Turner Classic Movies expands 'Road to Hollywood' tour to 10 cities

Free screenings lead up to the launch of the TCM Classic Film Festival 

As part of the buildup to the 2011 edition of the TCM Classic Film Festival in Hollywood, Turner Classic Movies is expanding its second annual "Road to Hollywood" tour to 10 cities nationwide. The "Road to Hollywood" tour features free screenings of classic films, along with live appearances by such enduring stars as Ernest Borgnine, Angie Dickinson, Tippi Hedren, Shirley Jones, Jane Powell, Angela Lansbury, Burt Reynolds and Eva Marie Saint.

TCM host Robert Osborne and weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz will appear in five cities each to introduce the screenings.

"Last year, we had a great time going on the road and bringing a taste of our first TCM Classic Film Festival to fans all over the country," Osborne said. "With twice the number of cities on this year's tour, there will be even more chances to connect directly with members of our TCM family. We look forward to meeting them and sharing with them our mutual enthusiasm for great films."

The 2011 edition of TCM's "Road to Hollywood" will stop in twice as many cities as last year, with screenings in Seattle (March 3); Cleveland (March 16); Tampa, Fla. (March 21); Chicago (March 24); New York (April 2); St. Louis (April 4); Long Island (Huntington, N.Y.) (April 13); Austin, Texas (April 16); San Francisco (April 20); and Los Angeles (April 21). The tour serves as an exciting prelude to the second annual TCM Classic Film Festival, which is set to take place in Hollywood April 28 through March 1.

Below is a complete schedule for TCM's "Road to Hollywood" screenings. Although the screenings are free to the public, tickets are required for entry. Tickets will be available at http://www.tcm.com/roadtohollywood on the dates listed below.

Seattle - Thursday, March 3, at 7:30 p.m. (PT) - SIFF Cinema

"North by Northwest" (1959) - Hosted by Robert Osborne, with special guest Eva Marie Saint

Tickets available now

Cleveland - Wednesday, March 16, at 7:30 (ET) - Russell B. Aitken Auditorium at Cleveland Institute of Art

"North by Northwest" (1959) - Hosted by Osborne, with special guest Saint

Tickets available March 2

Tampa, Fla. - Monday, March 21, at 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Tampa Theatre

"Smokey and the Bandit" (1977) - Hosted by Ben Mankiewicz, with special guest Burt Reynolds

Tickets available March 9

Chicago - Thursday, March 24, at 7:30 p.m. (CT) - Music Box Theatre

"Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954) - Hosted by Osborne, with special guest Jane Powell

Tickets available March 10

New York - Monday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. (ET) - School of Visual Arts (SVA)

"The Manchurian Candidate" (1962) - Hosted by Osborne, with special guest Angela Lansbury

Tickets available March 18

St. Louis - Monday, April 4, at 7:30 p.m. (CT) - Hi-Pointe Theatre

"The Birds" (1963) - Hosted by Mankiewicz, with special guest Tippi Hedren

Tickets available March 21

Long Island (Huntington, N.Y.) - Wednesday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m. (ET) - Cinema Arts Centre

"The Birds" (1963) - Hosted by Osborne, with special guest Hedren

Tickets available March 30

Austin, Texas - Saturday, April 16, at 7:30 p.m. (CT) - Paramount Theatre

"Rio Bravo" (1959) - Hosted by Mankiewicz, with special guest Angie Dickinson

Tickets available April 2

San Francisco - Wednesday, April 20, at 7:30 p.m. (PT) - The Castro

"Elmer Gantry" (1960) - Hosted by Mankiewicz, with special guest Shirley Jones

Tickets available April 5

Los Angeles - Thursday, April 21, at 7:30 p.m. (PT) - American Cinematheque at the Egyptian Theatre

"From Here to Eternity" (19) - Hosted by Mankiewicz, with special guest Ernest Borgnine

Tickets available April 7

About the TCM Classic Film Festival

The multi-faceted TCM Classic Film Festival - which runs from April 28 to May 1 in Hollywood - will be packed with more than 50 screenings, including special introductions, guest appearances, panel discussions and more. Vanity Fair is once again joining TCM as a festival partner. The magazine will produce the exclusive, opening night after-party that will follow the red-carpet gala screening of "An American in Paris." TCM host and film historian Robert Osborne will serve as official host of the festival.

Leslie Caron, Mickey Rooney, Debbie Reynolds, Shirley Jones, Jane Powell and Roger Corman are just a few of the notable stars slated to appear during the festival. Throughout the festival, TCM will celebrate movie music, with multi-film tributes to George and Ira Gershwin, composer Bernard Herrmann and singing cowboy Roy Rogers. The festival will also celebrate the musical legacy of Walt Disney, including his "Silly Symphonies" and "Laugh-O-Gram" shorts.

Among the numerous films slated for the 2011 TCM Classic Film Festival are "La Dolce Vita" (1960), "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" (1954), "A Streetcar Named Desire" (1951), "Went the Day Well?" (1942), "Citizen Kane" (1941), "Fantasia" (1940), "Dodsworth" (1936), "Hoop-La" (1933), "The Cameraman" (1928) and "The Merry Widow" (1925), to name a few. TCM is dedicated to showcasing the best possible projection, including digital, 35mm and 70mm prints. Most of the films presented during the TCM Classic Film Festival have been digitally restored and remastered.

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, which has a longstanding role in movie history and was the site of the first Oscars ceremony, will once again serve as the official hotel for the festival, as well as home to Club TCM, a central gathering point for attendees. The Hollywood Roosevelt will also offer special rates for festivalgoers. Screenings and events will be held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, the Chinese 6 Multiplex and the Egyptian Theatre.