ClassicFlix - Only the Classics

Underrated Baseball Films

As a lover of both baseball and old movies, I enjoy discussions of the best films about the national pastime. Unfortunately, too often arguments begin, say, 40 years ago and concentrate on modern times while excluding fine works from Hollywood's past. The Pride of the Yankees is deservedly beloved; one of the iconic movies of the golden age of studio filmmaking, but it often stands alone as the token 'classic' choice in the conversation.Let's examine some underrated baseb...

TV TIME: Guide for the Expectant Dad

As Father's Day approaches, prospective fathers look to classic television for pointers on how to handle their upcoming blessed events. I admit that despite a misspent youth filled with reruns, when it was my turn to witness the miracle of life, I did not run around in a panicked frenzy, drive to the hospital without the mother, and hand out cigars to everyone in sight. But the rest of you might not want to take that chance, so let's dive into TV history to see how other new dads prepare for ...

TV TIME: Movies from Classic TV Shows

Hollywood loves taking television properties and turning them into feature film franchises. If the studios think audiences will go to a theater to pay for what they've already seen on the small screen, then they will make it happen. In the 1950s and 1960s, they took shows already on television, or were just recently taken off the air, and made movies with much of the same talent. It might look like a cash grab, but the films hold up quite well.McHale's Navy/McHale...

TV TIME: Mother's Day 'Mommy Awards'

We thank our mothers for all they have done for us, but we should also thank the women who 'raised' us: those mothers we watched on TV all day. Join ClassicFlix as we honor these fine females with our premiere awards celebration for distinguished achievement in vintage television motherhood in the first annual Mommies.Outstanding Achievement in Overcoming Adversity: Alice Mitchell in 'Man of the House' (Dennis the Menace) - At the beginning, we get a star...

TV TIME: Top-Rated TV Episodes, Part 2

Last time, we began an exploration of the highest-rated television episodes of the classic era, as reported by Wesley Hyatt in his excellent book Television's Top 100: The Most Watched American Broadcasts 1960-2010. This month we continue our journey in chronological order. As mentioned in Part 1, to avoid repetition, each series only gets one entry in Hyatt's book. Also, for the purposes of this piece, we are excluding specials, movies, and sporting events.The Ed Sul...

TV TIME: Top-Rated TV Episodes, Part 1

Wesley Hyatt's Television's Top 100: The Most Watched American Broadcasts 1960-2010 is an excellent book exploring television history through an unofficial ranking of sorts. It's no mere list, though, but an entertaining and informative read with write-ups on each of the 100 broadcasts. In this column and the next, we'll examine episodes included in the book belonging to the ClassicFlix era that are available on DVD.A few caveats: To avoid making a book consisting of a bu...

TV TIME: Party Like It's 1959 - Celebrating New Year's with Classic TV

What better way to welcome the future than by revisiting the past? Inspired by some of your favorite classic television shows, we've assembled some tips on how to ring in the New Year the right way.Get your New Year's resolutions squared away: Let's start, as more discussions of vintage TV should, with Davey & Goliath. In addition to producing the 15-minute stop-motion animation shorts we saw in reruns for years, the Lutheran Church of America created...

TV TIME: 'Tis the Season for Classic Family Christmas Specials

When I was a kid, several things signaled the imminent arrival of Christmas. One was the appearance of the giant catalogs from the big retail stores, colorful guides chock full of toys to request from Santa. The other big harbinger of the holiday was the roll-out of the great Christmas specials on the broadcast networks. Sure, the colder weather helped build the mood, and Thanksgiving provided a nice launching pad, but it didn't really feel like Christmas until the likes of Charlie B...

TV TIME: How to Identify the Evil Twin

One thing I loved about TV Guide in its heyday was its frequent description of a performer playing two different characters in the same episode as being in 'a rare dual role.' It seems like it happens all the time. There is a rich history of look-alikes appearing out of nowhere in television, and quite often they are not just twins, but evil twins. Unsuspecting friends, associates, even family members frequently must determine who the real deal is. As a public service, TV Ti...

TV TIME: 50th Anniversary of Television's Best Season

We often hear how brilliant television is today, but this is the 50th anniversary of one of the most remarkable years the medium ever had. The 1965-1966 season was loaded with classic programs, legendary performers, and memorable characters. While it's certain that nothing like Game of Thrones was around in 1965, I sure don't see anything like My Mother the Car right now.In retrospect, 1965 was a significant year in television history for two main reasons. One is...

Author: Rick Brooks