Skip to main content
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…

Subterranean Cinema-The Man With The Golden Arm (1955)

Subterranean Cinema: Weekend of: JuLY 27-28

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.

Subterranean Cinema: Week of August 3-4

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.

Subterranean Cinema: Week of August 10-11

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.

Subterranean Cinema: Week of August 17-18

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.

Subterranean Cinema: Week of August 24-25

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.

Subterranean Cinema: Week of August 31-Sept. 1

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.

Some Of Our Featured Films, Now Streaming...

Subterranean Cinema-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
Subterranean Cinema-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
Subterranean Cinema-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
Subterranean Cinema-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
Subterranean Cinema-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
Subterranean Cinema-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
Subterranean Cinema-Angel and the Badman (1947)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Angel and the Badman (1947)

When a wounded gunfighter (John Wayne) is found by a pacifist frontier family, the good Samaritans soon realize that they have let trouble into their home. While the gunfighter grows attached to the family, he is soon visited by his past - both by outlaws and the law.

Now Streaming 
Subterranean Cinema-Father's Little Dividend (1951)

Subterranean Cinema: Now Streaming

Father's Little Dividend (1951)

A year after dealing with a surprise engagement in "Father of the Bride," Stanley Banks (Spencer Tracy) and his wife, Ellie (Joan Bennett), are in for another shock when they find their daughter Kay (Elizabeth Taylor) is now pregnant. Not ready to be a grandfather, Stanley keeps quiet while everyone else fawns over the mother-to-be and bothers her about baby names and nursery decorations. Ironically, his silence makes him the person Kay turns to the most for help, which in turn helps him.

Now Streaming 
Subterranean Cinema-Fire Over England (1937)

subterranean cinema-Now Streaming

Fire Over England (1937)

This stirring historical drama brought Laurence Olivier (Hamlet, Richard III) and Vivien Leigh (Gone With the Wind, That Hamilton Woman) together on screen for the first time. Set during the reign of Elizabeth I, Fire Over England features a then-unknown Olivier starring as a dashing naval officer whose daring leads the British to victory over the Spanish Armada. Proving himself a true swashbuckler, he charms many a maiden, infiltrates King Philip's court, and escapes by his sword and his wit. Leigh is exquisite as the lady-in-waiting who wins his heart forever. Other outstanding performances include Dame Flora Robson as the courageous yet vulnerable queen and Raymond Massey as the power-hungry Philip.

Now Streaming
Subterranean Cinema-Blood On The Sun (1945)

subterranean cinema-Now Streaming

Blood On The Sun (1945)

Nick Condon (James Cagney) is a newspaper reporter working in pre- WWII Tokyo who refuses to toe the Japanese line on the expansionist policies of the anti-democratic Imperialist government. When it becomes clear to the authorities that Condon isn't going to cooperate and that he has some valuable information and contacts, they decide to get him in their clutches to interrogate him, then dispose of him.

Now Streaming
Subterranean Cinema-My Favoriote Brunette (1947)

subterranean cinema-Now streaming

My Favorite Brunette (1947)

When baby photographer Ronnie Jackson (Bob Hope) office-sits for traveling Private Investigator Sam McCloud, he finds his dreams of playing detective coming all too true all too soon when mysterious damsel-in-distress Carlotta Montay (Dorothy Lamour) sashays into his office. Soon our hero is up to his ski-nose in trouble as he and his comely client are chased by a gang of cutthroats with designs on Carlotta's uncle's uranium (that's right, uranium!)

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!