Happy Birthday Robert Osborne #TCMParty @TCM #TCMFF #BobsBday

Robert Osborne with set pieces from CASABLANCA       Photo credit Will McKinley

Sending out a big happy birthday to Robert Osborne for his birthday tomorrow, May 3rd. We all missed him, big time, at this years TCM Classic Film Festival. Hopefully he is now all healed up and ready to have a mah-vel-ous day in New York surrounded by friends and family.

We all tip our hats to you Mr. Osborne. You have brought classic film to so many of us, taught even the most knowledgeable film lover a thing or two, and always been the kindest most patient recipient of adulation at the TCM Classic Film Festival.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!

Returning The Favor Robert Osborne #TCMFF #RTFRobert

The news was just released that our beloved Robert Osborne won't be able to attend the TCM Classic Film Festival this year due to health issues. I know we all want him to take care of himself so we are glad that he is putting his health first.

Let's all let him know that we will do everything in our power to keep the festival humming along this year and look forward to seeing him next time. In interviews he has mentioned all the TCM fans who tell him how he (and TCM) got them through an illness, let's return the favor.

You can send a card to

Robert Osborne

c/o TCM

1050 Techwood Drive NW

Atlanta, GA 30318

And PS good luck to Ben Mankiewicz, Scott McGee, and Sean Cameron. I'm sure you guys will rise to the occasion, cover everything beautifully and do Mr. Osborne proud.

UPDATE: For those going to TCM Film Fest there will be a mail box at the info desk, outside of Club TCM, where you can drop off cards for Robert.

Here is the release:

To all you members of the TCM family:

 I'm Robert Osborne and I want to tell you about a funny thing that happened to me on the way to this year's Film Festival. I’ve been putting off a minor health procedure (as everyone tends to do now and then). I planned to take care of it as soon as the Festival was over but my doctor said, "enough already, Osborne. Let’s get this done now so that sooner rather than later you can get back to introducing movies on TCM.” So that's what I'm in the process of doing right now—taking care of that medical procedure.

 The downside is that it means I won’t be joining you at this year’s Festival in Hollywood—very disappointing for me because for the past six years the TCM Classic Film Festival has been one of the things I've enjoyed most: sharing the Festival with you, the great sense of community we have, the conversations with so many of you Festival goers as well as the gifted actors and artisans who are part of the classic films we show, the pure joy of it all. But as we all know, one's health is a gift, and has to be protected and put first. Rest assured that the many talented hosts at the Festival, including Ben Mankiewicz, will be helping you have the very best Festival going experience.

 I know you'll enjoy the wonderful films we have programmed, and meeting the gifted artists who are participating in this exceptional event. Enjoy every moment of it and make as many memories and new friends as you can. And rest assured, I’ll be seeing you again, very soon.

 But right now: on with the show. 

Cheers, 
Robert Osborne 

TCM Classic Film Festival Dates Announced #TCMFF #TCMParty @TCM @TCMFilmFest

UPDATE: TCM Film Festival tickets will go on sale to the public November 13th at noon. Passes can be purchased exclusively through the official festival website: www.tcm.com/festival. A limited number of festival passes will also be available to Citi cardmembers via an exclusive online only presale at www.citiprivatepass.com. This exclusive presale begins at 10 a.m. (ET), Tuesday, Nov. 11, and ends at 10 a.m. (ET), Thursday, Nov. 13.

Four film have also been announced all making restoration world premieres, Ron Howard's Apollo 13 (1995), Stanley Kubrick'sSpartacus (1960), William Dieterle's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1939) and Charles Reisner and Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill Jr. (1928). The Keaton comedy will be accompanied by legendary silent film composer Carl Davis conducting the world premiere performance of his new score for the film.

TCM Classic Film Festival 2015 is celebrating it's 6th year and will be held on March 26-29. The theme this year will be History According to Hollywood. Which should give them a lot of film to choose from! Here's their description.

"The Old West. Medieval England. Ancient Rome. Hollywood has found endless inspiration in re-creating historical moments and bringing to life the heroes and villains of the past, creating a form of time travel for audiences through the ages and around the world. These films, however, are not always true to the historical record. Filmmakers have often created works about the past that are a reflection of the period in which they were made, or change facts to suit a particular storyline. The 2015 TCM Classic Film Festival will explore how cinema has shaped how we view – and remember – history."

We have our lovely, and both looking pretty cool too, hosts Robert Osbourne and Ben Mankiewicz.

