Hollywood Stars

 

2017 TCM Festival

In November of 2016, Jeff and I decided to go to the annual TCM 2017 film festival "Make em Laugh" held in LA, CA. Jeff has been a Back Lot member and devoted fan of TCM for many years. He has always wanted to go to the festival and meet & greet many of his favorite celebrities. One of which was the late Robert Jolin Osborne an American actor, film historian, television presenter, and author. Jeff was deeply saddened by the passing of Robert just before the April festival.

We planned the trip according to all the hopes and wishes we both shared never visiting out West let alone southern California. We wanted it to be a once in a lifetime memorable trip. We decided to fly from Manchester NH out to Chicago and take the Southwest Chief Amtrak three day train ride to LA.

We highly suggest this three-day train ride through five states it was one of the most interesting and adventurist aspects of the trip. The transformation between the scenic outdoor vegetation, beautiful scenery of each of the five states and the climate changes is what makes this adventure such a unique experience. Socializing and meeting new people was another interesting part of this trip. 

On the third day, we landed in LA on time. It was sunny, dry and eighty-one degrees with swaying palm trees and heavenly fragrant flowers everywhere. When you live in northern NH and in the Northeast dry versus humidity. Dry is exactly what the doctor has ordered for years regarding both our bodies and now we know why! We also understand why so many people seek to live in sunny southern CA.

Our hotel was situated in Burbank and it wasn't too far from where all the festivities were going to take place. We were so excited to be there that we were overwhelmed with happiness and joy! We couldn't believe we had traveled clear across the country.

Out itinerary was jam-packed for the next three days. First, we were going to Opening Night to walk the red carpet and attend the premiere showing of "In The Heat Of The Night" with Sydney Portier, Rod Stiger, and Lee Grant. We arrived as a couple in the 1940's this was the era we felt an affinity for. We were also a bit too early to mingle with all the celebrities as they arrived late. We took the corner to walk the red carpet and there were photographers to the left and in front a team from TCM interviewing. There was no way out of it the TCM interview team caught us and wanted to talk. I believe during this interview a series of photos were taken of us. We entered the original Grauman's Chinese Theater and took our seats. We got a chance to see all kinds of people enter the theater best of all was watching the celebrities, actors, directors, and producers affiliated with the film and their guests take their seats. To see them in person is a whole different experience it is truly exciting. 

We partook in every conceivable interview with host Ben Mienckowitz and the different celebrities, walked around town sightseeing on Hollywood Blv., carefully chose what movies we wanted to see, and met and conversed with lots of devoted fans from all over the country. If you are a devoted TCM fan or just becoming a new member of TCM I highly suggest planning this trip it is truly a lifetime memorable experience.

It wasn't until late September when TCM began advertising "Let's Movie." They began showing coverage of the 2017 film festival, that is when we first saw ourselves in a one-second clip with many others. They shot much coverage and at different angles. The biggest surprise was the latest ones that were longer and covered more of the festival. We are the opening couple on one of the "Let's Movie" advertisements and everytime they show it we just look into each other's eyes and say do you believe that? 

Happy Holidays everyone from Jeff G. Hayford & Donna J. Massa the 40's couple from Turner Classic Movies 2017..