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| Vanessa Marquez as Ana Delgado in Stand and Deliver |
Turner Classic Movies has announced more films that will be shown at the 2023 TCM Classic Film Festival. Among them is Stand and Deliver (1988). The film, starring Edward James Olmos in the true story of math teacher Jaime Escalante, is being shown as part of the WB100 celebration at the festival. While Stand and Deliver (1988) was produced by American Playhouse, it was distributed by Warner Bros.
Of course, regular readers of this blog know that Stand and Deliver (1988) has significance for me going beyond the fact that it has been one of my favourite movies ever since I first saw it in 1989. Quite simply, it marked the film debut of Vanessa Marquez, my dearest friend. Vanessa was cast after she answered an open casting call in the trade paper Dramalog, writing the casting directors and including her high school photo. She had to make a three hour bus trip from the fast food restaurant at which she worked to her audition for Stand and Deliver (1988), and then a three hour bus trip back. She was 19 at the time Stand and Deliver (1988) was filmed, and still very shy. Vanessa herself has said that she did not speak to anyone for the first two weeks of shooting.
I am sure Vanessa would be happy that Stand and Deliver (1988) is being shown at the TCM Classic Film Festival. On the occasion of its 25th anniversary she campaigned to have it shown on Turner Classic Movies, and she wanted it shown at the film festival as well. I am sure she would be even happier to know that one of her favourite movies by one of her favourite directors, American Graffiti (1973), is also being shown at the festival.
In addition to Stand and Deliver (1988) and American Graffiti (1973), TCM will also be showing such films as Casablanca (1942), Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Enter the Dragon (1973), Footlight Parade (1933), House of Wax (1953), Ikiru (1952), The Red Shoes (1948), Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954), and Shadow of a Doubt (1943), among other films.
I still have to see Vanessa in an acting role, would this be a good film to start with.?
ReplyDeleteGill, Stand and Deliver would be the perfect film to start with. Aside from being Vanessa's movie debut, her role is substantial. She appears in the whole film.
ReplyDeleteAmazing film and a great one for Vanessa to start with! I wish we could all have had math teachers like Mr. Escalante.
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