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FLICK PICKS: More 'Mockingbird'
April 3, 2012  | By Diane Werts
 
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This week, PBS's American Masters is profiling novelist Harper Lee, and cable's USA is airing her To Kill a Mockingbird in honor of both the 50th anniversary of the film and the 100th anniversary of producing studio Universal.

Now President Barack Obama is part of the salute to this Oscar-winning cinema classic of the civil-rights era South.

Obama has been set to deliver a special introduction to USA's screening Saturday (April 7) at 8 p.m. ET, presented with limited commercial interruption. It's the first national showing of the landmark black-and-white gem since it was restored and remastered as part of Universal's impressive 100th Anniversary Collector's Series of disc releases. (The bargain-priced To Kill a Mockingbird DVD/Blu-ray book combo also includes feature-length documentaries on the film and on Peck, plus commentary, interviews and lots of archival footage.)

To Kill a Mockingbird earned Oscars for star Gregory Peck, for adapted screenplay, and for art direction of its atmospheric tale of widowed Alabama lawyer Atticus Finch, teaching his young children about fairness, justice and honor through a controversial trial charged with racial injustice. Five more Oscar nominations included best picture, director, music score, black-and-white cinematography and supporting actress, for 10-year-old first-timer Mary Badham, superbly embodying Atticus' inquisitive daughter, Scout.

Badham, now 59, is currently offering a touching remembrance of Peck (who died in 2003 at 87) as an interstitial time-filler on Turner Classic Movies. And TCM honors Peck this week with his own daylong marathon on Thursday (April 5, from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. ET). Included is his memorable early work as another father, in 1946's The Yearling (9:45 a.m. ET). For complete lineup, see TCM schedule here.

Later on TCM comes Peck's other legendary 1962 performance, in the original version of thriller Cape Fear (late April 13 at midnight ET). He's also seen this month on MGM HD -- in 1956's Moby Dick, Saturday, April 7 at 7:55 a.m. ET (and April 11 at noon ET); and in 1959's Pork Chop Hill and On the Beach late Wednesday, April 11 at 12:35 and 2:30 a.m. ET.

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And look for additional airings of that American Masters profile "Harper Lee: Hey, Boo" in your local listings.

In New York, the documentary unreels again on the WLIW World digital channel Tuesday (April 3) at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET, as well as on WNET/13 Saturday (April 7) at 2:30 p.m. ET and late Sunday (April 8) at midnight ET.

In Philadelphia, Harper Lee encores on digital channel Y Info Tuesday (April 3) at 8 p.m. and 1 a.m. ET.

Or watch the full "Harper Lee: Hey, Boo" portrait online.

 
 
 
 
 
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