I think I can speak for everyone when I say that 2020 has not been a good year. As if the COVID-19 pandemic and murder hornets were not enough, the year thus far has seen the deaths of several celebrities. In fact, the past few weeks there have been so many actors and music artists die that it has become very difficult for me to eulogise them one by one on this blog. In fact, were I to do so it seems possible that the entire month of May on this blog would be devoted to nothing, but eulogies. I have then decided,as I have done so before, to simply offer several short eulogies for those who have died rather than the longer, in depth eulogies I usually do. It pains me to to this, as every single one of these individuals is deserving of their own, in depth eulogy.
Shirley Knight (July 5 1936-April 22 2020): Actress Shirley Knight died on April 22 at the age of 83. She was born on July 5 1936 in Goessel, Kansas. She studied at the Pasadena Theatre School. Her film career began with a minor role in Picnic in 1955. She was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for both The Dark at the Top of the Stairs (1960) and Sweet Bird of Youth (1962). She also appeared in such films as The Group (1966), Petulia (1968), Endless Love (1981), and Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002).
Miss Knight also had an extensive career in television. She was a regular on the TV shows Buckskin, Maggie Winters, and Desperate Housewives. She guest starred on such shows as Rawhide, 77 Sunset Strip, Maverick, Naked City, The Virginian, The Fugitive, Tales of the Unexpected, The Equalizer, Thirtysomething, Matlock, L.A. Law, ER, and Hot in Cleveland. She also appeared in Broadway in The Three Sisters, We Have Always Lived in the Castle, The Watering Place, Kennedy's Children, and The Young Man in Atlanta.
India Adams (March 5 1927-April 25 2020): India Adams, who dubbed the singing voices of both Cyd Charisse and Joan Crawford, died on April 25 2020 at the age of 93. She was born on March 5 1927 in Los Angeles. Miss Adams dubbed the singing voice of Cyd Charisse in The Band Wagon (1953) and Joan Crawford in Torch Song (1953) and Johnny Guitar (1956). She performed extensively in nightclubs in New York City and the Catskills. She also performed at the Latin Quarter and Radio City Music Hall in New York City. She also performed at various clubs and theatres in London, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and elsewhere.
Irrfan Khan (January 7 1967-April 29 2020): Bollywood star Irrfan Khan died on April 29 2020 at the age of 53. The cause was a colon infection after having been diagnosed with a neuroendocrine tumour in 2018. Irrfan Khan was born on January 7 1967 in Tonk, Rajasthan, India. He made his film debut in Salaam Bombay! in 1988. He appeared in the British film The Warrior (2001) and then had his breakthrough with the films Haasil (2003) and Maqbool (2004). Mr. Khan appeared in such films as The Namesake (2006), Slumdog Millionaire (2008), Life of Pi (2012), The Lunchbox (2013), Piku (2015), and Talvar (2015)
Sam Lloyd (November 12 1963-April 30 2020): Sam Lloyd, who played lawyer Ted Buckland on the cult sitcom Scrubs, died on April 30 2020 at the age of 56. The cause was a brain tumour. Sam Lloyd was born Sam Lloyd, Jr. on November 12 1963 in Weston, Vermont. His father, Sam Lloyd, Sr. was also an actor and the brother of actor Christopher Lloyd of Taxi and Back to the Future fame. Sam Lloyd made his television debut in a guest appearance in an episode of Night Court in 1988. In addition to playing Ted on Scrubs, he also had regular roles on the TV shows City, Double Rush, Desperate Housewives, Cougar Town (reprising his role as Ted), and The PET Squad Files. He guest starred on such shows as Matlock, Seinfeld, Mad About You, 3rd Rock from the Sun, NYPD Blue, The West Wing, Bones, and Modern Family.
Mr. Lloyd also appeared in such movies as Galaxy Quest (1999) and The Brothers Solomon (2007).
Florian Schneider (April 7 1947-May 6 2020): Florian Schneider, co-founder of electro-pop band Kraftwerk, died today at the age of 73. The cause was cancer. He was born on April 7 1947 in what would become the state of Baden-Württemberg, but was then the French occupation zone. It was in 1970 that he co-founded Kraftwerk with Ralf Hütter. Kraftwerk would see international success with their fourth album Autobahn. Kraftwerk would see continued success through the next several decades. Florian Schneider, who played both flute and synthesizer, left the band in 2008.
