TCM Film Festival Day Four: I’m going to be one of the first to enlist (for next year!)

Turner Classic Movies Festival Day Four: Sunday, April 28

The Birds with Tippi Hedren Interview by Ben Mankiewicz (TCL Chinese Theater): Yes, another highlight for me! I always love to hear Stars talk about working with renowned directors — so I was really looking forward to this particular interview. Now, of course, I was fully aware of the controversy surrounding Hitchcock’s ‘working’ relationship with Hedren, so I was a little curious as to how Hedren would handle that subject and I was hoping that it wouldn’t impact the conversation in a negative way. I am happy to report that Hedren, quite the ‘class act,’ was eloquent in her discussion about Hitchcock and the challenges she faced when working on the film.

Tippi Hedren as Melanie Daniels in The Birds (1963 , Alfred Hitchcock director)

Tippi Hedren at The Birds Screening

“When I first read the script, I said, Mr. Hitchcock, why would Melanie Daniels go up those stairs knowing what has happened to everybody in town, the children, the farmer…we are boarded up in a house because they are out there. And — why would I go up those stairs all by myself. Well that’s the first thought he ever had about that question — and he said ‘because I tell you to’.” -Tippi Hedren

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Three Days of the Condor with Max Von Sydow Interview by Robert Osborne (TCL Chinese Theater): I originally planned to go see It Happened One Night at the Egyptian Theater during this time slot, but at the very last minute I decided to ‘try’ Three Days of the Condor. I had never seen this film before, and although my first instinct was NOT to see another post-1970 film at this festival (my first being The Twelve Chairs), I’m glad I gave it a shot. The film kept me on the edge of my seat throughout, and the performances were excellent (you really can’t go wrong with Robert Redford, Faye Dunaway and Max von Sydow!). Prior to the screening, Robert Osborne interviewed von Sydow, with much of the interview being ‘informationally’ similar to yesterday’s interview by Ben Mankiewicz. 

Max Von Sydow in Three Days of the Condor (1975, Sydney Pollack director)

Robert Osborne interview with Max Von Sydow at Three Days of the Condor Screening

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The General with live music performed by The Alloy Orchestra (TCL Chinese Theater) and an Introduction by Robert Osborne: This was yet another treat for me! I had the immense pleasure of seeing Metropolis with The Alloy Orchestra on the TCM Cruise a few months ago, and I just couldn’t wait to see (I mean hear) The Alloy Orchestra again.  The screening started with a Buster Keaton short, called One Week — a delightful little comedy about newlyweds who are putting together a ‘build it yourself’ house (without knowing that Keaton’s rival re-numbered the packing components!).  Needless to say lots of chaos and slapstick ensue, so it was a wonderful way to start the evening. The main feature, The General, starring Buster Keaton and Marion Mack, was quite impressive on the big screen! It was hard not to marvel at all of Keaton’s dangerous stunts (wow!) and the explosive ending when the train plummets off the burning bridge into the river below.  The movie was terrific — but I must say that, at this point, I was a little melancholy knowing that this was the last film of the festival for me. Oh well…

Buster Keaton as The Groom in the Short Film, One Week (1920, Edward F. Cline and Buster Keaton directors)

Buster Keaton as Johnnie Gray in The General (1926, Clyde Bruckman and Buster Keaton directors)

The Alloy Orchestra provided the live music

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Now for a sad note about the TCL Chinese Theater (aka the HISTORIC Grauman’s Chinese Theater): Before The General screening, Robert Osborne told us all that the TCL Theater was going to be completely renovated in just a few days…turned into one of the largest IMAX theaters in the country. Of course Osborne tried to put a positive spin on things, saying that the integrity of the building would be maintained etc, but it was almost ‘surreal’ to hear that such a historic building — so integral to Hollywood History (a landmark if you will) — could be marginalized into just ‘another’ theater. Very VERY tough to hear… But that said, here are some pictures to remember it by…

Grauman’s Chinese Theater (TCL Theater) from across Hollywood Blvd.

Lobby

The Historic Grauman’s Chinese Theater (now known as TCL Theater and soon-to-be-renovated, sadly enough)

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The Farewell Party at Club TCM: Well, a wonderful way to end the festival, chatting with my twitter friends poolside at the Roosevelt Hotel: @willmckinley @CitizenScreen @Paula_Guthat @tkguthat @AlanHait @nebraskanellie.

That all said, thumbs up for the 2013 TCMFF!  Until next year…

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–Annmarie Gatti for Classic Movie Hub