MCQUEEN FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR 5TH YEAR!

March 21, 1967
Grauman's Chinese Theatre
(Photos: Donna Redden)

Outside Grauman's on Hollywood Boulevard
(Photo: Michael Manning)
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If you're not a journalist, I have some news for you (no pun intended). It's very difficult to write a blog right after my series on The Winter Olympics in Vancouver! Difficult, but not impossible. Here's why:

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We are just a few weeks out from an event that has made it to my website each year during the week of March 24th. Believe it or not, this will mark our 5th Annual Steve McQueen Film Festival on Blog. Yeah, I know. It sounds pretty wild if you've never experienced it, and since I created it in the first place, I will admit that it is unique. The best way for me to explain it, with some brevity, is to recap last year's 'Festival'. March 24th is the birthday of my favorite actor--Steve McQueen. Each year, I try to change things up and make the 'Festival' fun for everybody who follows it.

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Last year was a fascinating experience. I picked out a slate of McQueen films that were presented out of the sequence in which they were filmed. Basically, I discuss each film and include some interesting facts related to McQueen's life. I add in some "behind the scenes" stories of each film and make an attempt to explain how Steve made each role so unique. Here's where it got interesting!

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Marshall Terrill--a great friend who authored "Steve McQueen: Portrait of an American Rebel"--sat down with me over breakfast at Scottsdale, Arizona's historic Valley Ho resort. Our tape recorded interview ran over two days on these pages. Another great friend--Jeb Rosebrook--Screenwriter of the 1972 McQueen film, Junior Bonner, also met me for an early morning breakfast interview to discuss Steve's favorite film (and mine) among the thirty he appeared in throughout his short life. Junior Bonner was filmed in Prescott, Arizona where Marshall and a group of our close friends toured the film locations with the amazing William Pierce. William was a member of the Arizona Film Commission in Prescott in 1972. He worked closely with Steve McQueen during the ten week-period of filming and also shared a scene with Steve at the beginning of the movie. But wait...there's more!

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Steve's co-star, the beautiful Barbara Leigh also visited with me days before I sat down with Marshall and Jeb. Each of these visits over coffee and breakfast (and one dinner) made for some fascinating and memorable experiences! In April, I am looking forward to attending "Steve McQueen Days" in Slater, Missouri where Steve spent several years of his boyhood. So, there you have it!

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The Film Festival is being assembled and, as usual we will have interesting guests and superb films. There will be a wonderful announcement made during the 'Festival' and as the old saying goes, "If I say anything more, it won't be a surprise". So, on that note March is officially underway. Spring is not that far off, and while you may have just finished shoveling snow off your driveway and sidewalks (depending on where you live) I can promise you a great Film Festival ahead. Details to follow.
MM