March 11, 2021

Lorre Classic at Los Angeles Drive-In

During these days of COVID-19, many movie theaters offer limited schedules or have closed completely, but other cinemas have sprung up with some make-shift drive-in theaters held in business parking lots.

On Friday, March 12, 2021, Peter Lorre fans in the Los Angeles area can pull into the Hollywood Legion Theater and enjoy a showing of The Maltese Falcon (1941) in the Legion’s parking lot.

The program begins at 6 pm, with a special introduction by film historian and author Alan K. Rode.

Ticket prices begin at $65, depending on the type of car, and include unlimited popcorn, one soda, and one candy for each passenger.

Tickets must be purchased and spaces reserved online through the Hollywood Legion website. Dubbed the "first ever drive-in cinema in the heart of Hollywood", the venue can accommodate 30 cars. A “seating map” is available on the Legion’s website.

The Hollywood Legion Theater is located at 2035 North Highland Avenue in Los Angeles, California.

March 1, 2021

Spring into March 2021 with Lorre


March brings Peter Lorre films a’plenty on the Turner Classic Movies channel, as well as other channels – highlighted by a “Lorre and Greenstreet” film festival!

All times shown are Eastern Standard.

Peter Lorre’s page on the TV Guide Channel website lists the Lorre films scheduled on various television channels over a 2-week period.


March, 2021

Mar. 1 (Mon), 4:43 pm, Turner Classic Movies channel – Around the World in 80 Days (1956). TCM salutes the birthday of David Niven, who plays Philleas Fogg in this all-star extravaganza about a Victorian gentleman who makes a bet with his fellow Club members that he can travel around the world in 80 days.

Mar. 3 (Wed), 6 am, TCM – Quicksand (1950). “Growing Up On Screen” is the daytime theme on TCM, and the day opens with the only movie Mickey Rooney starred with Peter Lorre.

Mar. 5 (Fri), 1:30 am, MeTV – Alfred Hitchcock Presents, “The Diplomatic Corpse” (Dec. 8, 1957).

Mar. 6 (Sat), 12 noon, TCM – The Mask of Dimitrios (1944). Peter Lorre plays mystery writer Cornelius Latimer Leyden, who decides to research the life of an international criminal Dimitrios (Zachary Scott) for a novel and finds himself mixed up in a blackmail scheme with one of Dimitrios’ past associates (Sydney Greenstreet).

Mar. 10 (Wed), 11:20 am, Fox Movie channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Mar. 11 (Thurs), 4:30 am, Fox Movie channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Mar. 12 (Fri), 8 pm, TCM – The Maltese Falcon (1941). The primetime theme is "Movie MacGuffins, Part 2". TCM hosts Ben Mankiewicz and film noir expert Eddie Muller take a look at several movies dependent on this plot device, including a Lorre double-feature beginning with this classic mystery involving a fabulous jewel-encrusted statuette.

Mar. 12 (Fri), 10 pm, TCM – Casablanca (1942). The "Movie MacGuffins" theme continues with this classic wartime drama involving a pair of letters of transit promising safe passage out of Casablanca.

Mar. 14 (Sun), 11:45 am, TCM – Arsenic and Old Lace (1944). A Lorre double-feature begins with the only film Peter made with Cary Grant.

Mar. 14 (Sun), 2 pm, TCM – My Favorite Brunette (1947). The Lorre double-feature continues with the only film Peter made with Bob Hope.

