2016 Classic Cruise Highlights
Screening great films, presenting important classic stars on their best (last?) voyage.
Photos and article by Mary McCord, Editor, Classic Film Watch
Actress Kim Novak greets TCM Host Ben Mankiewicz at tne Sail Away Party on the
2016 Classic Film Cruise. She later met fans at her exhibit in the ship's art gallery and introduced her films Vertigoand Bell, Book & Candle. She also answered questions during conversations about her life and career..
Actor Michael York was one of the stars on the TCM Cruise. He introduced his film, Cabaret.
Miz Eliizabeth, lead singer of The Hot Sardines, plays a washboard at the cruise Sail Away Party.
Lucie Arnaz, singer and actress, brought her nightclub act to the cruise, entertaining TCM fans with song and anecdotes about her life.
TCM presented the ultimate classic film cruise combining star attractions—films and many of the actors and actresses who made them—with live entertainment, events, activities, contests, impressive ports of call (Puerto Rico, St. Maarten) and wonderful cuisine aboard the Disney Cruise Ship, Fantasy. There was literally something for everyone.
The stars, who introduced their films and participated in conversations about their lives and careers, were: Leslie Caron (Gigi), Michael York (Cabaret), Jerry Lewis (The Nutty Professor), Kim Novak (Vertigo) and Diane Baker (Straight Jacket). Baker also taught Acting 101.
Other special guests were: Dick Cavett (excerpts from the Dick Cavett Show); Alex Trebek (film trivia contest); Lucie Arnaz (nightclub show and introduced her parents’ film, Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, The Long, Long Trailer); Craig Barron and Ben Burtt (talked about visual effects and sound design); Illeana Douglas (interviewed the stars); Scott Eyman (writer who spoke about John Wayne and John Ford); Bruce Goldstein (film trivia); Suzanne Lloyd (grand-daughter of Harold Lloyd introduced his silent film Why Worry?); Eddie Muller (introduced several film noirs); Randy Haberkamp (Managing Director of Preservation and Foundation Programs for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences); The Hot Sardines and Jennifer Keith (live entertainment).
I saw many of my favorite films from all genres and was very happy to see these gems while cruising in the turquoise waters of the Caribbean. There was one rare film I had never seen before, No Orchids for Miss Blandish, a controversial British thriller/film noir set in post-war times. I also listened to conversations with the stars, took dance lessons and went sight-seeing. To see photos of Old San Juan and both the Dutch and French sides of St. Maarten/St. Martin, Click here .
Even though this cruise was billed as the final TCM Classic Cruise, a petition to reinstate the cruise in the future was passed around the ship. Of course, I signed it.
—Mary McCord, Editor
Classic Film Watch
Click Here for Photos of Ports
San Juan, Puerto Rico and St. Martin / St. Maarten