Huge crowds for Liberace film screening

Combine the love of Liberace and the chance at a sneak peak — major excitement.

“The diamonds, the fur, the bling. He wasn’t afraid to say or do anything he wanted to do,” Liberace fan Lon Michels said.

Hundreds of people came to the Palm Springs Convention Center to get an early look at the movie all about “Mr. Showmanship”.

“The city of Palm Springs approached Jerry Weintraub a month ago and asked if he might consider screening as a 75th anniversary present to our residents,” Amy Blaisdell from the city of Palm Springs said.

A free gift from Weintraub and PS Resorts everyone had a chance to enjoy. Crews filmed parts of ‘Behind the Candelabra’, which stars Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, in Palm Springs last August. It was the perfect place for the 25 million dollar project.

“He lived here for many years and Palm Springs was the place where he came to relax and rejuvenate and get away from his hectic life in Vegas,” Blaisdell said.

Locals said they waited long enough to see the film. The lines kept growing, and 1000 people later, doors were closed.

People not inside the screenings can always see the film when the rest of the country does. ‘Behind the Candelabra’ will premiere on HBO on Sunday, may 26.

There is another screening Sunday night at 7:00 and, because so many people showed up to see the film, the city added a third screening at 10:00.
It’s all at the Primrose Ballroom in the Palm Springs Convention Center.