Honor’s Splendour

Glamorous stars, originative managers and Hollywood moguls congregate in luscious Palm Springs sunshine at the 19th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. They come here to receive their awards, meet their fans and celebrate their notoriety. But there’s also another reason for their presence here. Since the 1930′s and the golden days of the Palms Springs Racquet Club, stars have been attracted to the Desert like fireflies to a porch light on a balmy, summer day.

Why is that?

Forget the films, the panels, the probability to meet the stars- while you’re in the middle of all that, stand outside a little apart from the crowd and look up. You will see and feel the natural opulence, the breathtaking presence of a star-studded a Palm Springs evening. The star-studded jewels in the sky and the jewelry-studded Hollywood stars on the Red Carpet are natural companions in this extremely pleasing venue. More than 200 films from all over the world, dozens of appearances and award ceremonies, an unbeatable congregation of unbelievable film panels construct the intrigue and excitement of this event but they may never wholly obscure the natural opulence of their setting.

Although the entire schedule is still draped in mystery, we do recognise that this year, Jerry Weintraub will receive the honored Patrons of the Arts Award staged by emissaries from SAG in honor of his contributions to the film industry. Sometime actor, sometime producer and sometime manager of the Stars, Hollywood has surely felt his touch. We also know that Jason Reitman’s Juno will receive the Chairman’s Vanguard award. But when the full schedule is released, it will be as dazzling and surprising as ever.

January 3-14 is just stone’s throw away in time, but there is still chance to plan for a twelve-day event that you will never forget. This is the 19th year of the widely known and esteemed film festival, started by Mayor Sonny Bono, Cher entrepreneur/singing partner, whose visionary political leadership spanned the rebuilding of Palm Springs downtown, a severe Salton Sea initiative and the creation of an enduring film festival. By this time, there are few directors, actors or cinematographer’s who have not in some way touched the Festival with their natural abilities and qualities or their personal appearance. Recently Shirley Maclaine, Kate Winslett and Sydney Pollock have received their honors personally. Last year, Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett accepted an award for their Movie, Babel.

The film festival is a natural place for the stars to visit as they have continued to do since they fell in love with Palm Springs real estate for the duration of the era of Charles Farrell and Ralph Bellamy’s invention of the Racquet Club. Elvis Presley, Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, Liberace, Frank Sinatra were one of the hundreds who have lived or played here. We wonder if, besides the living, the shades of numerous Hollywood celebrities of Palm Springs rest more comfortable as this festival honors their outstanding legacies. Surely, Sonny Bono will be amongst them, a happy parent to what is now an improving international epiphany of talent, film and natural splendor.

Honors Splendour Pic

Honors Splendour Image

Honors Splendour Pic

Honors Splendour Photo

Honors Splendour Pic

Honors Splendour Picture