What do Alfred Hitchcock, Edward Albee, Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, and Robert Redford have in common? They are all in this month’s movie selections! I have annotated a list of movies playing on Turner Class Movies in August 2021. Linking many of the movies this month are Christian themes and the dynamics of Grace, or its lack thereof. Note: some movies made the list because they were the “cool” movies at the time of their release, or they “pushed the envelope.” All times are Eastern and are subject to change.

August 1, 2021, 10:00 pm, All This, and Heaven Too (1940)

This movie’s not as good as the book, but therein lies a tale. The novel, which was written by Rachel Field and published in 1938, tells the story of a young governess in early 19th Century Paris who gets drawn into an intrigue with her noble employer, by which he is accused of murdering his wife. The governess is innocent of any wrongdoing, but becomes a kind of key witness. In the movie Bette Davis plays the part of the governess; and Charles Boyer, the part of the duke. Rachel Field’s novel, however, goes on to recount the sequel of the story, in which the governess is wooed and won by a sincere, young and kindly Protestant clergyman from America. The Bette Davis character becomes a clergy spouse in New England! I think you’d really like the book. I recommend it. The movie — well, it’s OK.

August 2, 12:30 am, Whatever Happened to Baby Jane (1962)

Well, director Robert Aldrich is not so great. I’ve never liked a single movie he made, though he was a definite Hollywood talent. Whatever Happened to Baby Jane is kind of a horror movie, and my generation was pretty well transfixed by Bette Davis’ makeup (and performance) in the title role. See this if you haven’t, but it’s no Story of Temple Drake. And that scene on the beach at the end! Also stars Joan Crawford as sister, Blanche.

August 3, 11:30 am, Kiss Me Stupid (1964)

Kiss Me Stupid is another one of these “aren’t-we-cool-for-having-seen-it-when-it-came-out” movies. Kiss Me Stupid is a “sex comedy” that was pretty intentionally trying to move the goalposts on what was then considered OK to dramatize; or rather, not OK. The local minister is satirized, Kim Novak is extremely attractive, Dean Martin will take what he can get, and the situation is “edgy.” But it amounts to basically nothing, even if that last scene by the TV store is effective. Kiss Me Stupid is worth seeing once. Directed by Billy Wilder.

August 3, 11:15 pm, Vertigo (1958)

Now Vertigo is quite another story. It is five stars in anyone’s book; and the story and its direction, by Alfred Hitchcock, is bewitching and unforgettable. Even the musical score, by Bernard Herrmann, is in the top ten ever! The scene where Barbara Bel Geddes realizes she has blown it forever with Jimmy Stewart — well, I’ve seen this movie about 10 times and that scene never fails to do me in. Vertigo, like Psycho, is a movie in two distinct parts, where the entire first part is a “red herring.” If you haven’t seen it, which I’ll bet you have, see Vertigo.

August 4, 11:30 am, Cabin in the Sky (1943)

Cabin in the Sky tells a story out of the African-American church, and it is very good! From the first scene in church, which is pure gospel in the theological sense, to the to-ings and fro-ings of the demons from hell, richly led by Rex Ingram, to the redemptive love of Ethel Waters for “Rochester,” Cabin in the Sky is moving and superb. For some reason I can’t put my finger on, it eludes greatness. Perhaps there is a slight misstep at the very end, but I’m not completely sure. Mockingbirders will love this movie.

August 5, 12:00 am, High Society (1956)

This is a re-make of The Philadelphia Story (1940) and it’s pretty good. It can’t touch the original, but it has Louis Armstrong in memorable form and an outstanding performance by Celeste Holm in a coy (and finally, touching) supporting role. “Can’t Help Falling in Love (with You),” performed by Bing Crosby, is probably the high point of High Society. Also stars Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra.

August 5, 1:00 pm, Chimes at Midnight (1967)

Chimes at Midnight is Orson-Welles artistic, with lifetime performances from a cast of the best and highest British Shakespearean actors. Personally, I think the movie’s too arty — and especially the battle scene, which repeats a “sight gag” way too many times. Chimes at Midnight is extremely ambitious, but it ultimately doesn’t work. The “Time must have a stop” (Aldous Huxley) death-scene is probably the summit of the work.

August 5, 3:00pm, The V.I.P.s (1963)

I never get tired of The V.I.P.s. The plot involves a group of passengers en route to New York who assemble in the V.I.P. lounge when a heavy fog delays the takeoff of planes from London Airport. All of them have reasons for wanting to depart as quickly as possible. The movie has great performances, a brilliant situation, incredible set-design, and a touching resolution on every front. For my money, the sub-plot involving Maggie Smith and Rod Taylor is the most touching part of it — you’ll see. And Liz Taylor and Richard Burton are … “Reunited” (Peaches and Herb, 1980). The V.I.P.s is great.

