There is arguably no better place to watch classic movies than Turner Classic Movies, the 24/7 channel that airs both iconic and award-winning movies we've all heard of to smaller movies from throughout Hollywood history that you can discover for the first time. And despite the recent bumps in the road for the cable channel, movie fans continue to show their support for Turner Classic movies.
I count myself among those fans of the channel, where I have watched many of my favorite movies for the first time. So, I'm paying it forward and running down some of the best movies on Turner Classic Movies this week, from Saturday, July 1, to Friday, July 7.
Below you'll read about my top three picks for this week's lineup (definitely giving the picks a patriotic bent this week), followed by the major highlights of each day this week. However, you should definitely explore everything that the channel has to offer this week by looking at the complete TCM schedule on its website.
Here are the Turner Classic Movies that are definitely worth a watch this week.
Yankee Doodle Dandy (1942)
Airing on TCM: Saturday, July 1, noon & Tuesday, July 4, 5:30 pm
Directed by: Michael Curtiz
Starring: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston
The life story of entertainer and musical composer of the iconic "Over There" George M. Cohan is the subject matter for the biographical musical Yankee Doodle Dandy. Sure, it's Hollywood-ized, but with a winning performance from James Cagney (literally, he won Best Actor at the Oscars for this role) and the always reliable Michael Curtiz behind the camera, Yankee Doodle Dandy is a fun watch and fitting for the Fourth of July holiday week. So much so it's airing twice on TCM.
The Best Years of Our Lives (1946)
Airing on TCM: Sunday, July 2
Directed by: William Wyler
Starring: Dana Andrews, Frederic March, Harold Russell, Myrna Loy
One of the greatest war movies ever made, The Best Years of Our Lives does not show a second of a battle. Instead, it focuses on the story of three soldiers as they attempt to readjust to life back home. It is a powerful story that will leave you floored. Since it came out it was been championed as a masterpiece, winning seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director and two acting Oscars for Frederic March and Harold Russell, a real-life veteran who actually got two Oscars for his performance, an honorary statue "for bringing hope and courage to his fellow veterans," and Best Supporting Actor. It's impact has wanned in nearly 80 years.
1776 (1972)
Airing on TCM: Tuesday, July 4, 10:45 pm
Directed by: Peter H. Hunt
Starring: William Daniels, Howard Da Silva, Ken Howard, Blythe Danner
What better way to end the Fourth of July (other than fireworks of course) than with a musical about the signing of Declaration of Independence? Based on the Broadway production, 1776 retells the political struggle of trying to create and approve the historical document that would signal America's start as an independent nation. Filled with plenty of catchy tunes that are sure to get stuck in your head, the airing of 1776 on TCM has become an annual tradition.
More movies to watch on Turner Classic Movies this week
(Editor's note: TCM is playing all of the Bing Crosby and Bob Hope Road movies from Monday, July 3, at 8 pm through Tuesday, July 4, at 4:45 am. We just highlighted the most well known for reference.)
Sunday, July 2
- Soylent Green (1973), 2 am: "A future cop uncovers the deadly secret behind a mysterious synthetic food." Starring Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson. Directed by Richard O. Fleischer.
- Casablanca (1942), 4 pm: "An American saloon owner in North Africa is drawn into World War II when his lost love turns up." Starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Claude Rains. Directed by Michael Curtiz.
- Jezebel (1938), 6 pm: "A tempestuous Southern belle's willfulness threatens to destroy all who care for her." Starring Bette Davis, Henry Fonda. Directed by William Wyler
Monday, July 3
- Road to Morocco (1942), 11:30 pm: "Two castaways get mixed up in an Arabian nightmare when they're caught between a bandit chief and a beautiful princess." Starring Bing Crosby, Bob Hope. Directed by David Butler.
Tuesday, July 4
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), 11:30 am: "When their older brother marries, six lumberjacks decide it's time to go courting for themselves." Starring Howard Keel, Jane Powell. Directed by Stanley Donen.
- The Music Man (1962), 8 pm: "A con artist hawks musical instruments and band uniforms to small-town America." Starring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett. Directed by Morton Dacosta.
Wednesday, July 5
- Gone with the Wind (1939), 10 pm: "Classic tale of Scarlett O'Hara's battle to save her beloved Tara and find love during the Civil War." Starring Vivien, Clark Gable, Hattie McDaniel. Directed by Victor Fleming.
Thursday, July 6
- The Naked Spur (1953), 2:30 pm: "A captive outlaw uses psychological tactics to prey on a bounty hunter." Starring Jimmy Stewart, Janet Leigh, Robert Ryan. Directed by Anthony Mann.
Friday, July 7
- The Night of the Hunter (1955), 2:45 am: "A bogus preacher marries an outlaw's widow in search of the man's hidden loot." Starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish. Directed by Charles Laughton.
