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Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 11 August 2008 Nick Spark Hits: 4318
There's an old Chinese saying, that the journey is the reward. It's a phrase I've heard repeated this week, what with the Olympics opening in Beijing. While I’m really not much of a fan of cliche, I have to say that in the case of the documentary, the experience of making it has been terrific, and for all sorts of reasons. The one I would put at the top of the list is that, by making the film, Amanda Pope and I have met so many fascinating people. If you've read the Production Journal, then you've met some of them as well.
But, it's not just the people who we interviewed for the film, that we've relished meeting. Because almost every week, as we conduct research, travel, do presentations, and answer our email, we meet a lot of really cool people. Pancho was such a strong personality, and accomplished so much, that she became friends with all sorts of folks from all different walks of life – movie stars, artists, airplane designers, stunt pilots, test pilots, writers, and on and on. Turns out, she still has the ability to attract and inspire people who have very rich personalities, and all sorts of things going on in their worlds.
Some of the people we've met in the last few weeks include an octogenarian who worked at the Douglas Aircraft factory in Santa Monica before WWII, a recent retiree in his sixties who is building an experimental airplane, and a woman in her twenties who just earned her wings and joined the Ninety-Nines. We met a woman adventurer who flew all over the USA, a famous stunt pilot who flew Spitfires in The Battle of Britain, a test pilot who flew the SR-71 Blackbird back in the 1960s, and a captain for United who flies the 747. All of them had an encouraging word to say about Pancho and our project, and a story to share.
Sometimes, though, it's the stories you don't hear that end up touching you. That's been the case recently, when I received word that a friend of the project had passed away. Donald Martin, who I knew by his distinctive email address "Explorer001", contacted me back in June of last year. He'd stumbled across our website and felt he just had to write. "I have an uncle that lives out in the Lancaster area," he noted, "He is a pilot and even has a plane out at Fox Field. But all this time, I did not know about Pancho and her ranch!"
Don told me he couldn't donate to the project, but that if we needed any help touching up photos, he'd love to give it a shot. I explained that we always need help restoring things -- it's a slow process that still is on-going -- and ended up emailing him a few things to work on. One of them was a headline about the death of aviatrix Marvel Crosson in the Powder Puff Derby. It was just a clipping, I explained, and we wanted a full headline. Using his Photoshop skills, Don obliged us. He did excellent work (at left).
Well, I was a bit taken aback when a few months later I received that email, telling me Don had passed away at the age of 49. Up until that point, I had no idea he was that young -- I'd pictured a man in his seventies. I sent my condolences, of course. I didn't really expect to hear anything more... but sometimes you get lucky.
Just the other day, Don's partner Kathleen sent me an email and introduced herself. She was compiling a memory book about Don, she explained, and asked if I had anything to contribute? So, I called her and told her about my correspondence with Don, and how I was sure he'd be happy to hear, that the image he retouched will be in the finished film.
Kathleen then told me a few things about Don. About how he'd developed MS as a child, back in the early 1960s. About how, against all odds and perhaps even the wishes of his family, he had tried to get out in the world and accomplish something. He developed considerable skills as a graphic artist and a poet and writer and, perhaps because his own body was in decline, he became obsessed with learning how to fix things. He volunteered at a Detroit area movie palace, the Redford, and soon became the head of their restoration efforts. To do some of the work he wanted to do, such as scraping layers and layers of paint off the woodwork to reveal the original decorations, the staff actually dangled Don and his wheelchair off a balcony. It paid off in spades, as you can see if you visit the theater website, it's simply beautiful.
Since that phone call, I find I've been thinking about it. . . I never did ask Don about why he was interested in our project, but I think I understand it now. Pancho struggled mightily in her own life and times for recognition, and overcame a lot of odds. So did Don Martin, and that's why he was worth knowing.
Photo: Don Martin at work restoring the Redford. Courtesy Redfordtheatre.com
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 28 July 2008 Nick Spark Hits: 4226
In recent weeks, we've been traveling around Southern California, showing a portion of the unfinished film, and raising awareness and money for the project. We're pleased to say that it's been an unqualified success. After a recent screening with the Antelope Valley Ninety-Nines in Rosamond (pictured), a segment about the film aired on Socal News 3. It subsequently was put on the CNN regional feed, which means a lot of people learned about "Pancho"!
As far as fund raising goes, we are in the home stretch. There is very, very big news in "Pancho land" but we cannot announce it just yet! Suffice to say, we are now about $10,000 in donations away from our budget target. Once we hit that target, we are home free, and the film will be
finished in 6-8 weeks. We're that close!
So, please consider making a tax deductible gift, via the KOCE-TV Foundation. It's easy to do...just click on the Donate link...and keep your fingers crossed for us. Today CNN, tomorrow PBS, and we get to share Pancho's amazing story with the world!
