Monday, April 23, 2012

TCM Classic Film Festival 2012--Opening Day On Air and On the Red Carpet for CABARET

The TCM Classic Film Festival officially kicked off last Thursday at the Roosevelt Hotel and what excitement. The relative calm of the day before was gone and replaced with the feverish energy of 25,000 fans flooding Hollywood and Highland for four full days. Being part of this festival is an experience like no other. Each one feels like you're strapping into a roller coaster...though you have a sense of where the wild ride will take you, you're never quite sure of all the unexpected twists and turns. This constant rush of adrenaline gives you something of an out of body experience that is enhanced further by food and sleep deprivation as you make it your mission not to miss any festival favorites. It's as if you're floating through it all much like falling in love, which makes sense since that's what separates this festival and its festival goers from any other--genuine passion.

First on the agenda Thursday was meeting the incredible people behind the network at Club TCM in the hotel's famous Blossom Room. Producer and podcast host Scott McGee introduced TCM's new General Manager Jeff Gregor along with VPs Sean Cameron (Studio Production), Pola Changnon (Production), Charlie Tabesh (Programming), Richard Steiner (New Media), and Tom Brown (Original Productions) to the appreciative audience. This was quite the stage for our Q & A time with them...the Blossom Room happens to be the location of the very first Academy Awards. Fans shouted out that it cost a mere $5 to attend the ceremony there. Honestly, the history of Los Angeles never ceases to amaze me. When you're as big a classic cinema fan as I am, this kind of setting always gives me goosebumps.

Adding to the excitement was the fact that I was then invited to be interviewed on air by the great TCM host Robert Osborne. Since the festival's theme was Style in the Movies, that's what we discussed in front of the audience...from my earliest exposure to classic film (including film noir greats The Thin Man and Double Indemnity) to my biggest influences in costume design and style. Of course I spoke of the life changing moment twenty years ago when I saw Edith Head's work in Alfred Hitchcock's Rear Window for the very first time. As my friends and fans know, that laid the foundation for almost everything...from the way I dress to the very existence of GlamAmor today. I also added my appreciation for the iconic style of TCM's April Star of the Month Doris Day, which was particularly evident in the outfit I chose for filming (above). I will be sure share the interview just as soon as the video is ready. It was heaven.

Not long after the interview, we in the media headed across the street to Grauman's Chinese Theater to set up for the opening night premiere of Cabaret. I chose a great spot on the red carpet--right next to the TCM stage where hosts Robert and Ben Mankiewicz would both hold their interviews with the stars. Even so, I was still sitting among the notorious paparazzi of Los Angeles and literally fighting a throng of photographers who make their living from these types of events. One even climbed the railing hitting me with all his equipment to try and take my spot! Not that I could really blame them--style icons Liza Minnelli, Tippi Hedren, Eva Marie Saint, and Debbie Reynolds all walked the red carpet along with Woody Allen alumni Tony Roberts and Michael Murphy, and many others. There were also younger celebrities there as well such as Rose McGowen, Ginnifer Goodwin, and Jordana Brewster. Photographers were screaming at celebrities and running back and forth to try and get their shots, which made the entire experience quite the challenge. I was even the subject of one such moment...1927's Wings star A.C. Lyles approached me on the red carpet and showed he still had the moves at a frisky 93-years-old. The photographers couldn't get enough.

But it was Patricia Ward Kelly, widow of Gene Kelly, who was my favorite throughout the festival for her impeccable style. We first bonded on the red carpet over her vintage alligator handbag (since I have the same one). But it was her custom-made suits--by L.A. based designer Ali Rahimi for Mon Atelier--paired with gloves that made every one of her appearances special. Patricia was there to introduce Singin' in the Rain Saturday night (which coincidentally was our weather report) and I was lucky enough to talk with her twice over the course of the festival. Since both of our styles are so classic, we couldn't help but connect and have a genuine appreciation of one another. Saying of my style, she gave possibly the greatest compliment--"Gene would definitely approve!" Soon I'll be going to visit her and her talented team to discuss influences, inspiration, and all things style. Couldn't be more thrilled!