Mar. 22 (Mon), 7:15 am, FXM – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Mar. 23 (Tues), 3:05 am, FXM – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Mar. 24 (Wed), 8 pm, TCM – The Mask of Dimitrios (1944). The primetime theme is "Greenstreet and Lorre" – a film fest of eight of the nine movies Peter Lorre and Sydney Greenstreet appeared in together. The fest begins with three films in which they co-starred as the lead actors, followed by the movies in which they supported a lead actor, such as Humphrey Bogart, Paul Henreid, or George Raft. Running from Wednesday evening, through the wee hours of Thursday, to early Thursday morning, the schedule includes ~
  • The Mask of Dimitrios (1944) – 8 pm, Mar. 24 (Wed)
  • The Verdict (1944) – 9:45 pm, Mar. 24 (Wed)
  • Three Strangers (1946) – 11:30 pm, Mar. 24 (Wed)
  • Passage to Marseille (1944) – 1:15 am, Mar. 25 (Thurs)
  • The Conspirators (1944) – 3:15 am, Mar. 25 (Thurs)
  • Background to Danger (1943) – 5 am, Mar. 25 (Thurs)
  • The Maltese Falcon (1941) – 6:30 am, Mar. 25 (Thurs)
  • Casablanca (1942) – 8:30 am, Mar. 25 (Thurs)
Mar. 26 (Fri), 2:30 am, Movies! Network channel – Quicksand (1950).



Sneak Peek at April, 2021

Because of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic this year, the Academy Awards were bumped from February to Sunday, April 25, 2021. And TCM holds its annual "31 Days of Oscar" film fest from April 1 to May 1, including a few Lorre films.

Apr. 2 (Fri), 6:45 pm, TCM – Around the World in 80 Days (1956).

Apr. 16 (Fri), 6 pm, TCM – The Maltese Falcon (1941).

Apr. 17 (Sat), 6:30 am, TCM – Meet Me in Las Vegas (1956).




Many of these and other Lorre movies and television programs are now available on DVD and Blu-Ray – many remastered and packaged with extra features. For more information on the films of Peter Lorre released to home video, head on over to the DVD – VHS section of The Lost One website.


In The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, Stephen D. Youngkin discusses the making of Peter’s movies, including interviews with many of the directors, writers, actors, and crew who worked with Peter.

A complete list of Peter’s movies and television credits is available in the book’s Appendix.

The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre may be purchased from many brick-and-mortar shops, as well as these online merchants ~ Happy viewing!

February 14, 2021

Valentine's Day for Lorre Lovers


In 2021, Valentine’s Day falls on Sunday, February 14, and in spite of COVID-19 lock-downs and shut-downs, many cinemas in the United States have scheduled special showings of Casablanca (1942), long considered one of the most romantic movies ever made.

In the small but important role of Ugarte, who provides exit visits to refugees desperate to leave Casablanca – and the murderer of two German couriers – Peter Lorre gets the action going by leaving with his friend Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart) two valuable letters of transit he intends to sell to escaping freedom fighter Victor Lazlo (Paul Henreid) and his wife Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman).

But no matter the size of his part, Peter is always a treat to watch in a movie theater, including these ~
  • Garden Theater – Winter Garden, Florida
  • Byrd Theatre – Richmond, Virginia
  • Glendale Sears Parking Lot – Glendale, California
  • Hollywood Roosevelt – Los Angeles, California
  • Tivoli Theatre – Spencer, Indiana
  • Utah Theatre – Logan, Utah
  • Magic Lantern Cinema – Ketchum, Idaho
  • Brattle Theatre – Cambridge, Massachusetts



Garden Theatre – The Garden Theatre, in Winter Garden, Florida, will show Casablanca on Valentine’s Day at 6:30 pm.

Tickets may be purchased at the cinema’s box office.

The Garden Theatre is located at 160 West Plant Street, in downtown historic Winter Garden, Florida. For more information, please call the theater at 406-877-4736.



Byrd Theatre – The Byrd Theatre, in Richmond, Virginia, will show Casablanca on Wednesday, February 17, 2021, at 3 pm. The program includes a selection of songs played by Bob Gulledge on the cinema’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ.

Tickets may be purchased online only and are limited to 50 attendees. No concessions will be sold. Mask-wearing and social distancing are required.

The Byrd Theatre is located at 2908 West Cary Street, in the Carytown district of Richmond, Virginia. For more information, please call the theater at 804-358-3056.



Pop-Up Cinema, Glendale Sears Parking Lot – The top of the Sears parking garage in Glendale, California, is the location of a pop-up cinema presented by the Electric Dusk Drive-In and Secret Movie Club. A double-feature of Casablanca and When Harry Met Sally (1989) will be shown on Valentine’s Day, beginning at dusk.

