CBS Goes Big and Nostalgic on Sunday Nights

Remember back in the old days when we waited in great anticipation for big movie nights on the major networks?  The Wizard of Oz, The Ten Commandments, and Patton were among the films we looked forward to special showings of before cable and way before streaming platforms came on the scene. Back then, these big nights of television were the only alternative to theaters and Drive-ins.

The commercials for the series airing Sunday nights in May beckons back to an earlier time.  The graphic for the promotions of it (below video) is a little over the top and even blurry, but that makes it seem charming.  During a pandemic, there is something special about things that remind us of simpler times.

There is great anticipation when one looks at the list of movies and when they will be running.  All of them can be rented on one of the many OTT platforms, most for just a few bucks.  To watch these movies at the day, time, and channel mandated by the network seems odd.  But there is something about this sense of scarcity around these films of when they can be watched that makes it more exciting and the viewing experience more interesting.  With all of the movies major blockbusters from the 20th century, there is a sense of anticipation most of us haven’t experienced around broadcast television in quite a while.  You have to hurry again and get your popcorn during the commercials, and it is fun and not a hassle.

In a statement obtained by USA Daily Standard, CBS announced:

“Sunday nights on CBS just got a little more cinematic.

“CBS has announced plans to launch a Sunday movie night in May featuring five acclaimed films from the Paramount Pictures library: Forrest Gump, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Mission: Impossible, and Titanic.

“‘It’s a five-week programming event with epic films, iconic stars, and brilliant stories that viewers love—and love to watch together,’ said Noriko Kelley, Executive Vice President, Program Planning and Scheduling, CBS Entertainment.

“Remind yourself why these films had such monumental impacts on the cultural zeitgeist, and find distraction with epic adventures, romance, death-defying stunts, and Academy Award-winning performances.

The movie night series kicks off tonight, Sunday, May 3, with Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark at 8/7c on CBS. Forrest Gump will air the following Sunday, May 10 at 8/7c, and Mission: Impossible will drop onto screens May 17 at 8/7c.

Raiders of the Lost Ark:

Forrest Gump

Mission: Impossible

The statement continues, “Titanic will tug at your heartstrings once again on Sunday, May 24 at 7/6c, while Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade rounds out the lineup on Sunday, May 31 at 8/7c.”

Titanic

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

CBS encourages viewers, “Don’t miss CBS’ Sunday nights at the movies starting Sunday, May 3 on CBS.”