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BEST BETS FOR FRIDAY, AUG. 20, 2010

WOMAN OF THE YEAR

TCM, 8 p.m ET

Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn threw out ridiculous amounts of chemistry as feisty co-stars of this 1942 movie. And no wonder: They were generating as many sparks off camera as on, even though they kept their personal distances at the time. But if you want a smart movie – especially one about newspaper people – here’s a great place to start.

BLOW OUT

IFC, 8:05 p.m. ET

Brian De Palma directed this 1981 movie, an aural homage to the photographic accidentally-got-proof-of-a-murder plot in Antonioni’s Blow-Up. John Travolta stars, and De Palma stages a logistically jaw-dropping climax involving a chase scene driving literally through Philadelphia’s City Hall. But watch, most of all, for the creepy villain, one of the early star turns by John Lithgow – and a warm-up for his serial-killer part in last season’s Dexter.

CAN-CAN

Fox Movie Channel, 8:21 p.m. ET

Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra and Maurice Chevalier star in this 1960 film, featuring music by none other than Cole Porter, and telling of a long-age time when the French dance was considered a scandal. Fifty years ago, in another quaint time, this movie, too, was considered a little risqué.

NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM: BATTLE OF THE SMITHSONIAN

HBO, 9 p.m. ET

All the usuals are back for this 2009 sequel, including star Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson (who, as diorama tiny figure Jedediah, proves there are no small parts, only small actors). But the absolute scene-stealer is Amy Adam as Amelia Earhart, whose portrayal is so delightfully sassy, she seems to be channeling Katharine Hepburn. (See above.)

EUREKA

Syfy, 9 p.m. ET

On tonight’s show, some of the townspeople suddenly turn into stone, becoming not-so-living statues. It just goes to show you: Life, even in a town like Eureka, shouldn’t be taken for granite.

HAVEN

Syfy, 10 p.m. ET

On tonight’s show, there’s a local artist who is so gifted that whatever she draws comes to three-dimensional life. Hey – maybe she could draw me a lighthouse apartment.

   
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