Media Release

Iconic Comedy The Producers To Open 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival

TCM Classic Film Festival

Iconic Comedy The Producers To Open 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival

50th Anniversary Screening Celebrates Seminal Filmmaker Mel Brooks


Turner Classic Movies (TCM) will kick off the 9th annual TCM Classic Film Festival on Thursday, April 26th with a 50th anniversary world premiere restoration screening of the Mel Brooks groundbreaking comedy The Producers with the legendary director, producer, writer and actor in attendance.

Recognized as one of the funniest movies ever made, The Producers won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay for Brooks and a nomination for Best Supporting Actor for Gene Wilder, it would be the gift that kept on giving. Thirty years after its theatrical release, Brooks turned it into a Tony-Award winning Broadway musical, the subject of the fourth season of HBO's hit show Curb Your Enthusiasm and another film adaptation in 2005 starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.

“Mel Brooks belongs to an elite group of entertainers, having earned all four major entertainment prizes – a Tony, an Emmy, a Grammy and a People’s Choice Award…oh, and an Oscar. From Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein to Spaceballs, Brooks' uniquely keen eye can both spoof and celebrate classic Hollywood. From the 2000 Year Old Man to The Producers, he has shown an ability to make us laugh as heartily as anyone else in the business.” -Ben Mankiewicz, TCM Primetime Host

Additionally, the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival will honor Oscar-winning screenwriter and director Robert Benton who will be on hand to introduce screenings of the award-winning Kramer vs Kramer(1979) and Places in the Heart  (1984) for which Benton won an Oscar for Best Screenplay. Also joining the line-up for the 2018 Festival screenings of the following:

  • The Black Stallion  (1979)
  • The Taking of Pelham One Two Three  (1974)
  • Bullitt  (1968)
  • Throne of Blood  (1957)
  • The Set-Up  (1949)
  • Hamlet  (1948)
  • To Have and Have Not  (1944)
  • Woman of the Year  (1942)
  • The Sea Wolf  (1941)
  • His Girl Friday  (1940)

Click here for video and other information on this year's festival: filmfestival.tcm.com


About the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival

For the ninth consecutive year, thousands of movie lovers from around the globe will descend upon Hollywood for the TCM Classic Film Festival. The 2018 festival is set to take place Thursday, April 26 – Sunday, April 29, 2018. 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 Primetime host Ben Mankiewicz will serve as official host of the TCM Classic Film Festival. The festival's official hotel and central gathering point for the ninth consecutive year will be The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Academy Awards® ceremony. The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel will also offer special rates for festival attendees. Screenings and events during the festival will be held at the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres and the Egyptian Theatre, as well as other Hollywood venues.

Description of the 2018 festival theme Powerful Words: The Page Onscreen
Writing focuses visions, reflects our feelings and inspires great performances on both sides of the camera. Join us for the 2018 TCM Classic Film Festival, celebrating the representation of the written word on the silver screen. From original screenplays to unique adaptations to portrayals of writers real and imagined, we will celebrate the foundation of great film: the written word.