It’s nearly time for my favorite annual event, the TCM Classic Film Festival! The 17th edition officially kicks off a week from today, and it’ll be my sixth time attending the fest. As usual, there are always a few tough choices to make between what movies to see and events to go to, but in all the years that I’ve been going, this must be the most conflicts I’ve come across in what TCM has put together in their schedule! My head was spinning when I first got a look at it when it was released a couple of weeks ago, and it took me longer than it has in years past to settle on some tentative picks… strong emphasis on tentative. And of course, just when I thought I had it all worked out, TCM dropped some big announcements yesterday, giving me much to reconsider. So after much thought, this is what I’ve come up with for now, but we’ll see how I feel in the moment once TCMFF is underway…
Thursday
Films I Haven’t Seen: The Ozu Diaries
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: Auntie Mame, Blonde Venus, Days of Heaven
Once again, I have the Classic Pass for the festival, which means I don’t have access to the opening night gala screening of Barefoot in the Park with Jane Fonda. Though TCM always schedules something cool for their festival premiere screening, this is the first time in my years of attending that I really wish I could go, as I’d love to hear Fonda talk about her frequent co-star, the late Robert Redford, in person. Instead, I’ll do my usual TCMFF tradition of watching the red carpet, and will possibly get a good glimpse of her heading into the theater. Depending on when the red carpet officially closes, I may try to book it down to the Egyptian to catch Out of the Past. But since timing seems pretty tight, I’ll likely just take it easy and check out the opening night reception and the intro to the first poolside screening of the fest, Grease 2, with stars Maxwell Caulfield, Lorna Luft, Christopher McDonald, and Adrian Zmed set to attend.
I’d like to see a movie in the last block of the night, so I won’t stick around for all of Grease 2. Right now, I’m leaning toward Days of Heaven. While I have seen it in a theater before, what’s influencing my decision is the fact that one of the stars, Brooke Adams, will be there in person, and I’d love to hear what she has to say about working on this movie I love. Plus, the film is scheduled to end a little earlier than the other ones I was considering (Man Hunt with Keith Carradine and The Fortune Cookie with Charlie Matthau), and I don’t want to wear myself out too much before the first full day of the festival.
My Tentative Picks: discussion before Grease 2, Days of Heaven
Friday
Films I Haven’t Seen: The Mouthpiece, Citizen Ruth, Tammy and the Bachelor, Letty Lynton, Money from Home
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: Alice in Wonderland, Father of the Bride, Strangers on a Train (multiple times)
The first major conflicts of the festival start bright and early on Friday, and there are multiple ways I could’ve gone in the first half of the day, as there were three to five options in each block here that I’d love to attend. While it’d be great to see The Magnificent Seven on the big screen, or check out a pre-code I haven’t seen before in The Mouthpiece, I can’t resist the sole classic Disney screening at the El Capitan, which I’ve always gone to in all the years I’ve attended, so I’m going with Alice in Wonderland. I’ll probably check out the line to the hand & footprint ceremony for Glenn Close on the way over just to see if I can get in, but as it hasn’t happened for me in past years, I’ll continue on my way to my first film of the day.
Since I decided to go with Alice in Wonderland, that basically takes me out of contention for the most buzzed about title of this year’s TCMFF: Letty Lynton, which has not been available to the public for close to a century! I’d love to see the world premiere restoration of this famous Joan Crawford movie, but it’s right up against a conversation with Carol Burnett in Club TCM at the Roosevelt. Since it’s such a tight turnaround between Alice in Wonderland and Letty Lynton anyway, I’ll see Burnett instead and take some comfort in knowing Letty Lynton will be released on home video in the near future and is sure to air on TCM at some point. I’ll also just mention that if neither of those were scheduled in this block, I would’ve picked one of my all-time favorites, Here Comes Mr. Jordan, but alas, I can just hope for it (and/or Letty Lynton, for that matter) to be a TBA screening I can go to on Sunday.