August 6, 8:00 pm. Out of the Past (1947)

This famous “film noir” is extremely well done, but the ending is terrible. You’re afraid it’s going to happen, but after the lyrical scenes by the mountain lake, you’re lulled into thinking true love will win out. But “the past” comes whinging back! Once it’s over, you’ll be glad you don’t have to see Out of the Past again. Directed by Jacques Tourneur, and starring Robert Mitchum, Jane Greer, Kirk Douglas, and Rhonda Fleming.

August 7, 8:00 pm, Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948)

Here’s a cinematic masterpiece for you … kind of. ACMF takes a while to get going, but once Dracula (Bela Lugosi), the Wolf Man (Lon Chaney, Jr.), and Frankenstein (Glenn Strange) get on board, the humor and “mayhem” are wonderful. The double-takes are mostly very funny; and the mixed-signals, delightful. Scheduling note: This is one of six Abbott and Costello movies shown August 7-8-just in case you want to see more.

August 9, 2:00 am, The Hoodlum Saint (1946)

Post-War Hollywood movies were generally favorable to Christianity. The trauma of war having been survived, our country was in the mood to give thanks. As I’ve said here before, there are several movies from that period that present a Christian view of hope, human nature, and transformation. Now this particular one, entitled The Hoodlum Saint, I have never seen. But I’m going to see it now. I understand it concerns a man whose cynicism is redeemed by faith, which in turn is inspired by a warm and sincere priest. Tell me what you think after you see it. (You heard it here.)

August 10, 5:45 pm, Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)

Personally, I don’t think much of Edward Albee’s plays. I have said that before here. Thornton Wilder certainly liked them, or at least liked Edward Albee, so one may well be mistaken. I certainly like this (scarring/relentless) movie. But I don’t like it for itself. I like it because Mary and I happened to see it during our courtship. So one therefore kind of LUVs Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? Maybe you, too, will see it at a turning point. But hey, I’d rather see … Godspell (1973). Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor star and spar. Mike Nichols made his big screen debut with this film, and immediately followed it up by directing The Graduate.

August 10, 8:00 pm, King Rat (1965)

This one is awfully well directed, by Bryan Forbes, and has a ton of familiar English character actors. The movie is cynical and hits the viewer over the head with its cynicism. Plus, imprisonment within a Japanese POW camp was not like this. It was worse! Moreover, one’s fellow prisoners were nicer. They had to be in order to survive.

August 12 8:00 pm, Ben-Hur (1925)

Today, August 12th, is John Glover’s Birthday. Today John turns 56. It is not a small thing. Were it not for John, I would not be writing this column for Mockingbird. John gifts us all with his persistence, his affection, and his faith. Mr. Glover is a great guy, and don’t forget ever it! Incidentally, Ben-Hur today, the 1925 silent version, is in John’s honor. It is a boundless epic of early Christianity, and is almost as good as the later, Charlton Heston version. Watch especially for Christ’s bloody footprints on the Way to Calvary. Also watch for the sub-plot concerning the Roman seductress. That part was left out of the 1959 version. It’s true to life, though. Happy Birthday, John G.!

August 13, 10:15 am, Period of Adjustment (1962)

This is a Christmas movie, believe it or not. And Jane Fonda is stunning in it, even unforgettable. The dialogue is also, as in several other movies from this period, faux-knowing in the area of sex. Period of Adjustment tries very hard to be “advanced” in that area, at least for its time. Personally, I think the entire project tries too hard. But then again, there’s Jane Fonda.

August 14, 11:00 pm, The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit (1956)

The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit is a very good movie. People want to pigeonhole it to the “Eisenhower Era,” or 1950s “conformity.” But the actual story isn’t about conformity at all! It is about forgiveness (for the Gregory Peck character, because of a wartime romance and pregnancy) and also emptiness — despairing emptiness — on the part of the Frederic March character. “A mon avis,” The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit has not dated. And the (positive) ending is contrary to expectation. Don’t believe the critics who want to force this movie into their narrative. It busts out every time.

August 15, 1:45 am, The Omen (1976)

The Omen is one of those many 1970s movies that thought they were being SO COOL when they let evil win. The Omen is not only not true to life (and God), it has been forced to fit its producers’ “narrative.” Of course, one saw it the day it came out. And there are cool scenes. But the ending is hugely false and contrived. Don’t let anyone tell you differently. Stars Gregory Peck and Lee Remick.

August 17, 12:00 pm, The Cobweb (1955)

Directed by Vincente Minnelli, The Cobweb is an excellent and rather “big” movie for its subject matter. It concerns a psychiatric hospital, run very well by Richard Widmark (with his terrific wife, played by Gloria Grahame), and the several stories of its sympathetic, suffering inhabitants. The over-all “pull” of the film is upward, without masking the real pain of the patients. I compare The Cobweb with Lilith (1964). There is no comparison, as Lilith is hopeless and suicidal. Today, try The Cobweb.

August 18, 5:30 pm, The Natural (1984)

The Natural is superb, and, like I said before, don’t let anyone tell you differently. Robert Redford is almost sublime, and his character is fine and good. He’s a struggler, but he is good. And the ending, the hero’s bloodied Christ-like run around the bases — you can’t get it out of your mind. See The Natural with your (teenage) sons and grandsons.

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