TUESDAY
OCTOBER 29
2013

BIANCULLI’S BEST BETS

 

TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET

If you park your TV dial (or its modern equivalent) on TCM tonight, you’ll be treated to a quadruple feature of some of the best films of the Seventies. The action begins with 1973’s Badlands, the first movie effort by director Terrence Malick. It’s as visually evocative and moodily poetic as his later films, but it also boasts especially dynamic performances from its two young, then unknown leads: Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek, playing young hedonists on a murder spree.

 
  
 
 

PBS, 9:00 p.m. ET

This is a warning, not a recommendation. Though the subject of this documentary – Orson Welles’ iconic 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds – is more than worthy of study and celebration, it’s already been treated very well by previous efforts, both nonfiction and dramatized. What does this new entry bring to the party? Nothing, except for lame fake black-and-white “interviews” with “witnesses,” in which actors (one is pictured here) quote lines from letters written at the time by those who experienced the original radio broadcast. These segments are tacky, and unconvincing, and entirely unnecessary and uninformative, making this entire Halloween special much more trick than treat. The original Welles broadcast? Always worth experiencing. This 75th-anniversary tribute? Not even close. Check local listings.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 9:45 p.m. ET

Another great entry in TCM’s salute the Seventies. This 1972 movie version of the Broadway musical, directed by Bob Fosse, is completely opened up and re-imagined for the movies, while staying true to the original story and music. And Joel Grey and Liza Minnelli, as the prewar Berlin master of ceremonies and his star attraction, are astoundingly good, with both of them winning Oscars for their efforts. John Kander and Fred Ebb provide the songs, which include lyrics that, at times, are as catchy as they are depressing: “Start by admitting from cradle to tomb / Isn’t that long a stay / Life is a cabaret, old chum…”

 
  
 
 

TCM, 12:00 a.m. ET

Another Seventies movie presented by TCM tonight, and yet another masterpiece by another innovative director. This time it’s Robert Altman, whose style of black-comedy filmmaking influenced not only some of the best films to come in the wake of this 1970 movie, but some of the best television, too. Not only the TV spinoff M*A*S*H comes from this, quite directly, but so does the camera and sound work on Hill Street Blues, from which most modern TV dramas germinated. Donald Sutherland, Elliott Gould star.

 
  
 
 

TCM, 2:00 a.m. ET

Roman Polanski’s 1974 modern film noir masterpiece is the perfect capper to tonight’s TCM salute to Seventies cinema. Jack Nicholson’s performance may be his career best – and given his career, there is no higher praise. Faye Dunaway, as the femme fatale, is unforgettable, as is Polanski’s brief turn as a switchblade-wielding thug, John Huston’s longer turn as a powerful patriarch, and a twist ending that you’ll never forget. Great script by Robert Towne. It’s Chinatown, Jake.

 
  
 
 
 
 
Read and add comments HERE for today's Best Bets!
 
 
 
 
Leave a Comment: (No HTML, 1000 chars max)
 
 Name (required)
 
 Email (required) (will not be published)
 
GQOJV
Type in the verification word shown on the image.
 
 
 Page: 1 of 187  | Go to page: 
3724 Comments
 
 
This is a great article and great read for me. It's my first visit to your blog, and I have found it so useful and informative especially this
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Thanks for posting this info. I just want to let you know that I just check out your site and I find it very interesting and informative. I can't wait to read lots of your posts.
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information..
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
If you've been tackling all of your academic assignments on your own, know that you may always ask for help by saying "take my online exam for me". If you're undergoing pressure for a long time because of difficult work or tight deadlines, don't let it bother you. You can ask experienced professionals for help.They will complete the difficult assignments for you.
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This is a great inspiring article.I am pretty much pleased with your good work.You put really very helpful information..
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Hanya sekelompok penipu lain yang melakukan bisnis kotor secara online.
Apr 12, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
This article was written by a real thinking writer.I agree many of the with the solid points made by the writer
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
We are really grateful for your blog post. You will find a lot of approaches after visiting your post. I was exactly searching for. Thanks for such post and please keep it up. Great work.
Apr 9, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I think that thanks for the valuabe information and insights you have so provided here.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I like your post. It is good to see you verbalize from the heart and clarity on this important subject can be easily observed...
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Wow, What a Excellent post. I really found this to much informatics. It is what i was searching for.I would like to suggest you that please keep sharing such type of info.Thanks
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cool you write, the information is very good and interesting, I'll give you a link to my site
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast provided bright clear idea
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I was very pleased to find this site.I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I feel very grateful that I read this. It is very helpful and very informative and I really learned a lot from it
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I definitely enjoying every little bit of it. It is a great website and nice share. I want to thank you. Good job! You guys do a great blog, and have some great contents. Keep up the good work
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
I am jovial you take pride in what you write. It makes you stand way out from many other writers that can not push high-quality content like you
Apr 8, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Jerkzy is a free random adult cam chat platform that connects users with live performers through instant webcam matching. We built Jerkzy to deliver the excitement of live adult entertainment without the friction of signups, payments, or complicated interfaces.
Apr 7, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Watches for Men
thanks for sharing the valuable information https://tornado.store
Apr 6, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
Cape Royale is widely praised on property websites for its exclusive waterfront living concept and prestigious location in Sentosa Cove, one of Singapore’s most luxurious residential enclaves. The development features 302 spacious units with panoramic views of the South China Sea and marina,
Apr 4, 2026   |  Reply
 
 
 
 Page: 1 of 187  | Go to page: 
 
 

David Bianculli

Founder / Editor

David Bianculli has been a TV critic since 1975, including a 14-year stint at the New York Daily News, and sees no reason to stop now. Currently, he's TV critic for NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross, and is an occasional substitute host for that show. He's also an author and teaches TV and film history at New Jersey's Rowan University. His 2009 Dangerously Funny: The Uncensored Story of 'The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour', has been purchased for film rights. His latest, The Platinum Age of Television: From I Love Lucy to the Walking Dead, How TV Became Terrific, is an effusive guidebook that plots the path from the 1950s’ Golden Age to today’s era of quality TV.