TCM Articles

Van Johnson, Esther Williams Esther Williams Box Set, Vol. 2: Part I If you find yourself unmoved by what you've read so far, then I suggest you skip this Esther Williams set altogether as, historical and sociological dimensions aside, these films are pretty dreadful. The visual style usually hovers around the level of "faceless competence" (but, curiously enough, the dullest-looking of the bunch, This Time [...]

TCM Spotlight: Esther Williams, Vol. 2 (Thrill of a Romance / Fiesta / This Time for Keeps / Pagan Love Song / Million Dollar Mermaid / Easy to Love) Twenty-first century moviegoers don't understand Esther Williams, and you get funny looks when you try to explain her appeal. Why on earth would you go to the movies just to see someone swim? It must be [...]

Jean Arthur is one of my all-time favorite performers. So, it's great to see her listed as one of Turner Classic Movies' "Summer Under the Stars" stars. Jean Arthur Day will take place on Sunday, Aug. 30. Jean Arthur was Columbia's top star from the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s, when Rita Hayworth became the studio's reigning queen and Arthur semi-retired from films. Her characters were [...]

Peter Sellers in Lolita. Photo: Courtesy of Turner Classic Movies. Peter Sellers will have his "Summer Under the Stars" day on Saturday, Aug. 29. Turner Classic Movies will present thirteen Peter Sellers vehicles, including two TCM premieres, John Guillermin's Waltz of the Toreadors and Robert Day's Two-Way Stretch. First of all, I must admit that I'm not that familiar with Sellers' film career. Among the [...]