Wednesday, May 6, 2020
Saturday, May 2, 2020
Six Essential Films Never Shown on TCM's The Essentials
While there have been some movies that have been shown multiple times on The Essentials, there are other movies that I believe many, if most, classic film buffs would consider essential that have never aired on the show. What is more, some of these movies are owned by Warner Bros, so that they could be aired on Turner Classic Movies free of charge. Here are six movies that I consider essential that have never aired on The Essentials.
Island of Lost Souls (1932): Island of Lost Souls is important as a pre-code horror movie that was met with censorship across the United States and elsewhere. Along with Scarface (1932), Red Headed Woman (1932), and Baby Face (1933), it was one of those movies that led to stricter enforcement of the Code. The film also features some of the best performances by Charles Laughton and Bela Lugosi. Produced by Paramount, Island of Lost Souls is currently owned by Universal, so TCM would have to make a deal to show it, but it would be worth it.
The Wizard of Oz (1939): As shocking as it might seem, The Wizard of Oz has never aired on The Essentials, even though I doubt there are very many, if any, classic film buffs who would say that it is not an essential. Of course, TCM shows The Wizard of Oz regularly and, well before TCM even existed, it was shown yearly on the broadcast networks. There are some who believe that it is the most viewed movie of all time. Regardless, as one of the most essential classic movies, it really should air on The Essentials at least once.
The Black Swan (1942): As far as I am concerned, The Black Swan is the greatest pirate movie of all time. It features some of the best scenes of ship to ship battles, as well as some great sword fights. As such I think it is the best of the swashbucklers of the Forties, making it essential viewing for fans of the genre and, to a lesser degree, classic film buffs at large.
The Naked City (1948): Several film noirs have aired on The Essentials over the years, but never The Naked City. That is a shame as it is one of the most influential noirs ever made. First, it is one of the earliest police procedurals ever made. Its influence can be seen on everything from the radio show and TV show Dragnet to CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. Second, it was a shot in a documentary style that would influence both the French New Wave and the British kitchen sink dramas. While other police procedurals were released in the late Forties, arguably it was the one that had the most influence. It even inspired the critically acclaimed TV show Naked City.
Shane (1953): There can be no doubt that Shane is influential. It has been imitated numerous times. What is more, it was one of the earliest "adult Westerns." Its influence can then be seen not only on movies, but TV shows as well. Despite this, the film has never aired on The Essentials. I have suspect it may be because it was produced by Paramount, who I believe still owns the rights.
Forbidden Planet (1956): Aside from The Wizard of Oz, this is the movie that I am most shocked has not aired on The Essentials. It was produced by MGM. Since Warner Bros. owns the pre-1986 MGM library, TCM can then show it without being out a lot of money. Indeed, it is already shown regularly on Turner Classic Movies. Despite this, it has never aired on The Essentials. I find this surprising as it is one of the most influential sci-fi films of all time. It was one of the earliest sci-fi movies made for adults ever made, and it also broke new ground for special effects. What is more, it has had a lasting influence on everything from the TV series Star Trek to the movie Alien (1979). Indeed, I think one could argue that Forbidden Planet is more influential than either 2001: A Space Odyssey or Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
The Late Great Gene Deitch
Gene Deitch was born on August 8 1924 in Chicago, Illinois. He had an artistic bent even as a child. He would make his own newspapers using carbon paper, hectograph gelatin and mimeograph stencils, and also created his own comic strips. Gene Deitch grew up in Los Angeles. He attended Venice High School, after which he was drafted into the United States Army. He was trained as a pilot, but caught pneumonia and was subsequently given an honourable discharge. After his service he worked in the sales promotion department of CBS. While there, he sent some drawings to the jazz music magazine The Record Changer. The Record Changer published the drawings and would publish more. Gene Deitch's artwork in The Record Changer came to the attention of animation studio UPA, who hired him as an apprentice animator.
Following his apprenticeship at UPA, Gene Deitch went to work for the the Jam Handy Organization, making industrial films. He then returned to UPA as a production designer. He eventually became the creative director at UPA. At UPA he worked on some of the early Mr. Magoo cartoons, as well as a series of animated commercials for Piels Beer featuring comedy team Bob and Ray. He directed an experimental UPA short, "Howdy Doody and His Magic Hat."
