Film choice

The Blue Dahlia (1946, b/w) FILM4, 12.45PM ★★★★

 George Marshall’s thrilling film noir stars Alan Ladd in his penultimate pairing with Veronica Lake. Raymond Chandler won an Oscar nomination for his first original screenplay, though he relapsed into drink while working out how to finish off its fiendish plot. Johnny Morrison (Ladd) is the main suspect after his wife is murdered; his discharged Navy buddies are swept up in the intrigue as well. A skilful and hard-boiled film.

The Jackal (1997) SYFY, 9.00PM ★★★

 In this starry if occasionally plodding remake of The Day of the Jackal, Bruce Willis is the mysterious professional assassin hired by a Russian mobster to kill a leading American politico. It’s feared that the director of the FBI (Sidney Poitier) is his next target, so authorities coax imprisoned IRA sniper Richard Gere – the only man who’s ever seen the Jackal – into helping them track him down. Simplistic, but undemanding.

Looking for Eric (2009) LONDON LIVE, 11.00PM ★★★★★

 Ken Loach plays a blinder with this affable study of a depressed postman (Steve Evets), who sorts his life out with the aid of his imaginary mentor and real-life idol Eric Cantona (playing himself). Not Loach’s most political work, but definitely one of his sunniest and funniest. Cantona is a gem, while Evets and his postal pals, including the wonderful Meatballs (John Henshaw), keep the laughs coming. You’ll be left with the daftest of grins.