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Subterranean Cinema

So... What is Subterranean Cinema? 

It is the latest series being brought to you by PBS Fort Wayne... and the result of our listening to one of the many programming requests we've received through the years:

 "Why don't you run a classic movie series like public television used to do in the early days?" 

You asked. We listened. The answer is Subterranean Cinema.

Subterranean Cinema is northeast Indiana's latest place to enjoy classic Hollywood movies. With genres spanning drama, comedy, westerns, film noir, musicals, sci-fi, horror, monster movies and more -shown in their original black-and-white or color formats - and brought back to life from the archives and cinematic basements from where they have been waiting all these years, this weekly film series is hand-picked to be shared among film fans of every generation -just like you - every weekend.

Best of all, we're offering multiple airings each weekend. Each week's film will be able to be seen:

  • Saturday nights (Prime Time) on our Explore channel, 39.4.
  • Saturdays at Midnight (Midnight Movie) on our main channel, 39.1.
  • Sundays (Weekend Matinee) at 2:00pm on our main channel, 39.1.

 

They'll also be available for streaming each week, after they broadcast, through the PBS app on your smartphone, tablet or smart TV, and, at pbs.org, too. Just use "Subterranean Cinema" as your search term to stream and enjoy!

Check out the lineup of films we have scheduled so far…

Never Wave At A WAC-1952

Subterranean Cinema: September 21-22 

Never Wave At A WAC (1952)

When Sen. Reynolds urges his daughter, shallow society maven Jo McBain (Rosalind Russell), to join the Women's Army Corps, she enlists under the belief that she'll be given special privileges... like a Paris transfer for a rendezvous with her new flame, Lt. Col. Sky Fairchild (William Ching). But when the Army treats Jo like a regular private, she is outraged. Meanwhile, pinup model Clara (Marie Wilson) joins the service to gain respect, and the two women form an unlikely friendship.

Made for Each Other-1939

 Subterranean Cinema: September 28-29

Made For Each Other (1939)

John Mason (Jimmy Stewart, billed as “James Stewart”), a passionate and ambitious young lawyer, swiftly falls in love with the vivacious Jane (Fort Wayne’s Carole Lombard), and hastily ties the knot. Their blossoming love faces a tumultuous journey as they combat a disapproving mother, financial strain, and the arrival of a baby. As they navigate the trials of marriage and career, unexpected tragedy strikes, challenging the young couple to confront their deepest vulnerabilities and fight to preserve their love and future together.

Some Of Our Featured Films, Now Streaming...

Sherlock Holmes - Dressed To Kill (1946)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Sherlock Holmes: Dressed To Kill (1946)

Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone) and Dr, Watson (Nigel Bruce) hunt for three music boxes containing directions to the whereabouts of six valuable engraving plates stolen from the Bank of England. They find themselves in competition with professional thieves also out to find the clues, which were hidden by a spiteful jailbird before the music boxes went up for auction.

Now Streaming
Secret Agent-1936

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Secret Agent (1936)

British intelligence fakes the death of Edgar Brodie (John Gielgud) to send him on a mission in Switzerland, where, as Richard Ashendon, he is to locate and kill a Germany spy. Accompanying Brodie are fellow agents Elsa Carrington (Madeleine Carroll), who is to play Brodie's wife, and an eccentric assassin known as The General (Peter Lorre). Locating the spy on a train, Brodie and Elsa have second thoughts about their mission just as an American (Robert Young) ingratiates himself with them.

Now Streaming 
Woman On The Run (1950)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Woman On The Run (1950)

After witnessing a murder, Frank Johnson goes on the run to avoid being killed himself. His wife, Eleanor (Ann Sheridan), seems almost apathetic about finding him when questioned by Investigator Harris (Robert Keith), due to a marriage on the rocks. However, after learning that Frank has a grave heart condition, Eleanor recruits reporter Dan Leggett (Dennis O'Keefe) to help track down Frank. Discovering new love for her husband along the way, Eleanor must get to Frank before the killer does.

Now Streaming
King Solomon's Mines (1937)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

King Solomon’s Mines (1937)

Kathy's (Anna Lee) father is intrigued by the stories Umbopa (gifted actor Paul Robeson), a man they meet on their way to the South African coast, tells them about Solomon's diamond mines. So, he steals away in the night, leaving Kathy with a group of relative strangers. To find her father, To find her father, Kathy enlists the help of hunter Allan Quartermain (Cedric Hardwicke) for a journey to the mines, where they are met with some less than hospitable natives — who do not plan on making their task any easier.

Now Streaming
My Man Godfrey (1936)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

My Man Godfrey (1936)

In this Depression-era screwball comedy, a Park Avenue brat, Irene (Fort Wayne’s Carole Lombard, in an Academy Award nominated role), is looking for a ‘forgotten man’ (William Powell, “The Thin Man”) in a scavenger hunt, and goes on to bring him home to be the family’s new butler, much to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who does her best (or worst) to get Godfrey fired. As Irene falls for her new butler, Godfrey turns the tables and teaches the frivolous Bullocks a lesson or two.

