Spectrum Choice

Last week I received a piece of mail from Spectrum, who provide both internet and cable television for my house. It let us know that after August 7 2023 our internet speed would be increased to 100 Mbps. That was the good news. The bad news is that our bill would go up slightly and we would be shifted to a new cable package (ours no longer being offered). Furthermore, they would be adding a few channels to our line up and dropping a few as well. Unfortunately, among the channels being dropped from our line up is Turner Classic Movies.

Now I don't know if TCM has been bumped up to a higher tier or if it's not being offered on any of Spectrum's cable packages. Either way it doesn't matter, as we really cannot afford to pay any more for internet and cable television than we already do. Fortunately, it turns out that Turner Classic Movies is still available through Spectrum and, what is more, we can actually reduce our bill almost by half.

Quite simply, being upset at the prospect of losing TCM, I called Spectrum. Their customer service representative (who was very nice) told me about Spectrum's new live streaming service called Spectrum Choice. One automatically receives their local channels and can pick 15 additional channels, of which Turner Classic Movies is one of them. It cost only $29.99 (as opposed to the $59.99 we were paying for our cable package). One can add the premium channels HBO, Starz, Showtime, and The Movie Channel for an additional fee.

Now Spectrum Choice certainly is not for everyone and I can see how some people might not think it is worth it. As for myself,  not having TCM is a deal breaker. It is the one cable channel I must absolutely have. For me, having over 125 channels is not worth it if it means I cannot have Turner Classic Movies. In addition to keeping TCM, it also means we won't be paying for a ton of channels we never watch, such as the various sports channels or Fox "News."

I do have to admit that given recent events it does concern me that Spectrum has either bumped TCM up to a higher tier or done away with it entirely. Now more than ever it seems important that cable companies have Turner Classic Movies available on their lower priced line ups. I realize that as TCM is commercial free that its carriage fees may not be cheap, but I would gladly pay more for fewer channels if one of them is TCM. As it is, I have to think many people here in Randolph County will either switch to Spectrum Choice (effectively doing away with their cable package entirely) or switch to one of Spectrum's competitors (here in Huntsville we have two cable companies to choose from--the other one still has TCM). Regardless, I am just glad I don't have to give up TCM or switch to another cable company to get it.

Happy July 4th 2023

I want to wish my fellow Americans a happy 4th of July! Here at A Shroud of Thoughts we celebrate various holidays with vintage pinups. Independence Day is no different, so here is this year's collection of patriotic pinups.

First up is Vera-Ellen, who is ringing in the 4th of July.

And here's Shirley Marlo read to celebrate with fireworks.

Here's Susan Hayward and Virginia Dale enjoying the 4th of July on the beach.

Anne Gwynne is relaxing on a crate of high explosives during World War II.

The lovely and leggy Cyd Charisse looks like she's ready to lead a parade.

And finally, it wouldn't be the 4th of July without Ann Miller!

The Late Great Alan Arkin

Legendary character actor Alan Arkin, who appeared in such films as The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968), Catch-22 (1970), and The In-Laws (1979), died on June 29 2023 at the age of 89.

Alan Arkin was born in Brooklyn, New York on March 26 1934. His father would take him to see foreign films at the Thalia in New York. It was through subtitles that he learned to read. It was in 1945, when Alan Arkin was eleven, that his family moved to Los Angeles. He studied at Los Angeles City College and California State Los Angeles. He received a drama scholarship from Bennington College in Vermont.

Alan Arkin was a talented musician who could play guitar, piano, fife, and vibraphone. He joined the vocal group The Tarriers. The Tarriers had two minor hits with "Cindy, Oh Cindy" (with Vince Martin) and "The Banana Boat Song." They also recorded several albums and appeared in the movie Calypso Heat Wave (1957), marking Alan Arkin's film debut. Alan Arkin toured Europe with The Tarriers from 1957 to 1959.

