Thursday, December 30 - Four in the Morning

Four in the Morning (1965)

At four in the morning, against the backdrop of a foggy River Thames, two parallel stories of two couples in crisis unfold. As the police find the body of an unidentified young woman, and the city is still fast asleep, two insecure lovers entwine, frolicking on the sand. Eager for affection and contact, yet afraid of the implications of involvement, the woman begins to have second thoughts, and suddenly, they realise that there's nothing left to say but goodbye.

At the same time, with her marriage on the verge of a breakdown, an inexperienced, exasperated young mother tries her best to cope with her teething baby. Then, her young husband, reeking of whiskey and cigar, returns home; however, his arrival comes as an unpleasant and unwelcome surprise. Once, they were a happy couple. Now, the husband and wife are drifting apart.

Wednesday, December 30 - We're Not Married!

We're Not Married! (1952)

Five married couples discover, to their shock, that they're not really married! The justice of the peace who presided over their nuptials didn't have a valid license. When they learn the news five years later, each couple must decide if they will remarry.

Tuesday, December 28 - The Big Caper

The Big Caper (1957)

A con man in debt and down on his luck comes up with what he thinks is the perfect caper--robbing a small-town bank that keeps a lot of money on hand because of the payroll of a nearby army base. He convinces a vicious crime boss to bankroll his scheme, but when he and his boss' girl move into the town to make preparations for the heist, he begins to have second thoughts about the whole operation.

Monday, December 27 - Black Caesar

Black Caesar (1973)

Tommy Gibbs is a tough kid, raised in the ghetto, who aspires to be a kingpin criminal. As a young boy, his leg is broken by a bad cop on the take, during a payoff gone bad. Nursing his vengeance, he rises to power in New York City's Harlem. Angry at the racist society around him, both criminal and straight, he sees the acquisition of power as the solution to his rage. He performs a free-lance hit on a Mob contract to attract the attention of the head of a Mafia family. Reluctantly accepted into 'The Family,' he grows increasingly autonomous and aggressive, eventually starting a gang war.

Sunday, December 26 - Phone Call from a Stranger

Phone Call from a Stranger (1952)

After discovering that his wife has been unfaithful, attorney David Trask (Gary Merrill) decides to fly to Los Angeles. He becomes friendly with three other passengers, each with his own story: salesman Eddie Hoke (Keenan Wynn), actress Binky Gay (Shelley Winters) and Dr. Bob Fortness (Michael Rennie). When the plane crashes and the other three are among the dead, Trask decides to visit the families of each. He helps them cope and also finds out some surprises about his new friends.

Saturday, December 25 - It Happened on Fifth Avenue

It Happened on Fifth Avenue (1947)

Every winter, Michael J. O'Connor, the second richest man in the world, vacates his 5th Avenue mansion for his winter home in warmer climes. Every winter, Aloysius T. McKeever, a homeless man, and his dog moves into vacated mansions. This particular winter, McKeever meets Jim Bullock, an army veteran who has recently been evicted from his apartment and offers to share the mansion with him. It's not long before the mansion has a few more guests, including two of Jim's army buddies and their wives and children; runaway heiress Trudy Connor; her mother and even Michael J. O'Connor, himself.

Friday, December 24 - Christmas in Connecticut

Christmas in Connecticut (1945)

While recovering in a hospital, war hero Jefferson Jones (Dennis Morgan) grows familiar with the "Diary of a Housewife" column written by Elizabeth Lane (Barbara Stanwyck). Jeff's nurse arranges with Elizabeth's publisher, Alexander Yardley (Sydney Greenstreet), for Jeff to spend the holiday at Elizabeth's bucolic Connecticut farm with her husband and child.

Journalist Elizabeth Lane is one of the country's most famous food writers. In her columns, she describes herself as a hard working farm woman, taking care of her children and being an excellent cook. But this is all lies. In reality she is an unmarried New Yorker who can't even boil an egg. The recipes come from her good friend Felix. The owner of the magazine she works for has decided that a heroic sailor will spend his Christmas on *her* farm. Miss Lane knows that her career is over if the truth comes out, but what can she do?

