THE FRONT, 1976
FLORENT: QUEEN OF THE MEATMARKET, 2011 (Florent Archives)
LADYAND THE TRAMP, 1955
I NEVER SANG FOR MY FATHER, 1970
Sunday, 6 a.m., TCM
What better way to celebrate Father’s Day than by watching this movie that will make you appreciate your own dad, no matter how much you never liked him! Melvyn Douglas Is a self-made man who thinks of his professor son (Gene Hackman) as passive. When the son is about to move to another state to be with his girlfriend, his mother dies and the father expects him to stay and care for him. Moving, tough and realistic. Estelle Parsons is terrific as the sister who got away.
THE FRONT, 1976
Tuesday, 4:45 a.m., TCM
Woody Allen was all about taking chances back when he made this thought-provoking movie, which mixes drama, comedy, tragedy and social commentary. Allen plays Howard, a two-bit bookie in the 1950s who is approached by a blacklisted Hollywood writer (Michael Murphy) to “front” for him. In exchange for 10 percent of the profits, he will pretend the man’s scripts are his own. Howard becomes the toast of the town, fronting for several writers, while outwardly acting the part of the zealous anticommunist. With the great Zero Mostel.
FLORENT: QUEEN OF THE MEAT MARKET, 2011
Friday, 2 a.m., WNET
Not everyone’s cup o’ Joe, but this documentary about a legendary diner in the Meat Packing District, before the neighborhood became so fabulous that you couldn’t afford a cup of Joe there, is great, good fun. The diner, which used to be open 24 hours (the butchers in the area worked all night), was also the favorite eggs-over-easy joint for NYC club kids and celebs like Julianne Moore, Isaac Mizrahi and Michael Musto. Yummy.
LADY AND THE TRAMP, 1955
Saturday, 5:30 p.m., ABC Family
A personal favorite animated classic is this story about a pampered cocker spaniel named Lady, who is livin’ the life until her owners have a baby. Then Aunt Sarah comes to stay, bringing her scheming Siamese cats and Lady is muzzled and put outside—until she’s rescued by Tramp, a roguish, rakish mutt from the wrong side of the cage. They go on the lam together. Just wondrous, with a great soundtrack to boot. Peggy Lee voices several parts.