Alan Arkin moved from music into acting, appearing with a repertory company in the Adirondacks. Afterwards he appeared in off-Broadway production of Abelard and Heloise. Alan Arkin moved to St. Lousi where he performed with the Compass Players  and then joined the comedy troupe Second City in Chicago in 1960. It was through Second City that he made his Broadway debut in 1961, appearing in From the Second City. In the Sixties he appeared on Broadway in Enter Laughing and Luv, and he directed Hail Scrawdyke!. In the Seventies he directed The Sunshine Boys and Molly on Broadway. In the Nineties he directed Taller Than a Dwarf.

Alan Arkin made his film debut as an actor in the comedy short "That's Me" (1963), which was written by him and Andrew Duncan. It received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Live Action Short Film. His feature film debut was in The Russians Are Coming the Russians Are Coming (1966), in which he played Lt. Rozanov, the political officer of a Russian submarine. He was nominated for the Oscar for Best Actor for the role. He was also nominated for Best Actor for his role in The Heart is a Lonely Hunter (1968). In the Sixties he also appeared in the movies Woman Times Seven (1967), Wait Until Dark (1967), Inspector Clouseau (1968), Popi (1969), The Monitors (1969), and Catch-22 (1970).

In the Seventies Mr. Arkin appeared in the movies Little Murders (1971), Deadhead Miles (1971), Last of the Red Hot Lovers (1972), Freebie and the Bean (1974), Rafferty and the God Dust Twins (1975), Hearts of the West (1975), The Seven-Per-Cent Solution (1975), Fire Sale (1977), The In-Laws (1979), The Magician of Lubin (1979), and Simon (1989).

In the Eighties he appeared in the movies Improper Channels (1981), Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981), Full Moon High (1981), The Return of Captain Invincible (1983), Joshua Then and Now (1985), Bad Medicine (1985), Big Trouble (1986), Coupe de Ville (1990), Edward Scissorhands (1990), and Havana (1990). He was the voice of Schmendrick  in the animated feature The Last Unicorn (2002).

In the Nineties he appeared in the movies The Rocketeer (1991), Glengarry Glen Ross (1992), Indian Summer (1993), So I Married an Axe Murderer (1993), North (1994), The Jerky Boys (1995), Steal Big Steal Little (1995), Mother Night (1996), Grosse Point Blank (1997), O Que é Isso, Companheiro? (1997), GATTACA (1997), Slums of Beverly Hills (1998), Jakob the Liar (1999), and Magicians (2000).

In the Naughts he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in Little Miss Sunshine (2006). He appeared in the movies America's Sweethearts (2001), Thirteen Conversations About One Thing (2001), Eros (2004), Noel (2004), Firewall (2006), The Novice (2006), The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause (2006), Raising Flagg (2006), Rendition (2007), Sunshine Cleaning (2008), Get Smart (2008), Marley & Me (2008), The Private Lives of Pippa Lee (2009), and City Island (2009).

In the Teens Alan Arkin was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for Argo (2012). He appeared in the movies The Convincer (2011), The Change-Up (2011), The Muppets (2011), Stand Up Guys (2012), The Incredible Burt Wonderstone (2013), In Security (2013), Grudge Match (2013), Million Dollar Arm (2014), Love the Coopers (2015), Going in Style (2017), Dumbo (2019), and Spenser (2020). In the 2020s he provided the voice of Wild Knuckles in the animated feature Minions: The Rise of Gru (2022).

Alan Arkin made his television debut on the show East Side/West Side in 1964. In the Sixties he also guest starred on the TV shows ABC Stage 67 and Sesame Street. In the Seventies he made more guest appearances on Sesame Street and also guest starred on Captain Kangaroo, Busting Loose, and Carol Burnett & Company. He appeared in the TV movies It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy, The Other Side of Hell, and The Defection of Simas Kurirka.

In the Eighties Alan Arkin guest starred on the TV shows St. Elsewhere, American Playhouse, Faerie Tale Theatre, and A Year in the Life. He starred on the short-lived show Harry. He appeared in the TV movies The Fourth Wise Man, A Deadly Business, Escape from Sobibor, and Necessary Parties. In the Nineties he guest starred on the TV shows Picture Windows and Chicago Hope. He appeared in the TV movies Cooperstown, Taking the Heat, Heck's Way Home, and Blood Money.

