Former monthly contribution by TCM host Ben Mankiewicz to the TCM newsletter Now Playing in May 2018.
On Thursday, April 26th, 2018, Martin Scorsese–introduced by Leonardo DiCaprio–strode to the stage of the TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood (formerly Grauman's Chinese) to accept the inaugural Robert Osborne Award from TCM. I hosted the event, part of a thrilling night and perfect way for us to honor Robert Osborne at the TCM Classic Film Festival, our ninth, but first under the new normal. Our network has gone on–must go on– without Robert, who signed TCM on the air 24 years ago, quickly becoming the face and voice of authority on classic movies from Colfax, WA to Key West.
The directors, the writers, the cinematographers, the stars–they make the movies we love. But Robert made them accessible, making the old a new part of our lives again. Robert died in March of 2017, a month before last year's Festival, which left us reacting to his death last year in Hollywood. This year, we finally had the chance to fully process a TCM without him. And part of that process meant honoring his legacy. So the Robert Osborne Award was born, given annually to someone dedicated to the preservation of classic films. Martin was an ideal first recipient, and he spoke stirringly of Robert's role in keeping the flame of classic movies burning brightly.
On May 3rd, Robert would've turned 86, and we'll be celebrating his birthday with a night dedicated to the movies he loved and the stars he excelled at interviewing. To help me, I'll be joined by his cousin, Susan Wright, and one of his closest friends, actress Diane Baker. Together, they'll tell stories about Robert–"Bob" to both of them–and why he loved the two movies on the schedule that night, Laura, with Gene Tierney; and Dodsworth, starring Walter Huston and Mary Astor. Dodsworth perfectly captures Robert's zest to enjoy his life, his friends and the movies. We'll also have a number of the Private Screenings Robert taped over the years, giving us another opportunity to experience the style that made so many great stars feel so comfortable discussing their lives and careers with him.
I wrote this when he died last year, but it bears repeating. Robert's death left a void. No doubt. But his commitment to TCM over the previous 23 years, his passion for these classic movies, these stars and our fans–many of whom are as dedicated to TCM as he was–left us in a stronger position to move forward without him than we've ever been.
And opening night at this year's Festival, with Leonardo DiCaprio presenting Martin Scorsese with the first ever Robert Osborne Award, in front of a packed house in Hollywood's grandest theatre–before Mel Brooks came out and dazzled us, as usual, before a 50th anniversary restoration of The Producers, served as proof that Robert's truest legacy is the endurance of TCM and its legion of fans.
