My Tentative Schedule for the 15th TCM Classic Film Festival!
Hey Classic Films Fans,
It’s that time of the year again. TCM officially released its full festival schedule a couple of weeks ago, and as always, it’s loaded with bonafide classics and rare gems that will make any classic film fan’s heart swoon. As impressive as it is to have such a jam-packed schedule of films and activities, it makes it all the more difficult to decide what to attend. I’ve been trying to wrap my head around what I would like my schedule to look like this year, and I think I’ve finally nailed it down. Knowing myself and how everything went last year, I’m sure a few spur-of-the-moment decisions will happen, but this is everything that I plan to see next week!
THURSDAY (4/18)
Something that I regret not doing last year during my rookie TCMFF season was attending an event at Club TCM at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. I plan to remedy that this year by attending the So You Want to Put on A Classic Film Festival (1:00 PM- 2:00 PM), which will have special guests Charlie Tabesh, Genevieve McGillicuddy, Gina McKenzie, and Darcy Hettrich. As someone who has thought about transitioning into a career in film, I’m interested to hear about how films are selected each year for the festival, how the festival theme comes about, and other fun anecdotes. I also hope to have the opportunity to thank these folks at this event or while walking around for all the hard work they put into the festival each year!
Like last year, I decided to go with the Classic Pass this year, so I won’t be able to attend the opening night film Pulp Fiction (1994). While I love the film, and seeing the cast reunited would be a treat, I’m not as disappointed to miss it, given this probably won’t be the last time it will be shown on the big screen. So, my first film of the festival will be White Heat (1949)(7:00 PM-9:00 PM) in 35mm. Not only will this be my first film at the festival, but it will also be my first time at the historic Egyptian Theatre and a first-time watch. I recently watched The Roaring Twenties (1939), which was Cagney’s last performance as a gangster until Walsh coaxed him to return to the role in this film. I’m eager to see the evolution of the gangster picture a decade later, and with this year’s festival theme being ‘Most Wanted: Crime and Justice in Film,’ I can’t think of a better film to start with.
The next block in the film schedule is a tricky one. It’s a bit of a walk from The Egyptian to the TCL Chinese 6 Theaters, where my next film choice, In Clood Blood (1967)(9:30 PM- 12:00 AM), will be shown. While that film seems like a brutal thriller, which is exactly my cup of tea, one of the biggest reasons I wanted to attend that screening is because it will be introduced by Michael Uslan, the originator and executive producer of the Batman franchise. I’m a huge Batman fan, so I’d love to hear what he says, but the window may be too tight. Worst-case scenario, if I can’t make it in, watching Powell and Pressburger’s follow-up to The Red Shoes (1948), The Small Back Room (1949)(10:00 AM-12:00 AM), hosted by the one and only Ken Jennings, will be a fantastic consolation prize.
FRIDAY (4/19)
On Friday, I plan to kick off my day at El Capitan Theatre with One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961)(10:00 AM - 11:45 AM). I don’t know if I should admit this, but I’ve never seen this version. The only one I remember seeing as a kid was the live-action 101 Dalmatians (1996), starring Glenn Close, so I’m very excited to finally catch this on the big screen. It will be my first time at El Capitan Theatre, too! Mario Cantone and animation legend Floyd Norman will be in attendance.
Next, I plan to attend my second event at Club TCM for The TCM Archive Project (12:30 PM—1:30 PM) discussion with Alexa Foreman, Jeannie Twila Franz, Gary Freedman, and Darcy Hettrich. As a long history and preservation nerd, I couldn’t miss this opportunity to hear about all the amazing interviews and memories the team at TCM has been able to capture and preserve over the years.
It wouldn’t be a complete TCMFF experience without at least getting a pre-code film in, right? From Club TCM, I’ll be heading to the infamous Chinese Multiplex Theater 4 to watch The Big House (1930)(3:00 PM-4:45 PM). Theater 4 is always tough to get into since it only has 148 seats, but the time frame between when my previous event ends and this screening should be enough to ensure I get in. Jake Flynn, the son of the late great Cari Beauchamp, will host the screening in 35mm. I’m particularly intrigued to watch this film, given it’s considered one of the first prison pictures.
Last year at TCMFF, I watched Harvey (1950), starring my favorite actor of all time, James Stewart. Luckily, TCM scheduled another Stewart film this year, allowing me to start a tradition of watching at least one James Stewart film at the festival each year, with their screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s masterpiece, Rear Window (1954)(6:15 PM-8:30 PM). While I don’t think any Pookahs will attend this screening this year (I hope I’m wrong), watching James Stewart, Grace Kelly, and Thelma Ritter on the big screen from a gorgeous 35mm IB Technicolor Print will be fantastic.
I plan to meet up with a few friends who live in LA at some point during the festival, so I’m not sure if I will attend any screenings after Rear Window (1954). However, if I do, I plan to go to All the King’s Men (1949)(9:15 PM—11:15 PM) and, thereafter, the midnight screening of the pre-code film The Road to Ruin (1934).
