Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Legend of Pancho Barnes / November, 2009

HOT SPRINGS FILM FESTIVAL 100% WONDERFUL
Amanda Pope and I had a terrific time at the 2009 Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival. Thanks to a radio interview done the morning of our first screening, interest in the film was at a fever pitch. We showed Pancho twice, and each time received a strong reaction from our audience. It was really fun to know that our film was screening right down the road from a theater showing the new "Amelia" film — and that we (not to brag) had a larger audience. That, and the fact that so many people in the crowd said "why haven't we heard of this woman Pancho before?" inspired me to make this comment: while Amelia was lost at sea, Pancho was lost to history. Hopefully we're doing a bit to bring her back into the public eye!

You can see our Q&A remarks from Hot Springs on YouTube. Click here.

FOLLOW THE LEGEND OF PANCHO BARNES ON FACEBOOK !
Yes, you heard right, "Pancho" has finally made it to Facebook. If you are also using this service, just search for "The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club" to become a fan. Here's a new, interactive, and exciting way to follow events related to the film and participate in what we're doing. While it won't replace our Production Journal or monthly email updates it will allow us to share some news and material that won't make it onto our web page. Case in point — we have a lot of photos from various events, and it's never been practical to post them. But now that we have a Facebook page, voila!, we can have as many albums as we want. In fact if you visit now, you can see our photos from Hot Springs.

Our hope is that you people out there, the hundreds of folks who have joined the email list and come to our events, will also use the page to ask questions about the film, showcase photos and material from your own collections, and share the film with the world.

UPCOMING SCREENINGS

PALM SPRINGS SCREENING COMING UP FAST
On Wednesday, November 11, we'll be barnstorming into Palm Springs for a special screening at the fabulous Palm Springs Air Museum. The event begins at 6 p.m. and is free to members, $5 for non-members. To RSVP, please call 760-778-6262. Show up early to guarantee a good seat!

PANCHO BARNES DAY SCREENING NOVEMBER 7TH
In the last update email, I said that Edwards AFB would not be celebrating "Pancho Barnes Day" this year. Well, that's not entirely the case. While there won't be a party at the ruins of Pancho's ranch, there will be a picnic on Saturday, November 7th AND there "might" be a special screening of the film. This event is not open to the public, but if you live or work at Edwards you may be able to attend. Contact us via email for event details.

SCREENING at NASA / DRYDEN DECEMBER 4TH
Again, this event is not open to the public, but if you live or work at Edwards you may be able to attend. Contact us via email for event details.

SCREENING AT NILES ESSANAY SILENT FILM MUSEUM DECEMBER 6TH
This special event will take place on Sunday, December 6 at 12:30 PM. Suggested donation $10 general admission, $8 museum members. Our film will be shown as a double feature with what else? — Howard Hughes' "Hell's Angels". Click here for more details.

NORTHROP GRUMMAN SCREENING TBD
We'll also be screening the film at Northrop Grumman here in Los Angeles in January. Details to be announced.

PRODUCTION JOURNAL: AN AVIATION HISTORIAN INTERVIEWS A SKY QUEEN
Those of you who have watched the Bonus Features on the Legend of Pancho Barnes DVD have doubtless heard the audio segment featuring Pancho in her own words. Don Kuhns, a junior college student who knew very little about Pancho's life and times, recorded that interview for an article he planned to write for a class assignment. When you listen to it, you can hear the surprise in Don's voice as he slowly realizes that the old lady he's interviewing is either lying, or actually knew Amelia Earhart, had a grandfather who flew balloons in the Civil War, and who at one time masqueraded as a man and sued the U.S. Government! That kind of shock and awe effect happened a lot with people who spoke with Pancho late in her life. To read the rest, visit the Production Journal by clicking here and scroll down.

PRODUCTION JOURNAL: A SPECIAL VISITOR TO THE RUINS OF PANCHO'S RANCH
In April of this year, a very special visitor was allowed through the high security gates of Edwards Air Force Base and given a VIP tour of the ruins of Pancho's Rancho OroVerde. This special guest, a direct descendant of one of Pancho's good friends, was allowed free run of the grounds. That included sniffing the empty swimming pool, chasing jack rabbits through the brush, and possibly even urinating on the ruins of the hotel. Because you see, this special visitor was of the four-legged variety. It was Laddie, one of a long line of collies descended from film and TV star Lassie. Bob Weatherwax, the son of Lassie's original trainer Rudd Weatherwax, accompanied her on her special tour — along with Col. Jerry Gandy, the commander of the 95th Air Base Wing!
To read the rest, visit the Production Journal by clicking here and scroll down.

www.LegendofPanchoBarnes.com


Want to update your email address or be removed from the mailing list? Send a reply to this email.

The name, image and likeness of "Pancho Barnes", as well as the "Happy Bottom Riding Club" are trademarks of Pancho Barnes Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

No comments: