The 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival: Day Five

And so we very quickly arrived at April 27th, the final day of the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival.

I started the day with a 35mm screening of ALL THIS, AND HEAVEN TOO (1940) in House 4, introduced by Mario Cantone.

I hadn't seen the movie since watching it on commercial television as a teen, and I found it a wonderful melodrama -- though I was left worrying about Charles Boyer and Barbara O'Neil's orphaned children!

Later in the day we learned that former child actress Cora Sue Collins, who has a small role in the film as a student, had passed away that very day. Cora Sue, who was 98, has been a regular at classic film events over the last many years, and I was saddened to hear the news. It seemed fitting to watch one of her films on the day she left us.

Then it was back into House 4 for the second of three films seen there on Sunday!

This screening was a restored 35mm print of DIAMOND JIM (1935).

I was glad to see a Leonard Maltin introduction at the festival! The movie was interesting, if ultimately rather sad, with an odd ending, but I was glad to see another Jean Arthur film.

I was very happy that TO BE OR NOT TO BE (1942) was one of the "repeat" films on Sunday, as I'd missed it earlier in the festival in favor of a new-to-me film. I was first in line for the 35mm Sunday showing in House 4!

Unfortunately, during his introduction Ken Jennings, all too predictably given the film, gave his captive audience a diatribe based on his personal politics. This was followed by the annoyed man seated next to me loudly cursing Jennings out as he came up the stairs next to our seats. None of that needed to happen, and it was the only sour note of the fest.

The movie was fabulous, as always. I've seen it countless times, and it never fails to make me laugh out loud. What a loss to cinema when Carole Lombard died too young.

My final movie of the festival was a DCP print of TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME (1949) shown in Theater 1 of the Multiplex.

It was a nice touch that all five TCM hosts introduced the movie!

It may not be the greatest MGM musical -- and indeed, Gene Kelly's arrogant character has not worn well with time -- but it has a marvelous cast and was shown in a great print. Whenever I watch it, it conjures fond memories of seeing it when I was young.

Then it was off to the Closing Night Party in Club TCM at the Hollywood Roosevelt, where I said goodbye to friends and we shared our mutual wishes to meet again at the festival in 2026!

Previously: Days One, Two, Three, and Four.

The 2026 TCM Classic Film Festival is coming back to Hollywood from April 30th through May 3rd. As always, I'll have complete coverage here.  Please visit this post for complete details; updates are linked at the bottom as news develops. I hope to see many of you in April!

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