins for the murderer and the motive, while at the same time trying to persuade a police inspector that there has been no murder at all.

Wednesday, July 27 - Men Are Such Fools

Men Are Such Fools (1938)

Linda (Priscilla Lane) works at an advertising agency, but, unlike the other women in the secretarial pool, she hopes to succeed in the business rather than just find a husband. She rises through the ranks, becoming a copywriter, and attracts the attention of Jimmy (Wayne Morris), an amorous coworker who wants to marry her. But Jimmy is jealous of Linda's career and of Harry (Humphrey Bogart), a radio executive who works with Linda, and their marriage gets off to a very rough start.

Tuesday, July 26 - Alibi for Murder

Alibi for Murder (1936)

William Gargan plays a reporter, Perry Travis, who has his own radio show. Interestingly, he is present at a Hindenburgh landing, as he wants an interview with an industrialist, Foster (William Worthington). He can't get near the man, thanks to Foster's secretary Lois (Churchill).

Travis doesn't give up trying to get to Foster. He heads for the man's estate. However, when he arrives, a shot rings out, and Foster is found dead, presumably by suicide. Travis believes otherwise.

Monday, July 25 - Dial 1119

Dial 1119 (1950)

Marshall Thompson is escaped mental patient Gunther Wyckoff, who takes a bus to Terminal City, grabs hold of a gun and holes up in a bar with a small group of hostages. His aim is to reap revenge on the doctor who spared him the electric chair and had him committed instead.

In the bar is the barman, the busboy who is an expectant father, a barfly broad, a Lothario and the young lady he had coerced into having a fling with him. As tensions rise in the bar, outside the crowd gathers and so does the press, who sensationalize the situation...

Sunday, July 24 - The Woman Chaser

The Woman Chaser (1999)

Set in 1950s Los Angeles, Richard Hudson (Warburton) is a shrewd car dealer who moves from San Francisco and sets up a used-car dealership. Tiring of this job, he turns the lot over to an assistant and starts writing his first movie, The Man Who Got Away.

It turns out to be an uncommercial picture chronicling the story of a truck driver who goes berserk, runs over a little girl and dies fending off a platoon of police officers.

In making his film, Richard enlists the help of his father-in-law, Leo (Paul Malevich), a washed-up former film director whose notable possession is a Rouault painting of a clown. Through Leo, Richard pitches his idea to the Man (Ernie Vincent), the chief executive of Mammoth Pictures who green-lights the project. Conflict inevitably arises when Richard's obsession for making the movie his way clashes with the Man.

Other kooky characters include Richard's mother (Lynette Bennett), a former ballerina who lures her hirsute lug of a son into a comic pas de deux ; Richard's sexually curious stepsister, Becky (Marilyn Rising), who seduces him, and his secretary, Laura (Emily Newman), whom he impregnates with a boorish indifference.

Saturday, July 23 - Upperworld

Upperworld (1934)

Millionaire railroad baron Alex Stream (Warren William) is drifting apart from his wife, Hettie (Mary Astor), who devotes her attention to climbing the social ladder. While sailing his yacht, Alex saves burlesque performer Lilly Linda (Ginger Rogers) from drowning, and the two become friends. Despite the chaste nature of their friendship, Lilly's boyfriend and manager, Lou Colima (J. Carrol Naish), notices her liking for Alex and tries to use the millionaire's letters to Lilly for blackmail.

Friday, July 22 - A Guide for the Married Man

A Guide for the Married Man (1967)

In this playful comedy, Paul Manning (Walter Matthau) is happily married to his beautiful wife, Ruth (Inger Stevens), but he still has a wandering eye. When he finds out that his good friend Ed Stander (Robert Morse) has been regularly cheating on his spouse, Harriet (Claire Kelly), Paul becomes intrigued by how his buddy gets away with such indiscretions, leading to a list of humorous "rules" for successful affairs presented by a number of high-profile guest stars.

Thursday, July 21 - Undertow

Undertow (1949)

Having returned to Chicago, Tony Reagan (Scott Brady) is accused of murdering a wealthy, powerful man who happens to be his fiance's uncle. Injured and with the police hot on his trail, Reagan has few places to turn. He eventually seeks the assistance of a woman he hardly knows. He met her the previous day on the flight to Chicago. With her help, Reagan's out to clear his name.

Wednesday, July 20 - Who's Got the Action?

Who's Got the Action? (1962)

Dean Martin is well-cast as a guy whose gambling addiction causes his wife, played by Lana Turner, to concoct a scheme to keep him out of debt by secretly becoming his "bookie." Trouble is, he hits a winning streak and she has to sell off jewelry, furnishings and other baubles to pay off his windfall.

Tuesday, July 19 - They Call Me MISTER Tibbs!

They Call Me Mister Tibbs! (1970)

In this sequel to "In The Heat of the Night," Detective Virgil Tibbs (Sidney Poitier) must solve the murder of a prostitute. The last person witnessed with the victim is Tibbs' friend, Logan Sharpe (Martin Landau), a preacher and activist. Despite his loyalty, Tibbs must investigate when Sharpe admits having visited the prostitute. In addition to his police work, Tibbs must also ease tension with his wife (Barbara McNair), who wants him to spend more time with her and their children.