Ben Mankiewicz at TCMFF 2014

Robert Osborne TCM 2013

Tickets will go on sale in November. The pass levels will be:

Palace Pass
$299 – Includes access to all screenings and events at the TCL Chinese Theatre (excluding the opening-night red-carpet gala) and the Egyptian Theatre Friday, March 27 – Sunday, March 29, as well as poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Classic Festival Pass
$599 – Includes access to all film programs at festival venues Thursday, March 26 – Sunday, March 29 (does not include admittance to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre or the opening-night party); access to all Club TCM events, panels and poolside screenings at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; an opening-night welcome reception at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; and the closing-night event.

Essential Festival Pass
$749 – Includes all privileges available to "Classic" passholders, plus entry to the opening-night red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre and official TCM Classic Film Festival collectibles.

Spotlight Festival Pass
$1,649 – Includes all privileges available to "Classic" and "Essential" passholders, priority entry to all screening events; plus entry to the exclusive opening-night party following the red-carpet gala screening at TCL Chinese Theatre; meet-and-greet events with TCM friends, including Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz; and a limited edition TCM Classic Film Festival poster.

In past years individual tickets have been available. I have yet to hear if this will be the case this year but here is how that worked last year.

UPDATE: Individual passes will be available at the prices listed below

Individual Tickets

Individual tickets are $20 for general audiences, $10 with valid student I.D. for most events. Individual tickets are $30 for general audiences, $15 with valid student I.D. for the closing night presentation. Individual tickets are sold on a cash only basis.

Mitzi Gayner TCMFF 2013

I wouldn't miss it for the world! The experience of seeing great films, in great old movie palaces, sometimes with interviews with cast, directors, or producers, and add to all of that an enthusiastic audience of Classic Movie fiends it's unparalleled.

As we get closer to the date of the festival I'm sure we'll get announcements about film selections. I wouldn't be surprised however if the opening night film remains a secret until painfully close to the festival. In an interview I did with TCM head programmer, Charlie Tabesh, he told me that in the early years of the festival they felt the audience needed to know what they were signing up for. But now that the festival is established and more of a known quantity audiences know what to expect. TCM feels they can allow more time to lock down the Gala opening night film and celebrity guests. It's hard on those who are deciding which pass level to purchase but ultimately probably makes for a better opening night event.




It really doesn't matter whether it's your first time or you've been to every single one, the experience is that of a class reunion. Everyone has this one thing in common and are happy to talk about it as long as you want. I've had so many priceless experiences over the years, meeting Ernest Borgnine, munching cookies with Tony Curtis, test driving Kim Novak's hand print cement.
If you love classic film it really is the ultimate experience. Tickets go fast so be sure to get yours ASAP and book your hotel now, especially if you want to stay at the historic Roosevelt Hotel , site of the first Academy Awards and the TCMFF official club house, where many events take place.

Other Hotels in the area

Loews

Redbury

W

The Hotel Hollywood

Days Inn

Jane Fonda Getting her prints at TCL Chinese Theatre TCMFF 2013

See you there!

TCM Film Fest 2013

These Photos Courtesy Of Will McKinley of Cinematically Insane

TCM Classic Film Fest starts today. Yesterday I attended the press day with hosts Robert Osborne, and Ben Mankiewicz and programmers Charles Tabesh and Genevieve McGillicuddy.

The programming of this festival has to be challenging. While they have a theme of travel in films, there are so many types of viewers and they have to please them all. Everything from silents to noir to musicals to more current films, not to mention the whole debate about 35mm vs digital and just plain old quality issues. I asked Tabesh about how they make these decisions. He responded that there are 3 or 4 people in a core team that create the long list, but it is him that pairs that down and makes the final decisions based on availability, diversity, and quality.

 Robert Osborne said that now that the festival is established they are able to be a bit more eclectic in their film choices. People don't even need to know what the program is, they are buying tickets and just trusting that Tabesh and McGillicuddy will have their best interests in mind. Within the community TCM is definitely a known quantity. McGillicuddy told us that 20% of the festival budget goes to projection and technical support asan example of their dedication to presenting the films in their best quality possible.

Much of my favorite part of the festival is the interviews with the stars of the films. This year has a lot of great guests. Robert told us once the program is set he gets first pick at interviews. Ben Mankiewicz talked about how much he's enjoyed getting to know and become friends with the stars. Further Ben let us know his disappointment in not getting to interview Max Von Sydow before the screening of Three Days of The Condor, one of his fave films. Sorry Ben.

Some limited access tickets are still available and you can also try to get into screens with individual tickets. 

Stay tuned tomorrow for picture from the red carpet gala tonight of the World Premiere Restoration of Funny Girl. Also you can watch my twitter stream for some live tweeting tonight (@EliseCD)

TCM The Essentials with Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore is back for a second season of The Essentials on TCM. I love this show. It's fascinating to get the background on the films from expert Robert Osborne. You can see the films featured in this season above. Click here for the entire list of The Essential films.

 I'm trying not to let the fact that I saw The Big Chill on my first date, when I was 13, make me feel too old. But I have to admit it is a classic film.

