#american movie classics

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The Avengers is apparently old enough to be featured on tonight's' Spotlight movie slot on AMC.

[fredalan]

The Movie Masters! for American Movie Classics 1989

Albie Hecht (executive producer & co-creator): “My favorite!”

Christine Ecklund (producer/writer): “Wow. Bet I can still answer every question. (“Ucipital Mapilary”)“

Before Mad Men, before Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead, AMC was actually “American Movie Classics,” the Turner Classic Movies of its time, a cable channel exclusively focused on, duh, movies from the heyday of Hollywood. (In fact, the former head of AMC programming created TMC.)

Towards the end of the 80s, channels that relied on acquired, cost efficient stuff like AMC (or Nick-at-Night or USA or even MTV) were realizing that advertisers and cable operators were on the hunt for programming that could excite viewers.

The Movie Masters was one of AMC’s first jump into the pool, and obviously, it wasn’t the approach that worked like crazy for them. Fred/Alan’s primary Showtime client, Josh Sapan, had become AMC’s leader and thought that our Chauncey Street Productions had an idea for a network series.

Original television production, even when it’s done efficiently, is pretty expensive. And the explosion of cable TV had exploded in terms of dozens of channels, but it was still trying to figure out how to make enough money to thrive. The financial picture wouldn’t really come into it’s own until the end of the 1990′s. All the networks we worked with over the years approached originals very gingerly, and American Movie Classics was one of the most, um, fiscally careful.

Well, Chauncey Street was a perfect fit for a deliberate situation. We were still feeling our way in series production and we were well aware we weren’t yet booking the big gigs.

Chauncey Street majordomo Albie Hecht loved game shows (CSP went on to produce Turn It Up! for MTV, Kid’s Court and GUTS for Nickelodeon, and Albie oversaw many more as president of Nickelodeon production). He and Alan created the idea for The Movie Masters, with the notion that it would recreate the salad days of broadcast network quiz shows.

To that end we ran dozens of casting calls at our office, talking to everyone from Betty Comden and Margaret Whiting, before coming to the conclusion that we’d replicate a classic quiz show line up (American Movie Classics, right!). The production landed on The Match Game’s Gene Rayburn as host, and actress and veteran quiz panelist Peggy Cass, New York Times’ theater critic Clive Barnes, and actress and To Tell the Truth stalwart Kitty Carlisle as contestants.

The production came off with only a few hitches and delivered on time and on budget. It was a hoot working with such revered acting, writing and television royalty. AMC would eventually find their way to “prestige” TV, but as far as we were concerned, we did a wonderful job in the name of the greatest movies of all time.

.....

Chauncey Street Productions, New York Created by Albie Hecht & Alan Goodman Producer/writer: Christine Ecklund Executive Producers: Alan Goodman, Albie Hecht, Fred Seibert

Three of the original episodes of "The Movie Masters"

[countesspetofi]

The Internet Archive has the entire run of Remember WENN! I'm not sure how many years it's been since I've seen an episode, but I almost think I haven't seen the complete series since it aired in first run.

It takes me back to when my friends and I would read old radio plays for fun. I tried to get a group together to do it during lockdown, but not enough people were interested.

[skinkmi]

al pacino photographed by steve wood, london, 1974.

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Saw (2004) directed by James Wan

[lovezhype]

lolita (1997) film stills ୨୧

[horygory]

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

[velvet4510]

Note: this list references the 1961 version of West Side Story and the 1954 version of A Star Is Born.

[bigboppa01]

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[fibula-rasa]

Salomé (1922)  

[letterboxd | imdb]

Director: Charles Bryant & Nazimova

Cinematographer: Charles Van Enger

Performer: Nazimova

Art Director & Costume Designer: Natacha Rambova (inspired by Aubrey Beardsley's Salomé illustrations)

[wheelsgoroundincircles]

Ben Dominic Toretto's 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

Ben Dominic Toretto, known for his fearless street racing and unwavering loyalty to his family, cherished his 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. This beast of a car, with its roaring V8 engine and menacing black exterior, was more than just metal and horsepower; it was a symbol of Toretto's legacy. Built by his father and restored by Dom, the Charger had seen countless street races and high-stakes heists.

Its most memorable moment came when Dom used it to challenge Brian O'Conner in a race that forged an unbreakable bond between the two rivals. The Charger, with its powerful presence and raw speed, embodied Dom's strength and determination, becoming an enduring icon in the "Fast & Furious" saga.

Every roar of its engine told a story of family, honor, and the relentless pursuit of freedom. Whether drifting through tight corners or roaring down the quarter-mile strip, the Charger always stood as a testament to Dom's indomitable spirit. Through every scrape, dent, and rebuild, it remained a symbol of resilience and passion, forever tied to the legend of Dominic Toretto.

Feel the power. Embrace the legend. The 1970 Dodge Charger R/T isn't just a car; it's a legacy.

[film-o-teka]

Blond Cheat, 1938

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