Tag Archives: film festivals

Clarence Brown Film Festival in Knoxville, Tenn.: Aug. 16-20

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A film festival celebrating the career of director Clarence Brown begins this evening, Wednesday, Aug. 16, and runs through Sunday, Aug. 20, in Knoxville, Tenn.

clarence brown

Director Clarence Brown

Hosted by the Knox County Public Library, the Clarence Brown Film Festival will feature film screenings and presentations from speakers including Brown’s biographer Gwenda Young, film critic and historian Farran Nehme, actor Claude Jarman, Jr., and more. Information on the festival, including a full list of screenings and speakers, can be found here.

With a career spanning from 1920 to 1952, Brown is sometimes not as recognized as his contemporaries.

“In an interview with (historian) Kevin Brownlow, (director) Jean Renoir observed ‘I think more of Brown than Brown thinks of himself,’” Young said in an email with Comet Over Hollywood. “Renoir’s comment reveals, I think, just how highly regarded Brown was by his peers but also alludes to Brown’s reticence in seeking out acclaim. There’s no doubt Brown was viewed as an important and innovative filmmaker during his long career, but it’s also true to say that he has been overlooked in many film histories…”

Brown worked with some of Hollywood’s top stars, such as Rudolph Valentino, Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Clark Gable, and Mickey Rooney. Free film screenings during the Clarence Brown Film Festival include Anna Karenina (1935), National Velvet (1944), The Yearling (1946), The Eagle (1925), Intruder in the Dust (1949), and a rare screening of The Signal Tower (1924).

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Comet Over Hollywood: Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival 2019

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At 2018 Turner Classic Movies Film Festival

I will be back this week in Hollywood for my sixth Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival (TCMFF). The festival runs from Thursday, April 11, through Sunday, April 14.

Here’s how you can follow my adventures and updates:
· Twitter: @HollywoodComet
· Instagram: @HollywoodComet
· Facebook: Facebook.com/CometOverHollywood

For those who have never attended, this is like a film 10k. From 9 a.m. to after 12 a.m., you watch classic film after classic film with other fans who know and love Guy Kibbee as much as you do.

My tips for first-time attendees:
· I know you are excited, but it’s okay to skip a film and eat a meal. You have to keep up your strength for all that movie watching!
· Be sure to take care of yourself: hydrate and maybe take some vitamins or Emergen-C. I know that sounds crazy being so excited and also exhausted can be taxing on your system.
· Say hello to people you think you might know online. Everyone is excited to be there, so they most likely will be excited to see you too.
· Strike up a conversation while waiting in line for films. You never know, the person behind you may be as big of a Laraine Day fan as you are! This is one of the few places where you can have everyday conversations with film fans that speak your language.
· Have fun! You may not get into a film you want to see, but don’t take it too hard and ruin your trip. There are other wonderful movies to see!
· If you have time, explore the area!

For my top festival picks, I’m most looking forward to:
· The addition of the American Legion as a film viewing location
· The Dolly Sisters (1945) on Nitrate
· Seeing fellow film fans and friends and discussing classic films with them!

Do you have questions about the festival? Comment below or e-mail them to me at CometOverHollywood@gmail.com.

Hooray for Hollywood: Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival 2018

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The Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival is a paradise for classic film fans.

After not being able to attend the 2017 festival, I have returned for my fifth TCM Film Fest. Throughout the festival, I will be sharing photos, short videos and tweeting quotes or facts shared during film interviews. I even hope to get in a couple of blog posts during the festival.

Outside the Hollywood Roosevelt, April 2018

Here’s how you can follow me:

· Twitter: @HollywoodComet

· Instagram: @HollywoodComet

· Facebook: Facebook.com/CometOverHollywood

For my top festival picks, I’m most looking forward to:

· Seeing actress Nancy Kwan, who I have been a fan of for awhile.

· The film “None Shall Escape” (1944) with guest star Marsha Hunt. I’m a fan of Miss Hunt and have never seen this film.

· A Star is Born (1937) on Nitrate. This is my favorite version of this story and it will be gorgeous on Nitrate film.

· Seeing fellow film fans and friends and discussing classic films with them!

Nitrate is Hot: First time at the Nitrate Picture Show

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Contemporary classic film fans have the luxury of watching older films in many different forms. Stream on Netflix, buy it on BluRay or DVD, watch it on their phone on YouTube, or turn the television to Turner Classic Movies at any point in the day.

But despite all of these options and opportunities, sometimes film lovers want to see the film the way it was meant to be shown—on the big screen. But the real treat is if the movie is projected on film, but not just any film—rare nitrate film.

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Attending the Nitrate Picture Show 2017

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This week, Comet Over Hollywood is attending the Nitrate Picture Show in Rochester, NY, which is Friday, May 5, through Sunday, May 7.

Presented by the George Eastman Museum, this is the third year of this festival that focuses on film conservation. All of the films screened are on nitrate film from the George Eastman Museum.

For the past four years, I attended the Turner Classic Movies Classic Film Festival (TCMFF). However, due to a scheduling conflict I was unable to attend this year.

Because of this, I decided to try something new, and I heard good things about the Nitrate Picture Show.

This is my first time at the Nitrate Picture Show so I’m not sure how it all works. The film program is not released until Friday, May 5, when the festival begins.