Staging its first film festival and in such historic settings as Grauman’s Chinese and Egyptian Theaters along Hollywood Boulevard now through Sunday, Turner Classic Films, the American broadcast authority on classic cinema, is celebrating some of the best movies ever made.
Launching the event is the world premiere of a new restoration of George Cukor’s A Star is Born (1954) nominated for six Academy Awards and featuring Judy Garland. Other important presentations include Metropolis (1927) the silent science-fiction sensation from Fritz Lang, featuring previously lost footage; a 50th anniversary screening of a restored version of Jean Luc Godard’s Breathless (1960); a special screening of the 70mm road show version of 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968); and The Producers (1968), including a discussion with writer/director Mel Brooks, who will also be receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame during the festival.
Robert Osborne, TCM’s primetime host and the official host for the festival, explains why film aficionados will appreciate the event beyond what one might experience with their home entertainment library, as all 50 screenings will include special introductions from celebrity appearances and panel discussions to live music support and book signings.
Festival Host Robert Osborne
“Classic movies are something that link the past to the present and form a vital part of our culture, “says Osborne, “This new festival will give those who love movies a way to connect with each other.”
In addition to presenting some of cinema’s greatest works as they were meant to be seen, on the big screen, many of the stars involved are scheduled to attend where they will speak of their experiences providing additional context for film fans in attendance. Among those slated to appear are Jon Voight, Tony Curtis, Eva Marie Saint, Alec Baldwin, Jean-Paul Belmondo, Anjelica Huston, Jerry Lewis and Peter Bogdanovich.
Another venue, the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Oscar ceremony, and is the official hotel for the festival, will present a rather imaginative backdrop for one particular film – at the pool.
Grauman's Chinese Theater
Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Esther Williams (making her first public appearance in four years) and Betty Garrett will be on-hand for a special poolside screening of the aquatic musical Neptune’s Daughter (1949). The screening will include a live performance by the Aqualillies, a team of synchronized swimmers, performing a special aqua-ballet tribute to three songs, including a song from the film, the Oscar-winning “Baby, It’s Cold Outside.” In addition, the Aqualillies will be wearing Esther Williams designed swimwear based on designs from the film.
Among the other events set at the hotel are a book signing and display of original art by Tony Curtis; a special screening of Joan Crawford’s home movies, hosted by her grandson, Casey LaLonde; a presentation by special effects artist Douglas Trumbull; and numerous scheduled conversations with festival guests.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will also feature several panel discussions, including Casting Secrets: The Knack of Finding the Right Actor; A Remake to Remember: Hollywood’s Love Affair with Updating Movie Classics; The Greatest Movies Ever Sold: Classic Movie Marketing Campaigns; Location Location Location; Film Continuity: When Details Count; and TCM: Meet the People Behind the Network.
Additionally, the TCM Classic Film Festival will honor the nation’s pre-eminent organization devoted to preserving Hollywood’s legacy, The Film Foundation (with director Martin Scorsese as one of its creators). Celebrating its 20th year of preserving and restoring classic films, several movies restored by this organization will be showcased at the festival.
As the festival examines Hollywood’s history, the influence of foreign-language films on American filmmaking also will be explored. Important film imports that have had an unquestionable impact on the direction Hollywood has taken will also be presented.
Hollywood has put its own spin on the movie industry over the years, from escapist musicals to downbeat film noirs. Because there has been no greater subject for Hollywood to explore than Hollywood itself, the festival will highlight some of the best films from this category including Vincente Minelli’s 1952 The Bad and the Beautiful which won five Oscars.
Some of the restored and special prints using high-end 35mm and 70mm prints on the festival screening schedule are such favorites as Sunnyside Up (1929), The Big Trail (1930) (John Wayne in his first lead role), an archival print of Casablanca (1942); a presentation of The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), paired with the Bugs Bunny cartoon Rabbit Hood (1949); rare theatrical screenings of the Joan Crawford drama A Woman’s Face (1940) and the gangster drama No Orchids for Miss Blandish (1948); the classic Harold Lloyd comedies An Eastern Westerner (1920) and Safety Last (1923); along with Top Hat (1935), Some Like It Hot (1959), Pillow Talk (1959), Cleopatra (1963) Midnight Cowboy (1969) and Saturday Night Fever (1977).