Of all of these I would have to say I am most looking forward to The Lady Eve. Definitely, one of my favorite roles for both Henry Fonda and Barbara Stanwyck. Stanwyck is a con woman on a cruise ship with the uber rich Fonda, who doesn't even see her coming. They're hysterical together.

The only one I haven't seen is Gun Crazy, which looks like a seedy noir about a husband and wife crime spree. Sounds good to me.

If you get lonely while watching any of these, check in on twitter with #TCMParty. There's always a group of people live tweeting the TCM films.

Kim Novak's handprint ceremony at Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Here I am warming up the concrete for Kim. This picture will probably get a lot of play from me. I actually started crying a little after. Yes I am that big of a classic geek.



Robert Osborne introducing Kim Novak and below Kim doing the print and signature.











Kim's finished prints.



Debbie Reynolds, Robert Osborne and Kim Novak posing with the new prints.

TCM Film Fest Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiemicz

Tomorrow is the first day of The Turner Classic Movie Classic Film Festival. Which loosely translates to Mecca for classic film fans, such as myself.

This morning I got to attend a round table discussion with our high priests Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz. Which was a huge thrill but also very interesting.

Robert Osborne

Robert Osborne talking about how he got interested in film told us that it was learning about what was going on in the industry and the people lives that got him and keep him interested in film. That even watching a bad film is made more compelling when you know the back story of the script, studio, actors etc..

When I asked if he thought it was important to see films on the big screen I was surprised that he thought some films are better on the small screen. His example: The Wizard of OZ, where on the big screen you can see all the wires and it pulls you out of the experience. Still he thinks we should see classic film on the big screen the way they were intended. With a crowd and no interruptions. This fest he is looking forward to seeing Cover Girl with Gene Kelly and Rita Hayworth.

On a film Osborne once hated but now likes he said Desire Me with Greer Garson. He told us that director George Cukor refused to have his name on the picture he thought it was so bad. But knowing that when he went in he thought it was pretty good. Especially, knowing the back story. By today standards he said it was pretty good, especially if compared to Nicholas Cages last picture. (Sorry Nicholas).

Finally, he said this really sweet thing about Rita Hayworth. Someone was asking him if he knew the name of an actress in a film they had seen but didn't know the name of. Robert asked him to describe the film, and quickly realized it was Gilda starring Rita Hayworth. Here's the sweet part he wished she was alive today to know that it wasn't the studio and PR team that made here so popular, if a kid more than 50 years later is still reacting to her. I loved that. I wish she was here too.

Ben Mankiewicz

Ben's first question was in regards to style in the movies (this film fest's theme) and which films influenced him. He stood up in his jeans and t-shirt and shrugged his shoulders "Hey..." Then he said how he likes Steve McQueen, Cary Grant in a suit, and in the end he copped to admiring some of the clothes on Californication.

When asked about the difficulty of picking which events to be at during the film fest when there are some times as many as 6-7 happening simultaneously. Ben response was that they want people to have to make hard decisions, they want all the events to be well attended, and people to leave wanting more. It's something he says they learned from the Telluride film fest.

It was a great time and both gentlemen were great sports and had to be pulled away from us.

I'm looking forward to the next 4 days of films. If you want follow me on Twitter (@EliseCD) where I'll try to tweet as much as possible between films and during some of the many amazing Q&As.


Thanks for this pic from Will at The Cinementals. I (far right) really am soaking it in with Kim from Glam Amor

Drew Barrymore and Osborne host "The Essentials"

Drew Barrymore and Robert Osborne will be hosting "The Essentials" Saturday nights on TCM starting March 3rd 8PM est 5PM pst. The first night will premier with Lemmon/Curtis/Monroe favorite Some Like It Hot and will have a late night special feature presentation of Spinal Tap. I guess they're turning it up to 11 for Drew Barrymore.

Here is the entire line up, I've bolded my essential essentials. If you haven't seen these film make sure you catch them.

