The 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival took place April 24-27 in Hollywood, CA. The central theme for the 16th annual event was “Grand Illusions: Fantastic Worlds on Film.” Why I enjoy this festival is the range of films offered which include restorations, popular classics, newly discovered gems. and also great guest discussions. I was able to coordinate 11 screenings which included all of these options.
Buy Grease 2 Blu-rayThursday kicked things off with the panel “Meet TCM” at Club TCM which is the festival’s hub at the Roosevelt Hotel. Moderated by Scott McGee, TCM’s Senior Director of original programming, many people who work behind the scenes offered their experiences and efforts that it takes to put the festival together. It always gets things off to a great start. This year they let the audience ask questions for the majority of the time, allowing fans to get the latest information on the channel.
My first film was Moonlight and Pretzels (1933) in Theater 4, where the limited audience capacity makes entry coveted by attendees. Directed by Karl Freund, this was a b-film. B-films were made cheaply and paired as double features to get more audiences to the theater. This is wacky musical about an unemployed singer who finds love and a talent for songwriting in a small-town music store. Many of the musical numbers don’t seem to fit together but are well done. Jeopardy host Ken Jennings introduced the film where he explained that this pre-Code has been mostly forgotten and this was a rare opportunity to see it on the big screen. It was a fun start.
I managed to get back into Theater 4 for Blithe Spirit (1945). This was another wacky choice about a writer (Rex Harrison) and his second wife (Constance Cummings) being haunted by his first wife (Kay Hammond) after a medium summons her spirit (Margaret Rutherford). Writer Noel Coward was not happy with how the ending differed from his play, and I don’t disagree after having read about it. I had never heard of this film and during the discussion with actress Christine Ebersole, I learned the play was revived on Broadway in 2009 where she played the Hammond role alongside Rupert Everett as the husband and Angela Lansbury as the medium. I really wish I could have seen that version.
The morning block on Friday offered several movies that I was really interested in but I was given the opportunity to cover Michelle Pfeiffer’s hand and foot ceremony at the Chinese Theater. I have been a huge fan since Grease 2, especially with both of us being Orange County, California girls. Ben Mankiewicz started the ceremony covering the breadth of her career. Dakota and Elle Fanning then provided introductions. They both worked with her very early in their careers and she clearly had an impact on them. They are all currently working together on a new show coming from Pfeiffer’s husband, David E. Kelley, based on the novel Margo’s Got Money Troubles. It was a wonderful treat to be able to see her receive this honor. Her speech was heartfelt. She shared the challenges of getting into acting and how grateful she is to still be in the game.
I rushed from the ceremony to get back into Theater 4 for The Time Machine (1960). I am surprised it took me this long to see it. It really holds up as Rod Taylor is searching for a better time, confident that the future must be better. He is very surprised and disappointed by what he finds. Given all of the challenges we face today, I would be willing to hop in his time machine.
I was able to see Pfeiffer again during a discussion with Mankiewicz before The Fabulous Baker Boys (1989). Nominated for a Best Actress Oscar, she plays an aspiring singer who creates conflicts between piano-playing brothers played by Jeff and Beau Bridges. I haven’t seen this film since it was originally released. I remembered liking it then and still enjoyed it. It is a great story about relationships and the paths we take. Pfeiffer lights up the screen and said that she was offered a record deal afterwards but didn’t think she was good enough. Mankiewicz and the audience in attendance disagreed. Jeff and Beau are also excellent dealing with the changes to their partnership Pfeiffer brings.
The highlight of the festival was Misery (1990). I have seen this film more times than I can count after being a huge fan of the book. Kathy Bates deserved her Oscar win with her brilliant portrayal of a crazed fan who holds her favorite author hostage, perfectly played by James Caan. Bates and director Rob Reiner were in attendance for a discussion afterwards. Reiner sat in the audience watching the movie with us and he was thrilled with our reactions which were exactly what he was looking for when he made it. We laughed, screamed, and cheered. It was truly a special experience, which is what makes the festival so special.
I pivoted from my initial plans to watch Now, Voyager (1942) for a chance to see the always amazing Bette Davis. After having a nervous breakdown, Charlotte (Davis) is sent to a sanitarium. Her mother is always critical and demeaning, calling her unattractive and fat. After she is released, Davis goes on a cruise and falls in love with a married man, Jeremiah (Paul Henreid). This assists with her confidence and it changes her ability to deal with her mother and allows her to carve out a new life for herself. The best part of this screening was the introduction by Mario Cantone and Eddie Muller. They were hilarious playing off of each other. TCM needs to figure out a show featuring them right away.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) finished the day. It is always fun watching this with an audience. Tim Curry shines as a mad scientist whom newlyweds Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick are not prepared for. As the special guest, Bostwick was informative about the filming and how it has become such a phenomena during this midnight showing celebrating the 50th anniversary.
The Preview Murder Mystery (1936) started Saturday morning with a return visit to Theater 4. Without even knowing much about this film, the title had it secured on my list as murder mysteries are always my #1 choice of genre. Reginald Denny stars as a PR man looking to save his company by solving a rash of murders. It was a perfect start to the morning with a solid story and satisfying resolution.
The 50th anniversary presentation of Jaws (1975) from a new restoration by the British Film Institute garnered a lot of chatter during the first two days of the festival and I saw many related t-shirts all around the festival. I was concerned about getting in so I decided to skip the second block of films to get in line extra early. This is another film that I have seen a zillion times but the chance to see this restoration warranted my first visit to the Egyptian Theater this year. The open scene is still terrifying. It keeps me out of the ocean and even has me nervous in pools. Lorraine Gary was the special guest. She also starred in Jaws 2 (1978) and Jaws: The Revenge (1987). She arrived late which forced me to leave early to get in line for the next move. Roy Scheider, Richard Dreyfuss, and Robert Shaw are still one of the best trios ever brought together.
I decided to stay at the Egyptian Theater for Blade Runner (1982) and the discussion with actress Sean Young. I have always felt that it was unfortunate that her career didn’t go further. I had heard that she was very difficult to work with and she didn’t shy away from talking about that. She was 19 when they started filming and said she felt it was important to be strong and stand up for herself especially against the likes of Harrison Ford. I am not sure if I have seen this on the big screen before but the darkness of this film was gorgeous. I had to leave early again with he late start to get to the last film.
The passing of David Lynch was a sad day for the filmmaking world. There has never been anyone quite like him and his unique style of original storytelling. I was working at a movie theater when Wild at Heart (1990) came out and I would sit in the back during all my breaks. It is still one of my favorite Lynch films and made me an instant fan of Laura Dern. It was weirder than I remembered, and I completely forgot about Willem Dafoe’s creepy performance. Nicolas Cage is really great in his role of Sailor who is always fighting for the love of Lulu (Dern). Diane Ladd, real-life mother of Dern, is wonderfully horrible as the evil mother trying to keep him away. Actor and Musician David Patrick Kelly was the special guest. He charmingly serenaded us before the film.
Each year goes by so fast and the current festival seems like the best one yet. After its conclusion, I am always concerned that it will not return or that I won’t. It is such a unique experience to meet fellow passionate movie lovers from all across the country and to share the joy of being in a theater together watching great films. This year the conversations were especially interesting and fun. With the happenings in the United States, everyone was extremely grateful to have an escape for a few days. While dashing from movie to movie, I always feel that I got in everything I wanted but when I am heading home, I am always filled with regret for those that I didn’t attend. Thank you, TCM, for another perfectly programmed festival.
