TCM Classic Film Festival 2014--Heading to Hollywood April 10-13!

It's that time of the year--the 2014 TCM Classic Film Festival kicks off next week!

On April 10-13, 25,000 film fans will once again descend on Hollywood and take over historic venues like the Roosevelt Hotel, Chinese and Egyptian Theaters, and Hollywood Museum.  This is the Super Bowl for those obsessed with classic cinema--the highlight of every year.  Themes of festivals past have included Style in the Movies (obviously, perfect for me), and programming for 2014 focuses on Family in the Movies: The Ties that Bind.  In some cases, this means films that feature the legacy of Hollywood families with names like Barrymore, Fonda, O'Neal, Garland/Minnelli, and O'Sullivan/Farrow.  In other cases, the theme refers to fictional families onscreen that range from "big and small, happy and imperfect, musical and dramatic." And because 2014 also coincides with the 75th anniversary of films from 1939--the Greatest Year in Film History--TCM will be screening many of the favorites from that historic year as well.  The Wizard of Oz, Gone with the Wind, and Stagecoach are just a few that of course also relate to the overall festival theme.

As always, the programming I plan for myself is centered on style.  I start by looking through the schedule for movies on my list of The Style Essentials, and this year includes Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1953) and The Women (1939).  It's such a thrill and so rewarding to see those iconic costumes in all their glory on the big screen.  Then there's my beloved film noir and this year has some great ones.  Two that I have already lovingly covered on GlamAmor are The Thin Man (1934) and Double Indemnity (1944), and I will also have the opportunity to see Touch of Evil (1958) and The Lady from Shanghai (1947).  Wow.

There are also some of my stylish sentimental favorites being shown, and interestingly they all have a lot of inspiration when it comes to color.  Douglas Sirk's Written on the Wind (1956) is one I have to see for those incredible costumes by designer Bill Thomas.  Another fascinating addition to the schedule this year is the legendary documentary Grey Gardens (1975)--essential for any fashionista to see, especially for those color combinations--with bonus discussions both before and after from the filmmakers.  And George Lucas' classic American Graffiti (1973) is being shown poolside at the Roosevelt Hotel as the sun sets and accompanied by stars from the film.  That's where I'll be heading after covering the red carpet for the Opening Night premiere of Oklahoma! (1955).

All this and more is in store to celebrate 2014, which also represents TCM's 20th anniversary on air.  Festivals past have set the bar very high for me, from being interviewed on air by both Robert Osborne and Ben Mankiewicz to hosting movies at the festival and interviewing Cybill Shepherd.  This year the focus is back to the films themselves and spending time with BFF Karen (Kay) Noske of Movie Star Makeover.  We'll once again be rooming together at the Roosevelt Hotel, which is at the very center of all festival activity.  We'll also be seeing friends (and fellow film fans) Christian Esquevin of Silver Screen Modes, Will McKinley of Cinematically Insane, Lara Fowler of Backlots, Aurora Bugallo of Citizen Screen, Patricia Schneider of Lady Eve's Reel Life, and many many more.  We'll all be reporting from the festival, so you can follow our @TCMFilmFest conversations on Twitter with the hashtag #TCMFF.

Incredibly, my birthday just happens to fall on the last day of the festival, and I can't think of a better way to celebrate than at the closing night party with so many of my friends.  See you soon in Hollywood!

Two of The Style Essentials on this year's schedule--
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1953, above) and The Women (1939)

Movies for film noir fanatics such as myself --Double Indemnity (1944, above)

The Thin Man (1934), and The Lady from Shanghai (1947, below)

Some other favorites for their style--the colorful Written on the Wind (1956, above),
documentary Grey Gardens (1975), and American Graffiti (1973, below)

In case you missed it, or you'd like to get in the mood, check out some of my coverage from the 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival:

• Opening Day at the Roosevelt Hotel and On the Red Carpet
• Marlene Dietrich is a Master of Illusion in 1948's A FOREIGN AFFAIR
• Saturday with Jane Fonda and Cybill Shepherd at the Chinese Theater

Thanks to BFF Kay Noske for sharing this photo of Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell

cementing their legacy in front of the Chinese Theater--see you soon!