The same season that Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, and Paul Thomas Anderson took it virtually upon themselves to help save Turner Classic Movies following a series of layoffs that was pointing to what could have been its demise, the trio are showing just how hands-on they’ll be. For September, the trio has each compiled a list of recommendations that will air on TCM throughout the month. From melodramas and film noirs to tantalizing tales and giant ants, let’s see what Spielberg, Scorsese and PTA have to recommend.
Steven Spielberg’s September TCM picks are: Douglas Sirk’s Imitation of Life (1959), the sci-fi monster movie Them! (1954), Alfred Hitchcock’s The Wrong Man (1956), and two Vincente Minnelli films, musical Meet Me in St. Louis (1944) and The Bad and the Beautiful (1952).
Martin Scorsese went a bit more obscure for his TCM picks, selecting British drama Madonna of the Seven Moons (1945), pre-code romance Red Dust (1932) with Clark Gable and Jean Harlow, musical Two Sisters from Boston (1946), Boris Karloff horror Isle of the Dead (1945), and the Harold Pinter-scripted Accident (1967).
And for his own TCM picks for the month of September, Paul Thomas Anderson chose 1951 film noir His Kind of Woman, Powell-Pressburger film Night Ambush (1957), Barry Levinson’s hangout flick Diner (1982), the incredible and often nasty Sweet Smell of Success (1957), and the bold British picture Victim (1961).
In a letter published in June, the Oscar-winning and -nominated directors (yours is coming, Paul!) wrote, “We are heartened and encouraged by the conversations we’ve had [with Warner Bros. CEO David Zaslav] thus far, and we are committed to working together to ensure the continuation of this cultural touchstone that we all treasure.” Thankfully, the men have followed through in their creative input and promotion of TCM, no doubt a staple for film lovers for nearly 30 years (its anniversary is next April). With such prestige recommending movies both classic and a little more obscure, it gives even more heft to the importance of the channel. Their letter began, “Turner Classic Movies has always been more than just a channel. It is truly a precious resource of cinema, open 24 hours a day seven days a week. And while it has never been a financial juggernaut, it has always been a profitable endeavor since its inception.” And may it continue to be one for at least another 30 years.
What do you think of Spielberg, Scorsese and PTA’s September TCM picks? Which lineup would you most likely sit down for? Let us know in the comments section below!