Initial Picks for the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival

I’m really looking forward to attending the 2018 Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Classic Film Festival later this month in Los Angeles. TCM always does an incredible job with curating an eclectic and relevant group of films to enjoy along with bringing in outstanding guests to introduce each screening.

Now that the festival schedule has been published, I’ve been going through the agonizing task of trying to choose which films to see (because mostly I just wish I could see them all). Here are my initial picks (subject to change, of course).

Day One – Thursday, April 26

Finishing School (1934) — Starring Ginger Rogers and Frances Dee and directed by Wanda Tuchock, this pre-Production Code (or “pre-code”) film about young women taking their first steps into adulthood was one of the first films to be condemned by the Catholic Legion of Decency (we’ll see how saucy it really is if I can get into the screening). It’s being screened in 35mm with a print from the U.S. Library of Congress and is being introduced by film historian Jeremy Arnold and Wyatt McCrea, the eldest grandson of the film’s star Frances Dee.

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) — While not part of the TCM Classic Film Festival, I was able to get a ticket to a late-night screening of this highly-anticipated (for me, at least) film on its opening night at the marvelous El Capitan Theatre. Should be fun.

Day Two – Friday, April 27

The plan is to spend Friday morning attending two potentially cool animation presentations. First up is a screening of a curated group of “Pink Panther” theatrical cartoons created by Friz Freleng and David DePatie for The Mirisch Company in the 1960s. Hosting the presentation are animation expert Jerry Beck and film executive Lawrence A. Mirisch. Next is a presentation about Walt Disney and the creation and evolution of Mickey Mouse (who is celebrating his 90th birthday) by noted animation historian J.B. Kaufman. Attending this presentation is a no-brainer if you’re a big Disney fan like I am.

The rest of the films I hope to see on Friday include:

Blessed Event (1932) — Another pre-code film, this time a comedy starring Lee Tracy as a newspaper advertising man who takes over the writing of the newspaper’s gossip column and turns it into an outrageous success. Also stars Dick Powell in his film debut along with Ruth Donnelly, Gladys Price, and Ned Sparks. This is also a 35mm print from the U.S. Library of Congress. The screening will be introduced by the Film Forum‘s long-time director of programming Bruce Goldstein.

The Right Stuff (1983) — Based on the book by Tom Wolfe and directed by Philip Kaufman, the film tells the story of the early days of NASA and the U.S. space program. I never had the chance to see this epic film on the big screen, so now is my opportunity. It will be introduced by two actresses from the film: Veronica Cartwright who played Betty Grissom, the wife of astronaut Gus Grissom who was tragically killed in the Apollo 1 disaster in 1967, and Mary Jo Deschanel who played Annie Glenn, the wife of astronaut John Glenn.

Leave Her to Heaven (1945) — This Technicolor melodrama starring Gene Tierney as a crazy lady is going be screened with a special nitrate print and will be hosted by Todd Wiener from the UCLA Film and Television Archive.

Day Three – Saturday, April 28

I am indulging on Saturday and am planning to spend the entire day at the glorious TCL Chinese Theatre watching films all of which I’ve already seen but three of which I’ve never seen on the big screen before.

His Girl Friday (1940) — One of the all-time great comedies starring Rosalind Russell and Cary Grant will include an introduction by author, journalist, and documentary filmmaker Cari Beauchamp.

Bullitt (1968) — This gritty crime drama is particularly beloved by me because the incredibly cool 1968 Ford Mustang GT fastback that Steve McQueen drives in the film. (The original “Bullitt” Mustang has been missing for many years and recently resurfaced. More info is here.) I’m so excited to see the legendary car chase scene in the film on the big screen, too. Introducing the film is actress Jacqueline Bisset who plays Steve McQueen’s love interest.

Sunset Boulevard (1950) — Although this favorite film noir is going to be screened next month at my local theater as part of the TCM Big Screen Classics series, I just can’t pass up the chance to see this film in the TCL Chinese Theatre. It will be introduced by actress Nancy Olson Livingston, who played the young writer Betty Schaefer in the film (another reason to see this screening).

Heaven Can Wait (1978) — This Warren Beatty-directed remake of the classic comedy Here Comes Mr. Jordan is a favorite film of my youth. Introducing the film are actor and writer Buck Henry and actress Dyan Cannon (really!).

The Big Lebowski (1998) — This one is my least favorite of the five films planned for Saturday and even though it’s also part of this year’s TCM Big Screen Classics series, I’m probably going to give this revered and wacky Coen Brothers’ film another chance. (Still subject to change. But have I mentioned lately that I just want to spend a day in the TCL Chinese Theater?)

Day Four – Sunday, April 29

The jury is still out on films for Sunday–partly because there are five slots still “to be announced” by TCM (typically, these are popular films screened earlier in the festival and TCM provides another chance to see them). In the morning, I need to decide between Francis Ford Coppola’s gorgeous The Black Stallion (1979) or the classic Spencer Tracy and Katherine Hepburn comedy Woman of the Year (1942). I’m also considering the Fred Astaire and Cyd Charisse musical Silk Stockings (1957) in the afternoon. If the TBA films aren’t to my liking, then I might spend the entire afternoon at the TCL Chinese Theatre watching Cecil B. DeMille’s four-hour epic The Ten Commandments (1956) on the big screen for the first time (I’ve only ever seen it on TV). Last choice is between a screening of the silent version of The Phantom of the Opera (1925) with a live orchestra, Animal House (1978), which isn’t my favorite film but director John Landis and many of the film’s stars will be in attendance, or another TBA screening.

All in all, it should be a memorable weekend. Many thanks to TCM for putting together such a great event (and for making it impossible to choose!). Hope to see you there!

(Image ©️ Turner Classic Movies)