Turner Classic Movies' (TCM) enormously popular Summer Under the Stars is coming back for its 12th year as the network dedicates each day in August to saluting a different film star. This year, 14 stars will receive their first Summer Under the Stars salutes, including such favorites as Paul Muni (Aug. 6), William Powell (Aug. 9), Faye Dunaway (Aug. 15) and Betty Grable (Aug. 30). They will join such returning favorites as Jane Fonda (Aug. 1), Judy Garland (Aug. 4), Barbara Stanwyck (Aug. 5), James Stewart (Aug. 7), Charles Chaplin (Aug. 14), Claudette Colbert (Aug. 18), Ernest Borgnine (Aug. 23) and Alan Ladd (Aug. 31).
TCM's 2014 edition of Summer Under the Stars will include 20 TCM premieres, including the 2014 AFI Life Achievement Award: A Salute to Jane Fonda on Aug. 1 and How Chaplin Became the Tramp (2014), a new documentary in honor of the 100th anniversary of the "Little Tramp" on film, on Aug. 14. Summer Under the Stars not only includes some of the best-known films by each star, but also some stellar performances from movies that haven’t been easily accessible in recent times, have enjoyed a change in critical evaluation since their original release, or might simply benefit from closer viewing.
Additional newcomers on the Summer Under the Stars lineup include Europe’s eternal femme fatale Jeanne Moreau (Aug. 8); Hitchcock’s rugged discovery in Lifeboat (1944), John Hodiak (Aug. 17); the woman who kept Bogart busy trying to knock off various movie wives, sultry Alexis Smith (Aug. 12); the distinguished Herbert Marshall (Aug. 16); perpetual scene stealer Thelma Ritter (Aug. 20); the fast-talking, scandal-plagued Lee Tracy (Aug. 21); Oscar®-winning character actor Edmond O’Brien (Aug. 27); the brilliant, underappreciated Gladys George (Aug. 24); and actor, crooner, film noir tough guy, director, producer, movie exec Dick Powell (Aug. 25).
"There’s so much great stuff going on in August here on TCM, this is not a good time to even consider being anywhere but within the immediate vicinity of the Turner Classic Movies 'on' button," Osborne wrote in this month's issue of the TCM Now Playing guide.
The roster of stars featured in TCM's 2014 edition of Summer Under the Stars is included below. A downloadable schedule is available on the Summer Under the Stars website at summer.tcm.com.
Aug. 1 – Jane Fonda
Born: Lady Jayne Seymour Fonda, Dec. 21, 1937, New York, N.Y.
Known for: Early ingénue roles in romantic comedies, later dramatic parts as women in search of their place in society.
Change-of-Pace Role: Klute (1971, 12:15 a.m.)
Second Looks: Tall Story (1960, 6 a.m.); Tout va bien (1972, 4:15 a.m., TCM premiere)
Notable Quote: "A lovely, delicate and self-deprecating human." – Donald Sutherland
Aug. 2 – David Niven
Born: James David Graham Niven, March 1, 1910, London, England
Known for: Urbane wit and lightweight comic presence.
Change-of-Pace Role: The Guns of Navarone (1961, 1:15 a.m.)
Second Looks: The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936, 8:00 a.m.), Bachelor Mother (1939, Noon)
Notable Quote: "I don’t think his acting ever quite achieved the brilliance or the polish of his dinner-party conversations." – John Mortimer
Aug. 3 – Walter Pidgeon
Born: Walter Davis Pidgeon, Sept. 23, 1897, Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada
Known for: Steady image as stalwart leading man and father figure.
Change-of-Pace Role: Calling Bulldog Drummond (1951, 2 p.m.)
Second Looks: Kiss Me Again (1931, 6 a.m.), Advise and Consent (1962, 2:15 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "I was like a kept woman during my 21 years at MGM." – Himself
Aug. 4 – Judy Garland
Born: Frances Ethel Gumm, June 10, 1922, Grand Rapids, Minn.
Known for: Stupendous singing ability, nimble acting in light musical comedies.
Change-of-Pace Role: A Star Is Born (1954, 12 a.m.)
Second Looks: The Pirate (1948, Noon), Gay Pur-ee (1962, 4:30 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "There was no limit to her talent. She was the quickest, brightest person I ever worked with." – Gene Kelly
Aug. 5 – Barbara Stanwyck
Born: Ruby Catherine Stevens, July 16, 1907, Brooklyn, N.Y.
Known for: Versatility, dramatic volatility, knack for playing strong, independent women.
