TCM Film Festival Wraps With Focus on WB at 100 and Screen Sirens of the ’60s
variety.comChris Willman Senior Music Writer and Chief Music Critic If the 14th annual TCM Classic Film Festival had an official focus, it was on the 100th anniversary of Warner Bros., from the opening night premiere selection of a restoration of “Rio Bravo” to a celebration of the 50th anniversary of “The Exorcist.” Almost equal in emphasis, though, by virtue of the guests brought in, was a celebration of the ingenues-turned-leading-ladies of the 1960s, who now represent the elder guard of a Hollywood golden age — Angie Dickinson, Ann-Margret and Shirley Jones.
Dickinson had the highest profile of any star at the festival, being the belle of the ball at the Thursday screening of “Rio Bravo” in the big house at the TCL Chinese Theatres, where most of the screenings were held.
But there was just as much outpouring of affection for Ann-Margret, who turned up for a Q&A (and birthday cake) following “Bye Bye Birdie” on Saturday, and Jones, who was joined by her son Shaun Cassidy and a slew of grandchildren after a showing of 1962’s “The Music Man” as the festival neared its end Sunday.
Other guests that charmed passholders included several team-ups who sat for joint Q&As — Tom Berenger and JoBeth Williams for the closing night attraction, a 40th anniversary showing of “The Big Chill”; Richard Dreyfuss and Candy Clark, appearing together prior to a 50th anniversary presentation of “American Graffiti”; George Clooney and filmmaker Steven Soderbergh, sharing memories about 2001’s “Ocean’s Eleven”; Lou Diamond Phillips and Edward James Olmos, reunited for a 35th anniversary look at “Stand and Deliver”; Amy Irving and Peter Riegert summoning up the chemistry of “Crossing Delancey,” 35 years later; and, representing “The Exorcist,”
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