Happy New Year’s Eve 1943 from the pen of Ernie Bushmiller!

Dec. 31, 1943: The Times lists the top stories of 1943. For Los Angeles, that included Zoot Suit Riots (June 7), the 48-hour work week (July 21) and Frank Sinatra at the Hollywood Bowl (Aug. 11).

Film columnist Philip K. Scheuer goes through his calendar, listing what he considered the hits and duds for every month of the year. The titles will challenge all but the hardest-core TCM fans. For every “Casablanca” or “Ox Bow Incident” there’s half a dozen “Chetniks” (later titled “The Fighting Guerrillas”) or “Lucky Jordan.”