The Sky HD service is installed and I already have a favorite station, not the least of which is because I am a classic movie fanatic – as is my flatmate, Andy. Side note, with the Oscars coming up this Sunday night, he and I were talking about Westerns and got on the subject of the unintentionally lesbian camp film – Johnny Guitar with Joan Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge and Sterling Hayden and a whole host of other rough and tumble men. None of which had the balls of Joan Crawford, but, who did, really?
Anyway, Sky Movies Classics HD had Johnny Guitar on the other night after he and I had the conversation about the movie. I thought it was a bit weird, but, I started to get hooked. Love with a Proper Stranger with Steve McQueen and Natalie Wood; Bedknobs and Broomsticks with Angela Lansbury, The Sound of Music, the Judy Garland A Star is Born, Rebel Without a Cause and Spartacus. I think the selection team at this channel must be made up of gay men between the ages of 40 and 50, with a soft spot for musicals, Natalie Wood, Steve McQueen and gay icons. I half expect Cher or Liza to be hosting one of the shows in between.
In any sense, the movie channel is pure gold, with most of these films in 4:3 format with the original or restored color and quality. Lately with all of what has been going on, I have not had a lot of time to watch, but, this will be the staple in the background when I work from home or just want to sleep quietly on the sofa.
American Expat in London 