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Subterranean Cinema

What is Subterranean Cinema? 

From the basement of PBS Fort Wayne, Subterranean Cinema is the place to enjoy classic Hollywood movies. This weekly film series is hand-picked to be enjoyed by film fans of every generation. They are broadcast on:

  • Saturday nights at 8pm (Prime Time) on our Explore Channel, 39.4.
  • Saturdays at 12am (Midnight Movie) on our Main Channel, 39.1.
  • Sundays at 2pm (Weekend Matinee) on our Main Channel, 39.1.

 

Once they premiere on-air, these movies are also available through the PBS app on your smartphone, tablet or smart TV, at pbs.org, and on the PBS Fort Wayne YouTube channel.

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Coming Attractions...

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Week of August 16-17

My Man Godfrey (1936)

Fifth Avenue socialite Irene Bullock (Fort Wayne’s own Carole Lombard) needs a "forgotten man" to win a scavenger hunt, and no one fits that description more than Godfrey Park (William Powell, “The Thin Man”), who resides in a dump by the East River. Irene hires Godfrey as a servant for her riotously unhinged family, to the chagrin of her spoiled sister, Cornelia, who tries her best to get Godfrey fired. As Irene falls for her new butler, Godfrey turns the tables and teaches the frivolous Bullocks a lesson or two.

King Solomon’s Mines (1937)

Week of August 23-24

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, 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.

Woman On The Run (1950)

Week of August 30-31

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 Recent Featured Films, Now Streaming...

Captain Kidd (1945)

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)

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

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)

Now Streaming

Gung Ho! (1943)

During the early days of World War II in the Pacific Theater, 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.

Now Streaming

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