In the Naughts Mr. Arkin starred on the short lived show 100 Centre Street. He guest starred on the show Will & Grace. He appeared in the TV movies Varian's War, The Pentagon Papers, and And Starring Pancho Villa as Himself. In the Teens he provided the voice of J.D. Salinger on the animated series BoJack Horseman. He starred on the TV show The Kominsky Method. He guest starred on the show Get Shorty. In the 2020s he continued to appear in The Kominsky Method.

Alan Arkin was simply an incredible actor, one of the greatest character actors of the late Twentieth and early Twenty First Centuries. He was both extremely versatile and extremely prolific, and could play any number of roles. He shined as submarine officer Rozanov in The Russians Are Coming the Russians are Coming. He was impressive in Catch-22 as Captain Yossarian, the burned out and traumatized U.S. Air Force bombardier who wanted out of the war. in The In-Laws he played mild-mannered dentist Shelley Kompett, whose daughter's father-in-law, Vince Ricardo (Peter Falk) turns out to be a CIA agent. In The Rocketeer he was aircraft mechanic Peevy, who figures out how to get a rocket pack to work. Alan Arkin could play villains as well. He played the violent con man Roat in Wait Until Dark. Alan Arkin was so impressive in so many movies, including Freebie and the Bean, Hearts of the West, The Seven-Per-Cent Solution, Argo, and many others. Few actors were as great as Alan Arkin was.

I Wake Up Screaming

(This post is part of the Betty Grable Blogathon hosted by Taking Up Room)

I Wake Up Screaming (1941) is notable for three reasons. First, it is one of the earliest movies that would later be called film noir. In fact, it is often counted as the first film noir made at 20th Century Fox. Second, it stars Betty Grable in a rare dramatic role. Both prior to and following I Wake Up Screaming (1941), she primarily did musicals and comedies. Third, it was an early role for Victor Mature. It was Mr. Mature's fifth movie and he considered it his first "real" movie.

I Woke Up Screaming (1941) starred Betty Grable as Jill Lynn, whose sister Vicky (Carole Landis) signs with a Hollywood producer. It is not long afterwards that Vicki is murdered. Jill then teams up with Frankie Christopher (Victor Mature), a sports promoter who sought to turn Vicky into a star and was accused of her murder to solve the mystery of Vicky's murder. This was not the first time that Betty Grable and Carole Landis had played sisters. They had also done so in the musical Moon Over Miami (1941). Of course, Miss Landis had previously appeared with Victor Mature in the caveman movie One Million B.C. (1940).

I Wake Up Screaming (1941) was based on the novel of the same name by Steve Fisher. Steve Fisher wrote for several pulp magazines, including Black Mask, Detective Story Magazine, Doc Savage, The Phantom Detective, and The Shadow. He later broke into slick magazines such as Colliers, Liberty, and The Saturday Morning Post before publishing novels. The movie I Wake Up Screaming  would see some changes from the novel. The novel is set in Hollywood, but Darryl F. Zanuck changed the setting to New York City because he did not like stories set in Hollywood. While the movie originally bore the same title as the novel, Zanuck changed the movie's title to Hot Spot. It was under the title Hot Spot that it was previewed in Pasadena, California. The preview bombed as the audience expected a musical, largely because of its star Betty Grable. The movie was then edited and its title changed back to the more fitting I Woke Up Screaming.

Betty Grable was not the only actress considered for the role of Jill in I Wake Up Screaming (1941). Rita Hayworth and Gene Tierney had also been considered. Producer Milton Sperling decided on the unusual choice of Betty Grable, who was happy to play the role. Early on Lucille Ball was considered for the role of Vicky, which ultimately went to Carole Landis. George Raft and Cesar Romero had expressed interest in the role of Frankie Christopher, which ultimately went to Victor Mature. It was Mr. Mature's first film under his contract with 20th Century Fox. He would follow I Woke Up Screaming (1941) with another early noir, The Shanghai Gesture (1941).