It was in 1957, following Paul Terry's sale of the studio to CBS in 1956, that Gene Deitch was hired as the creative director of Terrytoons. Mr. Deitch's biggest achievement at Terrytoons would be the creation of Tom Terrific, a series of cartoons featuring the character of that name. Tom Terrific was a young boy who owned a funnel-shaped "thinking cap." He was always accompanied by his dog, Manfred the Wonder Dog, who despite being called "the Wonder Dog" tended to be a bit lazy. Tom and Manfred usually faced their archenemy Crabby Appleton, as well as such opponents as Captain Kidney Bean, Isotope Feeny the Meany, and Mr. Instant the Instant Thing King. The Tom Terrific cartoons aired on Captain Kangaroo starting in 1962 and would be seen again in the Seventies on the show. While at Terrytoons, Gene Deitch also created such characters as Clint Clobber, Gaston Le Crayon, John Doormat, and Sidney the Elephant.
In 1955, overlapping with his tenure at Terrytoons, Gene Deitch wrote and illustrated the newspaper comic strip The Real-Great Adventures of Terr'ble Thompson!, Hero of History, which centred on an intelligent boy in fantastic adventures, not unlike Tom Terrific. The strip lasted until 1956.
While the characters Gene Deitch created for Terrytoons were starkly original and imaginative, except for Tom Terrific, he clashed with many of the old guard at the studio. Terrytoons then fired Mr. Deitch in 1959. He then set up his own studio. It was from 1960 to 1963 that he produced a series of "Popeye" animated television shorts for King Features Syndicate. He directed the Academy Award winning short "Munro" (1961). From 1961 to 1962 he produced a series of new "Tom and Jerry" shorts for MGM. From 1962 to 1964 he produced a series of "Krazy Kat" cartoons for King Features Syndicate. Between 1965 and 1967 he produced a series of shorts featuring a character named Nudnik. Nudnik was a lovable loser, who could do absolutely nothing right. The first short, "Here's Nudnik" (1965), was nominated for the Oscar for Best Animated Short Film.
In the Sixties Gene Deitch also directed the animated featurette Alice of Wonderland in Paris (1966) and the animated television pilot Terr'ble Tessie. Like Tom Terrific before it, it was inspired by Gene Deitch's earlier comic strip, Terr'ble Thompson.
In 1969 Gene Deitch began working with Weston Woods Studios, as their leading animation director. For Weston Woods Studios, he adapted such works as Rosie's Walk, Where the Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, and many others. He continued working with Weston Woods Studios until his retirement in 2008. Following his retirement, Gene Deitch would occasionally contribute to the animation history blog Cartoon Research.
Gene Deitch was one of the last important animators to work during the Golden Age of Animation. His work was also starkly modern. He took Terrytoons, an animation studio not known for the quality of its product for much of its history, and made it one of the most innovative animation studios of the late Fifties. After his stint at Terrytoons, he directed the Oscar winning short "Munro," which also featured a distinctly modernist work. Having emerged from UPA, much of Mr. Deitch's early work was highly stylized and very modern, but he was capable of other types of animation. His work at Weston Woods varied according to the children's book that he was adapting. The animation for Where the Wild Things are resembled the illustrations in that book, while the animation in Moon Man resembled the illustrations in that book. Gene Deitch was an innovator in animation and one possessed of considerable talent.
Monday, April 27, 2020
Brad Bird Joins The Essentials on TCM
Here I have to say that I am a big fan of Brad Bird. The Iron Giant is possibly my favourite animated film of all time, while The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Incredibles 2 number among my favourites. What is more, it is fairly clear that Brad Bird is a classic movie buff. His films are filled with references to the classics, from a scene involving a tank in The Iron Giant that was clearly inspired by a scene in The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) to a visual tribute in The Incredibles to the shot of the Consolidated Life of New York office in The Apartment to Brief Encounter (1945) playing on a television set in Ratatouille. Indeed, I have always thought that The Iron Giant, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, and The Incredibles 2 feel more like movies made in the late Fifties to early Sixties than they do the Nineties, Naughts, and Teens.
As to Brad Bird's selections for The Essentials, I think the vast majority of TCM fans will be very happy with them. There are such classics as Singin' in the Rain (1952), The General (1926), Gunga Din (1939), A Hard Day's Night (1964), The Music Man (1962), Dr. Strangelove (1964), North by Northwest (1959), Out of the Past (1947), and many more. In fact, I love every single movie that is being shown on The Essentials with the exception of one (The Searchers, as someone of Cherokee blood I simply cannot stomach the movie).