By the way, interested in attending one of our presentations...see the details of our August 7th presentation at Flight Path, below.
Photo: writer/producer Nick Spark with the members of the Antelope Valley Ninety-Nines. Nick is the only person in the photo who doesn't have a pilot's license! That's WASP FloraBelle Reece, fourth from the left.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 27 July 2008 Nick Spark Hits: 4392
The FBI investigation into Pancho Barnes (see 6.12.08 entry) went all the way to the top. At least there's evidence that it did -- the first page of the file, which I obtained using the Freedom of Information Act -- is a memo to Director J. Edgar Hoover from Assistant Attorney General Warren E. Burger. (Yes, the same Warren Burger who later became Chief Justice of the Supreme Court!) Written in the summer of 1953, it summarizes the on-going legal battle between Pancho and the U.S. Government over the pending condemnation of her Happy Bottom Riding Club (see 3.3.07 entry). It also indicates that the U.S. Attorney wants further investigation into whether "Miss Barnes was operating a disorderly house." Yes, that's right, the Attorney General was investigating whether Pancho's Happy Bottom was a little too happy!
A lot has been said over the years about the true nature of Pancho's establishment, and for good reason. It was a wild, kick-up-your-boots and let-your-hair-down kind of place, frequented by tough fly boys and populated with good looking hostesses. It was natural that rumors would blossom, especially in the dry Mojave Desert, where the residents had about as much news to talk about as they had rain. Plus, as late as the 1930's, there were active brothels in the vicinity -- Red Mountain being perhaps the most famous.
Pancho liked publicity, and encouraged some of the chatter with the view that any publicity was good publicity. "If a rumor enhanced her personality," Chuck Yeager told us during his interview, "She didn't dispute it. It didn't have to be true, or not true, but that's the way Pancho was. She wasn't dumb, she was a very smart ole gal."
In fact, Pancho went to great lengths to play up the naughty aspect of her spread. Naming it the Happy Bottom Riding Club was one thing. Making a rodeo poster that featured a naked Lady Godiva riding a bull, was another. It was all in good fun... or so she thought. But when Pancho's land came under threat by eminent domain, and when her relationship with the commander of Edwards AFB turned rocky, it would be the titillating aspects of her p.r. campaign that would cause the most heartache.
A single letter may have triggered the FBI investigation. It was written by Lieutenant James Ratcliffe to General Holtoner. In it, Ratcliffe simply stated that "I will furnish sworn testimony to the effect that [Pancho's] establishment was a house of prostitution." The lack of details in the letter, and the fact that it was written to General Holtoner, suggest it may not have been something Ratcliffe wrote with great enthusiasm. It's hard to know definitively, but in hindsight it's not hard to imagine that Ratcliffe was ordered to write the letter, after making some kind of comment to someone in the chain of command about Pancho's place.
Once it got underway, the FBI's inquiry was without bounds. Agents sought out an interviewed dozens of friends, acquaintances, patrons, business contacts, and Air Force personnel, looking for a smoking gun. The accusations that were raised were all over the map, ranging from charges of "white slavery" to "running an illicit gambling house" to "smuggling, illegal transportation of Mexicans and dope". It sounded like Pancho was a veritable Al Capone-style crime boss, but nothing could be further from the truth. In the end, after many agonizing months, the probe produced nothing except chatter, speculation, and rumor. Not a single reliable witness appeared willing to testify against Pancho.
With one exception: James C. Ratcliffe. He appeared to be the only person wiling to state on the record, that he'd paid for favors at Pancho's place. As things turned out, he'd have to testify, and in open court.
More on Ratcliffe in a future Production Journal.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 17 July 2008 Nick Spark Hits: 4056
Pancho Barnes will be in the spotlight on August 7th, and you're invited to attend. The venue is the Flight Path Learning Center and Museum, which is located at the LAX Imperial Terminal, 6661 W. Imperial Highway, Los Angeles. Admission and parking are free. The event starts at 10 a.m.
Both director Amanda Pope and writer-producer Nick Spark will be in attendance to show a portion of the film, and discuss the genesis of the project and research process.
By the way, Brig. Gen. Charles E. Yeager, who appears in the film, is the honorary chairman of Flight Path.
The Flight Path Learning Center and Museum is operated by non-profit Flight Path in cooperation with Los Angeles World Airports, the City agency which operates LAX. For information call (310) 215-5291.
Are you a member of an organization that would be interested in our presentation? We're always interested in speaking in the community about the film. Some of the groups we've presented to in recent months include the EAA, Quiet Birdmen, Ninety-Nines, airport organizations, historical societies, and your group could be next! Use the contact button to send us an email, and we'll see what we can arrange.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 16 July 2008 Nick Spark Hits: 4363
When you're making a documentary about events and people from long ago, one of the frustrations or limitations, is the visual material you're able to obtain. In our case, we're using hundreds of photos, dozens of newspaper headlines, and miles of historic motion picture film footage to tell Pancho's story. But there are some stories for which little or no visual information exists. What to do then?