In some respects, Betty Grable's role as Jill is not that far off from her characters in musicals and comedies. Jill is as wholesome as many of the other characters Miss Grable played. Originally she was even set to do a bit of singing in I Wake Up Screaming (1941), a scene in which she sings "Daddy" by songwriter Harold Arlen in a record store, but the scene was ultimately cut from the completed movie. And Darryl F. Zanuck made sure to take advantage of Betty Grable's already famous legs and Victor Mature's muscles. I Wake Up Screaming (1941), features a scene set at a swimming pool in which both are wearing swimsuits. Betty Grable was not particularly happy about the scene, saying it "...could just as easily have taken place in a drug store or a bar, but Zanuck would have me and Victor strip down. I loathed that scene."

Beyond Betty Grable, Victor Mature, and Carole Landis, I Wake Up Screaming (1941) featured other notable actors in its cast. Elisha Cook Jr. would make a career out of appearing in film noirs, and by the time he appeared in I Wake Up Screaming (1941) he had already appeared in Stranger on the Third Floor (1940), considered by some to be the first true film noir, and The Maltese Falcon (1941). Laird Creager played the none-too-nice police detective Ed Cornell. He would also go onto appear in the classic film noir This Gun for Hire (1942).

I Wake Up Screaming (1941) was well received by critics. It was also well received by audiences. The movie proved to be a hit and made  a profit of $574,100. The film still remains well respected to this day. Director H. Bruce Humberstone had earlier directed several "Charlie Chan" movies and such lighter fare as the comedies Pardon Our Nerve (1939) and The Quarterback (1940), but with I Wake Up Screaming (1941) he seems totally at home with film noir. Aside from featuring the archetypal noir plot of someone wrongly accused of murder, I Wake Up Screaming (1941) also features the shadows and low-key lighting that would come to define noir. H. Bruce Humberstone would never make another film noir, instead making musicals such as Wonder Man (1945) and The Desert Song (1953).

Following I Wake Up Screaming (1941) Betty Grable would have little opportunity to play dramatic roles. As the Forties progressed, she became established as a musical and comedic star, not to mention a wholesome pinup girl. As wonderful as Miss Grable was in musical comedies, in some ways this is sad. She did a wonderful job in I Wake Up Screaming, and it would be interesting to have seen her in other dramatic roles.

What Happens in Vegas... on Turner Classic Movies on July 11

Ocean's 11 (1960)

Call it "Sin City," "the Desert Oasis," or "the Entertainment Capital of the World," Las Vegas is one of the most famous cities on Earth. Las Vegas was founded in 1905 and legalized casino gambling in 1931. In 1946 New York City  gangster Bugsy Siegel, back up by Meyer Lansky, built The Flamingo. In the Fifties the Chicago Outfit would control its own casinos, the Stardust, the Desert Inn, and the Riviera. Neon lights, gambling, and the Mob made Las Vegas an ideal setting for movies.

On July 11 and July 12 2023 Turner Classic Movies is showing five movies with a Las Vegas theme. Among these is the Rat Pack classic Ocean's 11 (1960), which I consider the Las Vegas; the film noir The Las Vegas Story (1952); and the musical Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956). Below is the line-up of movies. All times are Central.

July 11 2023
7:00 PM Ocean's 11 (1960)
9:15 PM The Las Vegas Story (1956)
11:00 PM Bugsy (1990)

July 12 2023
1:30 AM Machine Gun McCain (1970)
3:30 AM Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956)

The Corner Bar: A Historic, But Forgotten Sitcom

Bill Fiore, Vincent Schiavelli, & Gabriel Dell

Chances are very good that not many remember or have even heard of the sitcom The Corner Bar. It was a summer replacement series that debuted on ABC on June 21 1972. After running for 10 episodes during the summer of 1972, it was retooled for its second season of six episodes in the late summer of 1973. While the show was not successful and is not well remembered, The Corner Bar is historic in featuring the first recurring gay character.