If, for some reason, I don’t get into Club TCM to see Carol Burnett, I’d then go see her introduce Strangers on a Train, and then dip out early to go to Club TCM for “Music and Musings” with Dave Karger. But again, that’s my backup plan, so what I’m actually planning to do instead is see Dangerous Liaisons with Glenn Close, as I’d love to hear her talk about one of her signature, Oscar-nominated performances. The other movie I considered in this block was Money From Home, a Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis movie being presented in 3D.
My Tentative Picks: Alice in Wonderland, A Conversation with Carol Burnett, Dangerous Liaisons
Friday (continued)
Films I Haven’t Seen: That Thing You Do!, My Brother’s Wedding, Vanishing Point
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: Ace in the Hole (multiple times), Gaslight
For the first movie of the evening, I decided to stick with the Chinese IMAX theater, as it appears I won’t be attending as many screenings there as I normally do at the festival. That Thing You Do! is also a movie I’ve been meaning to check out, so this is a great opportunity for me to finally see it, especially with one of its stars, Johnathon Schaech, scheduled to talk about it. My only other consideration here was Next Time We Love, a movie I saw only once several years ago, which wasn’t in the best quality. But seeing James Stewart in his first starring role would be a treat to see on the big screen, so I may be tempted when the moment comes, though the fact that it’s screening in the smallest theater gives me pause that I might not get in anyway.
While it’d be fun to see Ferris Bueller’s Day Off with Alan Ruck and Ben Stein in attendance, Shane is one of my must-see movies of the festival, as I do enjoy seeing a good western in a theater. It’s also always a pleasure seeing George Stevens Jr., and I look forward to hearing what he has to say about his father’s acclaimed film. If I still have the energy after the movie, I’ll try to stay awake a little bit longer for the first midnight movie: Vanishing Point, introduced by filmmaker Edgar Wright.
My Tentative Picks: That Thing You Do!, Shane, Vanishing Point
Saturday
Films I Haven’t Seen: Cobra Woman, The Bamboo Blonde, The Muppet Movie
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: A Place in the Sun, Phantom Lady (multiple times), Swing Time, Captain Blood, All the President’s Men
Initially, I had my eye on The Day the Earth Stood Still when it was one of the first movies announced before the full schedule was revealed. Instead, I’m now planning to start Saturday off with the nitrate screening of The Farmer’s Daughter, a movie I’ve only seen once, but remember enjoying, which includes Loretta Young’s Oscar-winning performance. While I’d love to see A Face in the Crowd in the theater for the first time, or Swing Time projected on the giant screen at the Chinese, I’m gonna stay at the Egyptian to check out Cobra Woman, directed by Robert Siodmak. If it weren’t for the quick turnaround, I’d be interested in checking out The Bamboo Blonde, a movie I didn’t even know existed, which happens to be directed by Anthony Mann.
This afternoon block is stacked with a lot of good options, including the newly announced special guest introducing The Misfits: Sharon Stone! It’d be cool to hear what this movie means to her, but unfortunately, it conflicts with another film that’s high on my priority list: The Muppet Movie. I’ve shamefully never seen it before, despite loving the Muppets (who doesn’t?) and seeing some other Muppet films. This is being screened as part of a tribute to Paul Williams, so it’s a great bonus to get to see him alongside this blind spot. I will say, though, among the other screenings in this time slot, I am really intrigued by former White House Counsel John Dean being on hand for All the President’s Men and would’ve loved to see that. I also would’ve liked to see the underrated Fred MacMurray-Barbara Stanwyck collaboration in Douglas Sirk’s There’s Always Tomorrow on the big screen.
My Tentative Picks: The Farmer’s Daughter, Cobra Woman, The Muppet Movie
Saturday (continued)
Films I Haven’t Seen: I’d Rather Be Rich, Swingers, A World Apart
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (multiple times), Victor/Victoria, Notorious
Another one of my biggest conflicts of the festival is in this block, though mercifully it’s just between two movies. While I’ve seen Victor/Victoria in a theater before, it’s such a fun one to see with an audience. Plus, Lesley Ann Warren, who is fantastic in her Oscar-nominated performance in this movie, will be in attendance. I was fortunate to see her introduce Clue at TCMFF a couple of years ago, so it’s not a huge loss if I decide to stick with my tentative pick, I’d Rather Be Rich, which will be another discovery for me. I love Sandra Dee, so I’m sure I’ll get some enjoyment out of it.