Of course, the fact that I love every single movie being shown on this coming season of The Essentials presents bit of a problem for me. Since I love all of these movies but one, then it is obvious that I have seen every one of these movies. What is more, I think any classic film buff worth their salt would have seen the vast majority of these movies. For me it's not enough for The Essentials to show old favourites. The Essentials should also introduce me to films I have never seen before. One of the reasons I enjoyed Ava Duvernay's stint as host of The Essentials is that she showed movies I had heard of, but had not yet had the chance to see, movies like Claudine (1974), Harlan County, U.S.A. (1976), and Daughters of the Dust (1992). Not only have I seen every single movie airing on The Essentials, but in most cases I have seen them so many times I lost count long ago (Singin' in the Rain, Casablanca, A Hard Day's Night, The Music Man, Dr. Strangelove, The Maltese Falcon, North by Northwest...).
Anyway, while I do wish that Brad Bird had chosen some more obscure classics for The Essentials, I am sure the vast majority of TCM fans will enjoy this coming season. While most classic film buffs have probably seen these films multiple times, there is no arguing that they aren't essential.
Thursday, April 23, 2020
Tom Lester Passes On
Tom Lester was born on September 23 1938 in Laurel, Mississippi. He attended Laurel High School and then the University of Mississippi, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry. He attended graduate school at the University of Southern Mississippi before leaving the university to pursue acting.
He made his acting debut in 1961 in the very first production of the Laurel Little Theatre, Born Yesterday. He moved to California where he befriended actress Lurene Tuttle, who appeared in many radio shows and TV shows. She was able to get him cast in a variety of plays. He made multiple appearances at the North Hollywood Playhouse. Among the plays in which he appeared was one in which producer Paul Henning's daughter Linda Kaye Henning, who would play Betty Jo Bradley on Mr. Henning's show Petticoat Junction. Because of this he became friends with Paul Henning. When Paul Henning was casting a new show set in the universe shared by The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junciton, he cast Tom Lester as farmhand Eb Dawson, largely because he knew how to milk a cow.
Green Acres proved to be a hit and Tom Lester appeared in very nearly every episode of the show. He also guest starred as Eb on several episodes of Green Acres and episodes of The Beverly Hillbillies. In the Seventies, after Green Acres left the air, Mr. Lester guest starred on episodes of Love, American Style and Marcus Welby, M.D. He appeared in the TV movie Charo and the Sergeant. He made his feature film debut in 1974 in Benji.
In the Eighties Tom Lester guest starred on episodes of Little House on the Prairie, Knight Rider, and Santa Barbara. He reprised his role as Eb Dawson in the television reunion movie Return to Green Acres. He appeared in the movie Intruder (1989). Since then he has appeared in the movies The Pistol: The Birth of a Legend (1991), Gordy (1994), and Campin' Buddies (2014). He was the voice of a radio announcer in the film Christmas Child (2004).
Both while he was on Green Acres and for years afterwards, Mr. Lester travelled the country as a Christian preacher. He also returned to farming and attended autograph shows and conventions, often in the role of Ed Dawson.
Tom Lester's acting career was not extensive, but he was also a delight to see on screen. On Green Acres he created one of the most memorable sitcom roles of the Sixties, that of childlike, but smart-alecky farm hand. He interactions with Oliver Wendell Douglas (played by Eddie Albert), who he insisted on calling "Dad," were often the funniest bits in any given episode. While Tom Lester would always be typecast as Eb Dawson, he could play other roles. He played the main villain's henchman Riley Bonner in the movie Benji. In the Love, American Style segment he played a deputy sheriff who must deal with a young couple who bet on literally everything. Tom Lester had considerable talent and a gift for comedy. If he is remembered so well as Eb Dawson, it is perhaps because he performed the character so well.
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
The Late Great Brian Dennehy
Brian Dennehy was born on July 9 1938 in Bridgeport, Connecticut. His father, Edward Dennehy, was a a wire service editor at Associated Press. The family moved to Long Island, New York, where Brian Dennehy attended Chaminade High School. He began acting while still in high school, appearing in a school production of Macbeth. He attended Columbia University for a time on a football scholarship before serving five years in the U.S. Marine Corps. Following his service he resumed his education at Columbia University and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1965.