March 3 – Some Like It Hot (1959)
March 3 – Special Late-Night Presentation at 2 a.m.: This is Spinal Tap (1984)
March 10 – The Razor's Edge (1946)
March 17 – Alice Adams (1935)
March 24 – The Goodbye Girl (1977)
March 31 – Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
April 7 – Gilda (1946)
April 14 – The Fallen Idol (1948)
April 21 – Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
April 28 – The Third Man (1949)
May 5 – Camille (1936)
May 12 – Diabolique (1955)
May 19 – Wuthering Heights (1939)
May 26 – Dinner at Eight (1933)
June 2 – Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
June 9 – Jezebel (1938)
June 16 – Special Double Feature: The Way We Were (1973)
June 16 – Special Late-Night Presentation: Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)
June 23 – Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
June 30 – Sullivan's Travels (1941)
July 7 – Summertime (1955)
July 14 – The Band Wagon (1953)
July 21 – To Have and Have Not (1944)
July 28 – What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Aug. 4 – Some Like it Hot (1959)
Aug. 11 – Lolita (1962)
Aug. 18 – Captains Courageous (1937)
Aug. 25 – The Razor's Edge (1946)
Sept. 1 – Alice Adams (1935)
Sept. 8 – The Goodbye Girl (1977)
Sept. 15 – Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927)
Sept. 22 – Gilda (1946)
Sept. 29 – The Fallen Idol (1948)
Oct. 6 – Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
Oct. 6 – Special Late-Night Presentation: The Wild Bunch (1969)
Oct. 13 – The Third Man (1949)
Oct. 20 – Camille (1936)
Oct. 27 – Diabolique (1955)
Nov. 3 – Wuthering Heights (1939)
Nov. 10 – Dinner at Eight (19)
Nov. 17 – Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974)
Nov. 24 – Jezebel (19)
Dec. 1 – Sullivan's Travels (1941)
Dec. 1 – Special Late-Night Presentation: Lost in America (1985)
Dec. 8 – Summertime (1955)
Dec. 15 – The Band Wagon (1953)
Dec. 22 – Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Dec. 29 – The Way We Were (1973)
Jan. 5, 2013– To Have and Have Not (1944)
Jan. 12, 2013 – Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962)
Jan. 19, 2013 – Lolita (1962)
Jan. 26, 2013 – Captains Courageous (1937)

I've created a huge list of must see films on the review app Wikets. If you're interested the app is free. You can friend me there and see my whole list of films. If you use the promo code EliseCD you'll recieve double points.

Robert Osborne back on TCM Dec.1st

Tomorrow is Dec. 1st and Robert Osborne returns to TCM. It's been about 6 months, and he has been seriously missed.
In honor of his return here is a 6 reel salute, all in black and white of course.

Starting with the Classic Dinner at Eight.



A little medley of Thin Man silliness



Casablanca's beginning of a beautiful friendship



A little romance from Philadelphia Story



The head strong Bette Davis in Jezebel



and finally Sullivan's Travels



This could have been a 21 reel salute but time is limited, and Robert knows better than anyone what they should be.

Welcome Home Robert, don't go away again!

More post on Robert Osborne and TCM.

Drew Barrymore to host The Essentials on TCM

Drew Barrymore said last year at the TCM Film Fest that she was dying to be on TCM and now she gets her wish. Beginnning this March she will be the new cohost of The Essentials with Robert Osbourne.
I love Drew Barrymore. She is just one of those people who make you happy just looking at them.
Can't wait to see what films they pick? Here's a peak from the press release.

The 12th season of TCM’s The Essentials showcase is set to launch Saturday, March 3, 2012. The lineup of movies selected by Barrymore and Osborne will include such enduring classics as George Cukor’s star-studded comedy Dinner at Eight (1933), which features Barrymore’s grandfather, John, and great uncle, Lionel; George Stevens’ comedic romance Alice Adams (1935), starring Katharine Hepburn and Fred MacMurray; William Wyler’s atmospheric version of Wuthering Heights (1939), starring Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon; Howard Hawks’ To Have and Have Not (1944), which paired future spouses Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall for the first time; Carol Reed’s thrilling mystery The Third Man (1949), with Joseph Cotten and Orson Welles; Charles Vidor’s film noir Gilda (1946), with Glenn Ford and the sensuous Rita Hayworth; and Billy Wilder’s gender-bending farce Some Like It Hot (1959), with Jack Lemmon, Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe.

Among the more contemporary films Barrymore and Osborne have chosen for The Essentials are Martin Scorsese’s Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore (1974), with an Academy Award®-winning performance by Ellen Burstyn; Herbert Ross’ film version of the hit Neil Simon comedy The Goodbye Girl (1977), which earned Richard Dreyfuss an Oscar; Steven Spielberg’s eye-popping sci-fi drama Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), starring Richard Dreyfuss, Melinda Dillon and French New Wave auteur Francois Truffaut; Robert Benton’s domestic drama Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), with Oscar-winning performances by Dustin Hoffman and Meryl Streep; and Rob Reiner’s hilarious glam-rock mockumentary This Is Spinal Tap (1984), starring Christopher Guest, Michael McKean and Harry Shearer.


More on TCM

Robert Osborne Returning to TCM Dec 1

Good news everybody, Robert Osborne is set to return to TCM December 1st. Just in time for the TCM Cruise. Also announce a day or so ago was the date of the third TCM Film Festival in Hollywood, which will be April 12-15.

And that my friends is the TCM news for the day.

More Elise's Ramblings posts about TCM and Robert Osborne