May 6, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES I, II, III & IV • Page 21 Treasures from the Turner Classic Movies vaults by Dennis Seuling Turner Classic Movies is manna for movie lovers. Boasting a massive library of M-G-M, Warner Brothers, R-K-O, Paramount, and independent features, the cable station runs its films uncut and commercial free. A new series of DVDs in the TCM Greatest Classic Films Series from Warner Home Video packages four features in each of six releases devoted to specific genres. The best of these by far is “American Musicals,” containing “Singin’ in the Rain,” “Meet Me in Saint Louis,” “Easter Parade,” and “The Band Wagon.” These tuneful Technicolor song-and-dance fests rank among Hollywood’s best musicals, featuring three of the genre’s greatest stars. Gene Kelly heads the cast of “Singin’ in the Rain,” which critics regularly rate among the best musicals of all time. Judy Garland stars in “Meet Me in Saint Louis” and “Easter Parade.” Fred Astaire headlines “The Band Wagon” and “Easter Parade,” which are behind-the-scenes showbiz tales with great scores and witty screenplays. In “The Band Wagon,” Astaire is Tony Hunter, a fading Broadway star talked into working with ballet dancer Gabrielle Gerard (Cyd Charisse) in a Broadway play directed by an Orson Welles-inspired Jeffrey Cordova (Jack Buchanan). Betty Comden and Adolph Green’s screenplay milks laughs from the oil-and-water blend of Hunter’s hoofer and Gabrielle’s classic styles and the grandiose intellectuality of the director’s approach to a bright and bubbly musical. Director Vincente Minnelli creates memorable musical numbers, especially “A Shine on Your Shoes,” which takes place in a Times Square amusement arcade, and “Dancing in the Dark,” a lyrical number performed in Central Park as Tony and Gabrielle discover they can dance together when the mood is right. “Easter Parade” finds Astaire’s Don Hewes abandoned by his longtime dance partner (Ann Miller), who is setting out on a solo career. Vowing to pick someone from anonymity and mold her into a new dance sensation, Don plucks Hannah Brown (Judy Garland) from a line of chorus girls and starts his rigorous transformation. The Irving Berlin score is thrilling, and includes the amazing Astaire solo “Steppin’ Out with My Baby,” Miller’s knock-‘em-dead rendition of “Shaking the Blues Away,” and “A Couple of Swells,” with Astaire and Garland as hobos. The “Western Adventures” quartet contains “McCabe and Mrs. Miller” (Warren Beatty, Julie Christie), “The Train Robbers” (John Wayne), “Jeremiah Johnson” (continued on Crossword page) Cyd Charisse and Fred Astaire in the ‘Dancing in the Dark’ number from ‘The Band Wagon.’ �� ����������������� ��������� Authentic Cuisine from Spain ��������������������������������������������� OPEN 7 DAYS • LUNCH • DINNER • COCKTAILS Have Mother’s Day Dinner with us ������ �������� ������������ �������� ������ ������������� ������������ ������������� ����������������� ������������ Available Sunday thru Thursday Noon-10pm, Friday until 5:30pm � (Served with Spanish Potatoes) Choice of Appetizer Soup or Salad • Entree �� �� ���������� ������ No Substitutions • Both Parties Must Order From This Menu • Not Available On Holidays Open 7 Days a Week • Mon-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri 11:30-11, Sat 12-11, Sun 12-10 ������������������������������������������ #1 German Restaurant in Bergen & Passaic Counties! ���� �������� � ������� ������������������ ��� ��������������� ���� ������������������������ ������������� ���������� ���������������� �������������� ������������ � �������� Come & Enjoy! � KIRKERS SPRING SCHNITZEL-FEST May 7, 8, 9 & 11 8 Different Schnitzels, Sauerbraten, German Sausages, Fresh Seafood, Prime Rib & Steaks... Something for everyone...including a selection of “smaller plates for the not so hungry” Lunch, New Early Dining & Dinner Menus! �������������� ������������ ���������� HAPPY HOUR ������������������� �������� �������� �������������� ������������������� �� ������������������������������������������������ ������������������������������������������� ���������������������� German Beers & Wines • Martinis • Regular Menu Also Available 237 Diamond Bridge Ave, Hawthorne • 973-427-7700 www.kirkers.com • All Major Credit Cards Accepted • Open Mon - Sat • Noon til 11:30 pm 4-29-09 Ester/Janine LegendsSteakhouse3x6(4-29-09) 3x6