lzcutter

It's official!! Robert O announced tonight from the stage at Graumans: There will be a TCM Cruise leaving out of Fort Lauderdale in early December of this year. Look for an announcement with more details within the week. It will be very different from the Film Festival. I'm not sure what that means so look for the official announcement. And it's official, the TCM Film Festival will return next year as well! I have pages and pages of recaps that I will begin posting later this week after I get some sleep.

It's official!! Robert O announced tonight from the stage at Graumans: There will be a TCM Cruise leaving out of Fort Lauderdale in early December of this year. Look for an announcement with more details within the week. It will be very different from the Film Festival. I'm not sure what that means so look for the official announcement. And it's official, the TCM Film Festival will return next year as well! I have pages and pages of recaps that I will begin posting in the Recap thread in the Film Festival forum later this week after I get some sleep.

Finance, Sorry for the delay. I am at the TCM Film Festival. This afternoon there was a panel discussion featuring some of the staff of TCM including Charlie Tabesh, Senior VP of Programming, who has been with the channel for 14 years. During the Q&A a first-time attendee asked about the film library. Charlie replied: "We have to rent all the films we show. At one time we owned the Turner Film Library and that leads to a great deal of confusion because we no longer own that library. That is now owned by Time-Warner and administered by Warner Brothers." "In the beginning, the channel depended upon the Turner film library but we realized that, in order to grow, we would have to establish relationships with the other studios as well so we could expand." "Today, we have relationships with most of the studios and as well as Warner Brothers. We have to rent the films from our former library through Warner Brothers but we now have limited access to the rest of their library as well." So, while TCM no longer owns a film library they do have a library that consists of films that they have licensed from the various film studios to broadcast. This makes the library ever changing as the terms of the contracts range from short range to long range. They can access these films for "Memoriam" film tributes and "In Memoriam" spots and also helps explain why those tributes and spots don't always include a star's most iconic work. Hope this helps!

It's here, it's here! The TCM Film Festival officially starts today! Don't forget! The unofficial gathering at In-N-Out Burgers immediately following the "Meet the Staff" panel. As soon as that panel is over (appr. 2:15-2:30) we will gather in the lobby of Fort TCM, actually the Roosevelt Hotel, and walk down to In-N-Out. We should be back in time for everyone to change into the finery for the evening's affairs! See you in a few hours!

"Hollywood is Hollywood" says Mickey Rooney It is slightly cooler today but poolside was filled with bathing beauties soaking up the 80 degree weather that the City of Angels has on display this week. Met up with Suex2 after her stressful morning missing her connection in Phoenix, the lovely Cinemaven, VDOVault, Wouldbestar and the two other fashion plates of the festival (besides Suex2), Countessdelave and loveslilacs. For a bit over three hours today they were shooting wraparound with Robert O and various guests including Dorothy Herrman, Diane Disney Miller, Barbara Rush (who looks more beautiful than you can imagine), Illena Douglas, Marnie Nixon and the legendary Mickey Rooney. All will be airing on the channel during the festival so keep an eye out. Had lunch with Suex2 and Cinemaven. Had a psychic TCM moment when Suex2 made a face and Charles Laughton was on the tv screen (all tvs at the Roosevelt seemed to be broadcasting TCM this week) making a similar face! Can't wait to see more of you tomorrow!

"Hollywood is Hollywood" says Mickey Rooney Just back from Fort TCM aka the Roosevelt Hotel and I would be hard pressed to say that any place was chilly. It is slightly cooler today but poolside was filled with bathing beauties soaking up the 80 degree weather that the City of Angels has on display this week. Met up with Suex2 after her stressful morning missing her connection in Phoenix, the lovely Cinemaven, VDOVault, Wouldbestar and the two other fashion plates of the festival (besides Suex2), Countessdelave and loveslilacs. For a bit over three hours today they were shooting wraparound with Robert O and various guests including Dorothy Herrman, Diane Disney Miller, Barbara Rush (who looks more beautiful than you can imagine), Illena Douglas, Marnie Nixon and the legendary Mickey Rooney. All will be airing on the channel during the festival so keep an eye out. Had lunch with Suex2 and Cinemaven. Had a psychic TCM moment when Suex2 made a face and Charles Laughton was on the tv screen (all tvs at the Roosevelt seemed to be broadcasting TCM this week) making a similar face! Can't wait to see more of you tomorrow!

MrCutter and I talked it over this evening and we plan to be there as well!