Tickets may be purchased online.

The Glendale Sears is located at 211 West California Avenue in Glendale, California.



Drive-In Theatre at the Hollywood Roosevelt – The famous Hollywood Roosevelt hotel, in Los Angeles, California, offers a drive-in movie experience on Valentine’s Day with a double-feature of Casablanca and The Notebook (2004). The program begins at 5:30 pm.

Tickets may be purchased online. Refreshments will be available from a converted Airstream trailer bar.

The Hollywood Roosevelt is located at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard, in Los Angeles, California.



Tivoli Theatre – The Tivoli Theatre, in Spencer, Indiana, will show Casablanca on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 2:30 pm and 6:30 pm. The program is sponsored by the International Student Exchange.

Tickets may be purchased online.

The Tivoli Theatre is located at 24 North Washington Street in Spencer, Indiana. For more information, please call the theater at 812-714-8069.



Utah Theatre – The Utah Theatre, in Logan, Utah, will show Casablanca at 7 pm on Friday and Saturday, February 26 and 27, 2021.

Fridays and Saturdays are “Date Night” at the Utah Theatre, and the $14 ticket price includes two movie tickets, a large popcorn, and a box of candy. Tickets may be purchased online.

The Utah Theatre is located at 18 West Center Street in Logan, Utah.



Magic Lantern Cinema – Lorre fans in the area of Ketchum, Idaho, are in for a special treat over the Valentine’s Day holiday week, when Rick Kessler presents a full week of free screenings of Casablanca at the Magic Lantern Cinema.

Rick Kessler has been waiting 47 years to offer free showings of Casablanca. Says Kessler, “There’s a difference between seeing a movie in a theater and watching it on your TV, no matter how good your TV is. There is, perhaps, no better movie to amplify the difference between watching a movie on TV or seeing it in a movie theater.”

Beginning on Friday, February 12, and every day until Thursday, February 18, 2021, Casablanca will be shown at 4:30 pm and 7 pm.

The Magic Lantern Cinema is located at 100 East 2nd Street in Ketchum, Idaho. For more information, please call the cinema at 208-726-3308.



Brattle Theatre – The Brattle Theatre, in Cambridge, Massachusetts, continues its popular Valentine’s Day tradition of Casablanca with a virtual screening.

Admission is available on the Brattle Theatre website. A $12 ticket buys the right to view the film for 28 hours over the weekend.

Following the movie, the Brattle hosts a post-screening discussion with author Leslie Epstein, whose father Philip G. Epstein and uncle Julius J. Epstein co-write the Casablanca screenplay.



Happy Valentine’s Day!

February 1, 2021

Lorre Movies in February 2021


February is normally the month of TCM’s annual "31 Days of Oscar", leading up to the Academy Awards ceremony, but with the Oscars rescheduled for April 25, 2021, February becomes an ordinary month of movies. But with Valentine’s Day on Sunday, February 14, Lorre fans can celebrate their "Lorre Love" throughout the month with several Peter Lorre films on the Turner Classic Movies channel, as well as other channels.

All times shown are Eastern Standard.

Peter Lorre’s page on the TV Guide Channel website lists the Lorre films scheduled on various television channels over a 2-week period.


February, 2021

Feb. 1 (Mon), 6 pm, Turner Classic Movies channel – Strange Cargo (1940). TCM salutes the birthday of Clark Gable with a morning and afternoon of Gable movies, including Strange Cargo, the first of two films he made with Peter Lorre.

Feb. 9 (Tues), 11:20 am, Fox Movie channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Feb. 10 (Wed), 9:45 am, Fox Movie channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Feb. 12 (Fri), 3:45 pm, TCM – Silk Stockings (1957). The daytime theme is "Leading Ladies", and Peter’s leading lady in this MGM movie is Cyd Charisse

Feb. 12 (Fri), 8 pm, TCM – Casablanca (1942). TCM’s primetime theme is "TCM Romantic Weekend Getaway", and Lorre fans can kick of their own Valentine’s weekend with Peter in one of his iconic roles – Ugarte, the dealer in black market visas for refugees desperate to escape the North African city.

