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)

Mad Men Season 6 Episode 4 To Have And To Hold

To Have And To Hold really isn't the characters of Mad Men's strong suit. With the possible exception of Ken they are all cheating on their spouses, clients and co workers. All of which is shown in the opening scene of tonight's episode. We find Pete and Don meeting Heinz Kecthup behind Heinz vinegars/sauces/bean back, after they promised they wouldn't, and in Pete's city "apartment" no less.

We did get to see into Joan's life a tiny bit, with her visiting friend Kate. Who of course, is not only looking to jump from Mary Kay to Avon but is also looking to have a fling in the city, while her husband and boys are at home. She does tell us that Joan has always had bad taste in men. Which explains how she didn't get married until so late, and then to  a complete jerk. She also mentions a Scotty, It's unclear if Joan was married to him as a young girl or just went out with him, for the worst 6 months of her life...

Harry Crane makes a stand to be partner, but not without throwing Joan under the bus in the process. When Roger and Bert give him a bonus that is bigger than his annual salary, he still threatens to jump to another agency, as he walks out the door. Once he's gone Roger asks if they should fire him before he cashes the check.

When Don, Pete and Stan go to pitch Heinz Ketchup they find that Chaugh and Peggy are coming in to pitch right after them. It's just another example of how there is no loyalty. Not only has Peggy left SCDP but she also gave her new agency the Heinz info Stan told her in confidence. Peggy even steals Don's "If you don't like what they're saying change the conversation." Oh yeah and Peggy had Pete's baby and gave it away....

Finally, Megan's character on the soap is getting a love scene. She is very careful about presenting it to Don. The lead actress and her head writer husband offer to try to help smooth it over with Don by taking them out to dinner, but it turns out they're looking for a little swinging. No thanks. Don, while not happy about the love scene, seems like he is resigned to it, that is until the Heinz fiasco with Peggy. After that he shows up on set to watch Megan's love scene, after which he calls her a whore (more or less). Then he's straight on to their neighbors apartment for an actual love scene.

It's no wonder everyone is drinking so much. Dawn says it sounds like New Years eve when their trash is emptied. When these characters say to have and to hold they mean until no one is looking or I think I can get away with it. I don't know if they all need to switch to acid or what, but I need a little ray of sunshine in this mess.

This and That:

Black people might actually get a story line, looks like Dawn's part is growing

Lancers wine

Calling Don James Garner

Bert telling Harry "I was different than you in every way"

Stan giving Peggy the finger

For more Mad Men posts

The Bletchly Circle on PBS

The three part series, The Bletchley Circle will premiere on PBS this Sunday April 21st. I knew I would love this mini series, the first time I saw it at the PBS press tour last winter.

The story focuses on four women who came together during WWII as code breakers. They each have unique skills that bring something special and necessary for the success of the team. Our story begins 9 years later, when we find the women thrown back into normal female roles for the 1950s.

They all seem to be less than satisfied with their new lives but not all of them are enthusiastic about getting the band back together. After all who would even listen to them? Only when a serial killer is targeting young girls are they motivated to reunite to solve the crime.

It's a great mix of period drama and CSI. Good for everyone, well maybe not the very young. There is, obviously, some adult subject matter.

Watch Preview on PBS. See more from The Bletchley Circle.

Richard III on The Smithsonian Channel

Sunday April 21 9pm the Smithsonian Channel will be airing The King's Skeleton:Richard III Revealed. If you followed the news stories from England about the search and authentication process, you will love this show. I was fascinating to see the process and almost destined location.

This was a project that spanned years and involved many people. Richard III's story is infamous and while some parts of it seem irrefutable,  his nephews did go missing so he became king, other things are questionable. There are no complete answers to his morality at the end.

Another twist (no pun intended) in his story is welcome. Hopefully with further information we might someday get an even clearer telling of his story.

Check your local listings

Classic Hollywood Hikes in Los Angeles

In LA there are a lot of Hollywood museums, and movie lots, but if you want to mix a little outdoor time with movie history these are some great hiking spots to get both.

Griffith Observatory/Mount Hollywood


You can begin a hike from the historic and cinematic (most notable Rebel Without a Cause) Griffith Observatory to the peak of Mount Hollywood. Along the way you get views of the entire city and for my money the best views of the iconic Hollywood sign from various angles.





Malibu Creek State Park

The native home of the Chumash Indians this state park is located in the hills above Malibu. More recently it has been the home of numerous TV shows (The site of the TV show MASH is here) and films. While the sets are all gone you can see the cliff that Butch and Sundance jump from, among other natural beauties.  You won't believe how many films you love were made here. There is also a visitor center with lots of film information. Everything from Gone With The Wind to Pleasantville, even one of my favorites Mr Blandings Dream House was shot here.

Will Rogers State Park and Home

photo: Will Rogers State Park

This park was the home of Will Rogers, in the early 30s the highest paid actor in Hollywood.You can tour his house, stables, and if you schedule it right watch a game of polo. This estate is also in many film. The ranch once covered 186 acres. The are lots of hiking trails to enjoy with views of the city.