As you'll see from the photos below, the red carpet was tented in anticipation of the oncoming rain. In fact, the threat of thunderstorms loomed so large that the evening's poolside screening of High Society was moved inside the Blossom Room. No matter...nothing could dampen the fun when Frank Sinatra's daughter Tina joined us and gave a champagne toast to the incredible style of the movie. A great way to end our first day with still so much to look forward to at the festival. Stay tuned here for even more coverage and check out GlamAmor's YouTube channel for a video playlist of TCM's daily recaps and clips of my favorite festival films. Cheers!

Entering the atmospheric Club TCM

and greeted by the glamorous Joan Crawford

Clips from classic cinema shimmered on the screen including Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in Swing Time (above)

and Audrey Hepburn in her iconic Givenchy gown from Sabrina

Givenchy's vintage copy of Audrey's Sabrina gown decorated Club TCM

and enthralled the audience with its diminutive size and intricate detail

Audrey was also found in the beautiful photography that adorned Club TCM

along with Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman (in Edith Head in Hitchcock's Notorious)

The audience gathers to meet the panel of talent who runs TCM

Meet TCM (left to right): Scott McGee, Sean Cameron, Pola Changnon, Jeff Gregor (above)

and Charlie Tabesh, Richard Steiner, and Tom Brown

Back in the lobby for my interview on air with the great Robert Osborne

before heading over to Grauman's Chinese Theater to cover the red carpet of Cabaret

On the Red Carpet: 1960s pink shortsleeve dress, 1960s black leather purse,

J. Crew black patent leather skinny belt, Nine West black patent leather peeptoe pumps,

vintage pearl drop earrings, vintage pearl necklace (doubled as a bracelet)

Cabaret star and style icon Liza Minnelli being interviewed by TCM host Robert Osborne

Cabaret star Joel Grey with his daughter--Dirty Dancing's Baby--Jennifer Grey

Hitchcock heroines Tippi Hedren and Eva Marie Saint

Spitfire Debbie Reynolds interviewed by TCM host Ben Mankiewicz

Woody Allen alumni Tony Roberts and Michael Murphy

My festival favorite was Patricia Ward Kelly, widow of Gene Kelly,

who shows the ladies how it's done with her stylish suiting by Ali Rahimi

William Wellman Jr., son of Wings (1927) director William Wellman (above),

and frisky and flirtatious Wings star A.C. Lyles

Festival passholders also dressed up and walked the red carpet...

here's friend and fellow blogger Kay Noske working the scene in vintage

Heading back to the Roosevelt Hotel to see Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra in High Society

Tina Sinatra with Ben, who tried on a little of Frank's style in introducing the film

Coming up next on the TCM Classic Film Festival coverage--

Friday interviews and Kim Novak's premiere of Vertigo!

Friday, April 20, 2012

TCM Classic Film Festival 2012--Wednesday with the Press at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel

Though the TCM Classic Film Festival ended days ago at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, I am still feeling all the excitement of the experience. And I know I'm not the only one who is still buzzing. Despite a rainstorm that rolled into Los Angeles early in the festival--including a torrential downpour on my birthday, appropriately Friday the 13th--nothing could dampen the mood of the fans. This festival was the best one yet...not the least of which because its theme was Style in the Movies. TCM's on air and festival programmers Charlie Tabesh and Genevieve McGillicuddy sure delivered. My incredible stylish itinerary on and off the big screen included:

Grace Kelly and Frank Sinatra in High Society (1956)
Stanley Donen discussing directing icon Audrey Hepburn in Funny Face (1957)
Robert Evans discussing the cultural phenomenon of Ali MacGraw and her style in Love Story (1970)
Kim Novak discussing her own iconic performance in Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo (1958)
Norman Jewison introducing sexy Steve McQueen and Faye Dunaway in The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
Two-time Bond Girls Maud Adams and Eunice Gayson introducing Sean Connery in Dr. No (1962)
Grace Kelly in Edith Head in Alfred Hitchcock's To Catch a Thief (1955)
Stanley Donen introducing Audrey Hepburn (and her Givenchy) in Charade (1963)
Joan Crawford (and many many others) in The Women (1939)
Closing the festival, Tony Roberts introducing Woody Allen's trendsetting Annie Hall (1977)

