{"id":30939,"date":"2012-03-30T08:37:47","date_gmt":"2012-03-30T15:37:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.the-frame.com\/?p=30939"},"modified":"2012-03-30T08:37:47","modified_gmt":"2012-03-30T15:37:47","slug":"heading-to-the-tcm-classic-film-festival-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/?p=30939","title":{"rendered":"Heading to the TCM Classic Film Festival 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"

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I<\/span>n just about two weeks’ time, the TCM Classic Film Festival<\/a> will descend on Los Angeles once again, turning downtown Hollywood into a mecca for film fans hungry for the glamour and nostalgia of the days of yore. Waxing poetic aside, this is the third year for the festival, and it seems to be going as strong as ever. Last year, attendance nearly doubled over the first festival, so we’ll see what the crowds are like this year! In any case, with Robert Osborne and the TCM crew bringing in films big and small, essential and rare, along with star appearances and special events galore, it’s sure to be a weekend of fun for anybody who loves classic Hollywood. The theme this year is “Style in the Movies” – with an apparent eye toward costume design and set decoration. There are sidebars for specific designers, specific “looks,” especially style-conscious directors, and even the broader Essentials section has been curated to favor films that feature a unique design aesthetic. Confirmed special guests include Kirk Douglas<\/b> (who was fantastic last year at a screening of Spartacus<\/em>), Debbie Reynolds<\/b>, Liza Minnelli<\/b>, Shirley Jones<\/b>, Kim Novak<\/b>, Robert Wagner<\/b>, Angie Dickinson<\/b>, director Norman Jewison<\/b>, and more.<\/p>\n

Along with the festival, TCM sponsors a Road to Hollywood<\/a> series of screenings in various cities throughout the weeks leading up to the festival, with Robert Osborne and special guests presenting the screening. That series continues with The Last Picture Show<\/em> March 31st in Toronto, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers<\/em> April 3rd in Denver, and Marty<\/em> April 5th in Portland. TCM did this last year as well, bringing a taste of the festival to other cities, so even if you don’t live in LA, keep an eye on where TCM is holding these (free!) screenings. Plus, you may learn insider info before the rest of us – at a recent screening, Robert Osborne let it slip that Mel Brooks will be a special guest. But he caught himself before revealing what film Brooks will be introducing – could even be something not announced yet!<\/p>\n

As far as the main event in Hollywood, taking place April 12-15<\/b>, Festival Passes<\/a> are still available, and individual tickets will be on sale before each screening. With no further ado, here is the line-up thus far announced. I got the schedule while I was working on this, so some of the entries reflect my knowledge that I won’t be seeing them due to scheduling conflicts. There will be many more that will fall to the vagaries of a very full three-day schedule. (Note: I took most of the synopses below from IMDb, so my apologies if they’re bland.)<\/p>\n

Essentials<\/h2>\n

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Richard Fleischer
\nStarring:<\/b> Kirk Douglas, James Mason, Paul Lukas, Peter Lorre
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A ship sent to investigate a wave of mysterious sinkings encounters the advanced submarine, the Nautilus, commanded by Captain Nemo.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve not seen this before, but Disney’s first live-action feature film promises practical special effects galore, and I’m a sucker for those. Plus, any chance to see Kirk Douglas live is probably worth taking. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Kirk Douglas<\/p>\n

Annie Hall (1977)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Woody Allen
\nStarring:<\/b> Woody Allen, Diane Keaton, Tony Roberts, Carol Kane, Paul Simon, Shelley Duvall, Christopher Walken, Colleen Dewhurst
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Neurotic New York comedian Alvy Singer falls in love with the ditsy Annie Hall.
\nMy take:<\/b> I love this film a lot; in fact, it’s a constant battle between this and Manhattan<\/span> for the title of my favorite Woody Allen film. Still, I think I’ll skip this in favor of things I haven’t seen a dozen times. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Auntie Mame (1958)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Morton DaCosta
\nStarring:<\/b> Rosalind Russell, Forrest Tucker, Coral Browne
\nSynopsis:<\/b> An orphan goes to live with his free-spirited aunt. Conflict ensues when the executor of his father’s estate objects to the aunt’s lifestyle.
\nMy take:<\/b> I haven’t seen this film, despite liking Rosalind Russell a good bit. That said, it’s not that high on my list and scheduling being what it is, this probably isn’t the time. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Todd Oldham<\/p>\n

Black Narcissus (1947)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Michael Powell & Emeric Pressburger
\nStarring:<\/b> Deborah Kerr, Kathleen Byron, David Farrar, Flora Robson, Jean Simmons
\nSynopsis:<\/b> After opening a convent in the Himalayas, five nuns encounter conflict and tension – both with the natives and also within their own group – as they attempt to adapt to their remote, exotic surroundings.
\nMy take:<\/b> I have seen this, but it’s been so long I don’t remember much of it. I’ve been wanting to rewatch it for quite some time now, and I’d definitely love the opportunity to see Jack Cardiff’s Technicolor cinematography on the big screen. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Thelma Schoonmaker<\/p>\n

Cabaret (1972)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Bob Fosse
\nStarring:<\/b> Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Helmut Griem, Joel Grey
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them.
\nMy take:<\/b> I love this movie, but this is the opening night premiere film, which is very difficult to get into. I’ve seen the film a lot of times, so I won’t bother with it here. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Opening night film; World Premiere of 40th anniversary restoration
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Liza Minnelli and Joel Grey<\/p>\n

Casablanca (1942)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Michael Curtiz
\nStarring:<\/b> Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Pete rLorre, Sydney Greenstreet, Dooley Wilson, Conrad Veidt
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Set in unoccupied Africa during the early days of World War II: An American expatriate meets a former lover, with unforeseen complications.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve seen this film more times than I can count, and it seems like they show it every year. So if you’re coming in from out of town and haven’t seen this on the big screen, by all means, do so. But I’ll save my time for other things. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> 70th Anniversary digital restoration<\/p>\n