Fort TCM has arrived at the Roosevelt and it looks great. From the lobby to Club TCM and everything in between, the staff is busy at work putting the finishing touches on the event so everything will be in place. Looks like a slightly bigger space for the boutique this year. The interview area is set up in the lobby and as of this afternoon there was still the plush seating available in the lobby as well. Club TCM was under construction but it looks plusher and with more seating this year. The front windows of the Roosevelt that look out on the Blvd and on Orange Drive all have TCM Festival posters in them and the rooftop marquee proclaims the Festival as does the Marquee of the interior Chinese theaters. Let the madness begin!

I know the Festival doesn't officially start until Thursday but many are in town already or arriving in the next 24 hours. I suspect the lobby of the Roosevelt will be awash in attendees by tomorrow evening. I'm going down to check it all out before the madness officially begins. Anyone wanting to write recaps of their Festival and Hollywood adventures, feel free to post 'em here! Looking forward to seeing familiar faces and friends (waving at Kingrat, the Countess, loves lilacs) and meeting new ones! Are you ready for your close-up?

*I guessed it would come down to that. Women can't understand male friendships and are loathe to admit that they can't replace (eradicate?) the pleasures that men derive from their male friendships. Choosing a life of domesticity over the life of adventure found in the British Army? For some men, it is an easy decision to make. Fighting for the Queen is much more exciting than coming home to the wife every night - even if she is Joan Fontaine.* Chief, The last thing I want to do is open a can of worms but i doubt that I am the only woman who likes *Gunga Din* and understands all the sub-text going on. I understand why Cary and Vic do what they do and it doesn't take away from my enjoyment of the film. A few years later George Stevens will go overseas and film horrific scenes of war and his post-war films will reflect his disillusionment with the human race. And he stops making films filled with a sense of fun and laughter and, insteads, goes more for the darker side of human nature. But *Gunga Din* is one of his last films before that disillusionment sets in. And I doubt I am the only woman who enjoys the film for what it is. (No offense to MsW).

These prints are gorgeous! And, as always, Buddy does the heavy lifting and Buck gets the credit. I love Buck Rogers! I saw a couple of the episodes on the big screen at the Academy and they didn't look this beautiful. And now, thanks to TCM, I get to see the entire serial and talk about the eppys! Thanks TCM!

*I wondered how Hawks film would have been different.* 'Roy", I saw *Din* on the big screen two years ago at the Academy with George Stevens, Jr introducing the film. According to the program hand-out and Stevens, jr, Hawks hired MacArthur and Hecht to write the script but it was very much an interior story. One of the first things Stevens, Sr did when he came on board was to bring in new scriptwriters and open the story up. Here's a link to my recap of that event: http://forums.tcm.com/thread.jspa?messageID=8257081 "Dale"

*Yes, the racism in the Sam Jaffe scenes bothered me because it was so casual.* But it was actually factual. The British back then certainly considered the native population, including a water bearer like Din, beneath them. Part of the evolution of the story is that by the end, Grant and the others come to recognize that they were wrong to treat Din in such a subservient way. It's a terrific, rousing, adventure story that benefits greatly from George Stevens' direction and Alfred Newman's great score. But if you don't like one or all of the three leads, the film may not work for you.

*In the user ratings and reviews for various movies, how is the information on "cinema history" compiled? What criteria is used/applied, and whose views are used* Jayo, If you are referring to the films in the TCM database, some of the information comes from the American Film Institute database. Info from the AFI database includes: Overview Full Credits Full Synopsis Notes Music Screenplay Info Original Print Info Genre Keywords

Wouldbe, The Spahn Movie Ranch was located in the Santa Susanna pass and mountain range about Chatsworth. Back in the day, that area was awash in movie ranches from the famed Iverson (where part of *Stagecoach* was shot) to Corriganville to other smaller movie ranches. The original owner was silent film cowboy, William S. Hart. In 1948, a former dairy farmer, George Spahn, bought the property and changed the name of the ranch. TV shows such as *Zorro*, *Bonanza* and many others were reportedly shot there. By the time Charles Manson and his "family" began moving into the ranch, westerns were on the wane and there wasn't much business at the ranch though Spahn did keep some ranch hands around to take care of the horses and livestock. The girls in Manson's "family" took care of George and alienated him from his staff. It was from here that Manson sent his followers out into the August night of 1969 to start his racial war by killing everyone at the home of Terry Melcher on Cielo Drive in the hills above Beverly Hills (it's unclear even all these years later if Manson knew that Melcher and his girlfriend, Candace Bergen had moved). The next night, Manson went with some of the family from the previous night and drove to Los Feliz. They killed Leo and Rosemary LaBianca who were returning home from a weekend trip. The Spahn Movie Ranch (or what was left of it) burned to the ground in Nov. 1970 during a bad Santa Ana windstorm.

