The 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival: Day Two

Day Two of the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival began for me in traditional fashion: breakfast with friends at Mel's on Highland.

I always look forward to catching up in person over good food!

Later in the morning many of us headed to Hollywood Forever Cemetery for a service for the interment of the ashes of our friend Donna Hill.

Donna, author of RUDOLPH VALENTINO: THE SILENT IDOL - HIS LIFE IN PHOTOGRAPHS, died unexpectedly in late December of 2024. Over the last several years I enjoyed Donna's company on both Twitter and in Zoom chats, and it was an honor to attend her service. She is very greatly missed!

While at Hollywood Forever I paused at Tyrone Power's gravesite (above) to pay my respects.

Back at the Hollywood Roosevelt, the first official gatherings took place in Club TCM, including the trivia contest hosted by Bruce Goldstein.

Soon it was time to line up for the first movie of the festival, which was also the first of nine films I saw in House 4 at the Chinese Multiplex during the festival.

Above, a candid of my friend, the lovely Victoria Mature, chatting in line. She's wearing a terrific t-shirt with a poster for her father Victor Mature's great film KISS OF DEATH (1947).

My first film of the festival, MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS (1933), was shown in 35mm and introduced by Ken Jennings of JEOPARDY!

My husband, who was No. 1 in line for the film, described MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS as "put together with duct tape." That was apt, and also part of the movie's oddball charm.

MOONLIGHT AND PRETZELS might be described as a (very) "low rent" Busby Berkeley style musical; the most memorable number was "I've Gotta Get Up and Go to Work." Not a movie which will rank high on anyone's lists, yet I'm glad I saw it. It's fun to explore previously unknown films such as this one.

Then it was back into Theater 4 for a 35mm screening of BLITHE SPIRIT (1945), introduced by Alicia Malone and Christine Ebersole.

Ebersole had appeared with Angela Lansbury in a stage production of the Noel Coward play which inspired the film.

BLITHE SPIRIT is not a favorite of mine, but I was glad to revisit it for the first time in 14 years. It played better for me with an appreciative audience, and the 35mm print was lovely, showing off the film's gorgeous color (colour!).

Check out photos from Day One here. Coming soon: Day Three.

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