Julie Andrews and Angela Lansbury Shine in Back-to-Back TCM Spotlights This Week

Turner Classic Movies is rolling out a midweek celebration of two of the screen’s most beloved leading ladies. On Wednesday, October 1, TCM shines the spotlight on Julie Andrews, whose unmistakable voice and radiant presence made her one of the most enduring stars of the 1960s and beyond. From her Oscar-winning turn as Maria in The Sound of Music to her bold, gender-bending performance in Victor/Victoria, Andrews brought a unique blend of warmth, intelligence and charm to every role. Additional titles in the lineup include her work opposite Paul Newman in Alfred Hitchcock’s Cold War thriller Torn Curtain, and her powerful dramatic role in the sweeping adaptation of James A. Michener’s Hawaii. Together, these films showcase her talents as both a singer and an actress, capable of moving seamlessly between musicals, thrillers and historical epics.

Then, on Thursday, October 2, the focus shifts to Angela Lansbury, a performer whose career spanned more than seven decades. Before she became beloved worldwide as Jessica Fletcher on Murder, She Wrote, Lansbury established herself as a scene-stealer in MGM musicals and dramas, often commanding attention even in supporting roles. The evening’s selections highlight her early screen work, from her second film role in National Velvet alongside Elizabeth Taylor to her turns in The Harvey Girls and The Three Musketeers, as well as weightier parts in Tenth Avenue Angel and The Red Danube. Together, these films chart Lansbury’s remarkable range and hint at the formidable talent that would later make her a Broadway powerhouse and television icon.

The best classic movies to watch on TCM this week

• Wednesday, October 1—Julie Andrews

• 8:00 PM EDT: The Sound of Music—Julie Andrews stars as a governess who brings joy to the von Trapp family amid the rise of Nazi Germany.
• 11:o0 PM EDT: Victor/Victoria—A struggling singer in 1930s Paris finds success by posing as a man performing as a woman.
• 1:30 AM EDT: Torn Curtain—Andrews plays the fiancée of a scientist (Paul Newman) whose apparent defection to East Germany hides a secret mission.
• 3:45 AM EDT: Hawaii—As the wife of a stern missionary, Andrews grapples with cultural clashes and personal doubts in 1820s Hawaii

• Thursday, October 2—Angela Lansbury

• 8:00 PM EDT: The Harvey Girls—Lansbury steals scenes as a tough saloon singer opposite Judy Garland in this Technicolor musical.
• 10:00 PM EDT: Tenth Avenue Angel—She portrays a loving aunt in a sentimental drama about a young girl’s belief in miracles.
• 11:30 PM EDT: The Three Musketeers—Lansbury appears as Queen Anne in MGM’s star-studded swashbuckling adventure.
• 1:45 AM EDT: The Red Danube—She plays a ballerina ensnared in the political struggles of post-war Vienna.
• 4:00 AM EDT: National Velvet—In her second screen role, Lansbury is the older sister of Elizabeth Taylor’s Velvet, who dreams of racing her horse to glory.

Julie Andrews, Wednesday, October 1

‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)

Julie Andrews stars as Maria, the spirited governess who brings music and joy to the von Trapp family while romance blossoms against the backdrop of looming Nazi occupation. Winner of five Academy Awards, it remains one of the most popular musicals ever made. Airing at 8:00 PM, EDT

‘Victor/Victoria’ (1982)

Andrews earned an Oscar nomination as a struggling singer in 1930s Paris who reinvents herself as a man performing as a female impersonator. Directed by husband Blake Edwards, the witty musical comedy pushed boundaries with its playful take on gender and identity. Airing at 11:00 PM EDT

‘Torn Curtain’ (1966)

In this Alfred Hitchcock thriller, Andrews plays the unsuspecting fiancée of Paul Newman’s scientist, who fakes defection to East Germany to uncover Soviet secrets. The film is notable as one of Hitchcock’s Cold War dramas, with Andrews cast against type in a suspense role. Airing 1:30 AM EDT, Thursday morning

‘Hawaii’ (1966)

Andrews co-stars with Max von Sydow in this sweeping adaptation of James A. Michener’s novel, playing the missionary’s wife who struggles with duty and conscience as they attempt to convert native Hawaiians in the 1820s. The epic production earned seven Oscar nominations. Airing 3:45 AM EDT, Thursday morning 

Angela Lansbury, Thursday, October 2

‘The Harvey Girls’ (1946)

This Technicolor MGM musical stars Judy Garland as a mail-order bride who joins the famous Harvey House waitresses. Lansbury makes a memorable impression as the tough saloon singer who competes with Garland, adding spark to the Oscar-winning classic. Airing 8:00 PM EDT

‘Tenth Avenue Angel’ (1948)

In this sentimental MGM drama, Lansbury plays the devoted aunt of a young girl whose faith in miracles is tested. It’s a showcase for child star Margaret O’Brien, with Lansbury bringing warmth and poignancy to her supporting role. Airing 10:00 PM EDT

‘The Three Musketeers’ (1948)

Lansbury appears as Queen Anne opposite Gene Kelly, Van Heflin, and Lana Turner in MGM’s lavish swashbuckler. Her regal presence adds elegance to the adventure, which remains one of Hollywood’s grandest adaptations of Dumas’ tale. Airing 11:30 PM EDT

‘The Red Danube’ (1949)

This Cold War drama finds Lansbury as a ballerina caught in the political and moral crossfire of post-war Vienna. Co-starring Walter Pidgeon and Ethel Barrymore, the film offered her one of her first serious dramatic showcases. Airing 1:45 AM EDT, Friday morning

‘National Velvet’ (1944)

In her second film role, Lansbury plays Edwina, older sister to Elizabeth Taylor’s Velvet Brown, who dreams of racing her beloved horse to victory. Though young, Lansbury displayed early versatility in a classic that launched Taylor’s stardom. Airing 4:00 AM EDT, Friday Morning