Mr. Dennehy began acting in regional theatre, taking a succession of jobs to make a living. He worked as a butcher, a truck driver, and a stockbroker at Merrill Lynch, a job he did not particularly like. He made his film debut in Looking for Mr. Goodbar in 1977 and his television debut in an episode of Kojak the same year. In the late Seventies he appeared in the movies Semi-Tough (1977), F.I.S.T. (1978), Foul Play (1978), Butch and Sundance: The Early Days (1979), 10 (1979) and Little Miss Marker (1980). He guest starred on episodes of Serpico; Lanigan's Rabbi; M*A*S*H; Lucan, The Fitzpatricks; Lou Grant, The Tony Randall Show; Dallas; Big Shamus, Little Shamus; and Knot's Landing. He appeared in the mini-series Pearl and A Rumour of War.
In the Eighties Mr. Dennehy appeared in the movies Split Image (1982), First Blood (1982), Never Cry Wolf (1983), Gorky Park (1983), Finders Keepers (1984), The River Rat (1984), Cocoon (1985), Silverado (2985), Twice in a Lifetime (1985), F/X (1986), The Check Is in the Mail... (1986), Legal Eagles (1986), The Belly of an Architect (1987), Best Seller (1987), The Man from Snowy River II (1988), Miles from Home (1988), Indio (1989), Georg Elser - Einer aus Deutschland (1989), The Last of the Finest (1990), and Presumed Innocent (1990). On television he had a recurring role on Dynasty in the show's first and second seasons and the lead role on the sitcom Star of the Family. He guest starred on the shows BBC2 Playhouse, Cagney & Lacey, Hunter, Tall Tales & Legends, Faerie Tale Theatre, and Miami Vice. He appeared in the mini-series Evergreen.
In the Nineties Brian Dennehy appeared on Broadway in the productions Translations and Death of a Salesman. He won the Tony Award for Best Actor for the latter. He appeared in the movies F/X2 (1991), Gladiator (1992), Tommy Boy (1995), The Stars Fell on Henrietta (1995), Romeo + Juliet (1996), Out of the Cold (1999), and Silicon Towers (1999). On television he had a lead role on the TV series Birdland. He appeared in the mini-series To Catch a Killer, A Season in Purgatory, Dead Man's Walk, and Nostromo.
In the Naughts Brian Dennehy had the lead role in the television series The Fighting Fitzgeralds and a recurring role on the sitcom Just Shoot Me. He guest starred on the shows The Agency, The West Wing, The 4400, 30 Rock, Rules of Engagement, and Rizzoli & Isles. He appeared in the movies Summer Catch (2001), Stolen Summer (2002), She Hate Me (2004), Assault on Precinct 13 (2005), 10th & Wolf (2006), The Ultimate Gift (2006), Welcome to Paradise (2007), War Eagle, Arkansas (2007), Cat City (2008), Righteous Kill (2008), Every Day (2010), Meet Monica Velour (2010), The Next Three Days (2010), and Alleged (2010). He was the voice of Django in Ratatouille (2007). He appeared on Broadway in Long Day's Journey into Night, Inherit the Wind, and Desire Under the Elms.
In the Teens he had regular roles on the TV shows Public Morals and recurring roles on Hap and Leonard and The Blacklist. He guest starred on the TV shows The Good Wife and The Big C. He appeared in the movies The Big Year (2011), Twelfth Night (2012), Knights of Cups (2015), The Seagull (2018), The Song of Sway Lake (2018), and Driveways (2019). He appeared on Broadway in Love Letters.
Brian Dennehy was truly a modern day character actor. Throughout his career he portrayed a wide variety of characters including heroes, villains, and everything in between. He was a villain in First Blood, playing the corrupt Sheriff Will Teasle. In Silverado he played Cobb, another corrupt sheriff. In F/X Mr. Dennehy played a more heroic role, that of police detective Lt. McCarthy, who finds more than he bargained for when he investigates a murder. Through the years Brian Dennehy played such a wide range of roles that it is difficult to say he was identified with any particular role. In Belly of an Architect he played Stourley Kracklite, whose life and health both begin to deteriorate. In the Miami Vice episode "Amen...Send Money" he played a televangelist. He played diverse historical figures, including John Wayne Gacy, Clarence Darrow, and the voice of Babe Ruth in the animated feature Everybody's Hero (2006). Brian Dennehy was an extremely talented actor capable of playing a wide array of roles and always gave a good performance.
