The 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival took place April 28th through May 1st in Hollywood, but my incredible experience at the festival actually started a day earlier. TCM invited me to film a Fan Story with them since the impact of classic cinema has been so significant in my life. The origins of GlamAmor, for one, are almost entirely the result of my passion for it and of course I use the blog to show the connection of current fashion trends with their true origins in classic cinema. And so Wednesday morning I was off to the historic Roosevelt Hotel, which would become the center of the festival for the next four days.
The Roosevelt Hotel is on the National Historic Register and is a shining example of Old Hollywood. Founded in 1927, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, Louis B. Mayer, and others in the elite formed a group to finance the hotel. Many stars have played here, such as Greta Garbo, Clara Bow, Gloria Swanson, and Charlie Chaplin who were among the attendees of the glittering grand opening. Many stars have stayed here, including Clark Gable and Carole Lombard. And many stars have even lived here, including Marilyn Monroe. In addition, the first ever Academy Awards took place at the Roosevelt Hotel in 1929 (then followed by the Biltmore) with a ceremony lasting a full five minutes. Definitely a far cry from the epic we must endure today.
Everything about the Roosevelt is beautiful, largely due to the faithful renovation that took place in the 1980s. Its Spanish Colonial architecture has been preserved and its interior restored based on original photographs of the hotel. One of the reasons I adore Los Angeles as I do is because of the history of places like this, so I can't tell you how much I appreciated my time at the Roosevelt Hotel during the festival. For me, this is sacred ground.
Much more to come of the amazing time we all shared at the TCM Classic Film Festival, so stay tuned to GlamAmor!
Entering the Roosevelt Hotel from Hollywood Boulevard
Signage set up for the opening of the festival
Looking around the lobby at the Roosevelt, where much of the festival activities would take place
This chandelier, original to the hotel, was one of many pieces rescued from the basement during the renovation
Tile stairway where Shirley Temple took her very first tap lesson from Bill "Bojangles" Robinson
On the mezzanine overlooking the lobby
Marilyn Monroe lived at the Roosevelt Hotel for two years in one of the cabanas overlooking the pool. Appropriately, her first modeling assignment took place on the hotel's diving board (now gone) in an ad for suntan lotion. And according to hotel guests and employees, she is also one of two celebrities--the other, Montgomery Clift--who allegedly haunt the hotel. Gone but certainly not forgotten, Marilyn was featured in Niagara during the TCM Classic Film Festival.
"You're Marilyn Reincarnated": 1950s white cotton and lace dress, 1960s white leather frame bag,
blue suede shoes, and turquoise necklace and drop earrings custom made for GlamAmor
In the makeup chair with the talented Brenda Rippee
Escorted to the masculine Library Bar for my on-camera TCM interview
I'm ready for my closeup, Mr. DeMille...
Post-interview, meeting the loveable Mickey Rooney in the lobby
Stopping by Grauman's Chinese Theater on my way back to my car...
so excited for the TCM Classic Film Festival to start!
2 comments:
When do we get to see the interview?!
Not sure exactly. The production teams were filming various projects through the entire festival, so don't know where mine falls in the queue. I get a copy of it when it's ready, though, so I'll make sure to post it. :)
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