Dr. No (1962)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Terence Young
\nStarring:<\/b> Sean Connery, Ursula Andress, Bernard Lee, Joseph Wiseman, Jack Lord
\nSynopsis:<\/b> James Bond’s investigation of a missing colleague in Jamaica leads him to the island of the mysterious Dr. No and a scheme to end the US space program.
\nMy take:<\/b> This remains one of the best Bond movies, though I still place it lower than Connery’s next two outings. It’d be fun to rewatch it on the big screen, but other things claim my time more strongly. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Eunice Gayson, Maud Adams<\/p>\n

Duck Soup (1933)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Leo McCarey
\nStarring:<\/b> The Marx Brothers, Margaret Dumont, Louis Calhern, Leonid Kinskey
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Rufus T. Firefly is named president\/dictator of bankrupt Freedonia and declares war on neighboring Sylvania over the love of wealthy Mrs. Teasdale.
\nMy take:<\/b> I usually place A Night at the Opera<\/span> and A Day at the Races<\/span> as my favorite Marx Brothers film, but most people like this one the best. Time to re-evaluate? Since it’s a midnight movie with no timeslot competition, I think yes. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Elmer Gantry (1960)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Richard Brooks
\nStarring:<\/b> Burt Lancaster, Jean Simmons, Shirley Jones
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Smitten with lay preacher Sister Sharon, fast-talking traveling salesman Elmer Gantry uses his swift wit and persuasiveness to join her ministry; but his unsavory past isn’t far behind.
\nMy take:<\/b> This film won Oscars for both Burt Lancaster and Shirley Jones, which I’ve known forever due to my early obsession with Oscars as well as my enjoyment of Jones’s Rodgers & Hammerstein musicals. Yet I’ve never actually seen it. If scheduling works out, I definitely wouldn’t mind catching up with it now. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Shirley Jones<\/p>\n

Grand Illusion (1937)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Jean Renoir
\nStarring:<\/b> Jean Gabin, Erich von Stroheim, Pierre Fresnay
\nSynopsis:<\/b> During the First World War, two French soldiers are captured and imprisoned in a German POW camp. Several escape attempts follow until they are sent to a seemingly impenetrable fortress which seems impossible to escape from.
\nMy take:<\/b> This movie blew me away when I first saw it, and I absolutely wouldn’t mind seeing it again. (Anyone who hasn’t seen it needs to NOW.) But I’m not dead set on revisiting it, and will let the schedule dictate this one. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> US Premiere of 75th Anniversary restoration<\/p>\n

The Grapes of Wrath (1940)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Ford
\nStarring:<\/b> Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, John Carradine, Charley Grapewin, John Qualen
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A poor Midwest family is forced off of their land. They travel to California, suffering the misfortunes of the homeless in the Great Depression.
\nMy take:<\/b> I saw this for the first time last year and was more than impressed with it, especially on a visual level (which I hadn’t expected); that would show up even better on the big screen, but I’m not sure I’m quite up fr a rewatch just yet. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

High Society (1956)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Charles Walters
\nStarring:<\/b> Bing Crosby, Grace Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Celeste Holm, John Lund, Louis Calhern, Louis Armstrong
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Tracy Lord is getting remarried, but her wedding is about to be crashed by her ex-husband and two reporters hoping for a big society scoop.
\nMy take:<\/b> As much fun as it sounds like it would be to watch a film poolside at the Hollywood Roosevelt, and as innocuously enjoyable as this film is, I’m not a big enough fan of it to make much of an effort. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening Notes:<\/b> Presented poolside at the Hollywood Roosevelt<\/p>\n

The Longest Day (1962)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Ken Annakin, Andrew Marton, Bernhard Wicki
\nStarring:<\/b> John Wayne, Robert Ryan, Richard Burton, Paul Anka, Arletty, Sal Mineo, Robert Wagner, Richard Beymer, Jean-Louis Barrault, Bourvil, Red Buttons, Sean Connery
\nSynopsis:<\/b> The events of D-Day, told on a grand scale from both the Allied and German points of view.
\nMy take:<\/b> Even though I generally like war films more than the next girl, I haven’t taken the time to see this one yet, despite the all-star cast, and I likely won’t take three hours of time to watch it here. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Wagner<\/p>\n

The Pink Panther (1964)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Blake Edwards
\nStarring:<\/b> David Niven, Peter Sellers, Claudie Cardinale, Capucine, Robert Wagner
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Bumbling and conceited French police inspector Clouseau tries to catch The Phantom, a daring jewel thief whose identity and features are unknown – and is acting right under his nose.
\nMy take:<\/b> I have seen this film and enjoyed it a lot, but it pales in comparison with its sequel, A Shot in the Dark<\/em>, which I rewatched just a few weeks ago. So as fun as it is, I’ll give this a pass. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Wagner<\/p>\n

Rio Bravo (1959)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Howard Hawks
\nStarring:<\/b> John Wayne, Dean Martin, Ricky Nelson, Angie Dickinson, Walter Brennan
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A small-town sheriff in the American West enlists the help of a cripple, a drunk, and a young gunfighter in his efforts to hold in jail the brother of the local bad guy.
\nMy take:<\/b> Oh man, it’s incredibly tempting to sit down and relax with this film for the umpteenth time. And if the scheduling works out, I might just do it. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Angie Dickinson<\/p>\n

Sabrina (1954)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Billy Wilder
\nStarring:<\/b> Audrey Hepburn, Humphrey Bogart, William Holden
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A playboy becomes interested in the daughter of his family’s chauffeur. But it’s his more serious brother who would be the better man for her.
\nMy take:<\/b> As a big fan of Billy Wilder, Audrey Hepburn, AND Humphrey Bogart, I’m a little surprised at how underwhelming I tend to find this film, especially since a lot of people like it a whole lot. If I take time to watch it here, it’ll be in full-on Rewatched and Reconsidered mode. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Janie Bryant<\/p>\n