Change-of-Pace Role: Lady of Burlesque (1943, 12:45 p.m.)
Second Looks: Illicit (1931, 6 a.m.), There’s Always Tomorrow (1956, 11:30 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "I have never worked with an actress who was more cooperative, less temperamental, and a better workman, to use my term of highest compliment." – Cecil B. DeMille
Aug. 6 – Paul Muni
Born: Frederich Meshilem Meier Weisenfreund, Sept. 22, 1895, Lemberg, Austro-Hungarian Empire
Known for: Disappearing into his roles, often with the aid of artful makeup.
Change-of-Pace Role: Angel on My Shoulder (1946, 4 p.m.)
Second Looks: Bordertown (1935, 9 a.m.), The Last Angry Man (1959, 6 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "A fascinating, exciting, attractive man – Jesus, was he attractive!" – Bette Davis
Aug. 7 – James Stewart
Born: James Maitland Stewart, May 20, 1908, Indiana, Pa.
Known for: Straightforward playing of the simple, earnest, sometimes bumbling American Everyman.
Change-of-Pace Role: The Naked Spur (1953, 8 p.m.)
Second Looks: Vivacious Lady (1938, 9:30 a.m.), The Stratton Story (1949, 4 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "You symbolize an America that is gentle, ironic, self-deprecating, tough and emotional." – Richard Dreyfuss
Aug. 8 – Jeanne Moreau
Born: Jeanne Moreau, Jan. 23, 1928, Paris, France
Known for: Dramatic roles of great conviction and intensity.
Change-of-Pace Role: The Yellow Rolls-Royce (1964, 2 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Lovers (1958, 2 am ET, TCM premiere), Bay of Angels (1963, 12 pm ET, TCM premiere)
Notable Quote: "To act with her has been an enchantment…a charming, generous woman." – Michele Morgan
Aug. 9 – William Powell
Born: William Horatio Powell, July 29, 1892, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Known for: Suave, debonair man-about-town persona–sharp dresser and smooth talker.
Change-of-Pace Role: Crossroads (1942, 11:45 p.m.)
Second Looks: Manhattan Melodrama (1934, 11:15 a.m.), Love Crazy (1941, 6:15 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "A brilliant actor, a delightful companion, a great friend and above all, a true gentleman." – Myrna Loy
Aug. 10 – Carole Lombard
Born: Jane Alice Peters, Oct. 8, 1908, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Known for: Sleek blonde beauty, effervescent comedy style.
Change-of-Pace Role: In Name Only (1939, 9 a.m.)
Second Looks: True Confession (1937, 10 pm ET, TCM premiere), Mr. and Mrs. Smith (1941, 6 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "With her, it was like music, it was completely natural." – Clark Gable
Aug. 11 – Marlon Brando
Born: Marlon Brando, Jr., April 3, 1924, Omaha, Neb.
Known for: Charismatic presence and naturalistic "Method" style that revolutionized film acting.
Change-of-Pace Role: Guys and Dolls (1955, 5:15 p.m.)
Second Looks: Julius Caesar (1953, 1:45 a.m.), The Formula (1980, 4 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "The most exciting person I’ve met since Garbo. A genius. But I don’t know what he’s like." – Joshua Logan
Aug. 12 – Alexis Smith
Born: Gladys Smith, June 8, 1921, Penticton, British Columbia, Canada
Known for: Playing cool, superior, rather bloodless socialites–an image she finally, triumphantly shed on the Broadway stage.
Change-of-Pace Role: Any Number Can Play (1949, 10 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945, 6 a.m.), The Young Philadelphians (1959, 3:30 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "You know, people frequently feel it was a shame Warners typecast me, but I don’t believe that. I believe I typecast myself." – Herself
Aug. 13 – Cary Grant
Born: Archibald Alexander Leach, Jan. 18, 1904, Bristol, England
Known for: Being the personification of wit, elegance and romantic charm.
Change-of-Pace Role: Bringing Up Baby (1938, 7:45 a.m.)
Second Looks: Hot Saturday (1932, 8 pm ET, TCM premiere), Every Girl Should Be Married (1948, 6:30 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "One doesn’t direct Cary Grant. One simply puts him in front of the camera." – Alfred Hitchcock
Aug. 14 – Charles Chaplin
Born: Charles Spencer Chaplin, April 16, 1889, Walworth, United Kingdom
Known for: A profound gift for comedy with touches of pathos.
Change-of-Pace Role: Monsieur Verdoux (1947, 2 a.m.)
