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: 4527
One of the fun things that happens when we show the film in Southern California, is that we invariably have people in the audience who knew Pancho, were guests at her ranch, or are somehow related to her or one of her good friends. The daughter of Gen. Clarence Shoop, actress Pamela Susan Shoop (who played Karen in Halloween II), attended our premiere along with a direct descendent of Pancho's grandfather, musician James Lowe (frontman of the awesome 60's band Electric Prunes). They both have interesting stories to share, and hopefully one day we can include some of their remarks and memorabilia in the Production Journal.
Meantime, I just learned that one of the attendees of our screening at the Huntington Library was author (and frequent contributor to American Enterprise) Jane Mack-Cozzo. Turns out Jane is also the niece of none other than Pancho's first husband Rev. Rankin Barnes. Jane offered to share a few photos and memories of Rankin with me. I think they provide some really wonderful insight into Pancho's "better half", and asked her permission to share them below. Reading her comments by the way, makes it all that much more inconceiveable that Pancho was ever married to this fellow Rankin. The only good thing about that match, as far as I can tell, is that they were both Episcopaleans and could therefore get divorced without too much hassle!
Now without further ado, comments from Jane Mack-Cozzo: