Special Theme on TCM: From Hollywood to the Heartland

Shirley Jones & Robet Preston
in The Music Man

On Wednesdays in the month of July, Turner Classic Movies is showing movies with the special theme of "From Hollywood to the Heartland." The Heartland is often equated with the Midwest, which the United States Census Bureau defines as the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. That having been said, I don't think the Heartland is necessarily the same as the Midwest, as here in Mid-Missouri one almost never hears of the area called "the Heartland." In fact one will not hear the phrase "Heartland"" in Missouri until one gets as far north as Kirksville, which isn't far from the Iowa border.

Regardless, TCM is using the word "Heartland" metaphorically, so that they are showing movies set in New England, California, and Texas as well as the Midwest. They are using it, in the words of the article on TCM's website on the special theme, of "..the heart and soul of America, those places associated with small-town life and old-fashioned values." To this end, Turner Classic Movies' special theme From Hollywood to the Heartland features such classic movies as Peyton Place (1957), Picnic (1955), The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944), Theodora Goes Wild (1936), and The Music Man (1962). It is showing two movies with close ties to Missouri. One is Meet Me in St. Louis (1944), based on the novel by St. Louis native Sally Besson. Another is King's Row (1942), based on the novel by Henry Bellamann. Mr. Bellamann's novel was in turn based very thinly on his hometown of Fulton, Missouri.

From Hollywood to the Heartland features a sterling line-up of movies, so much so that I only have two complaints. The first is in the scheduling of some of the movies. I wish they hadn't scheduled Knig's Row so late. It is airing at 2:00 AM! I also wish they would show The Music Man and Meet Me in St. Louis earlier. As much as I love Bye, Bye Birdie, both The Music Man and Meet Me in St. Louis number among my favourite movies of all time. My second complaint is that curiously To Kill a Mockingbird (1962) isn't on the schdule as part of the special theme. The movie is a much about small town life as it is its racially charged trial. In some respects it might be more fitting to show To Kill a Mockingbird during From Hollywood to the Heartland than Meet Me in St. Louis, given Maycomb, Alabama is a small town and St. Louis most certainly isn't.

Regardless, many will find From Hollywood to the Heartland very enjoyable, including myself. Below is the schedule of movies being shown. All times are central.

Wednesday, July 7
7:00 PM Peyton Place (1957)
9:45 PM Picnic (1955)
11:45 PM East of Eden (1955)
2:00 AM King's Row (1942)
4:15 AM Our Town (1940)

Wednesday, July 14
7:00 PM The Miracle of Morgan's Creek (1944)
8:45 PM Mr. Deeds Goes to Town (1936)
11:00 PM Theordora Goes Wild (1936)
12:45 AM A Stranger in Town (1943)
2:00 AM Small Town Girl(1936)
4:00 AM Love Finds Andy Hardy (1936)

Wednesday, July 21
7:00 PM Bye, Bye Birdie (1963)
9:00 PM The Music Man (1962)
11:45 PM Meet Me in St. Louis (1944)
1:45 AM Janie (1944)
3:45 AM Four Daughters (1938)

Wednesday, July 28
7:00 PM Some Came Running (1958)
9:30 PM Paper Moon (1973)
11:30 PM The Last Picture Show (1971)
1:45 AM Bonnie and Clyde (1967)
3:45 AM Badlands (1973)