The Corner Bar was created by comedian Alan King and veteran television writer Herb Sargent, who had previously worked on such shows as The Steve Allen Show That Was the Week That Was. Among its producers was Howard Morris, veteran of Your Show of Shows and Ernest T. Bass on The Andy Griffith Show. By 1972 Mr. Morris had already directed many hours of television. The Corner Bar starred Gabriel Dell as Harry Grant, who bought a bar in New York City called Grant's Tomb. Its premise was much like the classic radio show Duffy's Tavern or the classic sitcom Cheers insofar that it centred on the various patrons of Grant's Tomb, although it tended to be much more topical.

Among the patrons who frequented Grant's Tomb was Peter Panama, Broadway set designer who dressed flamboyantly. Peter was played by Vincent Schiavelli, who would go on to appear in the movies One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) and Fast Times at Ridgemont High (1982). Peter Panama was the first recurring character to appear on an American television show who was openly gay. The Corner Bar could have then been said to have been a step forward in representation for homosexual characters except for one thing. Quite simply, from all reports Peter Panama was an outright stereotype.

Indeed, the character was not at all well received by the Gay Activists Alliance (GAA), then the most influential gay activist organization. The group referred to Peter Panama as an "effeminate, inaccurate stereotype of the male homosexual." Richard Wandel, then president of the GAA, said of Peter Panama, "However, we cannot accept this ludicrous stereotype. No more than the Black community would accept a watermelon-eating, tap-dancing stereotype of a Black man."

When The Corner Bar returned for a second season on August 3 1973, Peter Panama was no longer part of the cast, although it is doubtful that his absence was due to any controversy over the character. Quite simply, The Corner Bar had been almost completely overhauled. Grant's Tomb was now owned by Mae (Anne Meara) and Frank Flynn (Eugene Roche). Only the characters Fred Costello (J. J. Barry), Phil Bracken (Bill Fiore), and Meyer Shapiro (Shimen Ruskin) were retained for the second season. Retooling The Corner Bar ultimately failed to help the show in the ratings. It did not return for a third season.

While The Corner Bar was a failure and Peter Panama was rejected by the gay community, the Seventies would see gay representation improve throughout the decade of the Seventies. It was later in 1972 that the television movie That Certain Summer aired on ABC, considered by many to be the first sympathetic portrayal of homosexuals on American television. On The Mary Tyler Moore Show episode "My Brother's Keeper," which aired on January 13 1973, Robert Moore, guest starred as Phyllis's brother Ben, who just happens to be gay. Like That Certain Summer, it would also be a sympathetic portrayal of a gay man. While homosexual stereotypes would continue to appear on American television well in the Eighties, as the Seventies progressed there was also an increase in more realistic, more sympathetic portrayal of homosexuals.

Today The Corner Bar remains largely unavailable. At only sixteen episodes it was never rerun. It also seems unlikely to ever appear on streaming services. Currently, it would appear that the UCLA Film and Television Archive, which has one episode each from the two seasons, is the only place anyone can see even a portion of The Corner Bar. Regardless, while largely unavailable and forgotten, The Corner Bar was historic.

The Late Great Julian Sands

Julian Sands, who starred in the movies A Room with a View (1985) and Warlock (1989), went missing while on a hike on a trail on Mount Baldy in California on January 13 2023. Human remains recently found by hikers were confirmed to be Mr. Sands on June 27 2023.

Julian Sands was born on January 4 1958 in  Otley, West Riding of Yorkshire. He attended Lord Wandsworth College in Hamphsire. He studied acting at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. He appeared in the short film "Broken Enilgsh" in 1979.

In 1982 he made his television debut in a small part in an episode of Play for Today. He made his film debut in 1983 in a small part in Privates on Parade. In the Eighties he appeared in the movies Oxford Blues (1984), The Killing Fields (1984), After Darkness (1985), The Doctor and the Devils (1985), A Room with a View (1985), Gothic (1986), Siesta (1987), Vibes (1988), Wherever You Are (1988), Warlock (1989), Manika, une vie plus tard (1989), Tennessee Nights (1989), Il sole anche di notte (1990), and Arachnophobia (1990). On television he appeared in the mini-series A Married Man and The Sun Also Rises. He appeared in the TV movies Romance on the Orient Express, The Holy Experiment, Harem, Basements, Murder on the Moon, and Blood Royal: William the Conqueror. He guest starred on the show The Box of Delights.

