TCM Classic Film Festival 2011

Held this past weekend in the heart of Hollywood, Turner Classic Movies hosted their second Classic Film Festival. Widely regarded as one of the most important — and visible — events for the classic film world, the TCMFF is not just about celebrating the films and those who made them. The festival is also a celebration of the fans and the people who care deeply for the preservation of these films. There are few festivals that are filled with as much shared love for the art of film. Many of the films shown were between fifty and eighty years old, viewed countless times by those who attended, but there’s an intangible magic that comes from seeing these celluloid masterpieces on the big screen. It creates a camaraderie between the festival attendees and the special guests who have come to discuss their part in making the films.

The festival began on Thursday, April 28th with the unveiling of the original footprints that started it all at Grauman’s Chinese Theater — those of Sid Grauman himself, as well as Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks. TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne unveiled the cement slabs with the help of Lila Rose, whose family is in possession of the slabs.

Later that afternoon was the first big event — the red carpet leading up to the 60th anniversary screening of An American in Paris. The red carpet was graced by several stars — both from Old Hollywood, as well as contemporary actors. Notables included Leslie Caron — who also spoke before the film — Mickey Rooney, Peter O’Toole, Chris Isaak, Ben MacKenzie, Andy Marx (the grandson of Groucho Marx), Dorothy Hermann (daughter of legendary film composer Bernard Hermann) and Patricia Ward Kelly, last wife to dancer, actor and director Gene Kelly.

The evening continued with several screenings, including a poolside screening of the Elvis film Girl Happy at the Roosevelt Hotel, hosted by Chris Isaak and 1959 Miss America and co-star of the film Mary Ann Mobley. Other screenings that night included A Night at the Opera — introduced by Andy Marx — The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and The Day the Earth Stood Still — introduced by Dorothy Herrmann — The Devil is a Woman and Casanova in Burlesque.

2 Responses

  1. Brett G. says:

    Oh wow, The Tingler with the gimmick scares stuff must have been awesome.

    Great write-up. Hopefully I’ll make it to one of those in the future because it sounds like a blast.

  2. amy says:

    If I’m not mistaken, Pickford and Fairbanks were Joan Crawford’s in-laws, right?

    I gotta be honest, going through all the photos, I had no idea who most of the people were. Those faraway shots of O’Toole and Douglas had me going back and forth. hahaha

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