Now Streaming 
Captain Kidd (1945)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Captain Kidd (1945)

British pirate William Kidd (Charles Laughton) captures Adm. Blayne's (Randolph Scott) treasure ship and hides the bounty in a cave. Three years later, Kidd, posing as a sea captain, offers his services to the king as an escort ship. Seeking a social position, Kidd also negotiates for Blayne's title and lands, if he can prove Blayne was associated with piracy. On his mission, Kidd is unaware that Blayne's son, Adam (also Scott), is among the crew, determined to clear his father's name.

Now Streaming
Royal Wedding (1951)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Royal Wedding (1951)

American sibling song-and-dance team Tom (Fred Astaire) and Ellen Bowen (Jane Powell) are in London in 1947, when all of England is in a tizzy over the impending nuptials of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip. Ellen falls head over heels for the dashing Lord John Brindale (Peter Lawford), and Tom becomes equally smitten with the elegant Anne Ashmond (Sarah Churchill). The film features one of Astaire's most legendary dance performances, dancing across the ceiling of a hotel room.

Now Streaming 
The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)

This film broke new ground with its realistic look at the life of a heroin addict. When illegal card dealer and recovering heroin addict Frankie Machine (Frank Sinatra) gets out of prison, he decides to straighten up. Armed with nothing but an old drum set, Frankie tries to get honest work as a drummer. But when his former employer, small-time con man Schwiefka (Robert Strauss), and Frankie's old drug dealer, Louis (Darren McGavin), re-enter his life, Frankie finds it hard to stay clean and eventually finds himself succumbing to his old habits. Based on the novel by Nelson Algren.

Now Streaming 
Gung Ho! (1943)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Gung Ho! (1943)

During the Pacific phase of World War II, Marine Col. Thorwald (Randolph Scott) puts together a special strike force to capture Makin Island, a strategic territory held by Japan. He goes out of his way to select soldiers who are rugged or labeled as misfits, such as former boxer "Pig-Iron" Matthews (Bob Mitchum) and yokel Rube Tedrow (Rod Cameron). As their raid draws closer, Thorwald dispatches with all ranks and titles, and trains his group using unconventional methods. Based on the true story of Carlson's Raiders.

Now Streaming
St. Martin's Lane (1938)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

St Martin’s Lane (1938)

(Also released as "The Streets of London" ) A savvy street performer (Charles Laughton) helps a beautiful pickpocket find a new career. Taken under his wing, the young woman (Vivien Leigh) must decide if she will desert her street roots for a high-society songwriter (Rex Harrison). 

Now Streaming
My Dear Secretary (1948)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

My Dear Secretary (1948)

When romance writer Owen Waterbury (Kirk Douglas) meets Stephanie "Steve" Gaylord (Laraine Day), he offers her a job as his secretary. Steve, a would-be writer herself, accepts the position but is quickly dismayed by Owen's shabby work ethic and distracting visitors, including Ronnie (Keenan Wynn), his rowdy, mischievous neighbor.

Now Streaming
Quicksand (1950)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Quicksand (1950)

Young auto mechanic Dan Brady (Mickey Rooney) takes $20 from a cash register at work to go on a date with blonde femme fatale Vera Novak (Jeanne Cagney). Brady intends to put the money back before it is missed, but the garage’s bookkeeper shows up earlier than scheduled. As Brady scrambles to cover evidence of his petty theft, he fast finds himself drawn into an ever worsening “quicksand” of crime.

Now Streaming
Dark Journey (1937)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Dark Journey (1937)

World War I is raging, but Swedish store clerk Madeleine Goddard (Vivien Leigh) has not aligned herself with either side. When she meets German soldier Karl Von Marwitz (Conrad Veidt), she falls in love. Karl, who presents as a footman of low rank, is in fact a high-ranking official in the German army. Madeleine has secrets of her own -- she is a spy, working for the Allies. As Madeleine and Karl are pulled deeper into the war, their love may be the thing that saves their lives. 

Now Streaming
Spitfire (1943)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Spitfire (1943)

By the late 1920's aircraft designer R.J. Mitchell feels he has achieved all he wants with his revolutionary monoplanes winning trophy after trophy. But a holiday in Germany shortly after Hitler assumes power convinces him that it is vital to design a completely new type of fighter plane and that sooner or later Britain's very survival may depend on what he comes to call the Spitfire. Directed by and starring Leslie Howard as Mitchell with David Niven as a test pilot.

Now Streaming

To see all of the Subterranean Cinema selections that are now streaming, visit our show page at pbs.org or search for  Subterranean Cinema with the PBS app!