Feb. 16 (Tues), 1:10 pm, Fox Movie channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Feb. 17 (Wed), 3 am, Fox Movie channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Feb. 20 (Sat), 12 noon, TCM – Mad Love (1935). In his first American movie, Peter plays a brilliant surgeon who, in love with the actress Yvonne (Frances Drake), replaces her husband’s smashed hands with those of a knife-throwing murderer – with tragic results.

Feb. 24 (Wed), 10 am, TCM – Hollywood Canteen (1944).


Sneak Peek at March, 2021

Mar. 1 (Mon), 4:43 pm, TCM – Around the World in 80 Days (1956). TCM salutes David Niven’s birthday with a morning and afternoon of Niven films.

Mar. 3 (Wed), 6 am, TCM – Quicksand (1950).

Mar. 6 (Sat), 12 noon, TCM – The Mask of Dimitrios (1944).

Mar. 12 (Fri), 8 pm, TCM – The Maltese Falcon (1941).

Mar. 12 (Fri), 10 pm, TCM – Casablanca (1942).

Mar. 14 (Sun), 11:45 am, TCM – Arsenic and Old Lace (1944).





Many of these and other Lorre movies and television programs are now available on DVD and Blu-Ray – many remastered and packaged with extra features. For more information on the films of Peter Lorre released to home video, head on over to the DVD – VHS section of The Lost One website.

In The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, Stephen D. Youngkin discusses the making of Peter’s movies, including interviews with many of the directors, writers, actors, and crew who worked with Peter.

A complete list of Peter’s movies and television credits is available in the book’s Appendix.

The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre may be purchased from many brick-and-mortar shops, as well as these online merchants ~ Happy viewing!

January 24, 2021

Lorre Film on Fathom Events Schedule


On Sunday, January 24 and Wednesday, January 27, 2021, Fathom Events and the Turner Classic Movies channel kick off their 2021 schedule of classic movies released to cinemas with The Maltese Falcon (1941).

Participating theaters may be located by searching by zip code on the Fathom Events website.

At most cinemas, the program will begin at 7 pm local time on both Sunday and Wednesday with a special presentation by regular TCM host Ben Mankiewicz. Many theaters will also offer a 3 pm matinee. Following the movie, Mankiewicz returns for post-film comments.

Ticket prices are $12.50 for all seats, however, some cinemas may offer a discount for students, children, and seniors. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the theater, as well as online through the Fathom Events website and Fandango.

COVID-19 restrictions will be in place at most theaters, including masks, social distancing, and limited seating. Specific requirements are available at each theater’s website.

Originally released in October 1941, The Maltese Falcon celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2021. Throughout 2021, Fathom Events and the Turner Classic Movies channel salute nine decades of cinema history, from 1941 to 1996.


As Joel Cairo, one of the international criminals in search of the fabulous jewel-encrusted statuette of the title, Peter Lorre is the bridge between the movie’s two story lines – the murder of Miles Archer, Sam Spade’s (Humphrey Bogart) partner in their detective agency, and the hunt for the Maltese Falcon. This was Peter’s first movie for Warner Brothers, and his first film with Bogart and Sydney Greenstreet.

In the pages of The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, Stephen Youngkin discusses the on-screen and off-screen friendship of Peter and Bogie through numerous interviews with their mutual friends and co-workers.

The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre may be purchased from many brick-and-mortar shops, as well as these online merchants ~

January 19, 2021

SiriusXM Poe Salute Includes Lorre


Every week, the Radio Classics channel, airing over the satellite radio service SiriusXM, salutes celebrity birthdays with special programming, and during the week of January 18 through 24, 2021, writer Edgar Allan Poe receives the birthday treatment with several radio shows adapted from his works – including an episode of Peter Lorre’s 1947 summer series Mystery in the Air.

