TCM Star of the Month: Robert Taylor

Turner Classic Movies will begin celebrating Robert Taylor as Star of the Month on Tuesday, April 6th.

54 Taylor films will be shown in 24-hour marathons on April 6th, 13th, 20th, and 27th.

April 6th focuses on Taylor's work from the mid-'30s through 1941. The titles include classics such as MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION (1935) with Irene Dunne, CAMILLE (1936) with Greta Garbo, and WATERLOO BRIDGE (1940) with Vivien Leigh.

Other films shown on the 6th include THE GORGEOUS HUSSY (1936) with Joan Crawford, ESCAPE (1940) with Norma Shearer, FLIGHT COMMAND (1940) with Ruth Hussey, and WHEN LADIES MEET (1941) with Joan Crawford.

April 13th has a nice cross-section of Taylor's career, starting with mid-'30s films such as WEST POINT OF THE AIR (1935) and SMALL TOWN GIRL (1936) and running through 1950.

Notable films shown that evening include Taylor's turn as a villain in JOHNNY EAGER (1942) and two excellent film noir titles, HIGH WALL (1947) and THE BRIBE (1949).

Westerns are also shown on the 13th. I very much enjoyed AMBUSH (1950). Taylor's role in Anthony Mann's DEVIL'S DOORWAY (1950) is considered one of his best performances.

On April 20th several of Taylor's '50s epics will be shown: QUO VADIS (1951), IVANHOE (1952), KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE (1953), and QUENTIN DURWARD (1955).

Two of my favorite Taylor films air on the 20th: ABOVE AND BEYOND (1952), about the dropping of the atom bomb, and WESTWARD THE WOMEN (1951), a rather unusual, riveting Western. I highly recommend these films. (Update: You can read more about WESTWARD THE WOMEN in a new post at Riding the High Country.)

The Taylor festival concludes on the 27th with several more of Taylor's best films: THREE COMRADES (1938), A YANK AT OXFORD (1938), THE LAST HUNT (1956), and PARTY GIRL (1958).

Also showing that night are THE POWER AND THE PRIZE (1956) and SADDLE THE WIND (1958).

Curiously, one of my favorite Taylor films, ROGUE COP (1954), isn't on the schedule.

Another Taylor film, MURDER IN THE FLEET (1935), will be shown on May 11th.

Those who are unfamiliar with the underrated Taylor's work might want to try to catch a cross-section of some of the best of his diverse filmography, starting with WATERLOO BRIDGE, JOHNNY EAGER, HIGH WALL, DEVIL'S DOORWAY, WESTWARD THE WOMEN, QUO VADIS, ABOVE AND BEYOND, and PARTY GIRL.

Happy viewing!