Monday, April 20, 2020
TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition in Review
Of course, the TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition did not simply consist of movies. TCM also aired interviews and tributes from past festivals, such as the tribute to Eva Marie Saint at the 2014 film festival and the tribute to Peter O'Toole form the 2012 film festival. TCM also provided fans with a good deal of material for social media. This included a video kick off from all five TCM hosts, video memories of the hosts about their various experiences at past festivals, and a number of tributes and interviews from past festivals.
The online material related to the TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition did not end with the many videos TCM posted to the various social media platforms. On Twitter there were several live tweets, some organized by TCM themselves and some by TCMParty, the group of fans (of whom I am one) who live tweet to movies on TCM using the hashtag #TCMParty. On Friday I hosted the TCMParty for A Hard Day's Night (1964), tweeting my usual trivia that I do when the movie airs on TCM. I figure that will be as close as I will ever come to introducing a movie at the TCM Classic Film Festival! That night TCM host Alicia Malone live tweeted Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954). Among the other live tweets included Eddie Muller for They Live By Night (1949) on Saturday (this was very special, as Eddie said he would never live tweet), and on Sunday Maureen Lee Lenker for Singin' in the Rain (1954) and Floyd Norman himself for Floyd Norman: An Animated Life (2016). The live tweets were very enjoyable, particularly as I got to interact with many old friends that I hadn't seen at TCMParties of late.
Both Turner Classic Films and TCM fans attempted to bring as much of the feel of TCMFF to the weekend as they could. Turner Classic Films actually created tickets for TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition. Many fans posted photos of the various fashions they would have worn to the festival this year. On Twitter many of us fans joked about various films being at Grauman's Chinese or the Egyptian or poolside at the Roosevelt and stopping by Musso and Frank Grill or Mel's Drive-In for food. Some past TCMFF attendees organized Zoom sessions so that they could chat as they would at the actual festival.
Creature of habit that I am, one of the things I liked about the TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition is that it did not disrupt TCM programming as much as one might think. Turner Classic Movies aired cult classic Grey Gardens (1975) Friday night at 1:30 AM Eastern/12:30 AM Central, roughly the same time that TCM Underground airs. On Saturday night TCM aired Night and the City (1950) at 11:45 PM Eastern/10:45 Central, roughly the same time that Noir Alley airs each week.
As to the line-up of films, I think it is one of the best line-ups Turner Classic Films has ever programmed. Among my favourites that aired over the weekend were The Seventh Seal (1957), Sounder (1972), A Hard Day's Night (1964), North by Northwest (1959), Some Like It Hot (1959), Creature from the Black Lagoon (1954), Mad Love (1935), Safety Last! (1923), They Live By Night (1949), Network (1976), Casablanca (1942), Night and the City (1950), The Lady Vanishes (1938), Auntie Mame (1958), Singin' in the Rain (1952), and Baby Face (1933).
From where I stand, the TCM Classic Film Festival was a resounding success. In fact, it was so successful that it is interesting to consider what it might mean for the future of the festival. Given Governor of California Gavin Newsom has said that social distancing measures could remain in place until early to mid-2021, it is possible that next year's TCM Classic Film Festival could also be one that unfolds virtually. Beyond that, it seems possible to me that even once the TCM Classic Film Festival returns to Hollywood, that we might still have the TCM Classic Film Festival Special Edition in some form. While TCM might be unable to air many of the films shown at the festival, they could still air many of the films to which Warner owns the rights (which a good many) simultaneously as they are shown at the festival. Of course, this means those who do not attend could see many of the introductions and interviews that we once had to wait to see on TCM Backlot or the TCM YouTube channel. I have to also wonder that we might not see TCM much more active on social media outlets during the festival, much as they were during this year's TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition.
Regardless, the TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition is the most fun I have had in a long time. It came at a time when I was feeling very down (not because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but due to other matters in my life) and it helped lift my spirits in a way I wouldn't have expected. I am sure that the TCM Classic Film Festival Special Home Edition did the same for many others. Turner Classic Movies has long been a way that its fans have had of getting through rough patches in their lives, and this time was no different. What is more, TCM has always had a very special connection to its fans, to the point that many fans often regard their hosts and others at TCM as friends. Once again, TCM came through in what is a very dark time for many of us.
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