Thursday, December 23 - All the Way Home

All the Way Home (1963)

In early-1900s Tennessee, a loving family undergoes the shock of the father's sudden accidental death. The widow and her young son must endure the heartache of life following the tragedy, but slowly they rise up from the ashes to face the hope of renewed life.

Wednesday, December 22 - The Abominable Dr. Phibes

The Abominable Dr. Phibes (1971)

Doctors are being murdered in bizarre manners - bats, bees, a killer frog mask, etc. - which represent the nine Biblical plagues of Egypt. The crimes are orchestrated by an organ-playing, demented madman (from his home base, replete with a clockwork orchestra and help from a beautiful, mute assistant). Detectives are stumped until they find that all the slain doctors once assisted a Dr. Vesalius on an unsuccessful operation involving the wife of organist Dr. Phibes, killed in a car crash upon learning of his wife's death.

Tuesday, December 21 - Hell Up in Harlem

Hell Up in Harlem (1973)

In Harlem, N.Y., crime boss Tommy Gibbs (Fred Williamson) is gravely injured while escaping a hit ordered by the corrupt district attorney, DiAngelo (Gerald Gordon). As he recovers, his father, Papa Gibbs (Julius W. Harris), assumes control of the gang, which angers Tommy's best henchman, Zach (Tony King), who goes on to collaborate with DiAngelo and frame Papa Gibbs for the murder of Tommy's ex-wife. This sets off a series of bloody betrayals that ricochet within the crime world.

Monday, December 20 - Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary

Is Your Honeymoon Really Necessary (1953)

Diana Dors, Sid James and Bonar Colleano star in Talbot Rothwell's bedroom farce. A US pilot's honeymoon is ruined by the appearance of his first wife, who insists they are still married.

Sunday, December 19 - The Warriors

The Warriors (1979)

Cyrus, the charismatic leader of the biggest gang in New York, The Riffs, organises a meeting in the Bronx between all the gangs in the city for which he plans to join all the gangs into one big gang and take over New York. However when he is shot by Luther, a destructive maniac, The Warriors, a small gang from Coney Island are blamed for the death of Cyrus and The Riffs call for all the gangs to hunt down The Warriors. Now they must bop their way back to coney, while being hunted by both the cops and every gang in the city.

Saturday, December 18 - The Witches (1966)

The Witches (1966)

Joan Fontaine plays a teacher recovering from a nervous breakdown after surviving a terrifying experience with witch doctors in Africa. She takes a job in a small English village and seems happy there, despite the odd behavior of some of the locals. When weird things start happening, Joan investigates and discovers a plot to sacrifice a young girl in a pagan ritual.

Friday, December 17 - Crime in the Streets

Crime in the Streets (1956)

On a city's mean streets, the boys join gangs at 15. Frankie leads the Hornets: he's 18, seething, coiled. When a neighbor goes to the cops after seeing one of the Hornets with a zip gun, Frankie vows to kill the old guy, hatching a plan using Lou, who smiles and smokes, and "Baby," the 15-year-old son of an immigrant shopkeeper. Ben Wagner, the social worker at a neighborhood settlement house, gets wind of the plan and tries to break through to Frankie. Frankie's brother Richie, who's about 12, worships and fears Frankie; he also figures out what his brother is up to.

Thursday, December 16 - Something to Sing About (1937)

Something to Sing About (1937)

Dancer and bandleader Terry Rooney (James Cagney) heads to Hollywood, Calif., to try a career in movies, leaving behind his singer girlfriend, Rita (Evelyn Daw). Despite the enthusiastic support of both the studio head and publicity man Hank Meyers (William Frawley), Terry fears his first film will be a disaster and elopes with Rita on a steamer. When they return, Terry discovers he's a star -- but his new contract stipulates he must remain single, providing a challenge for him and Rita.

Wednesday, December 15 - The Letter

The Letter (1940)

In Singapore, Leslie Crosbie (Bette Davis) shoots and kills a man, claiming that he tried to take advantage of her. She is arrested and her husband, Robert (Herbert Marshall), hires attorney Howard Joyce (James Stephenson) to defend her. During the trial Howard uncovers an incriminating letter that casts doubt on Leslie's story. The two become embroiled in a blackmail scheme involving a Malayan clerk (Victor Sen Yung) and the dead man's widow (Gale Sondergaard).