The Searchers (1956)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Ford
\nStarring:<\/b> John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond, Natalie Wood, John Qualen
\nSynopsis:<\/b> As a Civil War veteran spends years searching for a young niece captured by Indians, his motivation becomes increasingly questionable.
\nMy take:<\/b> Seeing this film on the big screen (and not just any big screen, but Grauman’s Chinese) would be a treat, for sure. I may pass it up for one of the less ubiquitous films at the fest, but I dunno. It’s really tempting. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Singin’ in the Rain (1952)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
\nStarring:<\/b> Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A silent film production company and cast make a difficult transition to sound.
\nMy take:<\/b> Tempting, very tempting to catch one of my all-time favorite movies on the big screen. But I’ve seen it so many times and it plays the American Cinematheque with some frequency, so I can’t justify it unless the schedule is very, very forgiving. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> World Premiere of 60th Anniversary restoration
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Debbie Reynolds, Patricia Kelly<\/p>\n

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Ben Sharpsteen, William Cottrell, David Hand, Wilfred Jackson, Larry Morey Perce Pearce
\nStarring:<\/b> Adriana Caselotti, Harry Stockwell, Lucille La Verne
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Snow White, pursued by a jealous queen, hides with the Dwarfs; the queen feeds her a poison apple, but Prince Charming awakens her with a kiss.
\nMy take:<\/b> I made time for Fantasia<\/em> last year, and I might just make time for Disney’s pioneering animated feature this time (I am due for a rewatch on it). Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Sullivan’s Travels (1941)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Preston Sturges
\nStarring:<\/b> Joel McCrea, Veronica Lake, Robert Warwick, William Demarest, Franklin Pangborn, Porter Hall, Eric Blore
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A director of escapist films goes on the road as a hobo to learn about Life…which gives him a rude awakening.
\nMy take:<\/b> This and The Lady Eve<\/spa> duke it out constantly as my favorite Preston Sturges film, and I’m more than overdue for a rewatch on this. But the scheduling doesn’t quite work out, unfortunately. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Ron Perlman<\/p>\n

The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Norman Jewison
\nStarring:<\/b> Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A debonair, adventuresome bank executive believes he has pulled off the perfect multi-million dollar heist, only to match wits with a sexy insurance investigator who will do anything to get her man.
\nMy take:<\/b> Mostly all I remember from this film is the incredibly awesome chess-playing seduction scene, and I’d really love a refresher on the rest of it, even if it is largely a film of cool style over substance. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Norman Jewison<\/p>\n

To Catch a Thief (1955)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Alfred Hitchcock
\nStarring:<\/b> Cary Grant, Grace Kelly, Jessie Royce Landis
\nSynopsis:<\/b> When a reformed jewel thief is suspected of returning to his former occupation, he must ferret out the real thief in order to prove his innocence.
\nMy take:<\/b> This has never been among my favorite Hitchcock films, but I have to admit, it’s the one to choose when your theme is “Style in the Movies.” Style this movie has in spades. Still, I rewatched it hoping for a better reevaluation last year, and I’m not up for doing it again just yet. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Vertigo (1958)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Alfred Hitchcock
\nStarring:<\/b> James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A San Francisco detective suffering from acrophobia investigates the strange activities of an old friend’s wife, all the while becoming dangerously obsessed with her.
\nMy take:<\/b> My second-favorite Hitchcock film, always worthy of a big-screen rewatch. But I’m even more gung-ho about it this time since my husband has never seen it. This is the time. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Kim Novak<\/p>\n

Wings (1927)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> William A. Wellman
\nStarring:<\/b> Richard Arlen, Charles “Buddy” Rogers, Clara Bow
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Two young men, one rich, one middle class, who are in love with the same woman, become fighter pilots in World War I.
\nMy take:<\/b> I saw this movie way back when I was intent on watching all the Academy Award winning films (this won the first Best Picture award); so, like, fifteen years ago. Now with my renewed interest in silent cinema, I’d love to look at it again with fresh and better-educated eyes. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> A.C. Lyles, Bill Wellman Jr.<\/p>\n

The Women (1939)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> George Cukor
\nStarring:<\/b> Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Rosalind Russell, Joan Fontaine, Paulette Goddard, Mary Boland, Virginia Wiedler
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A study of the lives and romantic entanglements of various interconnected women.
\nMy take:<\/b> I have seen this film a dozen times, and I will take any excuse offered to see it again. It’s that much fun watching all these fabulous ladies duke it out over men who never appear onscreen. And I’m dragging Jonathan to it, too. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Todd Oldham<\/p>\n

Young Frankenstein (1974)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Mel Brooks
\nStarring:<\/b> Gene Wilder, Peter Boyle, Marty Feldman, Cloris Leachman, Teri Garr, Madeline Kahn, Kenneth Mars
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Dr. Frankenstein’s grandson, after years of living down the family reputation, inherits granddad’s castle and repeats the experiments.
\nMy take:<\/b> When Robert Osborne leaked that Mel Brooks would be a guest, I wondered if he might be introducing this film (especially with the Universal sidebar going on at the Fest), and I was right. I love this film dearly, but the 1000 times I’ve seen it might count against it here. I’m still undecided, though. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Mel Brooks<\/p>\n

Discoveries<\/h2>\n

Bonjour Tristesse (1958)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Otto Preminger
\nStarring:<\/b> Deborah Kerr, David Niven, Jean Seberg, Mylène Demongeot, Geoffrey Horne
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Cecile is a decadent young girl who lives with her rich playboy father Raymond. When Anne, Raymond’s old love interest, comes to Raymond’s villa, Cecile is afraid for her way of life.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve vaguely heard of this film quite a bit, but I never knew very much about it until looking it up right now. Jean Seberg just before Breathless<\/span> is certainly a tempting proposition. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Barbara Tfank<\/p>\n

Call Her Savage (1932)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Francis Dillon
\nStarring:<\/b> Clara Bow, Gilbert Roland, Thelma Todd
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Sexy Texas gal storms her way through life, brawling and boozing until her luck runs out, forcing her to learn the errors of her ways.
\nMy take:<\/b> Now we’re into ones that I know less about, and that’s all the better. I really enjoyed seeing Clara Bow’s final film Hoop-la<\/em> at last year’s festival, and I’m more than down to see her in another pre-Code talkie. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> New 35mm preservation print from Museum of Modern Art
\nPresented by:<\/b> David Stenn and Katie Trainor, Anne Morra (at different screenings)<\/p>\n