Second Looks: The Idle Class (1921, 10:45 p.m.), A King in New York (1957, 4:15 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "That obstinate, suspicious, egocentric, maddening and lovable genius of a problem child!" – Mary Pickford
Aug. 15 – Faye Dunaway
Born: Dorothy Faye Dunaway, Jan. 14, 1941, Bascom, Fla.
Known for: Mixing old-style glamour with grit and determination in playing complex and strong-willed females.
Change-of-Pace Role: Oklahoma Crude (1973, 1:30 p.m.)
Second Looks: A Place for Lovers (1968, 4:30 a.m.), Cold Sassy Tree (1989, 9:30 am ET, TCM premiere)
Notable Quote: "Of all actresses, to me only Faye Dunaway has the talent and courage to be a real star." – Joan Crawford
Aug. 16 – Herbert Marshall
Born: Herbert Brough Falcon Marshall, May 23, 1890, London, England
Known for: Gentlemanly leading-man persona, evolving into understated character actor.
Change-of-Pace Role: Foreign Correspondent (1940, 8 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Letter (1929, 1:45 a.m.), The Underworld Story (1950, 6:15 pm ET, TCM premiere).
Notable Quote: "He wins the sympathy of women because his face expresses tenderness and silent suffering." – Norma Shearer
Aug. 17 – John Hodiak
Born: John Hodiak, April 16, 1914, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Known for: Yeoman service as a versatile but unshowy leading man.
Change-of-Pace Role: The Harvey Girls (1946, 12 a.m.)
Second Looks: A Bell for Adano (1945, 10 pm ET, TCM premiere). Battle Zone (1952, TCM 10:15 am ET, TCM premiere).
Notable Quote: "No part has ever come easily to me. Every one has been a challenge. I’ve worked as hard as I could on them all." – Himself
Aug. 18 – Claudette Colbert
Born: Emilie Chauchoin, Sept. 13, 1903, Saint-Mandé, France
Known for: Chic, glamorous comedy-playing, with successful forays into dramatic acting.
Change-of-Pace Role: Three Came Home (1950, 12 a.m.)
Second Looks: Skylark (1941, 10 pm ET, TCM premiere), Remember the Day (1941, 2 am ET, TCM premiere).
Notable Quote: "She knows her own mind, knows what’s right for her, has a marvelous self-discipline and a deep-rooted Gallic desire to be in shape." – Hedda Hopper
Aug. 19 – Paul Newman
Born: Paul Leonard Newman, Jan. 26, 1925, Shaker Heights, Ohio
Known for: Lusty star turns as handsome, cheeky Romeo with electric blue eyes.
Change-of-Pace Role: The Outrage (1964, 9:30 a.m.)
Second Looks: The Rack (1956, 6 a.m.), The Helen Morgan Story (1957, 4 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "He’s so easy that you keep thinking he’s not doing anything. You know: ‘When is this guy going to act?’ " – Sally Field
Aug. 20 – Thelma Ritter
Born: Thelma Ritter, Feb. 14, 1902, New York, N.Y.
Known for: Realistic, down-to-earth portrayals that made her the "Queen of Character Actresses."
Change-of-Pace Role: Pickup on South Street (1953, 10 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Second Time Around (1961, 2:15 pm ET, TCM premiere), For Love or Money (1963, 4 pm ET, TCM premiere).
Notable Quote: "She was a supreme comedian and a kind and gentle woman who was esteemed by everyone who ever worked with her." – Paddy Chayefsky
Aug. 21 – Lee Tracy
Born: William Lee Tracy, April 14, 1898, Atlanta, Ga.
Known for: Specializing in cynical, fast-talking characters with a heart of brass – most often a newsman.
Change-of-Pace Role: Millionaires in Prison (1940, 12:15 p.m.)
Second Looks: Blessed Event (1932, 10 p.m.), The Strange Love of Molly Louvain (1932, 2:30 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "I should have quit playing newspapermen after three or four parts in the movies, but the money kept coming in and I liked it." – Himself
Aug. 22 – Audrey Hepburn
Born: Audrey Kathleen Ruston, May 4, 1929, Ixelles, Brussels, Belgium
Known for: Stylish, individual beauty and irresistible gamine personality.
Change-of-Pace Role: Robin and Marian (1976, 4 a.m.)
Second Looks: Secret People (1952, 9:30 a.m.), Green Mansions (1959, 2 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "She is a truly romantic creature. She doesn’t just profess good manners–she is really well-mannered at all times." – George Cukor
Aug. 23 – Ernest Borgnine
Born: Ermes Effron Borgnino, Jan. 24, 1917, Hamden, Conn.
