I have just received confirmation that for the second year in a row, Backlots will have the honor of providing official press coverage for the TCM Classic Film Festival, April 10-13 in Hollywood. The TCM Classic Film Festival is perhaps the biggest festival focusing on classic films in the country, and one that is very highly anticipated throughout the classic film community.
Over the span of four days, film fans have the opportunity to attend screenings at such historic locations as Grauman’s (now TCL) Chinese Theater, the Egyptian Theater, the Pantages and the El Capitan, hear panel discussions with key figures from the classic film era, and mingle with other classic film devotees. It is truly the experience of a lifetime, and I have been lucky enough to witness it firsthand. I am honored and privileged to be able to repeat that experience.
Some of the highlights of this year’s festival will include guest appearances by Maureen O’Hara (whom your author had the pleasure to meet in Ireland a few years ago), Richard Dreyfuss, Mel Brooks and Margaret O’Brien. Jerry Lewis will be getting his hand and footprints cemented at Grauman’s Chinese Theater, and TCM will also be honoring the music work of Quincy Jones.
With Maureen O’Hara in Glengarriff, County Cork, Ireland in June 2011.
As this year is the 75th anniversary of that phenomenal year 1939, the festival will include screenings of Gone With the Wind, The Wizard of Oz, and many more screenings from 1939 and beyond to be announced in the near future. The much-anticipated red carpet opening night event will be a screening of a newly restored version of the musical classic Oklahoma!, with Shirley Jones in attendance.
As usual, I will be making a post at the end of each day, outlining that day’s unique and exciting events. I will also enable a live Twitter feed on the blog, and will be updating social media frequently throughout the festival.
For those of you in the Los Angeles area, or those willing to come to the area, there are still passes available. Check out the festival website for all the updates! If you are unable to get a pass, TCM also sells individual tickets for screenings the day of. The website also features the latest announcements and news, as well as an extensive Frequently Asked Questions page and an extensive list of places to stay in Los Angeles.
I hope to see you there!
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Backlots 
Congrats, Lara! I’ve been going the past couple years, but this will be my first year as press, so I’m very excited! Hope this next month passes quickly… 🙂
It’s a lot of fun! Congrats on your press pass!
Wonderful! Looking forward to your dispatches.
Because I will be out of town, I will eagerly await your excellent daily reviews.
So jealous! I’m sure your reports will be utterly fab!
Congratulations! Can’t wait to live vicariously through you and read your coverage! x
I will be looking forward to reading your posts about the festival. Another film blogger I read had mentioned that Olivia de Haviland would appear with Gone With the Wind, but now I see no mention of her….did that get cancelled, her appearing at the festival?
Good question! There was some speculation that Olivia would be appearing at the festival, but it has been confirmed that she will not be there. It’s understandable–she’s 97 years old and lives in Paris, and can’t really travel much anymore. BUT..Robert Osborne traveled to Paris to interview her last October, and we’re thinking that a screening of that interview might count as her “appearance.” We’ll see, it hasn’t been announced officially yet but I’m guessing that might happen.
Thanks Vanessa! I’m excited 🙂
Aw thanks! It’s hard work, but worth every moment.
Thank you! I’ll try to live up to expectations 🙂
Thanks! Should be fun!
Thanks for the answer and I hope your guess proves true, that an interview will be shown.
I live in Northern San Diego County and am excited that I was able to get a Classic Pass…mainly to be able to see Maureen O’Hara. Can’t wait! I love a feisty woman with a strong moral compass, and the guts to fight for what she believes in…and a gorgeous woman who was also a tomboy and fearless stunt woman…can’t get much better than that in my book.
Oh how fantastic – looking forward to reading all about it!
I so enjoy your reviews Lara. Thank you for keeping us updated. You are amazing!