TCM Classic Film Festival Opens April 28 with An American in Paris, Celebrates Music and Movies

After a rousing launch last year in Los Angeles, the TCM Classic Film Festival will return to Hollywood this year, running Thursday, April 28th through Sunday, May 1st. TCM is promising an even bigger and better celebration of the history of Hollywood this time around. Passes run from $299 to a whopping $599.

The fest is crammed with celeb-packed panels and Q & As plus more than 70 classic screenings, including anniversary world-premiere restorations of the romantic comedy-drama Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961, 50th anniversary), digital restoration of the Clint Eastwood western The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976, 35th anniversary), the restoration of A Streetcar Named Desire (1951, 60th anniversary) plus the west coast premiere of a 50th anniversary restoration of Federico Fellini’s La Dolce Vita (1960) and a 35th anniversary screening of Paddy Chayefsky's Network (1976).

TCM will also honor Elizabeth Taylor with a special 60th anniversary presentation of George Stevens’ romantic drama A Place in the Sun (1951), starring Taylor, Montgomery Clift and Shelley Winters. The film will be introduced by actress Rose McGowan.

Among other stars attending the fest, Angela Lansbury will present Gaslight (1944), which earned the actress her first Oscar nomination at age 18, Kirk Douglas will present Spartacus (1960), Peter O'Toole will present Becket (1964), and Hayley Mills will intro the Disney family musical Summer Magic (1963) as part of an overall Disney tribute.

This year's theme is “Music and the Movies.” Thus the four-day fest kicks off with the 60th anniversary world premiere restoration of An American in Paris (1951) and will continue with multi-film tributes to George and Ira Gershwin, composer Bernard Herrmann and cowboy crooner Roy Rogers. Time Warner Cable joins Vanity Fair as official fest partner; Vanity Fair will again produce the opening-night after-party.

Based in Central Hollywood, the fest will screen at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre and the Egyptian Theatre; panels will be held at the fest headquarters, The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.