Monday, July 18 - The Hunted

The Hunted (1948)

Belita's just finished a four-year stretch in Tehachapi for her part in a jewel robbery (she may have been framed). When her bus pulls into town one night, waiting for her, unseen, is Preston Foster, the cop who once loved her but sent her up anyway. He's convinced that Belita will come gunning for either him or the prosecuting attorney (Pierre Watkin). But when she has no place to go, he lets her bunk at his apartment, and lands her a gig skating during intermissions at hockey games. He slowly relents, thinking she's on the straight-and-narrow. Then Watkin is found murdered, and all the evidence points her way. When Foster turns against her once more, she lams it to Arizona to sling hash in a diner....

Sunday, July 17 - Svengali

Svengali (TV Movie 1983)

Made for TV, the 1983 version of "Svengali" tells the tale of Zoe Alexander (Jodie Foster) being discovered singing at a night club in New York City. The talent scout invests in her by giving her free singing lessons with Anton Bosnyak, a top-of-the-line singing coach (Peter O'Toole). He's difficult and demanding, but he's the best at what he does and Zoe eventually experiences success, but she also falls for her singing coach, even though he's 28 years older than her!

Saturday, July 16 - Goliath Awaits: Part 3

Goliath Awaits: Episode 2 (aired Nov 17, 1981)

"Awright, whoever wants to be rescued, get on this side of the room. The rest of you are going to be blown to smithereens!"

Friday, July 15 - Goliath Awaits: Part 2

 

Goliath Awaits: Episode 1 (aired Nov 16, 1981)

The plot thickens...

Thursday, July 14 - Goliath Awaits: Part 1

Goliath Awaits: Episode 1 (aired Nov 16, 1981)

On September 4, 1939, the British ocean liner RMS Goliath, carrying 1,860 passengers, is torpedoed by a German U-boat and sinks within minutes while on a transatlantic crossing to the United States three days after the outbreak of war.

Scientists aboard a research ship in 1981 discover the wreck of the Goliath lying upright in 1,000 feet (305 m) of water, and divers are sent down to investigate the wreck. Oceanographer Peter Cabot (Mark Harmon) hears systematic banging and music coming from the ship and is shocked to see the face of a beautiful young woman (Emma Samms) inside a porthole. Cabot and his colleagues discover 337 people, survivors and their descendants, living in an air bubble in the wreck caused by the vessel's having slowly sunk in relatively shallow water...

Wednesday, July 13 - The Big Street

The Big Street (1942)

Little Pinks is in love with a nightclub singer named Gloria. But it is a unrequited love as she does not know that he exists. Pinks is a shy busboy and Gloria only goes out with men who are loaded. When she tries to dump Case for richer Reed, Case dumps her down the stairs. After months of treatment, she will never walk, but Pinks is the only one who takes care of her. He pays all her bills and sends her flowers with unsigned cards. But to Gloria, he is nothing in her eyes. When she wants to leave New York for Florida, to be with the money set, he takes her.

Tuesday, July 12 - Highway Patrol: Missing Witness & Prospector

Highway Patrol: Missing Witness (Season 1 Episode 37 - aired Jun 11, 1956)

A woman's ill-advised attempt to save her former fiancé from a murder conviction results in the realization that the actual killer may still be at large.

Highway Patrol: Prospector (Season 1 Episode 38 - aired Jun 18, 1956)

A poor prospector arouses suspicion when he suddenly begins paying off long-standing debts from a large roll of new $100 bills.

Monday, July 11 - Behind Green Lights

Behind Green Lights (1946)

It's the graveyard shift, with night commander William Gargan holding down the fort. A car rolls up right in front of the station. Someone opens the car and a corpse falls out. It's Bernard Nedell with a bullet hole in him. He was a P.I. and blackmailer by trade, and one of the suspects is Carole Landis, whose father is up for election, so there's pressure to put her behind bars. Soon the case becomes ever more tangled...

Sunday, July 10 - The Devil Inside

The Devil Inside - Original title: Offbeat (1961)

After a police sergeant investigating a crime gang is murdered, Scotland Yard are frustrated in tracking down the outfit responsible for large scale bank and jewellery robberies. They bring in Layton, a loner from MI5, to infiltrate the gang.

Layton poses as Steve Ross, a criminal who, unknown to the gang, has died and gone missing at sea. He finds the gang is organised like a business, with salaries, pensions, and a camaraderie he has not known before. He also becomes romantically involved with a gang member, Ruth Lombard. As the plot progresses, she starts to become suspicious of his identity but has feelings for him and doesn’t voice her suspicions.

In a lengthy caper section, the gang drill and tunnel their way into an underground vault filled with jewels. They make their getaway and meet with the potential buyer of the jewels, who strikes a hard bargain. The buyer, who had known the real Steve Ross, spots that Layton is different man. Layton admits his impersonation. Scotland Yard arrive and arrest the whole gang. Layton feels he has betrayed his new friends, with whom he had found comradeship and love but who now reject him.

