As part of the Turner Classic Movies lead up to the Academy Awards on Feb. 24, 31 Days of Oscar presents films that have either been nominated or won Oscar glory.
That includes one film whose star, Corinne Griffith, was born here in Texarkana.
A silent screen starlet who later continued her Hollywood success and parlayed her skills into business ventures and other endeavors, Griffith stars in "The Divine Lady," which airs at noon Wednesday on TCM. It's part of a daylong tribute to silent films.
In this 1929 film, Griffith stars as Emma Hart, who, while married, starts a scandalous affair with British naval hero Capt. Horatio Nelson in the late 18th century. Frank Lloyd won Best Director for this film, which also starred Victor Varconi as Nelson.
Griffith also wrote a memoir about growing up in Texarkana that became the inspiration for the movie "Papa's Delicate Condition," which starred Jackie Gleason. A movie premiere was held here. Griffith has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The day "The Divine Lady" airs, two David Lean-directed epics also air: "Lawrence of Arabia" and "The Bridge on the River Kwai." This year's 31 Days of Oscar is organized by various theme days, such as "Biopics," "Taking on the Nazis," "A Good Cry," "Westerns," "Family Ties," "Courtroom Dramas," "Animal Stories" and "Adventure," for example. Evenings have themes, too, such as "Best Movie Mutiny" with "Mutiny on the Bounty" and "The Caine Mutiny" on Feb. 22 or "Best Survival at Sea" with "Titanic" (1953) and "Lifeboat" on Feb. 15.
On the night of Saturday, Feb. 23, two versions of "A Star is Born" will air. This year, another "A Star is Born" version with Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga is a leading Oscar contender. A Texarkana native, Benjamin Rice, worked with Gaga and Cooper to produce music for the movie.
More info: 31days.TCM.com.