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John Lithgow returns to TCM for Essentials Jr., June 6

By April MacIntyre May 12, 2010, 20:37 GMT

US actor John Lithgow attends the Premiere of \'Arimda\' at the Metropolitan Opera in New York, USA, 12 April 2010. EPA/PETER FOLEY

Actor, author John Lithgow will return to Turner Classic Movies for a second year as Host of Essentials Jr. to guide parents on the classics in film they need to expose their children too.

Summer 2010 edition will launch Sunday, June 6, with Old Yeller (1958)

Lithgow, a Golden Globe winner for his performance on the TV series "Dexter," is returning to Turner Classic Movies (TCM) for a second year to host the network’s summer movie showcase. 

Lithgow will present 13 films that are ideal for parents to introduce to kids.  This year’s Essentials Jr. is set to begin Sunday, June 6, with the memorable weeper Old Yeller (1958).

“John Lithgow is an extraordinary talent who not only knows his movie history but also serves as a champion of children’s education, making him the perfect guide for parents and kids as they share these wonderful classics together,” said Charles Tabesh, senior vice president of programming for TCM.  “It’s thrilling to have him back for another year of Essentials JR.”

TCM’s Essentials JR. will run each Sunday throughout the summer and will include such movies as the Marx Bros. classic Duck Soup (1933); a special Father’s Day presentation of To Kill a Mockingbird (1962), featuring Gregory Peck’s OscarÒ-winning performance as Atticus Finch; and the Dr. Suess fantasy The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953). 

The following is a complete schedule.  All films begin at 8 p.m. (ET):

June 6        Old Yeller (1958)

June 13      Duck Soup (1933)

June 20      To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)

June 27      The 5,000 Fingers of Dr. T (1953)

July 4         Bye Bye Birdie (1963)

July 11       Speedy (1928)

July 18       Beauty and the Beast (1946)

July 25       Buck Privates (1941)

Aug. 1        The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (1939)

Aug. 8        Road to Morocco (1942)

Aug. 15      The Secret Garden (1949)

Aug. 22      Swiss Family Robinson (1960)

Aug. 29      Young Mr. Lincoln (1939)

John Lithgow has appeared in nearly 20 Broadway productions, earning another Tony, three Tony nominations, four Drama Desk Awards and induction into the Theatre Hall of Fame. 

On screen, Lithgow received Oscar nominations for The World According to Garp and Terms of Endearment.  He has also appeared in such films as All That Jazz, Twilight Zone: The Movie, Footloose, 2010, Buckaroo Banzai, Harry and the Hendersons, Ricochet, Cliffhanger, Orange County, Kinsey, Dreamgirls and Confessions of a Shopaholic, as well as the Brian De Palma thrillers Obsession, Dressed to Kill, Blow Out and Raising Cain.

Lithgow earned an Emmy for his performance in an episode of Amazing Stories and three additional Emmys for his memorable performance on the long-running comedy 3rd Rock from the Sun.  If he doesn't take the Emmy this year for his turn as a serial killer on Showtime's "Dexter" opposite star Michael C. Hall, we would be shocked.

Lithgow is a prolific author who has penned seven New York Times best-selling children’s books, created two activities books for parents and children, developed readers for use in elementary schools and compiled 50 classic poems aimed at young people. 

He has earned two Parents’ Choice Silver Honor Awards and four Grammy® nominations.  Simon & Schuster recently released his newest children’s book, I Got Two Dogs. 

Lithgow has performed concerts for children with the Chicago, Pittsburgh, Detroit, Baltimore and San Diego symphony orchestras and at Carnegie Hall with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s.  He has also released three albums for kids.

Turner Classic Movies is a Peabody Award-winning network that presents great films, uncut and commercial-free, from the largest film libraries in the world.  Currently seen in more than 80 million homes, TCM features the insights of veteran primetime host Robert Osborne and weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz, plus interviews with a wide range of special guests.