The 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival: Day 3

The first full day of the TCM Classic Film Festival saw us all laughing loudly and heartily, and bowing down for more nitrate.

Remember how quiet and simple those last two entries were? Well that’s in the past because from here on out we’re go, go, going! The first full day of the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival had us laughing, long and loud. No surprise considering this year’s theme is “Make ‘Em Laugh: Comedy in the Movies.”

Instead of seeing Rob and Carl Reiner put their hands and footprints in wet cement – with a special appearance by Cary Elwes that I didn’t learn about until later (stupid Kristen!) – I visited Ginger Rogers. Rafter Romance (1933) is a little known pre-Code romance and, boy, is it funny. Ginger plays an independent woman forced to share an attic with, gasp, a man! In the vein of The Shop Around the Corner (1940), the two’s differences end up sparking the flames of love. I’d never heard of Rafter Romance before but loved every second of it. Critic Leonard Maltin introduced the film and gave some great context about the film’s power.

Romance Films

With romance in bloom the next movie I went to was Born Yesterday (1950). The film that nabbed Judy Holliday an Oscar is a favorite in my house, and needed today. Holliday plays a dim-witted woman who finds her intelligence. This was one of several film experiences I had where the movie is applicable today. There’s nothing more dangerous than a woman with a brain, and Judy Holliday proves it. Hearing the audiences’ laughter was amazing, but it’s not surprising because the film is a joy! And can you ever go wrong with William Holden in glasses?

Akin to Rafter Romance was another “new to me” film, 1967’s Barefoot in the Park. This adaptation of Neil Simon’s hit play stars Robert Redford and Jane Fonda as mismatched newlyweds. I can’t stress this enough – SEE THIS FILM! Not only is it sexy as can be, it’s hilarious! As FilmStruck host Alicia Malone explained, it shows a side of married life that’s both humorous and difficult. Fonda and Redford are gorgeous and perfectly suited to each other. And if you think Robert Redford can’t be funny, you need to watch this. If the guest introduction had been better – no offense to Malone, but she’s no Scorsese – this would be my favorite film experience of the festival.

Red-Headed Woman

As a strategic move I raced to the Egyptian Theater to score a seat for Red-Headed Woman (1932). This pre-Code dazzler stars Jean Harlow, making my trip to the Hollywood Museum two days ago great preparation. Harlow is a beauteous schemer and it’s delightful watching her bend men to her will.

I assumed this would score me a seat to the much anticipated presentation of Laura (1944) on nitrate, and after some mass confusion I was back in the theater. Laura is one of my favorite noirs with the spectacular Gene Tierney as the slain girl everyone is obsessed with. The nitrate print looks beautiful, though some noticeable cuts did dampen the overall impact. As much as I wanted to stay up for the midnight screening of Zardoz (1974), calling it a night was the best option.

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