Thank you Robert Osborne and TCM

September 23rd, 2008 · 8 Comments

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After many months of anticipation, my big night on Turner Classic Movies at last arrived! And it was even better than I imagined it would be. Host Robert Osborne said wonderful things about SCREEN SAVERS and mentioned me and the book’s title over and over again. He also showed the book cover to viewers. Mr. Osborne introduced the five movies he selected from the book (PORTRAIT OF JENNIE, STARS IN MY CROWN, ONE WAY PASSAGE, DEVIL’S DOORWAY, THE TALL TARGET) from 8pm to 2am. I didn’t plan on watching the movies again but couldn’t stop myself! So, thank you Robert Osborne and TCM for your generosity and attention. September 22, 2008 is a night I’ll never forget.

Tags: Screen Savers

8 responses so far ↓

1 Mark Kirby // Sep 23, 2008 at 9:41 am

I am so happy for you, John. I only wish I could have seen the broadcast. I couldn’t even find anyone to tape it. I was hoping that the evening would be a smash and from what you say, it was! You can count on Robert Osborne to do a fine job. Maybe one day TCM will get wise and have you on the network. Anyway, enjoy the moment–you and SCREEN SAVERS are fully deserving of all the praise you get!

Mark
2 John DiLeo // Sep 23, 2008 at 10:20 pm

Mark,

Thank you for your good thoughts.
3 Eric // Sep 24, 2008 at 9:10 am

It was so great to see SCREEN SAVERS get the kind of nationwide exposure that it deserves. I know that many people who care about film are going to run out and get a copy after hearing so many good things about it from Mr. Osborne!

And I agree with Mark; you’d be a wonderful guest on TCM. I look forward to that!
4 John DiLeo // Sep 25, 2008 at 10:14 pm

Thank you, Eric. And thanks for tuning in on my big night.
5 Kevin // Sep 29, 2008 at 12:28 pm

I too enjoyed seeing your book on TCM. My friend Paul who met you in Ogunquit had informed me of your website and the book. STARS IN MY CROWN was quite an astounding film. I bawled like a baby. It was so simple and honest. Thank you!
6 John DiLeo // Sep 30, 2008 at 10:45 am

Hi Kevin,

Thank you for writing. It’s always nice to hear when someone falls in love with one of the movies I love so well. I first saw STARS IN MY CROWN at a NY revival house and immediately wondered why it wasn’t well-known and talked about. I initially was interested in it because Joel McCrea is my favorite classic-movie actor. I don’t think he’s the greatest screen actor of his generation but he is probably the most underrated. But, wonderful as he is in STARS, he’s just one of many elements that make it such a treasure. Spread the word!

I remember Paul very well. What a nice guy. Please send him my regards.

Best,
John
7 Kevin // Sep 30, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Yes, I agree completely about Joel McCrea. Such unassuming beauty and quiet masculinity. But he always is just so right. And STARS just seems to be a movie that comes from another world altogether. So many aspects could seem hokey but here, they work. The narration (this had to be the basis for THE WALTONS on television) is never too much.
8 John DiLeo // Sep 30, 2008 at 10:05 pm

Just in case you haven’t seen them, here are a few other McCrea films that are musts: THESE THREE, PRIMROSE PATH, THE PALM BEACH STORY, THE MORE THE MERRIER, WICHITA, and, the two best of all, SULLIVAN’S TRAVELS and RIDE THE HIGH COUNTRY, which happen to contain his two greatest performances. Then there’s DEAD END, FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, and on and on…

You would expect a film as episodic as STARS IN MY CROWN to be uneven, yet all of the episodes, be they funny, romantic, or poignant, work beautifully and feel connected to the whole.