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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 3/29/11

9:30 AM HBO2
Triangle: Remembering the Fire (2011 USA): March 25th was the 100th anniversary of New York City’s infamous Triangle Waist Factory fire, and HBO acknowledges this inauspicious but important occasion with this excellent new documentary. The Triangle fire marked the point where government intervention in the workplace was finally recognized as a necessity: due to the factory’s outrageously poor conditions, including exits locked during working hours, 146 female employees were killed in only eighteen minutes. It also contributed to explosive growth in union membership, with The International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union the primary beneficiary. One hundred years later, of course, the forces of capital are still eager to dispense with the "burdensome" regulations and union workforces that have benefited (if not saved) the lives of countless workers since 1911. Show this sobering film to your Tea Party relatives — assuming they’re not too busy screeching about keeping the gummint’s hands off their Medicare and Social Security. Also airs at 12:30 PM.

11:30 PM Turner Classic Movies
30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia (1968 GB): For some reason I always associate this swingin’ '60s comedy with Work Is a Four Letter Word, which also came out in 1968 and is also worthy of a TCM airing at some point (please, Mr. Osborne, please?). Instead of David Warner, however, we get Dudley Moore in the lead role of Rupert Street, a composer determined to leave his mark on the world by the time the bell tolls "big 3-0." Unfortunately, he’s down to his last six weeks as a 20-something! Directed by Joseph McGrath (The Magic Christian), 30 Is a Dangerous Age, Cynthia, certainly has autobiographical tones, as Moore was an accomplished jazz musician (though at this point, a 33-year old one). Co-starring John Bird, Suzy Kendall, and Frank "Captain Peacock" Thornton, the film also features (unsurprisingly) an original score composed by Moore.

Wednesday 3/30/11

3:00 AM Showtime
Beautiful Dreamer: Brian Wilson and the Story of "Smile" (2004 USA)): In my opinion, The Beach Boys are possibly the most overrated "pop" band in history. Striped shirts, falsetto vocals, Mike Love, and not an ounce of grit or sweat between them. Well, maybe Dennis had an ounce or two. That said, whilst I remain a committed nonbeliever in the genius of the film's subject, Beautiful Dreamer is undeniably a moving experience. Brian Wilson's continuing battle to overcome mental illness is a truly heroic one, and even though the man can't sing anymore, he still puts his heart and soul into everything he does. The music may be overproduced slush, but Wilson believes in it heart and soul, and for that he must be commended. Fans of the band will be extremely happy with this overly respectful but solid documentary tribute to a man and his art. Also airs at 6:00 AM.

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