Fall Guy (1947)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Reginald Le Borg
\nStarring:<\/b> Robert Armstrong, Leo Penn, Teala Loring, Elisha Cook Jr
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Penn stars as a hard-drinking veteran who awakens from a drug-induced blackout with vague memories of a murdered blonde. His search for the truth leads him through a demimonde populated by drug dealers, addicts, bar girls and even a stoolie (the screen’s best, Elisha Cook, Jr.).
\nMy take:<\/b> The festival guide calls in one of the “noirest of all noir.” I pretty much have to see that to find out if it’s more noir than Detour<\/span>. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Walter Mirisch<\/p>\n

Lonesome (1928)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Pál Fejös
\nStarring:<\/b> Barbara Kent, Glenn Tryon, Andy Devine
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Two lonely people in the big city meet and enjoy the thrills of an amusement park, only to lose each other in the crowd after spending a great day together. Will they ever see each other again?
\nMy take:<\/b> I have never ever heard of this film, but the descriptions I’m seeing (“a truly American approach to German Expressionism”, etc.) are giving me Sunrise<\/span> vibes. This kind of thing is absolutely what I come to this festival to see. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

The Macomber Affair<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Zoltan Korda
\nStarring:<\/b> Gregory Peck, Joan Bennett, Robert Preston, Reginald Denny
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Robert Wilson leads safaris on the Kenyan savanna, and is taking Mr. and Mrs. Macomber out to hunt buffalo. The obnoxious ways of Margaret Macomber make the three of them get on each others nerves, but sparks are about to fly.
\nMy take:<\/b> Another I’ve never heard of, apparently a Hemingway safari love triangle adventure story. I’m not against any of those things in any way, but this will come down to scheduling. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

A Night to Remember (1958)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Roy Ward Baker
\nStarring:<\/b> Kenneth More, Ronald Allen, Robert Ayres, Honor Blackman
\nSynopsis:<\/b> The Titanic disaster is depicted in straightforward fashion without the addition of fictional subplots.
\nMy take:<\/b> I wasn’t too much interested in this one (I’ve already seen a couple of versions of the Titanic story – the boat goes down in them all), but the description of it as a non-fictionalized almost-documentary is kind of intriguing. We’ll see. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Newly restored print
\nPresented by:<\/b> Don Lynch<\/p>\n

Phase IV (1974)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Saul Bass
\nStarring:<\/b> Nigel Davenport, Michael Murphy, Lynne Frederick, Alan Gifford
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Desert ants suddenly form a collective intelligence and begin to wage war on the desert inhabitants. It is up to two scientists and a stray girl they rescue from the ants to destroy them. But the ants have other ideas.
\nMy take:<\/b> Okay, hold up. Saul Bass directed a movie? And it sounds like a combination of “Leiningen vs.the Ants” and Them!<\/span>? Oh yeah, I’m there. Thanks, TCM, for programming some midnight stuff. \ud83d\ude42 Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Michael Murphy<\/p>\n

Seconds (1966)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Frankenheimer
\nStarring:<\/b> Rock Hudson, Frank Campanella, John Randolph
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Want out of your life? Just pay the fee and we’ll fake your death, change your face, and set up a new identity for you…but you may or may not be pleased with the results.
\nMy take:<\/b> Now, this is one I definitely SHOULD rewatch. When I first saw it ages ago, I was rather underwhelmed, but it routinely makes “hidden gem” lists, so I definitely need to check it out again. But the scheduling may do me in once again. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Richard Anderson<\/p>\n

Who Done It? (1942)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Erle C. Kenton
\nStarring:<\/b> Bud Abbott, Lou Costello, Patric Knowles, William Gargan, Louise Allbritton
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Two dumb soda jerks dream of writing radio mysteries. When they try to pitch an idea at a radio station, they end up in the middle of a real murder when the station owner is killed during a broadcast.
\nMy take:<\/b> I have a soft spot for Abbott & Costello, but even though I went through a bunch of their films as a teenager, I don’t think ever saw this one. I definitely would, though, as comedy-mysteries are always fun. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Will be screened with the 1949 Three Stooges short Who Done It?<\/em>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Michael Schlesinger<\/p>\n

Built by Design: Architecture in Film<\/h2>\n

Bringing Up Baby (1938)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Howard Hawks
\nStarring:<\/b> Cary Grant, Katharine Hepburn, May Robson, Charles Ruggles, Barry Fitzgerald, Virginia Walker
\nSynopsis:<\/b> While trying to secure a $1 million donation for his museum, a befuddled paleontologist is pursued by a flighty and often irritating heiress and her pet leopard “Baby.”
\nMy take:<\/b> I actually rewatched Bringing Up Baby<\/span> a few months ago, and even though I love it, it’s a bit too manic for me to want to watch it again so soon. Maybe next time. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Matt Tyrnauer<\/p>\n

The Fountainhead (1949)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> King Vidor
\nStarring:<\/b> Gary Cooper, Patricia Neal, Raymond Massey, Kent Smith, Robert Douglas, Henry Hull
\nSynopsis:<\/b> An uncompromising, visionary architect struggles to maintain his integrity and individualism despite personal, professional and economic pressures to conform to popular standards.
\nMy take:<\/b> Not a film I’ve ever been particularly interested in seeing; a film fraught with Ayn Rand’s philosophy just sounds too heavy to be any fun. On the other hand, the screencap above is pretty gorgeous. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Eric Lloyd Wright, Matt Tyrnauer<\/p>\n

Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House (1948)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> H.C. Potter
\nStarring:<\/b> Cary Grant, Myrna Loy, Melvyn Douglas, Reginald Denny, Louise Beavers
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A man and his wife decide they can afford to have a house in the country built to their specifications. It’s a lot more trouble than they think.
\nMy take:<\/b> Despite being a big Cary Grant fan and this being one of Grant’s more popular movies among his fans, I have never caught up with it. This may or may not be the time. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