SATURDAY (4/20)
Planning what to watch on Saturday was probably the most difficult part of putting my schedule together. While I want to watch The Long, Long Trailer (1954) starring two of my favorites, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, and hosted by Kate Micucci, who I’m also a big fan of, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to watch one of two nitrate prints that will be showing at TCMFF. So, I’ll be starting my morning with Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948)(9:00 AM- 10:30 AM) over at the Egyptian Theatre. I have never seen a nitrate print before, but my classic film friends have told me it’s a sight to behold, so I’m excited to experience my first one. Since this will be my first time watching the film, too, I’m glad Alan K. Rode, a film scholar I have long admired, will be there to provide insight into the film.
Being the big Noir aficionado I am, I couldn’t miss a screening of one of Fritz Lang’s best American films, The Big Heat (1953)(12:15 PM- 2:00 PM), hosted by the always wonderful Dana Delaney. I’ve seen this film before, but never on the big screen with a crowd, so I can’t wait to hear and see the crowd's reaction to that one famous scene with Gloria Grahame and Lee Marvin.
I’ll be hanging out at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX for the last three films of the day. First, I plan to watch another Alfred Hitchcock masterpiece, North by Northwest (2:45 PM- 5:15 PM), starring Cary Grant and Eva Marie Saint and hosted by the trailblazing writer, director, and producer Nancy Meyers. According to the TCMFF website, this will be the world premiere of a 4K restoration DCP courtesy of Warner Bros. Classics. I know that a new restored 4K DCP has been shown in the past at the Film Forum, so I’m not entirely sure if it’s the same DCP or if it truly is a new one, but regardless, being able to watch it on such a huge IMAX screen at one of the most historic movie palaces in the world will be a dream come true.
This next time frame pains me every time I look at it. The Shop Around the Corner (1940), Westward the Women (1951), and The Shawshank Redemption (1994) are all scheduled around the same time. Why would TCM do this to me? While The Shawshank Redemption (1994)(6:15 PM- 9:00 PM) may not be considered a classic yet to some, which is a whole other can of worms, the fact that Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins will be there, I can’t pass it up. It’s one of my favorite movies ever and carries a lot of nostalgia, as I watched it on cable many times while growing up. So, while it pains me not to see the other two films, I have go with my heart.
As I mentioned, I’m unsure when I’ll meet up with my friends during the festival weekend, so The Shawshank Redemption may be my last film on Saturday night. However, if I’m free, my final film on Saturday will be On the Waterfront (1954)(10:00 PM- 12:00 AM).
SUNDAY (4/21)
I’m usually sleep-deprived and hungry by Sunday, so I may miss this screening. However, another tradition I want to start this year is watching at least one Barbara Stanwyck film at the festival each year. Last year, I watched Sorry, Wrong Number (1948). It was one of the most enjoyable screenings I've ever been to. This year, I plan to watch another classic noir Stanwyck starred in, Double Indemnity (1944)(9:00 AM—11:00 AM), at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX. I’ve seen it several times but never with a crowd or in the city where the story takes place, so it should be fun!
Next, I plan to watch my last pre-code film of the festival, The Sin of Nora Moran (1933)(12:00 PM- 1:15 PM) in 35mm, hosted by former child star Cora Sue Collins, who also stars in this film! How cool would it be to be in the same room with someone who worked with the great stars of the 30s? I’m sure she will have some great stories to tell! She will also be joined by K.J. Realth-Miller, who currently serves as the director of the Film Programs department at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
This may be where you stop reading this newsletter forever, but the next film I plan to watch will be The Searchers (1956)(3:15 PM- 5:30 PM) in 70mm, a film I have never seen before. If you’re still here, thanks. Anyway, the film will be playing at the Egyptian Theatre, and according to the TCMFF website, it will be a world-premiere restoration showing courtesy of Warner Bros. Classics. Acclaimed director Alexander Payne will host it. While I’m ashamed I’ve never seen this bonafide classic before, I can’t think of a better way to experience it for the first time than with a crowd of TCM fans!
My final film of the festival will be Spaceballs (1987)(7:00 PM-9:00 PM), with the man, the myth, and the legend, Mel Brooks, in attendance. While I hate to miss An American in Paris (1951), Sherlock Jr. (1924), and The Asphalt Jungle (1950), which are all slotted around this same time, I don’t want to make the same mistake I made last year by not attending The Exorcist (1973) with William Friedkin, who we unfortunately lost in 2023. This may be one of Mel Brooks’ last public appearances, and I want to make sure I get to see and listen to him, even if it’s from afar.
In short, this is what my tentative 2024 TCMFF Schedule looks like:
Are you planning to attend the festival this year? Which films will you be watching and are most excited about? Let me know in the comments below, especially if you will attend one of my chosen screenings! I would love to meet you! For those classic film fans who will not be attending, follow me on social media to stay up-to-date with everything happening at the festival. You can expect a TCMFF recap newsletter from me once I return!
Until next time, stay safe, be kind to yourself, and continue watching great films! Thanks for reading!
P.S. A full list of all the films showing at TCMFF (except for a few rare shorts and a documentary) on LetterBoxd can be found here!
Starting with White Heat and ending with Spaceballs is 👌