The Spider and the Fly (1949)

In WWI, a French police chief discovers that the jewel thief he's tried for years to catch is more useful helping the war effort than behind bars.

A little gem that should be better known.

6.00 pm Talking Pictures TV Sun 19 Jan

A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)

When a boy becomes convinced that his pet goat is a unicorn, miracles start to happen to the people of Petticoat Lane market.  A great cast and Technicolor help keep it fresh but the sentiment dates it. 

11.00 am Film4 Mon 20 Jan

Dead of Night (1945)

If you had to pick a portmanteau film, this would be most people's choice. It's a classic collection of creepy stories held together by Mervyn John's recurring dream. Standouts are Michael Redgrave and his ventriloquist dummy and Googie Withers' haunted mirror. 

12.55 pm Film4 Mon 20 Jan

The Blue Lamp (1949)

This is the movie that gave the world Dixon of Dock Green (1955-1976). Of course, Dirk Bogarde's petty crook shot him dead, but the world needed Jack Warner's cosy police sergeant and so a TV legend was born. The film is excellent, with a fab script from T.E.B Clarke, wonderful direction from Basil Dearden and some perfect performances, but the shadow of that TV series hangs over it. Forget I told you Sergeant Dixon gets topped and enjoy the surprise.

3.05 pm Film4 Mon 20 Jan

A Town Like Alice (1956)

Neville Shute's novel about the suffering of Western women interned by the Japanese in the Far East is turned into a memorable film. Virginia McKenna heads the female cast and gives her most memorable performance as she falls for Aussie Peter Finch.

1.35 pm Film4 Tues 21 Jan

The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby (1947)

Adequate version of the Dickens classic. Title role: Derek Bond. Miss Nickleby: Sally Ann Howes. Ralph Nickleby: Cedric Hardwicke. Wackford Squeers: Alfred Drayton. Yes, I am just listing the cast in lieu of something to say but that's how you judge most Dickens adaptations.

2.35 pm Film4 Wed 22 Jan

Storm Over the Nile (1955)

It's The Four Feathers again, not so much a remake as a re-mount: with the same director, same script and much of the same footage. Charisma-free Anthony Steel is the man given the white feather treatment for cowardice, Laurence Harvey gets the Ralph Richardson role, and Mary Ure is the fickle fiancée. Okay, but wait for the original to come around again.

12.40 pm Film4 Thur 23 Jan

San Demetrio - London (1943)

The titular oil tanker is attacked by the Germans and the crew abandon her. After drifting for some days they sight her still afloat, but burning, and decide to recover her and her cargo. On its release it was one of the greatest of war films, but its lustre has faded a little now that the story is no longer topical. The lack of big star names helps keep it real.  

12.45 pm Film4 Fri 24 Jan

Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949)

Ealing comedy without the cosiness and sentimentality  - this is black, sophisticated and witty. Alec Guinness plays eight members of a family bumped off by Dennis Price's black sheep in his rise to a dukedom. Valerie Hobson plays good but dull; Joan Greenwood plays bad but fun.

4.35 pm Fiolm4 Fri 24 Jan

Nothing this week

6.15 pm NFT1 Wed 8 Jan