A Personal Look at the TCM Classic Film Festival 2012

Saturday began much like Friday, with a bright and early 9:15 screening of The Longest Day — which clocks in at three hours, making it truly the longest of days. This was probably my favorite theater-going experience of the fest because everyone who was there was truly there for the film. As each of the film’s many, many stars appeared on screen there was cheering and applause. People hummed the film’s theme before and after the screening. It was truly magical.

The film was preceded by a discussion between star Robert Wagner and host Robert Osborne, wherein Wagner said he swore Osborne was his long lost illegitimate brother, to which Osborne replied if he had a brother he’d hope it was Wagner. It was precious.

If only 3D were still this cool

Next up for us (I spent pretty much the whole fest with Kristen and Trevor) was an epic screening of 3D rarities individually introduced by founder of Lobster Films Serge Bromberg, who is probably the most precious Frenchman alive right now.

Afterwards we headed to the Egyptian for a screening of Harold Lloyd’s Girl Shy with live orchestration by Robert Isreal. I did not attend this screening, instead I bombarded the line with flyers for the Save The Harold Lloyd Birthplace. After many a twitter plea to find them, I finally ran into the guys from the Warner Archive. They are really the coolest people on the planet. Sadly, during all of this I missed Eddie Muller host a screening of Richard Widmark in Night and the City.

This is what it looks like to be first in line

However, I was able to be the first person in line for Gun Crazy, also hosted by Muller — who is the head and founder of the Film Noir Foundation.

While waiting I met a young man who was 7 years old and a huge noir fan. He said he’d seen Gun Crazy several times and also loved Humphrey Bogart. Before the screening, I was able to introduce this young man to Muller, who refereed to the kid as “the world’s youngest noir fan.” It made my heart melt.

I also talked briefly with Jacqueline from FilmNoirBlonde, who is one of the greatest noir fans this side of the Mississippi and was joined in the screening by Peter of Mr. Peel’s Sardine Liqueur.

The reason I was in line so early for this screening was because before the film Muller discussed it with star Peggy Cummins — who had not been in the United States since 1950. It was not to be missed and Ms. Cummins is just as sharp and beautiful as ever.

After Gun Crazy we stayed around the Egyptian for a screening of the world premiere of the restoration of the raunchy pre-code comedy Call Her Savage, starring Clara Bow. The film was introduced by MoMA curator Katie Trainor, who also treated the audience to a recently discovered clip from the long-lost color Clara Bow film Red Hair. It was unbelievable.