In this next block, I was between The Devil and Miss Jones and Robocop, two movies that couldn’t be more different from each other. Since I’m sure to have an opportunity to see Robocop at a future repertory screening in L.A., I’m choosing The Devil and Miss Jones. Though if I decide to see Victor/Victoria at the last minute, then I’ll go to Robocop, as there’s more time between those movies than with The Devil and Miss Jones. Following all that, of course, is the last midnight movie of the fest. I just saw Who Killed Teddy Bear recently on TCM’s Noir Alley, so not a big deal if I end up skipping the midnight movie, but as this post is all about my aspirations for the festival, I’ll be ambitious and add it to my schedule in case I find I can stay awake another couple of hours.
My Tentative Picks: I’d Rather Be Rich, The Devil and Miss Jones, Who Killed Teddy Bear
Sunday
Films I Haven’t Seen: Looking for Trouble
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: The Best Years of Our Lives, Jerry Maguire, Trouble in Paradise
As usual, Sunday will be flexible and will depend on how much energy I have left in me following two and a half straight days of movie-watching. If Tatum O’Neal gets added as a guest for the cast reunion of The Bad News Bears, I’ll probably switch my pick to that screening. But for now, I’m going to try to get a seat for the pre-code Looking for Trouble. Ingrid Bergman’s second of her three Oscar-winning performances in Anastasia is also one I’d consider in this morning block.
The next block here depends entirely on what movies are announced in the TBA slots, as I imagine something I missed but wanted to see may pop up here. If not, then I’ll likely dip in for the Jerry Maguire Q&A with director Cameron Crowe and co-star Jay Mohr. But as much as I enjoy the movie, I wouldn’t be able to stay the whole time, because it comes up against one of my must-see presentations of the festival in the block that follows.
My Tentative Picks: Looking for Trouble
Sunday (continued)
Films I Haven’t Seen: Lady Windermere’s Fan
Films I’ve Previously Seen In Theaters: The Towering Inferno, Rope (multiple times)
The Towering Inferno is probably my favorite disaster movie from the prime ’70s era, and when it was announced that Oscar-winning effects artists Ben Burtt and Craig Barron would be doing one of their special presentations for this film, I knew I had to be there no matter what. But this announcement was made shortly after I saw the film at the Academy Museum, so I may not actually stay for the whole runtime. If it weren’t for The Towering Inferno, I would’ve been interested in the Club TCM panel on music supervision, as that’s an aspect of movie-making I do admire a lot. Other considerations here were Ishtar (the other film that’s part of the tribute to Paul Williams) and Arabesque (with an introduction by Ethan Peck).
In the days since the full schedule was released, the final block of the festival was sort of up in the air. However, I was leaning toward going to the Egyptian for the Ernst Lubitsch silent film Lady Windermere’s Fan, which will be accompanied by a live score from the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra. Then there’s also a screening of one of my favorite musicals, On the Town, which would be a delightful finale to the fest. But then TCM announced that the one and only Faye Dunaway would be coming for Network, and my decision on my final TCMFF film was finally made. I had just missed a recent screening of Network that the American Cinematheque programmed in tribute to Robert Duvall, so I’m glad it worked out that I’ll get to watch it now on the big screen in this way instead, as I’ll get to see Dunaway discuss this iconic movie that earned her an Academy Award. Plus, in all but one of the years I’ve attended, I ended my festival experience at the Chinese IMAX theater, so I’ll be able to stick with that tradition before heading to the closing night party.
My Tentative Picks: The Towering Inferno, Network
Based on my tentative picks, I’ll be seeing 15 films, with 6 of them being movies I haven’t seen before. In the past two years, I’ve seen between 15 and 16 movies, so I may very well stay on that pace, but I could also end up dropping back down to about a dozen movies watched as I did in the years before that. Which, of course, is still a lot of movie-watching in the span of a few short days. Regardless, I’m excited to revisit old favorites and discover some new ones!
