by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent It surprises many to realize Cicely Tyson (1924-2021) was once married to Miles Davis, and when she passed away on Jan. 28 at 96 years of age, younger audiences may have only remembered her from THE HELP. But her life was a wild ride of unexpected connections. Tyson modeled for Vogue, after being "discovered" on the pages of Ebony. The eloquent and preternaturally graceful actress received her first EMMY for "The Autobiography of ...

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent When is news about Hollywood not hyped enough? Even in bold italic caps,  COUNCILMEMBER O’FARRELL INTRODUCES RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING DECEMBER 1 AS “TCM WOMEN MAKE FILM DAY” IN THE CITY OF LOS ANGELES, it still doesn’t sink in right away. “Since its very beginnings, cinema has been blessed with the outstanding creativity, skills, labor and vision of countless women, ” said Councilmember O’Farrell, ...

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent Before you can say you knew him well, Carl Reiner (1922-2020), who left earth on June 29 for better comedic opportunities, will be feted by TCM for a life very well lived on July 28. Mr. Reiner was not only a funny, funny man, but once Garry Marshall told me that Reiner dismissed his writing as “one liner” comedy. Marshall (1934-2016), who has also left us for comedy heaven, never forgot those words, and said he incorp...

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent He gave us pint-sized costume genius Edna Mode, a mash-up of Hollywood's sartorial icon Edith Head and Oscar-winner Linda Hunt, remember? Now Mr. Brad Bird will pick a designer slate of classic films for TCM’s series “The Essentials” with Ben Mankiewicz, zooming to your device May 2. Who doesn’t love Mr. INCREDIBLES?     Mr. Bird’s Maltese-calibre film slate, listed here, is aces too...

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent Apparently the late Robert Evans isn’t the only kid who stays in the picture business, as storied director Peter Bogdanovich, 80, gives him a run for the money on TCM’s “The Plot Thickens” podcast bowing on April 28. Hosted by Ben Mankiewicz, grandson of Herman J. Mankiewicz AKA writer of CITIZEN KANE, they share not only Welles as a common denominator, but the unconditional love of cinema. Structured serial episodes...

by Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent Robert Osborne: Keeper of OSCAR's secrets When the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences award show premiered in 1928, the industry was barely 31 years old. For this year's Oscar build-up, Robert Osborne will host his annual much-watched "31 Days of Oscar" on Turner Classic Movies, Feb. 1, at 10 PM (ET/USA). Known as The Official Biographer of The Academy Awards, as well as the honorary red-carpet greeter for the A...

TCM Classic Film Festival kicks off today with a special screening of "Neptune's Daughter".  Esther Williams (making her first public appearance in four years) and Betty Garrett will be on-hand for a special poolside screening of the aquatic musical "Neptune's Daughter" (1949). The screening will include a live performance by the Aqualillies (http://www.aqualillies.com), a team of synchronized swimmers, performing a special aqua-ballet tribute to three songs, including a s...