Top Picks for 2019 TCM Film Festival

Every year, devoted fans and attendees giddily await the full schedule release of the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival. This year, the anticipation was even more palatable as this is the 10th anniversary. Happily, the time has arrived and after much anguishing decision-making, I have outlined my choices. As always, I cannot be held responsible for last-minute changes that often occur.

TCM Film Festival Schedule- Kellee’s 1^st draft of picks

Thu 4/11:

6:45 – 8 pm … NIGHT WORLD (1932) / Multiplex 6

*Wherever possible, I will choose a Pre-Code, especially if it’s a Pre-Code that I’ve never seen before. This particular film checks both of those boxes and will be introduced by TCM friend and daughter of Boris Karloff, Sara Karloff. There’s an eclectic cast of Boris Karloff, Lew Ayres, George Raft, Mae Clarke, plus a Busby Berkeley choreographed music number. Count me in!

9:30 – 11:30 pm … THE BACHELOR and the BOBBY-SOXER (1947) / The Egyptian

*Cary Grant. In sparkly, shimmering nitrate. He reminds me of a man. What man? The man with the power. What power? The power of hoodoo. Hoodoo? You do. Do what? Remind me of a man. Need I say more? To boot, there’s the stunning Myrna Loy and Shirley Temple.

Fri 4/12:

9 – 10:30am … MERRILY WE GO TO HELL (1932) / Multiplex 1

*Here I go with another delicious Pre-Code discovery. Directed by the brilliant Dorothy Arzner, and starring Sylvia Sydney and Frederic March, this one features marital cheating, Prohibition-era excessive drinking, and a young Cary Grant. Slainte! Anytime I can experience an intro by Cari Beauchamp, I’m there.

1 – 2pm … The Descendants/ Club TCM

*This is a panel of family members of Old Hollywood stars. Jennifer Grant, daughter of Cary Grant, will be present. Done.

2:45 – 4:15pm … MY FAVORITE WIFE (1940) / The Egyptian

*This is a favorite film of mine. To me, Cary Grant had the most comedic chemistry with co-star Irene Dunne. The only other Screwball comedy that tops this one for this pairing is THE AWFUL TRUTH. But to see this pairing attempt to get out of a non-stop series of jams often from Gail Patrick, up on the big screen with my pals, will be heaven indeed. Jennifer Grant herself will intro. Perhaps she’ll discuss that silly leopard print robe.

5:30 – 6:45 pm … VANITY STREET (1932) / Multiplex 6

*Here is yet another Pre-Code discovery, with an intro by Cari Beauchamp. A poverty row romance, starring Charles Bickford, Helen Chandler and George Meeker, claims to include hard knocks aplenty of poverty, blackmail and imprisonment. Let’s go!

7:30 – 8:45 pm … OPEN SECRET (1948) /Multiplex 6

* This B thriller is said to be a Film Noir that tackles the evils of Anti-Semitism, starring John Ireland, Jane Rudolph and Leonard Sheldon. Cinematography by George Robinson and restored by UCLA. For me, it’s another discovery. I would love to see Eddie Muller do the intro but his glaring absence is not too surprising considering the timing of whenever TCMFF follows so closely after Noir City. Eddie, we’ll toast one to you in addition, with our Andrea Rosen tribute at the Roosevelt bar.

9:30 – 11:15 pm … ROAD HOUSE (1948) / The Egyptian

*Starring Ida Lupino, Richard Widmark, and Cornel Wilde, this film noir takes the gritty streets to the country. In nitrate. A nitrate noir? Yes, please! Filmmaker Bill Morrison intros with an 8 minute short of his own.

Midnight screening … SANTO vs THE EVIL BRAIN (1961) / Multiplex 1

*My only attempt at a midnight screening goes to a superhero called ‘the Saint” who takes on a mind-controlling mad scientist. Santo was an ongoing character and I believe I’ve seen the version where he takes on martians. This one stars Rodolfo Guzman Huerta, the Mexican wrestler turned actor and was filmed in Cuba, before the political climate radically changed. Noting the Cuban connection, it seems rather appropriate to attend with my good friend Aurora, my Cubish sister. Let’s hope I can stay awake after such a long days of screenings.