Known for: Earthy chracters ranging from brutal villains to likeable everyday "lugs."
Change-of-Pace Role: Marty (1955, 8 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Badlanders (1958, 11:45 p.m.), Season of Passion (1959, 8 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "In all his sympathetic parts he projects a concern for humanity… a huge expansiveness." – David Shipman
Aug. 25 – Gladys George
Born: Gladys Clare Evans, Sept. 13, 1900, Patten, Maine
Known for: Playing hard-headed, soft-hearted women who’ve been around.
Change-of-Pace Role: Marie Antoinette (1938, 1:15 p.m.)
Second Looks: Madame X (1937, 10 p.m.), Flamingo Road (1949, 10 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "The stage’s most charming gift to the screen this year (1936)…[Her] return is occasion for rejoicing." – Frank S. Nugent
Aug. 25 – Dick Powell
Born: Richard Ewing Powell, Nov. 14, 1904, Mountain View, Ark.
Known for: Early warbling in musicals, then tough-guy roles and, finally, a serviceable career as director.
Change-of-Pace Role: Murder, My Sweet (1944, 9:15 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Singing Marine (1937, 6 p.m.), Pitfall (1948, 4:15 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "The best thing about switching from being an actor to a director is that you don’t have to shave or hold in your stomach anymore." – Himself
Aug. 26 – Sophia Loren
Born: Sofia Villani Scicolone, Sept. 20, 1934, Rome, Italy
Known for: Statuesque Neopolitan beauty, innate gifts as comedic and dramatic actress.
Change-of-Pace Role: Two Women (1960, 8 p.m.)
Second Looks: The Key (1958, 9:45 p.m.), Ghosts – Italian Syle (1967, 4:15 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "She should have been sculpted in chocolate truffles so the world could devour her." – Noel Coward
Aug. 27 – Edmond O'Brien
Born: Edmond O’Brien, Sept. 10, 1915, New York, N.Y.
Known for: Intensity in hard-hitting character roles and occasional leads.
Change-of-Pace Role: Cow Country (1953, 11 a.m.)
Second Looks: An Act of Murder (1948, 9:30 pm ET, TCM premiere), The Bigamist (1953, 1:30 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "Versatility is a dangerous thing. It’s very satisfying to portray many types of roles, but often your own identity gets lost." – Himself
Aug. 28 – Arlene Dahl
Born: Arlene Carol Dahl, Aug. 11, 1925, Minneapolis, Minn.
Known for: Red-headed movie-star glamour and engaging presence.
Change-of-Pace Role: A Southern Yankee (1948), 4:15 pm ET
Second Looks: Wicked as They Come (1956, 10:30 p.m.), Kisses for My President (1964, 4 a.m.)
Notable Quote: "She was the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. She just floated." – Husband Mark Rosen
Aug. 29 – Joseph Cotten
Born: Joseph Cheshire Cotten Jr., May 15, 1905, Petersburg, Va.
Known for: Being the quintessential leading man–tall, handsome and courtly, with mellow speaking voice.
Change-of-Pace Role: Duel in the Sun (1947, 9:45 p.m.)
Second Looks: Under Capricorn (1949, 8 a.m.), The Angel Wore Red (1960, 1 p.m.)
Notable Quote: "I’m afraid you’ll never make it as an actor… But as a star, I think you well might hit the jackpot." – Orson Welles
Aug. 30 – Betty Grable
Born: Elizabeth Ruth Grable, Dec. 18, 1916, St. Louis, Mo.
Known for: Vivacious musical talent, great legs and "regular gal" personality.
Change-of-Pace Role: I Wake Up Screaming (1941, 11:45 pm ET, TCM premiere)
Second Looks: The Dolly Sisters (1945, 4 pm ET, TCM premiere), Meet Me After the Show (1951, 2:30 pm ET, TCM premiere)
Notable Quote: "She’s a friendly, likeable person, with indomitable good humor, unassuming and frank." – Helen Lawrenson
Aug. 31 – Alan Ladd
Born: Alan Walbridge Ladd, Sept. 3, 1913, Hot Springs, Ark.
Known for: Blond good looks, diminutive but perfectly proportioned physique and earnest acting style.
Change-of-Pace Role: This Gun For Hire (1942, 10:15 p.m.)
Second Looks: Joan of Paris (1942, 7:15 a.m.), Santiago (1956, 2 am ET, TCM premiere).
Notable Quote: "He had something very attractive–a definite film personality which he had worked very hard to perfect." – Deborah Kerr
