By Dominique Minor
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 9/8/2026 – Cinecon 62 at the Landmark NuArt Theatre in Los Angeles was the cinematic highlight of Labor Day weekend, offering an entertaining collection of silent and sound films, television kinescopes, animation, preserved classics, restorations and a few surprises for everyone to enjoy. The stars were out and music filled the air as patrons arrived at the theater to experience the nation’s oldest classic film festival for the first time at its new venue this year. The choice of the Landmark NuArt Theatre proved inspired, adding to the overall charm of the five-day event.
The lobby was transformed into a showroom of posters, scripts and other memorabilia. Thanks to a generous donor who was downsizing a personal collection, attendees could also take-home free DVDs and CDs featuring rare classics. In true Cinecon fashion, the beautiful faces of Hollywood stars and poster art from some of the greatest films of all time decorated the entryway, creating an atmosphere perfectly suited to the celebration.
Festival sponsor Heritage Auctions offered appraisals in the lobby, and festivalgoers could shop around a treasure trove of collectibles by visiting the dealer’s area before and after the screenings.
The dedicated staff and personnel provided excellent service, knowledge and insight, as well as a shared love for the classic films that comprised this year’s program. From Cinecon Classic Film Festival President Stan Taffel, whom we heard from at various moments throughout the weekend, including a Saturday night Q&A with Pat Boone where Taffel’s charisma and enthusiasm earned big laughs from the audience, to Rachel Parham, whose work as production coordinator kept everything running smoothly throughout the festival, there was no shortage of stars on the big screen or behind the scenes.
Special thanks to Bryan Cooper, Richard Adkins, Clayton Schiebel, Stu Shostak, Taylor Umphenour and Carlyle Coash, plus the registration volunteers, the NuArt staff and projectionists, as well as our three live musical accompanists, Scott Lasky, Jon Mirsalis and Adam Swanson.
Now, on with the show….
Thursday night’s opening featured welcoming remarks followed by a 7:30 p.m. screening of My Favorite Year. The film met all the criteria of a great opener and proved itself a classic, “one of the funniest motion pictures made in the last half decade,” according to Taffel. Starring Peter O’Toole, the film also celebrated the work of Lainie Kazan, who was named a Cinecon 62 Legacy Award honoree for her outstanding achievements and contributions to television, film, theater and music.
Kazan began her career in the Broadway musical Funny Girl, where she played a Ziegfeld showgirl and understudied Barbra Streisand, the show’s leading lady. A year and a half into the production’s Broadway run, Kazan had the opportunity to perform the title role herself, earning the respect and accolades that marked the beginning of an extraordinary career.
After the screening, she participated in a Q&A and received her Cinecon Legacy Award from co-star Anne DeSalvo and friend Lynn Roth. Teresa Ganzel was also in attendance for the evening’s celebration.
The festival started out with a bang and gradually just got better with time, like a fine wine, as we took a dive into the diverse and highly entertaining programming for Labor Day weekend.
Friday, the first full day of screenings and special guest appearances, ran from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m., concluding with John Ford’s 1926 Fox Western 3 Bad Men. The day’s lineup included There’s One Born Every Minute, You’re a Sweetheart, Flowing Gold, An Unbeliever Convinced and Flower Drum Song, which starred the beautiful and talented Nancy Kwan. Kwan was on hand for a Q&A and to receive her own Cinecon 62 Legacy Award, presented by her cousin Kevin Kwan, creator of Crazy Rich Asians.
Saturday’s program opened with Paris in the Spring, a 20-minute Paramount Pictures feature directed by Mel Epstein and starring Roger Dunn, Sally Rawlinson and the Bob Baker Marionettes. The day concluded with All Hands on Deck, a delightful musical comedy showcasing the talents of Pat Boone and Barbara Eden.
Unfortunately, Eden, a Cinecon 62 Legacy Award honoree, was unable to attend in person because of illness. Fans had been eager to see her make her long-anticipated Cinecon debut and participate in a Q&A following the film. Instead, they were treated to an impromptu phone call with the I Dream of Jeannie star.
After a loyal audience serenaded Eden with “Happy Birthday” in honor of her 95th birthday the previous month, she spoke to the crowd by cellphone through a microphone. The call worked surprisingly well, and the audience listened with enthusiasm as Eden shared a few words.
What might have been a major disappointment became an unforgettable experience for festivalgoers. Pat Boone then kept the momentum going, taking the stage for a Q&A and film discussion. The event did not disappoint, thanks both to the audience’s excitement at seeing him in person immediately after his screening and to Boone’s timeless charm and easygoing presence.
Other festival highlights included the 10th anniversary of Kinecon @ Cinecon, a compilation of hilarious television moments from iconic comedians Sid Caesar, Jackie Gleason, Jack Benny and Milton Berle, “The Titans of Television,” whose work had a lasting impact on the medium.
The Puppetoon presentation began with the world premiere of Arnold Leibovit’s new documentary, The Puppetoon Movie: A Legacy Revisited, and concluded with two examples from George Pal’s beloved Puppetoons franchise. The program consisted of wonderful music, puppetry and stories that brought out the inner child in everyone.
As the festival moved into its final days, Sunday and Monday’s programs offered everything from wartime drama, including Under Two Flags, to Jazzed: A Jack Cole Presentation. Author Debra Levine’s presentation fascinated audiences with its inside look at the renowned dancer and choreographer and his work with leading figures in the film industry from 1941 to 1960.
Sunday night’s presentation of The Stars Are Singing was a particular treat for movie-musical connoisseurs. Cinecon 62 Legacy Award honoree Anna Maria Alberghetti had been scheduled to appear but, due to illness, was unfortunately unable to attend. Her nephew and sister-in-law graciously accepted the award on her behalf, allowing the festival to honor Alberghetti’s storied career on stage and screen despite her absence.
Screenings of My Lady’s Lips, Lucky Cowboy, Woman of the North Country and That’s My Gal rounded out the Labor Day lineup, leaving audiences satisfied as they awaited the festival’s closing remarks Monday night.
After five days of nonstop cinematic excellence, Cinecon 62 came to an end. Audiences will now have to wait another year to discover what Cinecon 63 has in store.
For more information: https://cineconfilmfest.org/
Credit: Source link