Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will kick off the 8th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 6th with a 50th anniversary screening of the Sidney Poitier and Rod Steiger classic “In the Heat of the Night” (1967). The iconic actor Sidney Poitier, who will attend the screening, broke stereotypes and new ground when he starred in this five time Academy Award winner about a black detective from the north who finds himself investigating a murder in a small-town in Mississippi. Producer Walter Mirisch and Director Norman Jewison along with actress Lee Grant and composer Quincy Jones will be on hand to discuss the film which is considered to be a landmark.

By the way, MGM is developing a TV series reboot of “In the Heat of the Night” and has tapped Joe Robert Cole – writer & producer of FX’s multiple award-winning “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story” and co-writer (with director Ryan Coogler) of the upcoming Black Panther movie – to script the new series adaptation. No ETA yet.

The TCM Classic Film Festival, set to take place April 6 – April 9 in Hollywood, will also include tributes to the following industry legends:

— Actress Lee Grant will be feted with a tribute featuring a screening of her debut film “Detective Story” (1951), along with “The Landlord” (1970) and a conversation in Club TCM

— Actor-director Peter Bogdanovich will be celebrated with screenings of “The Last Picture Show” (1971) and “What’s Up, Doc?” (1972) as well as a conversation in Club TCM

— Actresses Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher will be honored with screenings of “Singin’ In The Rain” (1952) and “Postcards from the Edge” (1990) with family members Todd Fisher and Billie Lourd hosting extended conversations at both screenings

This year’s festival will include a multitude of special anniversary films, poolside screenings and talent appearances including:

— Mel Brooks on hand to introduce a 40th anniversary screening of his Alfred Hitchcock spoof “High Anxiety” (1977)

— Actor and screenwriter Buck Henry introducing the 50th anniversary world premiere restoration from Rialto Pictures of the seminal classic “The Graduate” (1967)

— 40th anniversary world premiere restoration from Paramount Pictures screening of “Saturday Night Fever” (1977) including appearances by director John Badham and actress Donna Pescow

— 75th anniversary screening of the Oscar winning classic “Casablanca” (1942)

— Opening night poolside screening at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel featuring “Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory” (1971)

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is an official festival partner as well as the co-host of the opening night screening and party.

For more on the 2017 TCM Classic Film Festival, visit filmfestival.tcm.com.

 

For the eighth consecutive year, thousands of movie lovers from around the globe will descend upon Hollywood for the TCM Classic Film Festival. The 2017 festival is set to take place Thursday, April 6 – Sunday, April 9, 2017. Over four packed days and nights, attendees will be treated to an extensive lineup of great movies, appearances by legendary stars and filmmakers, fascinating presentations and panel discussions, special events and more.

TCM host Ben Mankiewicz will serve as official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival, with TCM’s Tiffany Vazquez introducing various events.