A Classic Film Lover’s Dream….Crushed!

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) recently announced that they will launch their first-ever classic film festival in April 2010 in Hollywood. This inaugural event will include more than 50 screenings of classic films, special red carpet events and celebrity appearances. Hollywood and its history will be celebrated throughout the TCM Classic Film Festival. In addition to screenings, the festival will tell the story of Hollywood through films, guests and special events throughout the weekend. The festival will involve several venues in Hollywood, including screenings at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Oscar® ceremony, will be the official hotel for the festival as well as a key venue for festival passholders.

Festival passes officially went on sale today. The hope and reverie that formed with the revelation of this classic film lover’s dream festival was soon crushed when reading the details that continue to be announced. Prices for this unprecedented event range from $500 to $1,200 for four-day passes.

Before the price options for the passes appear, TCM dangles these tasty classic film treats in their press release:

The spectacular events will include the world premiere of a newly restored edition of George Cukor’s music-filled 1954 drama A Star is Born; the North American premiere of a restored version of Fritz Lang’s 1927 science-fiction silent masterpiece Metropolis; and a 50th anniversary screening of the influential French classic Breathless, the film that launched Jean-Luc Godard’s career.

As my friend scb so aptly put it upon reading of the festival pass prices, “Geep! It's appropriate that the film title just before the prices is ‘Breathless’ because that's how the prices make one feel!”

TCM’s primetime host, Robert Osborne said in a previous release, “This new festival will give those who love movies a way to connect with each other. It is a first-of-its-kind chance for TCM fans to experience the network in-person, meet others with the same interests and immerse themselves in a wide array of classic films.”

Unless Mr. Osborne and the people at TCM think that their typical, loyal fans are rolling in dough, I don’t see how they can expect a good majority of said viewers to make the trip out to Hollywood (one of the most over-priced tourist destinations in the world) for this festival, over which many of us fans are desperately salivating! Aside from the high price-point of the festival passes, attendees will have to pay for lodging, airfare, food, etc. – spending close to (if not more than) $2000 when all is said and done. This fact alone means, sadly, I won’t be making a trip to Hollywood this April. This isn’t Sundance and we’re not expecting Robert Redford, just Robert Osborne (don’t get me wrong, I love ya Bob)!

Hopefully in subsequent years, the TCM Classic Film Festival will work out the kinks and offer more reasonable prices for devoted fans. Perhaps in the coming weeks, TCM will unveil individual or open ticket pricing options. One can still dream!

In the meantime, is anyone planning on splurging and attending this inaugural fest?

Summer Under the Stars

Just a quick update...

Turner Classic Movies (TCM) now has the schedule up for their annual "Summer Under the Stars" festival, taking place all month long in August. The festival devotes an entire day to a different actor or actress, showcasing some of the films in which they starred.

You can download the complete schedule of featured films here: http://tinyurl.com/nktlsg

TCM also has a collection of beautiful teaser posters illustrating a new take on some of the featured films, including this one for High Society (1956):

You can view the other posters and learn more about TCM's "Summer Under the Stars" by visiting the official Web site at http://www.tcm.com/2009/summer/index.jsp.

The Great Directors

I’m beginning to think I should just work for Turner Classic Movie’s (TCM) PR department, but, as a cinephile, it’s hard not to sing the praises of this wonderful network. TCM will once again deliver countless hours of pure movie delight in June by celebrating the work of more than 50 top directors from around the world.

TCM’s month-long “Great Directors” festival will showcase the work of two directors each day, including pictures from classic filmmakers like Fritz Lang to modern directors like Woody Allen. This 30-day festival offers a dream line-up of some of the silver screen’s greatest films, while also screening some lesser known movies from the featured directors.

Of those masters behind the camera, I’m particularly looking forward to the days devoted to:

• Frank Capra (Tuesday, June 2)
• Blake Edwards (Friday, June 19) - pictured above
• Alfred Hitchcock (Saturday, June 27)
• Sidney Lumet (Monday, June 29)
• Francois Truffaut (Thursday, June 18)
• Billy Wilder (Saturday, June 15) - pictured below

Needless to say, my television will be permanently set to TCM in June. To experience some tour de force films and discover lesser known gems, check out the TCM schedule for specific directors and films: http://tinyurl.com/mfpqee.

Be sure to tune back in to TCM in August for their annual “Summer Under the Stars” festival featuring the work of different acting legends each day.

Celebrating 15 Years of the Classics

This coming week, Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will celebrate its 15th anniversary. Back in 1994, to commemorate 100 years of film, Ted Turner launched the entertainment network to provide classic movie fans with films that are “uncut and commercial-free...the way movies were meant to be seen.” Now, 15 years later, TCM is a film buff’s haven, preserving many of the greatest classic films for new generations and offering more than 150,000 titles and a variety of programs, like “Private Screenings” and “Elvis Mitchell: Under the Influence.”

As part of the anniversary celebration, TCM selected 15 of its biggest fans and everyday viewers to serve as guest programmers who will appear on-air (starting Monday, April 13) to present their favorite classic films alongside long-time host and film historian, Robert Osborne.

You can check out the line-up of fans’ favorite films along with an excellent site dedicated to the 15th Anniversary festivities, including a timeline of the network’s milestones, tons of great videos, and various fun facts: http://www.tcm.com/2009/15thAnniversary/index.jsp.