My Architect: A Son’s Journey (2003)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Nathaniel Kahn
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Director Nathaniel Kahn searches to understand his father, noted architect Louis Kahn, who died bankrupt and alone in 1974.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’m not that much of a documentary person, and with only the tenuous “architecture in film” tying this into the festival, I’ll skip it. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Matt Tyrnauer, Nathaniel Kahn<\/p>\n

Deco Design<\/h2>\n

Counsellor-at-Law (1933)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> William Wyler
\nStarring:<\/b> John Barrymore, Bebe Daniels, Doris Kenyon, Isabel Jewell, Melvyn Douglas, Thelma Todd
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Successful attorney has his Jewish heritage and poverty-stricken background brought home to him when he learns his wife has been unfaithful.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve totally never heard of this film, but it’s definitely got an intriguing cast and director, plus the tagline on the Kino DVD case is “William Wyler’s hard-boiled comedy.” Still, I’m not sure that can over come potential scheduling difficulties. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Illeana Douglas<\/p>\n

Our Dancing Daughters (1928)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Harry Beaumont
\nStarring:<\/b> Joan Crawford, Johnny Mack Brown, Anita Page
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Diana is outwardly the hit of the party but inwardly virtuous and idealistic. Her friend Ann is thoroughly selfish and amoral. Both are attracted to Ben Black, soon-to-be millionaire.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve actually been dying to see some of Joan Crawford’s silent stuff, but haven’t had a good opportunity. This is one of the best opportunities, so I’m pretty much not going to miss it. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Linda Snyder-Sterne<\/p>\n

Swing Time (1936)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> George Stevens
\nStarring:<\/b> Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Helen Broderick, Victor Moore, Erik Rhodes, Eric Blore
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A performer and gambler travels to New York City to raise the $25,000 he needs to marry his fianc\u00e9e, only to become entangled with a beautiful aspiring dancer.
\nMy take:<\/b> This is one of my comfort movies; I can put it on any time and it cheers me up immediately. That said, I’ve seen it a hundred times, so I’ll likely skip it. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Trouble in Paradise (1932)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Ernst Lubitsch
\nStarring:<\/b> Herbert Marshall, Miriam Hopkins, Kay Francis, Charles Ruggles, Edward Everett Horton, C. Aubrey Smith
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A gentleman thief and a lady pickpocket join forces to con a beautiful perfume company owner. Romantic entanglements and jealousies confuse the scheme.
\nMy take:<\/b> Last year TCM Fest played Design for Living<\/em>, and I was really disappointed I had to miss it. Hopefully that won’t happen this time, because I’ve been dying to rewatch both these early ’30 Lubitsch films for quite a while. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Matt Tyrnaver, Deborah Nadoolman Landis (at different screenings)<\/p>\n

The Noir Style<\/h2>\n

Criss Cross (1949)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Robert Siodmak
\nStarring:<\/b> Burt Lancaster, Yvonne DeCarlo, Dan Duryea, Stephen McNally
\nSynopsis:<\/b> An armored truck driver and his lovely ex-wife conspire with a gang to have his own truck robbed on the route.
\nMy take:<\/b> This film noir has been on my list for a LONG time and I’ve never gotten around to it. It looks like this may finally be the time, and I’m really looking forward to it. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Eddie Muller<\/p>\n

Cry Danger (1951)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Robert Parrish
\nStarring:<\/b> Dick Powell, Rhonda Fleming, William Conrad, Regis Toomey
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Ex-con Rocky Mulloy seeks the real culprit in the crime he was framed for, in a night world of deceptive dames and double crosses.
\nMy take:<\/b> Noir film I haven’t heard of AND it stars Dick Powell? Sign me up. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Preservation funded by The Film Noir Foundation
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Rhonda Fleming, Eddie Muller<\/p>\n

Gun Crazy (1950)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Joseph H. Lewis
\nStarring:<\/b> Peggy Cummins, John Dall
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A well meaning crack shot husband is pressured by his beautiful marksman wife to go on an interstate robbery spree, where he finds out just how depraved and deadly she really is.
\nMy take:<\/b> This is a noir I always recommend to people; despite getting a lot of love from noir fans, it remains surprisingly underseen, and it’s loads of fun. If I can get to it, I’m due a rewatch. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Peggy Cummins, Eddie Muller<\/p>\n

Night and the City (1950)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Jules Dassin
\nStarring:<\/b> Richard Widmark, Gene Tierney, Googie Withers, Hugh Marlowe, Herbert Lom
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A small-time grifter and nightclub tout takes advantage of some fortuitous circumstances and tries to become a big-time player as a wrestling promoter.
\nMy take:<\/b> It’s been a while since I saw this one, but I enjoyed it quite a bit – really great use of on-location London filming with a noir style. Not one I’m necessarily jumping to see again, especially with so many noirs I haven’t seen playing. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Eddie Muller<\/p>\n

Raw Deal (1948)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Anthony Mann
\nStarring:<\/b> Dennis O’Keefe, Raymond Burr, Claire Trevor, Marsha Hunt
\nSynopsis:<\/b> After taking a prison rap for a friend, Joe mounts an escapes despite his friend’s double-cross.
\nMy take:<\/b> Another noir I’ve never heard of, AND it stars Claire Trevor, AND it’s directed by Anthony Mann? Sign me up twice. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Marsha Hunt, Eddie Muller<\/p>\n

Legendary Costumes of Travis Banton<\/h2>\n

Cleopatra (1934)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Cecil B. DeMille
\nStarring:<\/b> Claudette Colbert, Warren William, Henry Wilcoxon, Joseph Schildkraut
\nSynopsis:<\/b> The man-hungry Queen of Egypt leads Julius Caesar and Marc Antony astray, amid scenes of DeMillean splendor.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve got to admit, I’m morbidly curious to see this; it doesn’t have the best reputation among DeMille’s canon, but sometimes a little over-the-top excess isn’t such a bad thing. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Deborah Nadoolman Landis, Bob Mackie<\/p>\n

