In July, TCM will present film critic and commentator Elvis Mitchell’s extensive, in-depth interview with Pollack, among the last interviews he ever gave. The interview will air Monday, July 7, at 8 p.m. as the premiere episode of the network’s new original series TCM PRESENTS ELVIS MITCHELL: UNDER THE INFLUENCE. It will be followed by a presentation of Pollack’s Tootsie, as well as by the Gene Kelly classic An American in Paris, one of the films Pollack claimed as a strong influence on his life and work.
“Sydney Pollack always made the very difficult look effortless, as a director, producer and actor,” said TCM host Robert Osborne. “Whenever they talk about the most treasured directors of the past 40 years, he’ll be high on that list.
“Sydney Pollack was a great friend to Turner Classic Movies and a champion of preserving the cinematic arts,” said Charles Tabesh, senior vice president of programming for TCM. “As one-time host of TCM’s weekly showcase The Essentials, he displayed his extraordinary passion for film by introducing viewers to some of the greatest movies ever made. We are grateful that he was eager to participate in our new series with Elvis Mitchell, which sadly turned out to be the one of the last interviews he gave. He will be sorely missed.”
The following is a complete schedule for TCM’s June 2 memorial tribute to Sydney Pollack:
8 p.m. The Slender Thread (1965) – starring Sidney Poitier and Anne Bancroft.
10 p.m. Three Days of the Condor (1975) – starring Robert Redford and Faye Dunaway.
Midnight Tootsie (1982) – starring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange.
2 a.m. Jeremiah Johnson (1972) – starring Robert Redford and Will Geer.