A great example comes out of Pancho's life in the roaring 20's. At that time, she was heavily involved in the Hollywood scene. Plenty of photos exist of Pancho and her friend Ramon Novarro -- the star of "Ben Hur" and "The Flying Fleet". Photos (above and below): Brian Frank sketches for the small screen.
Wallace Beery ("The Big House" and "Hell Divers") appears in a few photos taken at one of Pancho's parties, as do a couple of other stars. But, despite a lot of looking, we couldn't find any photos of Pancho and Erich von Stroheim...a man best known perhaps for his portrayal of the butler Max in Sunset Blvd. but also an incredibly accomplished director.
It was really frustrating not to have photos of Pancho with Von Stroheim, because from early on he was a character we hoped to include in the film.
Reason being... back in the 1970's, aviation historian James Farmer (author of Celluloid Wings) did an interview with Pancho, and one of the parts that stood out was where she spoke about her love/hate relationship with the temperamental Austrian. The two knew each other from way back. Before he was one of Hollywood's biggest names, believe it or not, Von Stroheim worked as a groom Pancho's family stables. He was used to shoveling offal, and used to be able to sling it as well: he cultivated a reputation in the media that he was the son of an Austrian count, when in fact he was just a poor tailor's son. Well -- these things are par for the course in Hollywood, then or now!
Von Stroheim had a terrible reputation for arguing with actors and actresses on the set, something that Pancho alluded to when she spoke with James Farmer. "I wouldn't call [Von Stroheim] exactly arrogant," she said, "But he'd fight with his employees. And just tear 'em to pieces, not because he wanted to fight with them, but because he would be able to bring out certain reactions. Like, he'd bring Greta (Garbo) to tears. When she was crying in the picture it was no fake -- she was crying."
Pancho went on to explain how she and Von Stroheim got in a terrible, terrible argument with each other. I'll leave the amazing details for you to enjoy when you see the film, but suffice it to say, they had a confrontation that escalated to something physical, and Von Stroheim got the worse of it!
It was a story we desperately wanted to tell, but without any photos of Pancho or Von Stroheim, how to do it?
Well, you know how they say, no experience is wasted in life? Nearly ten years ago, I worked in the advertising business. I feel like I literally lost a couple of years of my life, trying to help sell health insurance to consumers. Well, back in those days, we used to make "animatics". These were cartoons, made from storyboards -- the detailed, cartoon-like diagrams directors often use during pre-production. Sometimes the animatics came out looking better than the actual TV commercial.
What if, I asked our team, we made an animatic out of the Von Stroheim incident? Maybe, I suggested, we could make 1920's vintage-looking storyboards, and tell our story in a fashion that would be in keeping with the Golden Era of Hollywood. But, who could take an idea like that and make it work?
Enter storyboard artist Bryan Frank (see photos at top of this entry). An exceptional illustrator, Bryan is also a writer and an actor who recently appeared in the indy feature The Sensei. Bryan listened to our ideas about our "Von Stroheim sequence" and then sat down and immediately started drawing. The results, were a group of storyboard pages that told the story of the big fight.
We designed the storyboards from the very start, to work not just as conventional boards, but as visual effects. To do that, we asked Bryan to do things a little differently than he normally would. Instead of drawing panels like flat, funny page cartoons, we asked Bryan to make separate drawings of foreground and background elements. We were then able to take these elements, put them in Photoshop, and treat them like animation cels. You can see this in some of the accompanying photos, which show the original artwork, then a matte process by which we could add lighting effects and backgrounds to the scene.
Once we'd come up with a sequence we were fairly happy with, we passed off the storyboards to visual effects artist Jin Lee, who added an additional wrinkle to them. The results -- and you'll have to wait until you see the film to appreciate them -- are admittedly unconventional, but tell the story in a way we couldn't have otherwise. They're also a lot of fun!
We were so delighted with the results of our experiment, that we carried over the technique to another section of the film. More about that, in a future production journal entry.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 24 June 2008 Nick Spark Hits: 3934
If you are interested in seeing the site of the Mt. Lowe tavern and the railway that Pancho's grandfather built (see 12-02-06 entry)...your chance has come. I've been told that July 4th weekend Brian Marcroft of the Mt. Lowe Railway Historical Committee will be leading a hike up the old right-of-way. The group will be meeting at Rubio Vista and Pleasantridge in Altadena at 7: 00 AM on July 4th. It is a fairly easy hike, so long as it is not too hot. Interested, contact Brian at emworks(at)verizon.net or visit the website, www.mtlowe.net
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