Cover Girl (1944)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Charles Vidor
\nStarring:<\/b> Rita Hayworth, Gene Kelly, Lee Bowman, Phil Silvers, Leslie Brooks, Eve Arden, Otto Kruger
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Rusty Parker wins a contest and becomes a celebrated cover girl; this endangers her romance with dancing mentor Danny.
\nMy take:<\/b> Frankly, this movie is fairly forgettable, aside from the dancing-with-himself number Gene Kelly did, prefiguring his later iconic ballet numbers. It’s worth watching once, but that’s it. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

I’m No Angel (1933)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Wesley Ruggles
\nStarring:<\/b> Mae West, Cary Grant, Gregory Ratoff, Edward Arnold
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Working as a lion-tamer and flirting with rich men to get presents on the side, Tira seeks the man a fortune-teller promised is the love of her life.
\nMy take:<\/b> I saw the other West-Grant film She Done Him Wrong<\/em> aaaages ago and wasn’t too impressed; but that was aaaages ago and I’m actually really interested to check this out. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Deborah Nadoolman Landis<\/p>\n

Letter from an Unknown Woman (1948)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Max Ophüls
\nStarring:<\/b> Joan Fontaine, Louis Jourdan
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A pianist about to flee from a duel receives a letter from a woman he cannot remember whom may hold the key to his downfall.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve seen this before, quite a while ago, and I remember being pretty bored and frustrated by it. But I’ve heard a lot of good things about it and I’m kind of curious to see if I was wrong. But I don’t know if I’m all THAT curious. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Preservation funded by The Film Foundation<\/p>\n

Nothing Sacred (1937)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> William A. Wellman
\nStarring:<\/b> Carole Lombard, Fredric March, Charles Winninger, Walter Connolly, Sig Ruman
\nSynopsis:<\/b> When a diagnosis of a terminal illness turns out to be incorrect, Hazel Flagg decides to milk it anyway, becoming the toast of New York thanks to a reporter hungry for a heartwarming story.
\nMy take:<\/b> This is one of Carole Lombard’s most iconic roles, solidifying her madcap comedienne persona; I remember it being a tad on the shrill side, but it’s been a while since the last time I saw it. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Deborah Nadoolman Landis<\/p>\n

The Scarlet Empress (1934)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Josef von Sternberg
\nStarring:<\/b> Marlene Dietrich, John Lodge, Sam Jaffe, Louise Dresser, C. Aubrey Smith
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Young Princess Sophia of Germany is taken to Russia to marry the half-wit Grand Duke Peter, but prefers Russian soldiers instead; eventually engineering a coup d’etat, she becomes Catherine the Great.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve spent weeks excited about this because I thought it was Shanghai Express<\/em>. Now that I’ve learned better, I’m less excited. I’ve actually seen half of this movie and it looks nice, for sure, but beyond that it was kind of bland. Still, I guess I should finish it, just for completeness’ sake. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Deborah Nadoolman Landis<\/p>\n

The Films of Stanley Donen<\/h2>\n

Charade (1963)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Stanley Donen
\nStarring:<\/b> Cary Grant, Audrey Hepburn, Walter Matthau, George Kennedy, James Coburn
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Romance and suspense in Paris, as a woman is pursued by several men who want a fortune her murdered husband had stolen. Who can she trust?
\nMy take:<\/b> This is one of my all-time favorite movies, and one I recommend to everybody I know (and I’ve never had anyone disappointed yet). I’m sure I’d be right there for it again if I hadn’t JUST watched it like three times over the past couple of months. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Stanley Donen<\/p>\n

Funny Face (1957)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Stanley Donen
\nStarring:<\/b> Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A photographer, fashion editor, and bookish model head to Paris for a fashion shoot, punctuated by music and romance.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve never been as into this film as a lot of Audrey Hepburn fans; it’s the height of stylishness, that’s for sure, and has some solid Gershwin songs, but I doubt I’ll go far out of my way for a rewatch. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Stanley Donen<\/p>\n

Two for the Road (1967)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Stanley Donen
\nStarring:<\/b> Audrey Hepburn, Albert Finney, Eleanor Bron, William Daniels
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A couple in the south of France non-sequentially spin down the highways of infidelity in their troubled ten-year marriage.
\nMy take:<\/b> This film nigh unto blew me away when I saw it several years ago – one of the most grown-up films I’ve ever seen, with great performances and a fascinating non-linear structure to boot. Definitely love a rewatch, as it’s been a while. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> World Premiere of 45th Anniversary restoration
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Stanley Donen<\/p>\n

The Paramount Renaissance<\/h2>\n

Black Sunday (1977)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Frankenheimer
\nStarring:<\/b> Robert Shaw, Fritz Weaver, Bruce Dern
\nSynopsis:<\/b> An Israeli anti-terrorist agent must stop a disgruntled Vietnam vet cooperating in a plot to commit a terrorist plot at the Super Bowl.
\nMy take:<\/b> I don’t know much about this film (I spent a few misused minutes trying to figure out how a Mario Bava film could be in a Paramount sidebar), but Frankenheimer is always solid, and it sounds interesting. We’ll leave this one up to scheduling. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Evans<\/p>\n

Chinatown (1974)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Roman Polanski
\nStarring:<\/b> Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A private detective investigating an adultery case stumbles on to a scheme of murder that has something to do with water.
\nMy take:<\/b> This is another one I’m definitely hoping to see with Jonathan; for me, it’s probably the quintessential neo-noir crossed with a peculiarly ’70s sense of alienation that hits on all cylinders. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Towne<\/p>\n

Love Story (1970)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Arthur Hiller
\nStarring:<\/b> Ryan O’Neal, Ali MacGraw
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A pair of class-crossed lovers defy their parents’ distaste for their union, but can’t stop the inevitable as Jenny faces a terminal illness.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve never seen this, but I don’t have much desire to, either, except as pure academic curiosity. Which doesn’t take me very far in a very crowded festival. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Evans<\/p>\n