Yancy, If you have a Classic Pass it should get you into all the films (except the opening night gala), all the panels, Club TCM and the events at the Music Box (Peter O'Toole's interview and the night of music with Vince G and the Nighthawks.) What it doesn't include is the Vanity Fair party and the Gala screening of *An American in Paris*.

Hey Chief, Aren't Frankie's daughters, Tina and Nancy, introducing the film?

Mark, I'm with you! Tarzan and Buck Rogers make getting up on Saturday morning worth it!

Yancy, Congratulations! If you get to Hollywood by Thursday afternoon I hope you will join us for the unoffficial TCM gathering at In-N-Out Burgers. Details are in the In-N-Out thread in the Film Festival forum. Hope to see you there!

"Hoyt Becker wrote here" Robert Louis Stevenson, John Steinbeck and Hoyt Becker. Really??? Why does Dorothy look like Jane Wyman? Ooops, Connie's pregnant but Guy won't return her telegrams. She has to find a substitute. Who will that be???? Ah, Troy?? Yeah, Troy, no matter how much she loves Grant? Grant, who will break her heart but Troy will pick up the slack and be her one true love. Oh wait, there's that baby no one wants to talk about to deal with. So, she can't see Troy's goodness yet. Though the Monterey/Carmel landscape of the early 1960s is beautiful but the whole waterfall imagery is a bit much.

Oh, man, Troy's father is the fall guy for the company Lloyd works for and he hangs himself. "FATHER!" screams Troy at the silhouette of his father dangling from a rope. Dorothy and Lloyd sing some weird Happy B'day song to Connie in bed??? Sub-text anyone?? Oh look, daddy Lloyd got Connie a horse for her birthday. Sub-text anyone? "He's pretty frisky. I'll give him a ride first" says Troy. Sub-text anyone? Dorothy knows Troy's back story. Yet, let's Connie continue. Sub-text anyone? Troy sports a James Dean-like red jacket and won't let Connie ride alone. Sub-text anyone?

Regarding *Susan Slade* Why does Chile look like Mojave, California? And the poor guy in a serape who tells Lloyd Nolan "vio con dios", really a serape? This has only got to be more camp than ever I realized when I was a teenager. Getting on the boat on the lastest designer dresses? Where did they get those frocks so far south? Oh wait, Grant Williams just got his first look. It can only go downhill from here. Storyline speaking. Lovely orchid colored chiffon scarf Connie is wearing. Oh wait, Lloyd snagged those clothes for Dorothy and Connie in Santiago, according to Dorothy. And Dorothy suggests she snag Grant NOW!. Am I the only one thinking of the Titanic while Connie and Grant play shuffleboard. Oh, wait, the theme for *Summer Place* just started. Isn't that a different film? Constance Ford isn't in this film though Dorothy is. Ooooh, hot kiss between Connie and Grant and he declares his love. Connie has to sneak in to her state room. Wait, maybe, Dorothy is playing the Constance Ford part. How cruel. Grant has to die and Troy has to come in and take his place because obviously a baby has been made. Another Titanic reference as the ship comes into port.

*Arthur Hill actually won a Tony for playing George on Broadway! You've probably seen him many times on old t.v. shows over the years, also occasional movies. He's the bland pipe-smoking professorial type (but NOT one of my hunky squares) you never remember, lol, even though there might be a lot going on under the placid surface.* Barb, Wasn't Arthur Hill *Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law*, which was a weekly series when we were younger? Didn't he also head the team in *The Andromeda Strain* ?

*Checking the schedule this morning, it looks like director Guy Hamilton is no longer shown as being in-attendance for GOLDFINGER and THE THIRD MAN, although he's still listed under Special Guests. Guy: your attendance is mandatory!* I concur!! His discussion at *Goldfinger* was one of the festival highlights for me!

Renee, The daily and weekly listings for the PST time zone are wrong. I am using Firefox on both a Mac and PC and the listings for the PST are off by three hours. Tonight, it says that *Susan Slade* starts at 6:00 when, in fact, it starts at 9:00. Tomorrow, *Gunga Din* is scheduled at 2:00 pm for the West Coast and it is part of *The Essentials* and should be airing at 5:00. The schedule is wrong for the whole next week for the PST time zone. Is there any way this can get fixed, like, now? And why are the fixes taking so long? In about two weeks it will have been two months since the upgrade and some of these problems (like the schedule times and dates for months that have 31 days) should have been fixed weeks ago! Edited by: lzcutter because the problem actually started today