“The Black Cat”, originally broadcast on September 18, 1947, will air these dates and times ~

Tuesday, January 19 ~
  • 5:30 pm Pacific, 8:30 pm Eastern

Thursday, January 21 ~
  • 11:30 am Pacific, 2:30 pm Eastern

Saturday, January 23 ~
  • 9:30 am Pacific, 12:30 pm Eastern

The full schedule of the week’s programming is available on Radio Classics host Greg Bell’s website.

January 2, 2021

Kick Off 2021 with Lorre on TV


January 2021 is the start of a new year filled with Peter Lorre films on the Turner Classic Movies channel, as well as other channels.

All times shown are Eastern Standard.

Peter Lorre’s page on the TV Guide Channel website lists the Lorre films scheduled on various television channels over a 2-week period.


January, 2021

Jan. 4 (Mon), 11:23 am, Fox Movie Channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Jan. 5 (Tues), 9:23 am, Fox Movie Channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Jan. 5 (Tues), 10 pm, Turner Classic Movies – The Maltese Falcon (1941). Every Tuesday in January, TCM salutes the Hollywood studio system from the 1920s to the 1960s. The primetime theme tonight is "Warner Bros." TCM's Alicia Malone co-hosts with film historian Mark Harris and Hollywood Reporter editor Kim Masters discuss The Maltese Falcon and its place in the history of Warner Bros. studio system.

Jan. 8 (Fri), 12:45 am, ScreenPix Action channel – The Raven (1963). In this horror-comedy from American International Pictures, Peter Lorre plays the title character, a wizard turned into a raven by an evil sorcerer (Boris Karloff) and rescued by a good magician (Vincent Price).

Jan. 9 (Sat), 4 pm, ScreenPix Action channel – The Raven (1963).

Jan. 9 (Sat), 8 pm, MeTV channel – The Beast with Five Fingers (1946). Horror film host Svengoolie presents the final movie Peter worked on at Warner Bros. – a Gothic horror set in the late 1880s at an Italian villa owned by a reclusive pianist (Victor Francen) who dies in an accident, but whose hand is apparently running loose and wreaking havoc on those who oppose the pianist’s last will and testament.

Jan. 26 (Tues), 11:20 am, Fox Movie Channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).

Jan. 27 (Wed), 4:05 am, Fox Movie Channel – Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961).


Sneak Peek at February, 2021

Feb. 1 (Mon), 6 pm, TCM – Strange Cargo (1940). The daytime theme celebrates the birthday of Clark Gable, including the first of two movies the actor made with Peter Lorre.

Feb. 12 (Fri), 3:45 pm, TCM – Silk Stockings (1957). The daytime theme is "Leading Ladies", including the only movie leading lady Cyd Charisse made with Peter Lorre, who also sang and danced in the film.

Feb. 12 (Fri), 8 pm, TCM – Casablanca (1940). The primetime theme is “TCM Romantic Weekend Getaway”, and with Valentine’s Day falling on Sunday, Feb. 14, celebrate your "Lorre Love" with the movie that led to a Warner Bros. contract for Peter.





Many of these and other Lorre movies and television programs are now available on DVD and Blu-Ray – many remastered and packaged with extra features. For more information on the films of Peter Lorre released to home video, head on over to the DVD – VHS section of The Lost One website.

In The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, Stephen D. Youngkin discusses the making of Peter’s movies, including interviews with many of the directors, writers, actors, and crew who worked with Peter.

A complete list of Peter’s movies and television credits is available in the book’s Appendix.

The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre may be purchased from many brick-and-mortar shops, as well as these online merchants ~ Happy viewing!

December 23, 2020

Christmas with Lorre on SiriusXM


Every December, the satellite radio service SiriusXM airs Christmas-themed old-time radio episodes on the Radio Classics channel – channel 148 on the SiriusXM radio dial.

And among the offerings is Peter Lorre’s December 1943 Suspense episode, “Back for Christmas”.

During the week of Dec. 21 to 27, 2020, “Back for Christmas” will air these days and times ~

Tuesday, Dec. 22 ~
  • 1:30 am Pacific, 4:30 am Eastern

Thursday, Dec. 24 ~
  • 3:30 pm Pacific, 6:30 pm Eastern

Sunday, Dec. 27 ~
  • 3:30 am Pacific, 6:30 am Eastern


The full schedule of the week’s programming is available on Radio Classics host Greg Bell’s website.