Marathon Man (1976)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Schlesinger
\nStarring:<\/b> Dustin Hoffman, Roy Scheider, Laurence Olivier
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A graduate history student is unwittingly caught in the middle of an international conspiracy involving stolen diamonds, an exiled Nazi war criminal, and a rogue government agent.
\nMy take:<\/b> Another one I only know about in bits and snatches, but that synopsis sounds AWESOME (much better than my mental picture of Dustin Hoffman running a marathon for two hours). If I can make time for this, I probably will. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Evans<\/p>\n

Rosemary’s Baby<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Roman Polanski
\nStarring:<\/b> Mia Farrow, John Cassavettes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer, Maurice Evans, Ralph Bellamy, Elisha Cook Jr.
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A young couple move into a new apartment, only to be surrounded by peculiar neighbors and occurrences. When the wife becomes mysteriously pregnant, paranoia over the safety of her unborn child begins controlling her life.
\nMy take:<\/b> TWO Roman Polanski films at the fest, how about that? I watched this a couple of years ago and wasn’t as impressed as I wanted to be, though there are certainly some good moments. I should re-evaluate at some point, but this probably isn’t the time. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Robert Evans<\/p>\n

Universal’s Legacy of Horror<\/h2>\n

The Black Cat (1934)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Edgar G. Ulmer
\nStarring:<\/b> Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi
\nSynopsis:<\/b> American honeymooners in Hungary are trapped in the home of a Satan-worshiping priest when the bride is taken there for medical help following a road accident.
\nMy take:<\/b> I feel like I’ve seen this before, but maybe not – I definitely don’t recall Karloff and Lugosi playing chess. And I think I need to see that. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Sara Karloff, Bela G. Lugosi<\/p>\n

Dracula (1931)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Tod Browning
\nStarring:<\/b> Bela Lugosi
\nSynopsis:<\/b> The ancient vampire Count Dracula arrives in England and begins to prey upon the virtuous young Mina.
\nMy take:<\/b> Neither my favorite version of Dracula nor my favorite Universal horror film; you definitely ought to see it once, but it creaks far more than even I like. Not seeing<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Carla Laemmle<\/p>\n

Frankenstein (1931)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> James Whale
\nStarring:<\/b> Boris Karloff, Colin Clive, Mae Clarke, John Boles
\nSynopsis:<\/b> Horror classic in which an obsessed scientist assembles a living being from parts of exhumed corpses.
\nMy take:<\/b> This one is my favorite of the Universal horror cycle, and since Jonathan hasn’t seen it yet, I’m hoping to save a place for it on my schedule. But I have seen it a lot of times and I’m not going to be disappointed if I miss it. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> New restoration, with restored cuts made in post-1931 reissues to comply with the Production Code
\nIn attendance:<\/b> John Carpenter<\/p>\n

Son of Frankenstein (1939)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Rowland V. Lee
\nStarring:<\/b> Basil Rathbone, Bela Lugosi, Boris Karloff
\nSynopsis:<\/b> One of the sons of Frankenstein finds his father’s monster in a comma and revives him, only to find out he is controlled by Ygor who is bent on revenge.
\nMy take:<\/b> I initially blew this off looking at the schedule (sequels to sequels to sequels of horror films, nah), but the more I think about it, the more I’m curious to check it out. Maybe it’s just Lugosi and Karloff together again, but yeah. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> John Landis<\/p>\n

The Wolf Man (1941)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> George Waggner
\nStarring:<\/b> Lon Chaney Jr., Bela Lugosi, Claude Rains, Maria Ouspenskaya
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A practical man returns to his homeland, is attacked by a creature of folklore, and infected with a horrific disease his disciplined mind tells him can not possibly exist.
\nMy take:<\/b> This is one of the few major Universal horrors I haven’t, and it’s one of the stories that interests me the most. I’ve had it on my list forever, and this is a great time to cross it off. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> Rick Baker<\/p>\n

Special Presentations<\/h2>\n

A Fine Mess: Laurel and Hardy<\/h3>\n

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Program of shorts includes:<\/b> Helpmates<\/em> (1932), County Hospital<\/em> (1932), Busy Bodies<\/em> (1933)
\nStarring:<\/b> Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A collection of three sound Laurel & Hardy shorts made for the Hal Roach studios, but after Leo McCarey left. Laurel supervised these films, though uncredited.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve liked the few Laurel and Hardy films I’ve seen (I’ve mostly seen silents, because they show them before silent features at Cinefamily sometimes), and I wouldn’t say no to these. But other things are likely to eclipse it on the schedule. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a><\/p>\n

“A Trip to the Moon” and Other Trips Through Time, Color and Space<\/h3>\n

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Program of early cinema shorts includes:<\/b> A Trip to the Moon<\/em> (1902, Georges Méliès), Apr&eagrave;s le bal<\/em> (1897, Georges Méliès), A Trip Down Market Street<\/em> (1906, Miles Brothers), Caruso sings “La Donna 7egrave; Mobile”<\/em> (1908, Alfred Duskes), The Acrobatic Fly<\/em> (1910, F. Percy Smith), Balloon Land<\/em> (1935, Ub Iwerks), and more
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A curated collection of early films focusing on technical experiments and flights of fancy.
\nMy take:<\/b> I would LOVE to see the newly restored version of A Trip to the Moon<\/em>, that’s for sure, and the other things listed on the program also intrigue me a lot, with my current fascination with early cinema. I’ll definitely make an effort to get to this program. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> 2011 restoration of A Trip to the Moon<\/em>, with original hand-coloring and new score by AIR
\nPresented by:<\/b> Director, producer, and historian Serge Bromberg<\/p>\n

Baby Peggy: The Elephant in the Room<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Vera Iwerebor
\nStarring:<\/b> “Baby Peggy” Diana Serra Cary
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A documentary about “Baby Peggy,” one of cinema’s first child stars, doing pretty much all of her work by the age of 11, and all in the silent era.
\nMy take:<\/b> Cinefamily has shown Baby Peggy-related things before; in fact, I think they’ve shown one of her few surviving films (Captain January<\/em>) with her in attendance. I’d frankly rather see that than a documentary about her, so as wonderful as it is that she’s still with us and willing to do appearances like this, I might have to skip this. EDIT: They are now also showing a program of her shorts. Probably won’t see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nIn attendance:<\/b> “Baby Peggy” Diana Serra Cary, Vera Iwerebor<\/p>\n

