About Christmas TV History

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Barbara Stanwyck

SET YOUR DVRs: for Turner Classic Movies channel this Sunday, 12/6 at noon (EST) and 2 pm (EST) for Christmas in Connecticut and Remember the Night.

One of my favorite actresses, Barbara Stanwyck, is known for her melodramas and her unique character style of being tough on the outside but soft on the inside. Most people remember her for her femme fatale role in Double Indemnity. But she also appeared in the lighter, holiday films Christmas in Connecticut and Remember the Night. These aren't just classic films they are standards. And should be.

If you're a fan of Double Indemnity, you may want to see Remember the Night as Stanwyck once again shares the screen with actor Fred MacMurray.

The lifeless remake of Christmas in Connecticut, starring Dyan Cannon, was actually directed by now-Governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger. There's some holiday trivia sure to impress at the Christmas dinner table.

And, if you're looking for something different--wait until 12/22 on TCM to watch Barbara Stanwyck in the Frank Capra classic Meet John Doe. You already know Jimmy Stewart isn't going to commit suicide by jumping from the bridge this year--so watch 1941's Meet John Doe to see if Stanwyck can keep Gary Cooper from jumping from the roof of a building. The holidays sure can be rough!

Not enough Stanwyck yet? Well, then get the Christmas episode of the TV western, The Big Valley, entitled "Judgment in Heaven." It's on disc 5 of the first season--at the local public library or your favorite online DVD rental provider.

1 comment:

  1. Watched "Christmas in Connecticut" today, after DVRing (that a verb now?) the other day.

    Great, as always. So well-acted by everyone involved. Fun stuff.

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