There were several major announcements yesterday regarding the TCM Classic Film Festival.
A number of additions to the film schedule were announced, including this year's slate of four nitrate films. The nitrate movies which will be shown are THE DOLLY SISTERS (1946), THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER (1947), ROAD HOUSE (1948), and SAMSON AND DELILAH (1949).
I saw the nitrate ROAD HOUSE print at UCLA in 2017, so this year I'm especially looking forward to THE DOLLY SISTERS (Fox Technicolor in nitrate!) and THE BACHELOR AND THE BOBBY-SOXER. I love Victor Mature and Hedy Lamarr but am not sure about seeing SAMSON AND DELILAH as I'm not typically a big fan of Biblical epics.
The festival will be paying tribute to 20th Century-Fox by showing a number of films from that studio. Among the Fox films on the schedule, I'm very excited about Shirley Temple in THE LITTLE COLONEL (1935) and Will Rogers in LIFE BEGINS AT 40 (1935). I'd also like to see GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES (1953), which I saw at the L.A. County Museum of Art when I was growing up in the '70s; last year I really enjoyed HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE (1953), released by 20th Century-Fox the same year.
More recent Fox films on the schedule include a 70mm screening of THE SOUND OF MUSIC (1965), a print I was able to see at the Egyptian in 2012, and the "Special Edition" cut of the original STAR WARS (1977).
The previously announced screening of INDISCREET (1958) with Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman should now be a wonderful opportunity to honor the film's late director, Stanley Donen.
Based on past history, the full schedule, typically around 80 films, should be released in about a month. I'm already crossing my fingers that the films I most want to see won't be scheduled in the same time slots!
In other important festival news, last week it was announced that film preservationist Kevin Brownlow will be the second recipient of the Robert Osborne Award, created to honor those "whose work has helped keep the cultural heritage of classic film alive and thriving for future generations." Brownlow, particularly known for his work preserving silent films, is a wonderful choice for this honor, which last year was awarded to Martin Scorsese.
The TCM Classic Film Festival will take place in Hollywood, California, from April 11th through 14th. All pass levels are currently listed on the website as sold out; there is a wait list available for those interested in purchasing a Classic pass.
More information on this year's festival may be found in the links at the end of this post.
Finally, on a sad note, I want to mention the recent passing of #TCMParty member Andrea Rosen. I didn't know Andrea well but have seen her many times at the TCM Classic Film Festival, including last year, when a big group of us had breakfast together at Mel's on the festival's opening day. Andrea was known for Tweeting cocktail recipes themed to each week's Noir Alley titles; Eddie Muller even mentioned her on the air one week. (He posted a moving Tweet today.) We'll all be remembering Andrea at this year's festival. Those who wish to honor her may contribute to Broadway Cares. Sincere condolences to her husband, family, and friends.
Previously: TCM Announces 2019 Festival Dates and Theme, TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements, Latest TCM Classic Film Festival Announcements.
Update: The 2019 TCM Classic Film Festival Schedule.
Well, you were right; I'm getting more excited by the recently-announced films than I was about the initial titles. I'm looking forward to GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES, too, which I've yet to see even though it's been on my "10 Classics" list for the past few years. I'm very interested in the nitrates (except SAMSON AND DELILAH; I like most Biblical epics, but this one doesn't do much for me). As for STAR WARS, if it was the original theatrical release, it'd be there, but I can easily skip the "Special Edition."
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling more interested in the latest releases, Seth! There are typically also some nice surprises on the final schedule, particularly when it comes to lesser-known films.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of the "Special Edition" -- my husband has a t-shirt I love which says "Han Shot First"! -- but I do think it would be pretty cool seeing STAR WARS in the Chinese Theatre, assuming it's shown there. I remember seeing photos of the lines down the street in '77, but never saw it there.
Best wishes,
Laura