It's important to point out that this list includes a few films I consider Style Essentials, to use TCM terminology, the greatest costumes and style of all time--To Catch a Thief, Funny Face, Vertigo, Love Story, and Annie Hall. And then the rest really aren't that far behind. Almost every one of these was shown at Grauman's Chinese Theater and Egyptian Theater, too...theaters where the films were originally shown and style masterpieces in and of themselves. My only disappointment from the festival was maybe missing Chinatown on the big screen due to a conflict in my crazy schedule. Visually, I think it best captures how I view Los Angeles. If you saw it, please write to tell me about it.

One of the great event highlights of the festival was covering Thursday's red carpet opening night gala for Cabaret. There I saw Liza Minnelli (of course), Hitchcock heroines Eva Marie Saint and Tippi Hedren, Woody Allen alumni Tony Roberts and Michael Murphy, and the viviacious Debbie Reynolds among many others. I also spoke with Patricia Ward Kelly, widow of Gene Kelly, whose vintage alligator handbag caught my eye along with her stylish suits from L.A. based designer Ali Rahimi for Mon Atelier. And then there was the experience of being photographed by the paparazzi while wooed by 1927's Wings star A.C. Lyles, who still had the moves at a frisky 93. But the ultimate highlight was probably Friday morning sitting on the red carpet right in front of Kim Novak as her hand and footprints were immortalized at Grauman's Chinese Theater. What a thrill!

With all this activity, it was a while before I even saw my first movie at the festival...Wednesday, much of Thursday, and even Friday morning was spent doing interviews and running around. This isn't a complaint--I was in heaven! In addition to the events I already mentioned, my time included talking with film critic Leonard Maltin and Film Noir Foundation founder Eddie Muller on style in the movies. I was also even interviewed on air by TCM hosts Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz on two separate occasions. Couldn't have asked for better birthday presents, let me tell you.

Happily, I met both hosts on Wednesday before the festival officially kicked off when we in the media were invited to press roundtables to ask a question or two. Of course mine were centered on style and I inquired as to what (or who) their personal style influences were from classic cinema. After a long pause, Robert told me it was a "great question." Growing up in Colfax, a small town near where I grew up in Washington State, he modeled himself on the entire way that stars of Old Hollywood carried themselves...how they behaved overall. From a style standpoint, he finally admitted to admiring his hero, the "daredevil" Alan Ladd. Incredible timing since I'm just about to see Ladd in a double feature at the NOIR CITY film festival this weekend, so I'll be admiring his style as well. Robert also discussed his relationship with the great Lucille Ball, who originally hired him in her cast largely because he knew and loved Old Hollywood while everyone else at the time did not. Feeling that he was born to be a journalist (his college major), Lucy mentored and encouraged Robert to write a book on the movie industry. The rest, as they say, is history.

When the hosts switched tables and Ben sat down, he too paused at the question of his style influences. Before answering, he shared a great story about Stanley Donen directing Audrey Hepburn in Two for the Road--the first movie since Roman Holiday that Hubert de Givenchy did NOT create her costumes. One can only imagine the "awkward conversation" Donen had with Audrey over his desire to use other modern designers. Instead of Givenchy. When Ben finally steered back to his own style inspiration, he said admiringly, "Cary Grant can wear a suit...and the way he wears it is still relevant today." He also mentioned another men's style icon, Steve McQueen, when talking about his excitement over the festival's Thomas Crown Affair and interviewing director Norman Jewison before the screening.

As you can see, TCM presented us with an incredible and often torturous line up of movies and events from Thursday morning (Wednesday for the press) until late Sunday night. Of course there were many more options beyond the ones I chose, too. These were difficult choices to make and attendees were always more willing to not eat or sleep than miss their favorites. This may be music to TCM's ears. "You want people to have to make hard decisions," Ben asserted. "You want people to suffer. You want people excited to come back for more."

Well, here I am back for more. Let the sublime suffering begin.