Thursday, November 30, 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.

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News

Women in Aviation
"Read Nick Spark's article about Pancho
from Women in Aviation magazine (.pdf)"
28 May 2009

New Fest Screening Time and Date Announced

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If you live in the New York City area, or have friends who do, then please help us get the word out: Pancho is playing in Manhattan!  We just finally got the word the other day from NewFest, that we'll be screening at the School of Visual Arts Theater on Saturday, June 6th at 3:15 pm.  We're not sure of the venue -- there are two movie screens in the building -- but we understand one theater has 350 seats, and the other 500.  Well, we'd love to sell out all those seats for our screening and let Pancho do what she does best -- make a big impression!  So help us accomplish this task.  To purchase tickets and read more about the festival, visit this link.

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The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club ©2008-2010 Nick Spark Productions, LLC.