the classic film union is open for business...

Hello fellow TCM fans, I just received an email announcement from a friend at TCM telling me that the new TCM social networking site: Classic Film Union is now online and open for business. Here is the gist of the announcement:

"Fans Can Connect and Share Photos, Blogs, Movie Reviews and More at TCM Classic Film Union:

Turner Classic Movies (TCM), which is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year, has launched a first-of-its-kind social network that links fans online. The site, called the TCM Classic Film Union, can be found at tcm.com/fan.

“TCM fans are devoted to the world of classic film, and they want to connect with others who share their passion,” said Molly Battin, senior vice president of brand development and digital platforms for TCM, TBS and TNT. “TCM has long been a forum for these fans, but this new fan community takes it to the next level.”

The TCM Classic Film Union is an easy way for fans to set up personalized profiles and link to friends. The film union features unique, in-depth ways to express movie and film preferences.

TCM also has taken the concept of a social network in a completely new direction. The TCM Classic Film Union allows users to connect to their favorite movies and stars, all in vast, media-rich, classic film universe set up by TCM. Using the networks’ database, TCM has added more than a million people (including actors, directors, producers and more), plus hundreds of thousands of films. The TCM Classic Film Union allows anyone to immediately add these links to their personal network and begin sharing ideas and media with others. For a serious movie fan, there is no bigger repository of materials about films and filmmaking.

While the TCM Classic Film Union is in its beginning stages, early adopters have already built extensive profiles. Some users have posted rare photos and video clips. Others have created blogs or developed groups to discuss celebrities, genres and favorite classic film subjects.

Unlike other social networking sites, the TCM Classic Film Union is targeted at movie lovers. “The great thing about this new community is that it lets fans get together in ways that have never been possible before,” said Richard Steiner, vice president of digital platforms for TCM. “We’re amazed at the excitement we’ve already seen, even though the film union is just getting started. The ability to find stars and movies from such a deep library is clearly a huge draw for fans. And they are creating connections and finding new friends.” "

I have already begun to set up a profile and you can look me up once you create one and invite me as one of your Union "friends" if you wish. I would be glad to talk and connect with fellow classic film fans and Shelfers, just search JCLoophole and you should see my familiar mug there. It's a new site, fairly easy to set up, but there are perhaps a few kinks to iron out still. Overall I think it's a great way to continue this conversation and for classic film fans to connect. In addition to your profile and friends, you can post pictures, select favorite films and stars, create lists (I believe) and join discussion groups. Great TCM graphics, photos, and the powerful TCM database are at your disposal as well.

So what are you waiting for- head on over and sign up today! And don't forget to look for your dear old pal JC Loophole!

Also - don't forget that this month TCM celebrates Directors throughout June. You can learn more and see a full schedule at TCM.com. In particular, they have also named who they consider the 15 Most Overlooked Classic Hollywood Directors and will focus on them as well. Here's their 15, do you agree?:

Jack Arnold
Frank Borzage
Clarence Brown
John Cromwell
Allan Dwan
John Farrow
Edmund Goulding
Henry King
Gregory La Cava
Mitchell Leisen
Fred Niblo
Robert Rossen
Robert Stevenson
W. S. Van Dyke
Sam Wood

Learn more about these directors and more daily lists and fun features at TCM Dailies.



Oh, Nicky, I love you because you know such lovely people.