TCM Schedule for Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024: Service Men & Women / The Power of Film (feat. The Big Lebowski)
DAYTIME: After wrapping up the previous days' tribute to Columbia Pictures (Funny Girl, The China Syndrome), TCM screens five films centered around the experiences, relationships, and romances of the men and women serving during and after World War II
PRIMETIME: The Power of Film (Documentary)—Why Great Movies Work and Last. Part 3: Character Relationships
LATE NIGHT: The Marx Brothers and Charlie Chaplin
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7:15 AM | The China Syndrome (1979)
A TV reporter investigates the goings on in a shoddy nuclear power plant and ends up against more than she bargained for.
Dir: James Bridges | Cast: Jane Fonda, Jack Lemmon, Lewis Arquette
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9:30 AM | Force of Arms (1951)
An Army sergeant romances a Women's Army Corps lieutenant in World War II Italy.
Dir: Michael Curtiz | Cast: William Holden, Nancy Olson, Frank Lovejoy
11:30 AM | Operation Pacific (1951)
World War II submarine commander Duke Gifford manages a dangerous mission against the Japanese as he struggles with guilt over the death of his former commanding officer and grief over his failed marriage.
Dir: George Waggner | Cast: John Wayne, Patricia O'Neal, Ward Bond
1:15 PM | Cry 'Havoc' (1944)
A group of war nurses fight to survive the siege of Bataan.
Dir: Richard Thorpe | Cast: Margaret Sullavan, Ann Sothern, Joan Blondell
3:00 PM | Homecoming (1948)
A married man's wartime love affair spells trouble when peace comes.
Dir: Mervyn Leroy | Cast: Clark Gable, Lana Turner, Anne Baxter
5:00 PM | The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Upon returning to small-town America, three World War II veterans have difficulty readjusting to life at home, discovering that both they and their families have irrevocably changed.
Dir: William Wyler | Cast: Myrna Loy, Fredric March, Dana Andrews
--- 8PM EST, The Power of Film (Part 3) ---
There's no such thing as an interesting character; there are only interesting character relationships. But, as is true for religions, myths, and the longest-lasting dramas, the structure of most memorable dramatic plots centers on a single individual, around whom all the most important action and the other characters revolve.
9:00 PM | The Big Lebowski (1998)
Laidback Jeff "The Dude" Lebowski is mistaken for a millionaire of the same name and is beaten up by thugs who believe the other Lebowski's wife owes money to their boss Jackie Treehorn. Jeff seeks restitution for his ruined rug and enlists his bowling buddies to help him get it.
Dir: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen | Cast: Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, Julianne Moore, Steve Buscemi, Philip Seymour Hoffman
11:15 PM | The Power of Film Episode 3: Character Relationships (2023)
12:15 AM | Paths of Glory (1957)
A military lawyer comes to question the status quo when he defends three men accused of cowardice.
Dir: Stanley Kubrick | Cast: Kirk Douglas, Ralph Meeker, Adolphe Menjou
2:00 AM | A Night at the Opera (1935)
The Marx Brothers are pitted against high culture as they try to help two young opera singers who are in love.
Dir: Sam Wood | Cast: Groucho Marx, Chico Marx, Harpo Marx, Kitty Carlisle, Allan Jones
4:00 AM | Modern Times (1936)
When an oppressed assembly-line factory worker is mistaken for a radical political leader, he is arrested and thrown into jail. Upon his release he tries to find work, but can't seem to get ahead or escape the long arm of the law.
Dir: Charlie Chaplin | Cast: Charlie Chaplin, Paulette Goddard, Henry Bergman