Tuesday, December 14 - This Side of the Law

This Side of the Law (1950)

Kent Smith plays David Cummins, a vagrant who is baled out by an attorney named Phillip Cagle who wants him to impersonate a missing millionaire in order to divide a $3,000,000 estate. Cummings agrees to do it for $5,000, but he walks into a hornet's nest: a wife who doesn't seem to like him much, a brother who detests him, and a sister-in-law who likes him a little too much. It's all pretty confusing, as Cummins tries to do the right thing by the millionaire's obviously hurt wife. Then murder complicates the situation further.

Monday, December 13 - The Turning Point

The Turning Point (1952)

Special prosecutor John Conroy hopes to combat organized crime in his city, and appoints his cop father Matt as chief investigator. John doesn't understand why Matt is reluctant, but cynical reporter Jerry McKibbon thinks he knows: he's seen Matt with mob lieutenant Harrigan. Jerry's friendship for John is tested by the question of what to do about Matt, and by his attraction to John's girl Amanda. Meanwhile, the threatened racketeers adopt increasingly violent means of defense.

Sunday, December 12 - Time for Murder: The Thirteenth Day of Christmas

Time for Murder: The Thirteenth Day of Christmas Episode (Season 1 Episode 6 aired Dec 14, 1985)

It all starts with a quiet game of Bridge between friends which is going quite nicely until the son of the hosts makes an appearance, much to the disgust of his evidently hostile father, although his mother is a good deal more understanding.

Richard has a history of mental fragility, he has apparently suffered from a breakdown, although it's clear that his problems run a little deeper, not least because of the voice in his head which is egging him on and driving his paranoid feelings towards his father which will culminate in a good deal of unpleasantness.

Saturday, December 11 - How to Make a Monster

How to Make a Monster (1958)

Accomplished but eccentric movie make-up artist Pete Dumond has been with the studio for decades and is totally devoted to his art especially in the creation of screen monsters. His world ends abruptly when new management acquires the company and arbitrarily decides that the horror cycle has run its course, and the studio will now concentrate on escapist musicals. When Dumond hears he will be pink-slipped, the neurotic but usually affable Pete turns psychotic and vows vengeance on the two movie executives responsible. Using a combination of hypnosis and a newly developed chemical formula, Dumond is able to use mind control to compel the young actors playing the teenage Frankenstein and werewolf to exact vengeance for him.

Friday, December 10 - Smooth as Silk

Smooth as Silk (1946)

Attorney Mark Fenton (Kent Taylor) clears young playboy Don Elliot (Danny Morton) of murder. As Don's uncle, Stephen (John Litel), is a famous theatrical producer, Fenton hopes to impress his aspiring-actress girlfriend, Paula (Virginia Grey), by using his connection with Don to secure her a part in Stephen's latest play. When Stephen refuses, Paula takes matters into her own hands, romantically using Don and later Stephen to deceive Elliot and win the role, leading to betrayal and murder.

Thursday, December 9 - Deep Waters

Deep Waters (1948)

Jean Peters plays a young, idealistic social worker in coastal Maine. She is afraid of the sea and its power, especially its dangers for the lobstermen and the heartache of those left behind when the sea claims them. Dana Andrews plays a lobsterman who loves Peters but also loves his job. Dean Stockwell is a troubled boy whose father was a fisherman. Peters tries to keep the boy away from the sea but it's in his blood. She places the orphan with a crotchety old lady (Anne Revere) who is tough but fair on the boy. The boy runs away and gets into trouble...

Wednesday, December 8 - The Pleasure Girls

The Pleasure Girls (1965)

When a beautiful young woman, Sally (Francesca Annis), moves to London to pursue a modelling career, she moves in with Angela (Anneke Wills) and Dee (Suzanna Leigh) and discovers the world of the carefree bachelor girl in Swinging London of the 1960s. Over one weekend - filled with parties, blossoming friendships, and romantic encounters with Keith (Ian McShane) and Nikko (Klaus Kinski) - the vivacious girls learn about life's pleasures and pains.

Tuesday, December 7 - Torture Garden

Torture Garden (1967)

Sideshow psychic Dr. Diabolo (Burgess Meredith) predicts the horrific futures of some curious fairground visitors.

