ESTHER AND THE KING (1960)
Channel 4, 1.30pm
A colourful but largely unremarkable addition to Hollywood’s sword-and- sandals boom, this Italian-made biblical epic is mostly enjoyable today for its kitsch, stagey opulence. A young Joan Collins stars as Esther, a Jewish virgin who becomes the second wife of the cuckolded Persian king Ahasuerus (Richard Egan), thwarting the backstage political schemes of her husband’s treacherous adviser.
The veteran western director Raoul Walsh is behind the camera, with assistance from the cult Italian filmmaker Mario Bava. (106min)
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THE TAO OF STEVE (2000)
Channel 4, 2.35am
The former high-school Lothario at the heart of Jenniphr Goodman’s low-budget romantic comedy may have lost his youthful good looks and slender waistline, but his unorthodox seduction technique remains highly successful. Kindergarten teacher Dex (Donal Logue) invokes the spirit of great Steves throughout history, especially Steve McQueen and Steve Austin, in an attempt to charm the free- spirited theatre designer Syd, played by the director’s sister Greer Goodman.
The Tao of Steve is whimsical fluff, but Logue’s prize-winning, scene-stealing performance keeps it from evaporating into thin air. (87min)
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THE HUSTLER (1961, b/w)
Sky Cinema 1, 8pm
Paul Newman oozes implacable cool as the hotshot pool player “Fast” Eddie Felson. Starring George C. Scott, Jackie Gleason and Piper Laurie, Robert Rossen’s bittersweet classic about pool-hall sharks and lowlife gamblers combines excellent performances with Oscar-winning cinematography.
Although he was Oscar-nominated, Newman finally earned the Academy Award only 25 years later when he played Felson again in the sequel The Color of Money. (134min)