This version of the John Collier story originally aired Dec. 23, 1943. “Back for Christmas” was Peter’s fourth of six appearances before the microphone of the anthology series, airing over CBS every Thursday night.

Peter plays Hubert Schumacher, a professor of botany who digs a Devil’s Garden as a bed for rare orchids in his cellar. While his overbearing wife Hermione plans their trip to America, Hubert makes plans of his own – involving a new Mrs. Schumacher and the disposal of Hermione.

Plans go awry . . . . on all fronts.

SiriusXM radio subscribers may also listen to Suspense, “Back for Christmas”, over the internet. Log-in with your User ID and password. Not a subscriber? A free 30-day trial is also available through the SiriusXM radio website.

In The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, Stephen D. Youngkin discusses the radio career of Peter Lorre. A complete-to-date list of Peter’s radio credits may be found in the book’s appendix.

The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre makes an excellent Christmas gift for the Lorre fan on your shopping list and may be purchased from many brick-and-mortar shops, as well as these online merchants ~


Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

December 5, 2020

Ring in December Holidays with Lorre on TV

December brings Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, and Lorre fans may look forward to a handful of movies on the Turner Classic Movies channel, as well as other channels.

All times shown are Eastern Standard.

Peter Lorre’s page on the TV Guide Channel website lists the Lorre films scheduled on various television channels over a 2-week period.


December, 2020

Dec. 5 (Sat), 8 pm, Turner Classic Movies – The Maltese Falcon (1941). The primetime theme tonight is "Dashiell Hammett Double Feature", with The Maltese Falcon, followed by The Thin Man (1934). Brad Bird, host of TCM's Saturday night program The Essentials, joins Ben Mankiewicz for a discussion of The Maltese Falcon.

Dec. 15 (Tues), 10:10 pm, Movies! Network – Beat the Devil (1954).

Dec. 26 (Sat), 8 pm, TCM – Casablanca (1942). The primetime theme is "Memorable Goodbyes", and during its 103-minute running time, Casablanca has several, including Peter Lorre’s Ugarte arrested and removed forcefully from Rick’s Café Americain. Ben Mankiewicz and Brad Bird co-host this installment of "The Essentials".

Sneak Peek at January, 2021

Jan. 5 (Tues), 10 pm, TCM – The Maltese Falcon (1941). The primetime theme is “The Studio System – Warner Bros.”, including The Maltese Falcon, Peter Lorre’s first movie at the studio he would become most associated with during his career, and the hearts and minds of many Lorre fans.




Many of these and other Lorre movies and television programs are now available on DVD and Blu-Ray – many remastered and packaged with extra features. For more information on the films of Peter Lorre released to home video, head on over to the DVD – VHS section of The Lost One website.

In The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre, Stephen D. Youngkin discusses the making of Peter’s movies, including interviews with many of the directors, writers, actors, and crew who worked with Peter.

A complete list of Peter’s movies and television credits is available in the book’s Appendix.

The Lost One: A Life of Peter Lorre may be purchased from many brick-and-mortar shops, as well as these online merchants ~ Happy viewing!

Gettysburg Classic Fest Cancelled

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the historic Majestic Theater, located in downtown Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, has cancelled their classic film festival “95 Years of Majestic Movies”, originally scheduled for November and December, 2020.

Casablanca (1942) was to be shown Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6.

Patrons who bought movie tickets in advance will be contacted by the Box Office to process refunds.

For more information, please call the Majestic at (717) 337-8200.

The Majestic Theater is located at 25 Carlisle Street in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Metered parking is available on the street in front of the theater, with a parking garage located in Race Horse Alley, directly behind the theater.

Opening in 1925, the historic Majestic Theater has shown Peter Lorre films from the 1930s onward, as well as during its annual classic film festivals, held every summer. Here’s hoping the Majestic will be able to return to its regular schedule in 2021!