At long last, TCM was able to once again offer the in-person version of the TCM Film Festival (TCMTT) after two years of virtual iterations of the festival (due to COVID). My first in-person experience at TCMFF was in 2019 and I was more than delighted to return to Hollywood to enjoy the festival with fellow classic film fans.
After I arrived and checked in to my hotel, I was thrilled to spend time with Doug and Laura Grieve. We visited the final resting places of several classic film stars at Forest Lawn–Hollywood Hills and Mount Sinai Memorial Park. We also took a nice hike up in the hills and encountered the Bat Cave, the setting of several old Hollywood Westerns, and a great view of the Hollywood sign.
Later, I enjoyed a lovely dinner at Miceli’s with several fellow TCMFF attendees, all looking forward to another round of TCMFF.
On the following day, it was time for me to check in as media at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which functions as the main hub for TCMFF. After receiving my credential and a lovely assortment of TCMFF gifts, I moved on to partake in the Media Mixer.
The Media Mixer was also held at the historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, granting credentialed media time to engage with the hosts and learn more about the upcoming days of TCMFF events. As is tradition, there were several original Golden Age Hollywood costumes on display. All of the TCM hosts (Ben Mankiewicz, Alicia Malone, Eddie Muller, Jacqueline Stewart, and Dave Karger) as well as additional TCM staff and talent (particularly TCM’s Pola Chagnon) were present to engage in the Mixer. Moreover, we were happy to see actress Pam Grier make a surprise appearance in order to promote the next iteration of TCM’s podcast series. The series was dubbed “The Plot Thickens: Here Comes Pam.”
Once the Media Mixer concluded, I walked over to the Hollywood Heritage Museum, where the legendary TCMFF Pre-Fest Party was occurring. There, I reconnected with several more beloved classic film fans–meeting quite a few in-person for the first time after two years of virtual interactions during the COVID pandemic. One of the very special guests in attendance was former child star, Cora Sue Collins, who was celebrating her 95th birthday!
As always, I had to take in the wonderful Hollywood Heritage Museum collection. They never fail to impress me with the rare pieces of film history in their possession.
Afterwards, I headed over to Boardner’s with some friends from the Pre-Fest Party to have a quick drink and toast the upcoming festival.
Hometowns to Hollywood 