TCM Classic Film Festival 2019: Day 3

If you’re reading these thinking “Did Kristen bother to see anything new?” The answer is yes! Day three was all about new discoveries, and about throwing the schedule I had initially written out the window. If you’ll recall, my main goal was to see Wuthering Heights (1939) this year, but after hearing about the walk to The Legion Theater I knew it would be a no-go. Thankfully, I still had plenty to fill out my day with!

The morning started with an early film. I certainly had options, all of which I’d never seen before, but I ended up going with 1951’s When Worlds Collide. I was fortunate to see Forbidden Planet (1956) poolside about two years ago and loved it, so I always bet on the sci-fi films. This one was no exception. Dennis Miller ran the Q&A, interviewing Worlds‘ leading lady, Barbara Rush. Miller opened the discussion by stating that Rush exuded Old Hollywood class, making you feel as if you’re the only person in the room and that showed in the discussion. Miller’s infatuation with the actress was seen and so wonderful to witness. I was fortunate to talk to Barbara Rush, both on the red carpet and after the screening, and she is one of the loveliest people in the world. The movie itself is….definitely ’50s sci-fi.

I was going back and forth with my next film even as I was standing in line for it! Seeing how many people were going to Kind Hearts and Coronets (1949) killed me, especially because Jefferson Mays was going to host it. (For anyone who went, how was he? I haven’t seen any footage.) Instead I went to see 1934’s Tarzan and His Mate. I’d yet to see one of the classic Tarzans and considering how much praise I heard for this, I couldn’t pass it up. This was one of the more popular screenings, packed to the gills; I did get to sit in the Multiplex balcony though, which was nice. Ben Burtt and Craig Barron ran a 20-minute discussion about the sound and creation of the film which was utterly captivating. The extended talk about how Tarzan’s yell was achieved was fantastic. (Let’s just say it wasn’t ALL Weismuller.) The film is certainly one of the pre-Codiest of pre-Codes, filled with nudity and violence. It’s laughable to say I was shocked, but for 1934 I can only imagine the look of horror on audiences’ faces.

After a much needed break I dropped in on the TCM Wine Club’s wine tasting. I don’t drink wine nor am I a wine club member but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to hang out on the roof of the Roosevelt Hotel! I can’t stress this enough, if you get an opportunity to go up there please do it! The views are breathtaking with exquisite panoramas of the city below. I will say, TCM’s wine is pretty good but it just couldn’t compare to that view!

By that point it was time to sit down poolside for The Bad Seed (1956), another event I hadn’t planned on going to. I’ve watched The Bad Seed several times; it’s one of the movies my mom and I love to watch. I hadn’t seen it poolside though and if you can see it with a group it makes it all the better. Eddie Muller and Rhoda herself, Bad Seed star Patty McCormack, were in attendance, and they have a great discussion about her being a child star, working with Nancy Kelly, and more. My travel buddy who hadn’t ever seen the film is still processing what she thinks about it, but I know that I love this movie a ton.

Thus closes day three. Why does TCMFF go so quickly?