A Personal Look at the TCM Classic Film Festival 2013

I started the last day of the festival as the first person in line (finally) for the Rock Hudson/Gina Lollobrigida/Bobby Darin/Sandra Dee comedy Come September, which was in (you guessed it) auditorium six.

I’m #1!

I then moved to another theatre to see 1972 Palme d’Or winner Scarecrow, which was introduced by the film’s director.

The last two films I saw were in auditorium six (my home away from home): Salesman and Cluny Brown. I could not have chosen a better final film. The film was Lubitsch’s last film and his daughter was in the audience for the film, which was introduced by Robert Osborne, who also stayed to watch the film. I ran into Kevin Brownlow on my way out of the theater  and the two of us preceded to fangirl over Lubitsch and talked briefly with his daughter.

Me with film historian Kevin Brownlow.

At the festival closing night party, I met up with many friends — some of whom I had known before this year — but many of whom I either met for the first time this weekend, or met in real life for the first time. This includes, but is not limited to Kristen (@salesonfilm) of Sales on Film, Ariel (@Sinaphile) from Sinematic Salve-ation, Jill (@biscuitkitten) from Sittin’ On A Backyard Fence, Diana (@DianaDDrumm) from IndieWire’s The Playlist, Trevor (@tpjost) from TCMParty, Lara (@backlotsfilm) of Backlots, Carrie (@ClassicFilms) from ClassicFilmFan, Carley (@MissCarley) from The Kitty Packard Pictorial and many more.

Ben Mankiewicz and a lot of lady bloggers.

The TCM Film Festival is really the best of places. It is like the greatest summer camp you can imagine, and when it is over, you look forward all year to being able to spend another weekend in April at the happiest place on Earth for classic film fans.