Web site TV for July 4 - July 10, 2010

TV film fare -- week of July 4

The following are capsule reviews of theatrical movies on network and cable television the week of July 4. Please note that televised versions may or may not be edited for language, nudity, violence, and sexual situations.

Sunday, July 4, 5-8 p.m. EDT (AMC) "McLintock!" (1963). Western comedy about a cantankerous cattle baron (John Wayne) who spends his time battling with his estranged wife (Maureen O'Hara), uppity homesteaders, unhappy Indians and a college-educated daughter (Stefanie Powers) who's courted by an earnest cowhand (Patrick Wayne) and a clumsy oaf (Jerry Van Dyke). Directed by Andrew V. McLaglen, the result is a colorful collection of hard-hitting brawls and verbal squabbles, with an ending modeled on Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew." Comic violence and marital strife. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Sunday, July 4, 5:30-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Yankee Doodle Dandy" (1942). Born on the Fourth of July, George M. Cohan melded patriotism with Irish charm in his rise from song-and-dance vaudevillian to leading Broadway songwriter and producer in a career celebrated by this nostalgic, flag-waving musical starring James Cagney as the feisty entertainer. Directed by Michael Curtiz, it features a grand collection of Cohan's best-remembered songs as well as Cagney at the top of his form singing and dancing his way to an Academy Award for the year's best performance. Fine family fare. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Thursday, July 8, 6-8 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Dark Passage" (1947). Offbeat crime melodrama about a man (Humphrey Bogart) who escapes prison, is sheltered by a woman (Lauren Bacall) who believes him innocent and has a plastic surgeon change his face in order to find the culprit who framed him. Directed by Delmer Daves, there are some interesting plot twists, fine use of San Francisco locations and a good gallery of intriguing characters. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-II -- adults and adolescents. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

Friday, July 9, 8-10 p.m. EDT (TCM) "Abe Lincoln in Illinois" (1940). Raymond Massey stars as the future president with Ruth Gordon playing Mary Todd in this well-acted drama based on Robert Sherwood's Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Directed by John Cromwell, the movie's emphasis is upon the development of Lincoln's character as a backwoodsman-turned-lawyer and his compassionate confrontation with adversity. The Catholic News Service classification of the theatrical version was A-I -- general patronage. Not rated by the Motion Picture Association of America.

TV program notes -- week of July 4

Here are some television program notes for the week of July 4 with their TV Parental Guidelines ratings if available. They have not been reviewed and therefore are not necessarily recommended by Catholic News Service.

Sunday, July 4, 2-2:30 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Louisville Chorus: In Exaltation." In this special, broadcast from the historic St. Martin of Tours Church in Louisville, Ky., the Louisville Chorus performs a series of songs with the theme of joy and exaltation.

Sunday, July 4, 8-9:30 p.m. EDT (PBS) "A Capitol Fourth (2010)." This live broadcast from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol features performances by some of the nation's best-known musicians, including country music stars Reba McEntire and Darius Rucker, actor and singer John Schneider, and classical pianist Lang Lang as well as the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of conductor Jack Everly (TV-G -- general audience).

Sunday, July 4, 9-10 p.m. EDT (NBC) "Macy's 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular 2010." New York City's Independence Day fireworks -- the largest in the nation -- celebrate America's birthday.

Sunday, July 4, 10-11 p.m. EDT (CBS) "Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular." Performances by popular country singer Toby Keith and the 125-year-old Boston Pops Orchestra are featured in this broadcast from Boston's Charles River Esplanade. Craig Ferguson of "The Late Late Show" hosts.

Sunday, July 4, 10-11 p.m. EDT (EWTN) "Franciscan University Presents: Men of Christian Virtue." Franciscan Fathers Dominic Foster and Michael Scanlan are joined by panelists Regis Martin and Scott Hahn of Franciscan University's theology department for this discussion of what it takes to become a real man of Christian virtue.

Tuesday, July 6, 10-11 p.m. EDT (PBS) "Promised Land." Filmmaker Yoruba Richen's documentary captures multiple perspectives of citizens struggling to create just solutions to South Africa's potentially explosive land disputes (TV-PG -- parental guidance suggested).

Wednesday, July 7, 8-9 p.m. EDT (PBS) "David Suchet on the Orient Express: A Masterpiece Special." David Suchet, star of the PBS series "Poirot," leads viewers on a homicide-free excursion aboard the modern-day Orient Express, the setting of one of Agatha Christie's most celebrated murder mysteries (TV-G -- general audience).