TCM Film Festival Day Three: But in my mind I know they still will live on and on…

Turner Classic Movies Festival Day Three: Saturday, April 27

To Sir, With Love with Lulu Interview and Performance (Chinese Multiplex): I can’t even begin to tell you how excited I was when To Sir, With Love was added to the film schedule — and the appearance of Lulu, well, outside of seeing Mr. Poitier himself, was more than I could have hoped for! To Sir, With Love is undoubtedly one of my all-time favorite films, and no matter how many times I see it, I am absolutely moved to tears by the end. However, this was the first time I actually cried before the film — and that was due to Lulu’s heartfelt version of the song which she performed live for all of us at the screening. This was such a treat for me — and a memory that I will never forget — such a magical moment — thank you Lulu!

Lulu singing To Sir, With Love in the film To Sir, With Love (1967, James Clavell director)

Lulu singing “To Sir, With Love” at the screening of To Sir, With Love

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On Golden Pond with Jane Fonda Interview by Robert Osborne (Egyptian Theater): This was another highlight for me, and Jane Fonda did not disappoint at all – she was candid, honest, sincere and even funny — as she spoke about working with the great Katharine Hepburn, and when she spoke so emotionally, to the point of tears, about what it was like working with her legendary father, Henry Fonda. It was a lovely, warm and heartfelt interview.

Jane Fonda and Henry Fonda in On Golden Pond (1981, Mark Rydell director)

Robert Osborne and Jane Fonda at the On Golden Pond screening

“So I turn around totally desperate and I look up, and there, crouching in the bushes, is Katharine Hepburn. I don’t know if Mark (director Mark Rydell) could see, but she just kind of stood up like this and she raised her fists and she said ‘you can do it’.  Her eyes were fixed on mine — ‘you can do it Jane, you can do it’ — and it was mother to daughter and it was actor to actor. She knew — and she willed me into the scene with her fists and her eyes.  And I turned around and I did the scene.”-Jane Fonda (discussing about getting ready to perform a difficult scene with her father)

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The Seventh Seal with Max Fon Sydow Interview by Ben Mankiewicz (Egyptian Theater): All I can say now is that this was a stunning film, heavily metaphorical and allegorical, with beautiful and haunting imagery – set during the Black Death and telling the story of a knight who plays chess with Death who has come to take his life. This was my first time seeing it, and I think it demands at least one more viewing before I can comment further.

Max Von Sydow as Antonius Block playing chess with Bengt Ekerot as Death in The Seventh Seal (1957, Igmar Bergman director)

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Max Von Sydow and Ben Mankiewicz at The Seventh Seal Screening

“I think it is wonderful what TCM is doing for the classics. Wonderful”  -Max Von Sydow (from the Red Carpet)

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Mildred Pierce with Ann Blyth Interview by Robert Osborne (Egyptian Theater): This was another big event for me. Ann Blyth was charming and humble as she shared memories with us about working with Joan Crawford — but what struck me most about Blyth was that she was stunning, simply stunning.  I happened to be lucky enough to sit relatively nearby Blyth during the film, so every so often I could hear her whisper to her companions or even giggle during some key scenes. And the best part of all — the audience was so immersed in the film that everyone cheered and applauded whenever Veda ‘got her due’! And when Mildred Pierce slapped Veda, well all you-know-what broke loose.  Marvelous, simply marvelous!

Ann Blyth as Veda in Mildred Pierce (1945 Michael Curtiz, director)

Ann Blyth at TCMFF Mildred Pierce Screening

“I have nothing but wonderful memories of her.  So All I can say is that it was a wonderful learning experience.  She was kind to me all during the making of the movie and kind to me in private afterwards for many many years.” -Ann Blyth (about Joan Crawford)

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Well, that was another full day and I had no steam left to see the midnight showing of Island of Lost Souls. So onward to tomorrow via another blog post…

–Annmarie Gatti from Classic Movie Hub