Before seeing the next film, I went over to Club TCM and caught the last half of a panel, “Fantastic Footage and Where To Find It: Surprise and Delights from the World’s Film Archives.” Some of the rarities included Strange Birds (1930), a Mack Sennett short filmed on Catalina Island, and Paul Reubens’ home movies from the 1980s. Animal Crackers (1930) concluded the evening with its anarchic energy. The weird and surreal humor of the Marx Brothers still performs well today! Groucho’s one-liners, puns, and double entendres brought tons of laughter from the audience.
Michelle Pfeiffer strikes a triumphant pose after immortalizing her hand and foot prints at the TCL Chinese Theatre during the 2025 TCM Classic Film Festival. Photo by Katalina Garber.
“Hollywood, get the memo; we still need dashing heroes for the young male demographic!”
Sunday finished strong with two films. Apocalypse Now (1979) was presented in a 70mm print from the George Eastman Museum, courtesy of Martin Scorsese’s personal collection. The print resembled a giant painting when projected at the Egyptian Theatre. As an audience member, it was a visceral experience as gunshots, helicopters, and its unconventional soundtrack created a trippy sensation. Marlon Brando’s brief scenes as Colonel Kurtz were hypnotic. Now that’s a face one will never forget! The world premiere restoration of Beau Geste (1926) ended the night. The Monto Alto Motion Picture Orchestra accompanied the film, and it was a treat to hear them in person. Director Herbert Brenon brought amazing performances from his cast. William Powell appeared in a supporting role as the roguish Boldini. When he showed up, the crowd cheered loudly for the debonair star. It was a thrilling adventure flick, and on-location work in Yuma, Arizona (standing in for the Arabian desert) was excellently photographed by J. Roy Hunt. Yes, the desert was the real star of the feature.
These classic films still have magic all these years later! TCM understands what audiences want. They yearn for lighthearted romance, westerns with raw humanity, swashbuckling heroes, musicals with genuine craftsmanship, and directors who take risks. If anything, this film festival is a wake-up call for the film industry (both on the mainstream and indie level). It highlights the need for a balance between the versatility of Hollywood’s Golden Age and the rebel spirit of New Hollywood. All my screenings were packed. People will show up for high-quality entertainment. Seeing new fans at this festival, both young and old, definitely shows the staying power of these films. Cheers to classic cinema!
