‘Big Lebowski’: Dude gains classic status, big-screen love
COMMENTARY Side Story.”
The most popular classics the series has shown include “Jaws,” “The Sound of Music” and “The Wizard of Oz” in 2015, “The Princess Bride,” “Singin’ in the Rain” and “Casablanca” in 2017 and “Grease” this year.
Other upcoming titles include “South Pacific” in late August, “Rebel Without a Cause” in September and “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” in October.
The series will demonstrate its versatility as the year ends, presenting two films with holiday themes. “Die Hard,” the violent 1988 thriller with Bruce Willis, has a 30th anniversary screening in November. Arriving in December will be “White Christmas,” the splashy 1954 musical with Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye and Rosemary Clooney.
For now, TCM and Fathom are looking to next year’s lineup. “We’re fighting it out now about what the films should be,” he said.
He has no titles to announce, but there could be films from 1969 for 50th anniversary screenings. The possibilities include “Midnight Cowboy,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and “Easy Rider.”
Next year means 80th anniversary celebrations are possible. The first title that comes to mind: “Gone With the Wind.” But it was also the year of “The Wizard of Oz,” “Stagecoach,” “Goodbye, Mr. Chips,” “Ninotchka,” “Dark Victory” and “Wuthering Heights.”
“In a slate of 12 to 14 films, you’ll get a wide range of genres and eras,” Tabesh said. “It’s about finding a mix.”