As you may know, Josh and I attended the TCM Classic Film Festival this past weekend and I wanted to give a recap of the festival.  We had an amazing time and I highly recommend all of you planning to attend next year.

Today, I’ll go over opening night.

We arrived at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel to pick up our press credentials around 4:30.  After that, we walked around the hotel.  In the Blossom Room (which is the site of the first Academy Awards in 1929), there was a bar/lounge setup called Club TCM.  The vibe was total classic Hollywood from the music to the decor.  There was a projector showing scenes from classic films as well as posters and photographs hanging on all the walls.

Our press passes gave us access to everything except the opening night movie, A Star is Born (1954.) Apparently, that was a red carpet event with many stars in attendance.  Grauman’s Chinese Theater was blocked off and had red carpet and a press area for photographs.  We watched from across the street, feeling very much like outsiders.  But since we didn’t have to pay for our $500 passes, we didn’t complain.

What we did get to see was Frank Capra’s action-adventure, Dirigible (1931.) I have read Mr. Capra’s autobiography, The Name Above the Title, and I remember him writing about the film but had never had the chance to see it.  The film is incredibly impressive for it’s time.  The action scenes were great.  The special effects don’t hold up to today’s films but for 1931, they looked pretty great.

The acting in Dirigible was spotty at times.  I think the transition from silent to talkie films was still going on.  Some of the characters were very believable but one in particular was terrible – it reminded me of the overacting that was parodied in Singing in the Rain.

Overall, I enjoyed the movie very much.  But if you aren’t familiar with Frank Capra’s work, I’d see one of his better known films like Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, It Happened One Night, or It’s a Wonderful Life.  Dirigible fits better with Capra’s Lost Horizon but doesn’t compare.  Lost Horizon is a masterpiece.

Josh and I both agreed that Dirigible would make a great remake.  I had no idea that the Navy had Dirigibles back in the 30′s.

Frank Capra’s grandson, Frank Capra III introduced the film and then had a Q & A afterwards.  I have included the audio here:

Dirigible Intro with Frank Capra III

Dirigible Q&A with Frank Capra III

After that, we headed back over to the Hollywood Roosevelt to catch a few minutes of a poolside screening of Neptune’s Daughter starring Esther Williams.  We only stayed for a few minutes soaking up the vibe.  But we did get to see a famous scene from the movie – where they sing the song, “Baby, it’s cold outside.”  It definitely makes me want to rent the movie.

After that, we got some free food in Club TCM and headed home to get a good night sleep for a full day of movies on Friday.  I’ll discuss that tomorrow.

If you don’t follow us on Twitter, here is a recap of our tweets from Thursday night.  Be sure to click the links for pictures and video of all that I discussed above.

Jeremiah:

• At TCM Film Fest. Chinese Theater. http://twitpic.com/1hmimp #tcmff 5:00 PM Apr 22nd
• I’m standing in the historic Blossom Room at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. The site of the original Academy Awards in 1929. #tcmff Wow 5:56 PM Apr 22nd
• Sadly did not get in to A Star is Born at the Chinese. Only show we don’t have access to. Now about to see Dirigible by Frank Capra. #tcmff 6:10 PM Apr 22nd
• Dirigible was really good. Capra doing a special effects action picture. Fun. We met his grandson. #tcmff http://twitpic.com/1ho28c 8:47 PM Apr 22nd
• Poolside at the Roosevelt watching Neptune’s Daughter – an Esther Williams picture. Marilyn Monroe did an early photo shoot here. #tcmff 9:03 PM Apr 22nd

Josh:

• Robert Osborne at Club TCM. It’s like old Hollywood in here. #tcmff 5:00 PM Apr 22nd
• Club TCM in the Blossom Room at The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Site of the first Oscar ceremonies. #tcmff http://twitvid.com/6MTVD 5:58 PM Apr 22nd
• In line to see early Frank Capra film Dirigible. His son and grandson will be in attendance. 6:10 PM Apr 22nd
• Poolside screening of an Esther Williams film at the Roosevelt. #tcmff http://twitpic.com/1ho5ev 9:00 PM Apr 22nd