Saturday, July 9 - Phantom of the Rue Morgue

Phantom of the Rue Morgue (1954)

In France in the 1870s, a string of strange murders happen in the Rue Morgue. The authorities are baffled, but they do have one man who may have the answers, Prof. Dupin.

When Dupin is approached by the police to help, he agrees. Soon a set of suspects are found, including a sailor named Jacques and a professor named Marais, who is involved in unauthorized (and bizarre) animal experiments.

Friday, July 8 - Jack of Diamonds

Jack of Diamonds (1967)

Daring cat burglar Jeff Hill (George Hamilton) steals from Zsa Zsa Gabor a second time. He often steals from movie stars. During a heist on a cruise ship, he is surprised by a female thief. His mentor Ace of Diamonds (Joseph Cotten) advises him to join him in retirement. While they are on a ski vacation, Jeff is chased down by Olga who introduces them to her mentor Nicolai. It turns out that Olga is the female thief. The foursome decides to do a big heist together.

Thursday, July 7 - September Affair

September Affair (1950)

An industrialist (Joseph Cotten) and a pianist (Joan Fontaine) meet on a trip and fall in love. Through a quirk of fate, they are reported dead in a crash though they weren't on the plane. This gives them the opportunity to live together free from their previous lives. Unfortunately, this artificial arrangement leads to greater and greater stress. Eventually the situation collapses when they come to pursue their original, individual interests without choosing a common path.

Wednesday, July 6 - Five Miles to Midnight & Johnny Staccato: The Only Witness

Five Miles to Midnight Original title: Le couteau dans la plaie (1962)

Lisa Macklin (Sophia Loren) tells her abusive, emotionally immature husband, Robert (Anthony Perkins), that she doesn't want to see him again. He leaves on a business flight bound for Casablanca. That evening, she is shocked to learn that his plane crashed, with all aboard presumed dead. After his funeral, she finds him at home, having survived the crash. He promises to leave her life for good if she helps him commit life insurance fraud, and she agrees, in order to get rid of him for good.

Johnny Staccato: The Only Witness (Season 1 Episode 18 - aired Jan 14, 1960)

Wealthy racketeer Barney Buford calls Johnny Staccato to ask him to look after his young sister, Karen. As he approaches Buford's apartment, Staccato is shot at by a gunman. Then inside, he finds Buford dead.

Tuesday, July 5 - The Big Operator

The Big Operator (1959)

Mickey Rooney is the corrupt, fast-talking, deal-making head of the Union, up against a congressional investigation. He takes the Fifth when answering every question. When union member Mel Torme gets torched in front of his home, pal Steve Cochran is ready to testify, but Rooney kidnaps his son, has his enforcers beat up Cochran, and tell him that if he recasts on the witness chair, he'll see his son again.

Monday, July 4 - The Good Companions

The Good Companions (1933)

Story of disparate characters who "run away" from their unhappy lives and who by chance all meet up with a broke and stranded troupe of musical entertainers. They band together, the show goes on, and they all find what they were looking for.

Sunday, July 3 - Johnny Staccato: The Man in the Pit

Johnny Staccato: The Man in the Pit (Season 1 Episode 17 - aired Jan 7, 1960)

A young man enters Waldo's and attacks Pete, the trumpet player. Johnny Staccato learns that the youth thinks Pete is his father, who deserted the family years before.

Saturday, July 2 - The Velvet Touch

The Velvet Touch (1948)

Broadway leading lady Valerie Stanton (Russell) accidentally kills her producer and former lover, Gordon Dunning (Ames), during an argument about the direction her career should take. He expects her to sign for his next production, a typical frothy comedy for which he is known, whereas she wants to star in a revival of Hedda Gabler to prove her versatility as an actress.

Other characters involved in the plot are Michael Morrell (Genn), Valerie's new beau; supporting actress Marian Webster (Trevor), who is wrongly accused of committing Valerie's crime; and police Capt. Danbury (Greenstreet), who may know more than he is willing to disclose.

Friday, July 1 - Bait

Bait (1954)

Middle-aged Marko (Haas) is searching for a lost gold mine for nearly 20 years. To share expenses for a prospecting expedition he teams up with bright young Ray Brighton (Agar). When they find the mine Marko decides he doesn't want to share with his partner and plans to murder him. He figures that after the two of them spend the winter together with Marko's trashy young wife (Moore) in a shack far from civilization, he will sooner or later catch them in adultery, and he can use the "unwritten law" to kill Brighton and thus escape punishment from the law. But the plot backfires.

Thursday, June 30 - Three Steps North

Three Steps North (1951)

Dishonorably discharged after a four-year stint in a military prison for dabbling in black markets while stationed in Italy during World War II, former US soldier Frank Keeler (Lloyd Bridges) wants to discreetly recover a stash of money he buried near Amalfi prior to his arrest. However this turns out to be more difficult than expected when the police becomes interested in him and starts tailing him, while local shady characters guess the purpose of his presence.