Turner Classic Movies: TCM has commenced its annual three-day war movie marathon for Memorial Day weekend. While I can’t say that it’s my favorite genre, I can recommend a number of TCM’s selections.
“Objective, Burma!” (today, 3:15 p.m. ET) Errol Flynn trades his sword for a machine gun and parachutes behind enemy lines to take out a Japanese post. It may not sound like your cup of tea, but believe it or not, it is one of Flynn’s most exciting films.
“No Time for Sergeants” (tomorrow, 8 p.m. ET) Watch this alongside “A Face in the Crowd” to understand the full range of Andy Griffith’s talent. If you’re a fan of Mayberry, this one likely will be more your speed (Griffith plays a manipulative SOB in the other), with a number of premonitions, especially one scene which pairs Griffith with future co-star Don Knotts. Myron McCormick is especially fun as Griffith’s long-suffering drill sergeant.
“Dawn Patrol” (Monday, 4 a.m. ET) Errol Flynn and David Niven are WWI flyers; Basil Rathbone is their commanding officer. With that cast, as far as I’m concerned, this film can do no wrong.
“Sergeant York” (Monday, 7:30 a.m. ET) One part patriotic flag-waver and two parts hillbilly hootenanny. Inspired by the real-life exploits of backwoods sharpshooter Alvin York, the film provides Gary Cooper with one of his best roles. It’s especially interesting when York struggles to reconcile pacifism with duty to one’s country. But it’s really the hillbilly antics that make it worth watching.
“Friendly Persuasion” (Monday, 10 a.m.) Another Gary Cooper classic. This time Coop plays a Quaker who must come to terms with a war (in this case, the Civil War) which again challenges his pacifist beliefs. Fun domestic interactions with Dorothy McGuire.
“Twelve O’ Clock High” (Monday, 8 p.m.) Gregory Peck whips into shape a bad-luck unit of high altitude daylight bombers. An examination of the toll combat takes on men, it’s a war movie with more soul and depth than most.
“The Best Years of Our Lives” (Monday, 10:30 p.m.) One of my all-time favorite classic films, about American soldiers trying to readjust to civilian life following WWII. Poignant and beautiful, with a real sense of what made this country great.
Obviously, my recommendations won’t necessarily correspond to somebody else’s preferences. (Some of the more manly among you will undoubtedly prefer tonight’s line up of “The Dirty Dozen,” “Where Eagles Dare” and “Kelly’s Heroes.”)
Anybody care to share their favorite war movies? Sound off below.