It’s April Fool’s Day, and this week’s movies on TV get under way with a timely visit from two of the cinema’s holiest fools.
Today
“Mad Max,” 6 p.m., American Movie Classics. Mel Gibson became an international star on the strength of this violent sci-fi fantasy, which was topped by its sequel “The Road Warrior.” 1979.
“Block-Heads,” 8:15 p.m.; “Pardon Us,” 9:30 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy were the perfect comedy couple, and these two fine messes give proof: first in a tale of Stan returning home late from World War I (1938), secondly in a parody of prison movies (1931).
Saturday
“The Wings of the Dove,” 8 p.m., KTWB. Offbeat adaptation of the Henry James story, with a sexy cast and passionate approach. Helena Bonham Carter and Linus Roache star. 1997.
“Spy Kids 2: Island of Lost Dreams,” 9 p.m., KOMO. Delightful sequel to the kiddie adventure, directed by Robert Rodriguez (but don’t look for similarities with his ultraviolent new film, “Sin City”). 2002.
Sunday
“Escape From New York,” 6 p.m., FX. The only person who can rescue the U.S. president from the walled prison that is Manhattan island is burnout tough guy Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell). And only John Carpenter could dream up something like this. 1981.
“Barbershop,” 8 p.m., USA. Ice Cube leads a lively and politically incorrect gathering of men in a styling salon. The spin-off, “Beauty Shop,” is in theaters now. 2002.
Monday
“X-Men,” 7:30 p.m., FX. Despite its coolness as a comic-book fantasy, this movie has some great old-fashioned moves to it. Hugh Jackman leads the cast of mutants, with Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen as warring masterminds. 2000.
Tuesday
“Gentleman’s Agreement,” 7:30 p.m., Fox Movies. In order to investigate anti-Semitism in America, writer Gregory Peck goes undercover as a Jew, and discovers bad news. Daring for its time, this movie won a heap of Oscars, including one for director Elia Kazan. 1947.
Wednesday
“Mr. Deeds Goes to Town,” 10:15 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. A small-town poet (Gary Cooper) finds himself a rich man, in Frank Capra’s delightful social comedy. Ignore the Adam Sandler remake and stick with the original. 1936.
Thursday
“Lost in Translation,” 8 p.m., Encore. The wistful comedy with Bill Murray and Scarlet Johansson as kindred spirits who find each other in the chaotic city of Tokyo. Sofia Coppola won an Oscar for her script. 2003.
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