Evan Rachel Wood was pretty good opposite Kate Winslet in the HBO version of the James M. Cain story three years ago.
But it was Ann Blyth who nailed the part of an ungrateful daughter to Joan Crawford in Michael Curtiz’ 1945 classic film of “Mildred Pierce” (TCM, 8 p.m.). At the time, Blythe was only 16.
A notable singer often cast in musicals like “Kismet” (TCM, 10 p.m.), Blyth turns 85 today. Fittingly, she is the star of the day on Turner Classic Movies with a schedule that also includes “The King’s Thief” (9:45 a.m.), “Rose Marie” (11:15 a.m.), “The Great Caruso” (1 p.m.), “Brute Force” (3 p.m.), “Killer McCoy” (4:45 p.m.), “Slander” (6:30 p.m.), “The Student Prince” (midnight), “The Helen Morgan Story” (2 a.m.) and “Our Very Own” (4:15 a.m.).
It’s also Madonna’s birthday (55!), but no movies from her today.
Kristen Chenoweth has edged her way into a lot of shows; tonight for the tenth season premiere of “Say Yes to the Dress” (TLC, 9 p.m.), she accompanies her assistant to a fitting and ends up trying on a few gowns as well.
The eighth season of “Ghost Adventures” (Travel, 9 p.m.) begins in a saloon in Nevada near where Carole Lombard was killed in a plane crash in 1942.
The documentary “Sunset Strip” (Showtime, 8 p.m.) celebrates the (mostly) rock ‘n’ roll heyday of the L.A. landmark, featuring some of its participants.
On “What Not to Wear” (TLC, 10 p.m.), Stacy London and Clinton Kelly quash the personal style of another victim, in their final season.
It’s time for makeovers already on “America’s Next Top Model” (The CW, 9 p.m.). Most of the guys don’t have to worry about getting their hair chopped off.
The guys in “Strike Back” (Cinemax, 10 p.m.), do just that against a cartel in Bogota.
Two other adventure guys join forces with comic book heroes in the one hour special “Phineas and Ferb: Mission Marvel” (Disney, 8 p.m.), featuring the Hulk, Thor, Spider-Man and Iron Man.
Gillian Jacobs of “Community” is guest on a new “Comedy Bang! Bang!” (IFC, 10 p.m.).
An NFL exhibition game, Tampa Bay at New England (Fox, 8 p.m.) takes over prime time.
Daytime Talk
Kelly & Michael: Cuba Gooding Jr., Whitney Cummings. The View: Oprah Winfrey, Forest Whitaker, Cuba Gooding Jr., Lenny Kravitz, David Oyelowo. The Talk: Backstreet Boys, Glynis McCants. Ellen DeGeneres: Kat Dennings, Chris Kluwe, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Marquese Scott, Julian Falkenstein (rerun). Wendy Williams: Kristen Johnston, Michael Symon (rerun).
Late Night
David Letterman: Michael Cera, Martha Stewart, Ra Ra Riot (rerun). Jay Leno: Aaron Paul, Selena Gomez (rerun). Jimmy Kimmel: Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Nick Offerman, Michael Kiwanuka (rerun). Jimmy Fallon: Justin Timberlake, Hayden Panettiere (rerun). Craig Ferguson: Steven Tyler, Olga Kurylenko (rerun). Carson Daly: Justin Bartha, Lunarcy, Vacationer (rerun). Tavis Smiley: Eva Mendes (rerun). Chelsea Handler: Andrew Dice Clay, Jeff Wild, Heather McDonald, Ryan Stout, Ross Mathews (rerun).