Sat 4/13:

9:15 – 10:45 am … WHEN WORLDS COLLIDE (1951) / Multiplex 1

*I’m excited to see this mid-century Science Fiction, starring Barbara Rush. John Hoyt, and Richard Derr. I’m honored to say that I’ve experienced enjoying dinner with Barbara Rush at a prior TCMFF, thanks to my pal Danny Miller, so seeing her introduce her film will be a special treat. Additionally, as I’m currently teaching a course on special effects/ stop-motion animator Ray Harryhausen, I’m curious to see the Oscar-winning special effects by Harry Barndollar and Gordon Jennings. This was produced by George Pal [DESTINATION MOON (1950)], too.

11:45 – 2 pm … TARZAN AND HIS MATE (1934) / Multiplex 6

*I’ve been very fortunate to see Ben Burtt & Craig Barron introduce THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD and GUNGA DIN in years’ past. This hat-wearing duo always brings a delightfully insightful and unique presentation that explores the sound and visual effects behind the scenes. And who could say no to loin-clothed Maureen O’Sullivan as Jane and Johnny Weissmuller as Tarzan. This was infamous art director Cedric Gibbons’ sole directing gig.

2:45 – 5 pm … FATHER GOOSE (1964) / Multiplex 1

*Here’s another Cary Grant comedy gem, juggling war enemies, wayward school girls and their persnickety prep teacher, and booze in the occupied South Pacific during WW2. Grant’s chemistry with Leslie Caron peaks in a hilarious scene where Caron takes in more wine than venom from a feigned snake bite. Leonard Maltin and members of the original cast will intro.

5:15 – 6:45 pm … BLOOD MONEY (1933) / Multiplex 6

*With Judith Anderson, George Bancroft, and Frances Dee, this Pre-Code discovery explores a myriad of dark themes with unexpected roles and was one of the first films condemned by the Legion of Decency. Bruce Goldstein will intro this cool Pre-Code.

8 – 10:15 pm … THE BAD SEED (1956) / Poolside

*Whenever this film comes on TCM, I stop to watch. A psychopathic, child serial killer was hardly a topic typically addressed in mid-century Hollywood. Interestingly, the treatment borders camp. Somehow, I’ve never attended a poolside screening. With the chance to see Patty McCormack in-person to do the intro, I’ll happily dive into these dangerous waters!

Sun 4/14:

9:15 – 11 am … HOLIDAY (1938) / Multiplex 1

*That’s right. Another Cary Grant film. I’ve seen this many times as Kate Hepburn skips out of a New Years’ Eve party along with an intoxicated Lew Ayres, Grant, Edward Everett Horton and Jean Dixon. But never on the big screen with Diane Baker doing the intro. Yummy!

~> My Sunday gets real loosey-goosey from here. Probably a couple of Club TCM presentations, lunching, perhaps TBAs, and then maybe…

5:15 – 7 pm for A WOMAN OF AFFAIRS (1928)/ The Egyptian.

*This on and off screen romance of Greta Garbo and John Gilbert is a forbidden love silent. I’m lucky to see silent films with musical accompaniment in my home state of Kansas more than the average film fan, so my attendance is mostly for the intro with Kevin Brownlow and Leonard Maltin, with Carl Davis score and live orchestra.

Depending upon my energy level and craving for socialization, I may finish out the fest by attending my final screening pick with:

8 – 10 pm screening of THE DOLLY SISTERS (1948)/ The Egyptian.

*This lavish Technicolor musical stars Betty Grable and June Haver and is presented in nitrate. Should be a feast for the eyes and the ears.

As a backup, I may opt for dinner and relaxing before Closing Party, which begins at 9pm. What is not listed here are the mixers and social gatherings I plan to attend. Those events generally produce the most selfies with friends. As always, I look forward to these screenings. But moreover, I’m very excited to be reunited with my TCM family! Hope to see you there…