Girl Shy (1924)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> Fred C. Newmeyer, Sam Taylor
\nStarring:<\/b> Harold Lloyd
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A shy, young man, who is completely incapable of talking to women, decides to write a book that details to other bachelors how to find a girlfriend.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’ve only seen a couple of Harold Lloyd films, and I enjoyed them both – this one is supposed to be one of his best, just shy of Safety Last<\/em>, so if I can get to this, I will. Planning to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> New score composed and conducted by Robert Israel<\/p>\n

How the West Was Won (1962)<\/h3>\n

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Director:<\/b> John Ford, Henry Hathaway, George Marshall
\nStarring:<\/b> Debbie Reynolds, John Wayne, Henry Fonda, James Stewart, Gregory Peck, Thelma Ritter, Lee Van Cleef, Harry Dean Stanton
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A family saga covering several decades of Westward expansion in the nineteenth century–including the Gold Rush, the Civil War, and the building of the railroads.
\nMy take:<\/b> I’m not a huge fan of this star-studded, bloating attempt to encapsulate the entire history of the Old West in less than three hours, but I am being swayed mightily by the opportunity to see one of the only Cinerama films ever made in one of the last remaining Cinerama domes. That alone is tempting. Might see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Sponsored by ArcLight Cinemas and presented at ArcLight’s Cinerama Dome<\/p>\n

Retour de Flamme: Rare and Restored Films in 3-D<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Program of shorts includes:<\/b> L’Arivée d’un Train en Gare de la Ciotat<\/em> (1935 3D version, Lumière Brothers), Musical Memories<\/em> (1935, Max Fleischer), Melody<\/em> (1953, Disney), Motor Rhythm<\/em> (1939), Falling in Love Again<\/em> (2003, Munro Ferguson), Murder in 3-D<\/em> (1941, Pete Smith)
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A curated collection of 3D films and experiments from the 1930s through 1950s (and a few outliers).
\nMy take:<\/b> I don’t like 3D in general, but the opportunity to see films made with older and experimental 3D processes is kind of intriguing. And given several of these are animated, I’m not sure I can resist. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nPresented by:<\/b> Director, producer, and historian Serge Bromberg<\/p>\n

The Thief of Bagdad (1924)<\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Director:<\/b> Raoul Walsh
\nStarring:<\/b> Douglas Fairbanks, Julane Johnston, Anna May Wong, Snitz Edwards, Charles Belcher, Sojin
\nSynopsis:<\/b> A recalcitrant thief vies with a duplicitous Mongol ruler for the hand of a beautiful princess.
\nMy take:<\/b> Cinefamily played this last year along with their Fairbanks retrospective, and I missed both screenings. I’d love to rectify that here. Hoping to see<\/span>
\nFestival Guide<\/a>
\nScreening notes:<\/b> Accompanied by the Mont Alto Motion Picture Orchestra<\/p>\n

Club TCM<\/h2>\n

Also vying for time are panels, lectures, displays, and events held at the passholder-only Club TCM in the Roosevelt Hotel. I usually try to hit one of these just for variety’s sake, but which one is dictated mostly by scheduling.<\/p>\n

Meet TCM: The People Behind the Network<\/b>
\nThursday, April 12 1pm-2pm<\/p>\n

The Maltese Touch of Evil: New Perspectives on Film Noir<\/b>
\nTCM brand manager Shannon Clute and film scholar Richard Edwards – cohosts of podcast Out of the Past: Investigating Film Noir<\/em>
\nThursday, April 12 3pm-4pm<\/p>\n

The History of Oscars’ Red Carpet<\/b>
\nFriday, April 13 12:30pm-1:30pm<\/p>\n

The Ultimate Film Noir<\/b>
\nFilm noir expert Eddie Muller and actress Rose McGowan
\nFriday, April 13 2:30pm-4pm<\/p>\n

So You Think You Know Movies<\/b>
\nNew York Film Forum’s Bruce Goldstein hosts movie trivia
\nFriday, April 13 5:30pm-6:30pm<\/p>\n

The Good, The Bad, and the Beautiful<\/b>
\nCostume designer and author Deborah Nadoolman Landis
\nSaturday, April 14 12:30pm-2pm<\/p>\n

African Americans On-Screen: 1903 to the Present<\/b>
\nFilm historian Donald Bogle
\nSaturday, April 14 3:30pm-4:30pm<\/p>\n

Hollywood Home Movies: Treasures from the Academy Film Archive Collection<\/b>
\nPresented by AMPAS representatives Randy Haberkamp and Lynne Kirste, with special guests Margaret O’Brien, and members of the MacMurray, McQueen, and Koster families
\nSaturday, April 14 6pm-7pm<\/p>\n

Classic Movie Memorabilia Appraisals by Bonhams<\/b>
\nSunday, April 15 10am-2pm<\/p>\n

Imagemakers: The Truth Behind Hollywood’s PR Machine from the Golden Age to Now<\/b>
\nModerator: Pete Hammond. Panelists: Henri Bollinger, Dick Guttman, Arnold Robinson
\nSunday, April 15 12:30pm-1:30pm<\/p>\n

Designing Iconic Movie Imagery<\/b>
\nModerator: Randy Haberkamp. Panelists: Jim Bissell, Terence March, Jim Pascale
\nSunday, April 15 2:30pm-3:30pm<\/p>\n

The Brown Derby: A Hollywood Legend<\/b>
\nMark Willems
\nSunday, April 15 4:30pm-5:30pm<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In just about two weeks’ time, the TCM Classic Film Festival will descend on Los Angeles once again, turning downtown Hollywood into a mecca for film fans hungry for the glamour and nostalgia of the days of yore. Waxing poetic aside, this is the third year for the festival, and it seems to be going  [ Read More ]<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":31065,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[12,13],"tags":[300,298],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30939"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=30939"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/30939\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/31065"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=30939"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=30939"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/testing.the-frame.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=30939"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}