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From the obscure to the obscurest to the merely overlooked or underappreciated; they all have a home in the TiVoPlex! All times Pacific.

Tuesday 4/06/10

4:45 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Ruling Voice (1931 USA): The magisterial tones of Walter Huston echo throughout The Ruling Voice, a rarely seen drama from Warners' subsidiary First National. Directed by Rowland V. Lee, the film features Huston as Jack Bannister, a gangland boss with a couple of problems: his child, and the father (Willard Robertson) of one of his victims. Bannister is the tough as nails, take no nonsense type, but his love for daughter Gloria (Loretta Young) proves to be an Achilles' Heel: Gloria's been living her life in blissful ignorance of Daddy's true profession, but when she discovers he's a hoodlum, Jack is forced to face up to the consequences of his life of crime. The Ruling Voice is an excellent, gritty pre-Code feature, and co-stars TiVoPlex fave David Manners as a lothario named Dick Cheney!

5:30 PM Showtime
Dad's In Heaven With Nixon (2010 USA): Definitely the title of the week—and though I haven't seen Dad's In Heaven With Nixon yet, the film's website suggests it has little, if anything, to do with the GOP. It's a documentary about Chris Murray, a developmentally challenged youngster recommended for institutionalization at the age of four. Mom Murray had other ideas, however, and ignored the professional advice, choosing instead to keep Chris at home. The film was directed and produced by elder brother Tom Murray and features original artwork by Chris, who now lives a happy life thanks to his mother's extraordinary efforts. Also airs at 8:30 PM and throughout the month.

Wednesday 4/07/10

4:00 AM Cinemax
The Car (1977 USA): Released in Canada with the far superior title Deathmobile, The Car is an utterly ridiculous, yet outrageously fun, thriller about a possessed 1971 Lincoln. James Brolin stars as Sheriff Wade Parent, the desert lawman responsible for investigating a series of mysterious auto-related deaths. At first, it looks like a case (or cases) of hit and run—but The Car's driver turns out to be Satan himself, and believe you me, Satan wants more than just the blood of his victims on his bumper! Honk, honk—and watch out for the French horn (this will all make sense when you watch the film)! Also airs at 7:00 PM.

7:00 PM Fox Movie Channel
The Fly (1986 USA): David Cronenberg's gruesome remake of The Fly is no rarity on television, but it's been a while since it's had a letterboxed airing on Fox—and I actually don't think I've ever previously recommended it. Jeff Goldblum stars as Seth Brundle, the brilliant but unfortunate scientist who gets his human DNA mixed up with that of a common insect. At first, the effects seem minimal—but as the diptora DNA begins to assert itself, Seth begins to develop a really outrageous sweet tooth, and it becomes clear that these are not two great tastes that go great together. Sadly, even the love of a good woman (Geena Davis) cannot save Brundlefly from a fate worse than flying into a bug zapper (hey, at least the zapper is fast). Chris Walas' ‘creature effects' rightfully won him an Academy Award for Best Makeup.

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