Wednesday, September 27, 2023
The Emmy™Award-Winning Documentary Film
"Broadcast" version now airing on most public television stations.
"Uncensored" version now on DVD and in film festivals.
Synopsis: A charismatic figure featured in Tom Wolfe's book The Right Stuff, Florence "Pancho" Barnes was one of the most important women in 20th Century aviation. A tough and fearless aviatrix, Pancho was a rival of Amelia Earhart's who made a name for herself as Hollywood's first female stunt pilot. Just before WWII she opened a ranch near Edwards Air Force Base that became a famous -- some would say notorious -- hangout for test pilots and movie stars. Known as the "Happy Bottom Riding Club", it became the epicenter of the aviation world during the early jet age. Chuck Yeager celebrated breaking the sound barrier there in 1947, and Howard Hughes and Jimmy Doolittle caroused in the bar. The Club's destruction by fire in 1953 is seen by many to mark the end of a Golden Era in post-WWII aviation. In the same fashion Pancho herself has become something of a legend, a fascinating yet enigmatic icon whose swagger is often celebrated, but whose story has been largely unknown. Until now.
A documentary film produced and written by Nick Spark and directed by Amanda Pope. Featuring interviews with test pilots Bob Cardenas, Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and biographers Barbara Schultz and Lauren Kessler. Narrated by Tom Skerritt with Kathy Bates as the voice of Pancho Barnes.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 Nick Spark Hits: 14286
The Legend of Pancho Barnes was awarded the 2011 L.A. Area Emmy® Award in the Arts
& Culture / History category at a ceremony at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences in North Hollywood, California on Saturday, August 6th. Producer and writer Nick T. Spark accepted the award on behalf of the entire production team including director Amanda Pope and station KOCE-TV, PBS SoCal. Also in attendance was associate producer Dydia DeLyser, editor Monique Zavistovski, post production supervisor Robbie Adler, and Russ Matthews of the Matthews Foundation. The Los Angeles Area Emmy® Awards are given for broadcast achievements produced or solely financed and controlled by the Los Angeles television stations or cable television systems. The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, and the Los Angeles Area Awards Committee, comprised of station program and news directors, determines the awards structure.
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