In Enoch, a greedy playboy (Michael Bryant) takes advantage of his dying uncle (Maurice Denham), and falls under the spell of a man-eating cat.

In Terror Over Hollywood, a Hollywood starlet (Beverly Adams) discovers her co-stars are androids.

In Mr. Steinway, a possessed Bechstein grand piano by the name of Euterpe becomes jealous of its owner (John Standing)'s new lover (Barbara Ewing) and takes revenge.

In The Man Who Collected Poe, a Poe collector (Jack Palance) murders another collector (Peter Cushing) over a collectable he refuses to show him, only to find it is Edgar Allan Poe himself (Hedger Wallace).

Monday, December 6 - Love on a Budget

Love on a Budget (1938)

This late entry in the popular "The Jones Family" series of '30s comedies has the family contending with a troublesome (and possibly crooked) uncle while trying to cut household expenses.

Sunday, December 5 - The System

The System (1953)

Gambler John Merrick (Frank Lovejoy) is the head of a bookie syndicate and the newspaper is crusading against him and the rackets, primarily because Merrick is in love with Felice Stuart (Joan Weldon), daughter of the newspaper publisher who can not break up the romance through persuasion. A senate committee investigating crime gets involved, the racketeers, other than Merrick who is a "nice guy", strike back and kill a reporter, and Merrick's own son, Jerry Merrick (Robert Arthur), commits suicide. Merrick, to his own disadvantage, helps bring down the syndicate.

Saturday, December 4 - The World Gone Mad (1933)

The World Gone Mad (1933)

When a district attorney who has been investigating a utility company's directors for fraud is suddenly killed, his wisecracking newspaperman friend (Pat O'Brien) gets curious. He and the upstanding new district attorney (Neil Hamilton) separately pursue the case.

Friday, December 3 - So Evil, So Young

So Evil, So Young (1961)

The story is about Ann Turner (Jill Ireland), a nice young girl who is sent to prison for a crime she didn't commit. Her adjustment to the prison life is tough at first, as the girl who lied and got her sent to prison is there! Fortunately, the nice Matron takes a liking for her and gives her a chance. But this chance is jeopardized when one of the wardens pushes one of the ladies to kill herself. Ann refuses to help her or the matron because she feels the riot that resulted from this was justified.

Thursday, December 2 - The Guilty

The Guilty (1947)

Mike (Don Castle) shares his flat with an old army buddy, Dixon (Wally Cassell) who because of a head injury sustained during the war, is jumpy, jittery and relies too much on drink and drugs. Both of them are involved with Linda and Estelle, (both played by Bonita Granville) a classic good twin, bad twin mix and when Dixon realises that it is sweet Linda who he loves, Mike takes up with Estelle, a boy crazy party girl.

One night Linda disappears and later turns up murdered - enter Police Inspector Heller (Regis Toomey) a very cool, calm and collected type who is like a dog with a bone. He encounters a baffling maze of false clues and Mike also starts his own investigation because he feels Dixon is being judged without defense. Not only has Estelle become Linda's protector (before her death they had hated each other - now she is determined to find the killer) but fatherly lodger (John Litel, who played Nancy Drew's father) seems to be a bit too fond of the twins.

Wednesday, December 1 - The Man Upstairs

The Man Upstairs (1958)

John Wilson is troubled with pain and and an inability to sleep. He tries to light the gas-fire and seeks help from another lodger, artist Nicholas, who is spending the night with his model, and is reluctant to be disturbed. Another neighbor, Pollen, tries to be helpful, but is hit by Wilson. Frightened and angry, Pollen calls for police help. The others in the boarding house are awakened by this time, and Mrs. Harris tries to help the mentally confused Wilson, but he also refuses her help. The police clash with Dr. Sanderson, a welfare worker, who thinks he can take the gun-toting Wilson without complications, but when a Police Sergeant is injured, Police Inspector Thompson is determined to take Wilson by force if necessary.

Tuesday, November 30 - Highway 301

Highway 301 (1950)

Led by a psychopathic killer, a vicious gang of armed robbers terrorizes Virginia, Maryland and North Carolina, robbing banks and payrolls and murdering anyone who might identify them.