In the Nineties Mr. Sands appeared in the movies Impromptu (1991), Cattiva (1991), Grand Isle (1991), La villa del venerdì (1991), Naked Lunch (1991), The Turn of the Screw (1992), Tale of a Vampire (1992), Boxing Helena (1993), Warlock: The Armageddon (1993), The Browning Version (1994), Mario und der Zauberer (1994), Leaving Las Vegas (1995), Never Ever (1996), One Night Stand (1997), Long Time Since (1998), The Loss of Sexual Innocence (1998), Il fantasma dell'opera (1998), Mercy (2000), The Million Dollar Hotel (2000), Love me (2000),  Timecode (2000), and Vatel (2000). On television he guest starred on the shows Chicago Hope and Strangers. He provided voices for the animated shows Biker Mice from Mars, Adventures from the Book of Virtues, and The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest. He appeared in the TV movies Witch Hunt, The Tomorrow Man, and End of Summer.

In the Naughts he appeared on television in the fifth season of the show 24. He also had roles on the short-lived show Lipstick Jungle and Bollywood Hero. He guest starred on the shows The L Word, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Marple, Blood Ties, Ghost Whisperer, Castle, and Smallville. Julian Sands appeared in the mini-series Rose Red and Napoleon. He appeared in the TV movie Ring of the Nibelungs. He was the voice of Valmont on the animated show Jackie Chan Adventures. He appeared in the movies The Scoundrel's Wife (2002), The Medallion (2003), Easy Six (2003), Romasanta (2004), Her Name is Carla (2006), La piste (2006), Ocean's Thirteen (2007), Cat City (2008), Blood and Bone (2009), Heidi 4 Paws (2009), Golf in the Kingdom (2010), and Assisting Venus (2010).

In the Teens Julian Sands appeared on television on the shows Crossbones and Will. He guest starred on the shows Above Suspicion, NTSF:SD:SUV, Person of Interest, Dexter, Banshee, Rosamunde Pilcher, Crónica de Castas, The Village, Banshee Origins, Gotham, The Blacklist, Elementary, Medici, and Into the Dark. He appeared in the mini-series Man in an Orange Shirt and What/If. He appeared in the movie The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011), Hirokin (2012), Suspension of Disbelief (2012),  All Things to All Men (2013), Cesar Chavez (2014), GHB: To Be or Not to Be (2014), Me (2014), Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks (2014), Sariel (2015) The Loner (2016), El elegido (2016), Crooked House (2017), Toy Gun (2018), Walk Like a Panther (2018), Trautmann (2018), The Painted Bird (2019), The Garden of Evening Mists (2019), and Yeh Ballet (2020). He was the narrator of the segment "The Facts in the Case of M. Valdemar" in the movie Extraordinary Tales (2013) and the movie Borley Rectory (2017). He provided voices for Bongee Bear and the Kingdom of Rhythm (2019) and Bobbleheads: The Movie (2020).

In the 2020s, Julian Sands appeared in the movies Death Rider in the House of Vampires (2021), Benediction (2021), The Survivalist (2021), The Ghosts of Borley Rectory (2021), The Ghost of Monday (2022), Seneca: On the Creation of Earthquakes (2023), and The Piper (2023).

Julian Sand also provided voices for several videos games, including Star Wars: The Old Republic and the voice of Q in several James Bond video games.

Julian Sands was a remarkable actor with a great deal of versatility. He could play in romances, most notably appearing as the independent thinking George Emerson in A Room with a View. In The Browning Version he had a small role as the enthusiastic new Head of Modern Languages Tom Gilbert. In Gothic he played poet Percy Bysshe Shelley. Julian Sands was perfectly capable of playing villains as well. In Warlock he played the spellcaster of the title, a 17th century warlock who travels through time to begin a reign of terror in 20th Century Los Angeles. In Boxing Helena he played Dr. Nick Cavanaugh, who holds a woman captive in his home and begins to amputate her limbs to keep her there. Julian Sands had an incredible amount of talent, and could play a wide variety of roles.