AMELIA
Atlantic Flyer may not seem to be the right venue for a piece about a movie, but when the film is about Amelia Earhart, nowhere could be more fitting. Amelia was a free spirit, an entrepreneur, a doer, a woman’s rights advocate, an adventurer, and above all, an aviator. She disappeared somewhere over the Pacific during an ill fated attempt to fly around the world. That happened in 1937. A film about her seems more than appropriate.
Like most folks, I enjoy movies, especially those about aviation or with flying scenes. I doubt if there has ever been a film that includes flying that I didn’t like. Some of my favorites include the old John Wayne WWII films, Top Gun, The Aviator, Strategic Air Command (With Jimmy Stewart), and The Great Waldo Pepper.
So when I was presented with an opportunity to attend the press conference and prevue showing for the new film, “Amelia”, I jumped at the chance. It was obvious that any film about Amelia Earhart would have lots of flying. Unfortunately, an attack of sciatica precluded my making the trip into NYC to see the preview. That will have to wait until it hits the theaters. But I was able to attend the press conference.
It was held on Friday, October 16th at the Essex County Airport in Fairfield, NJ in a hangar rented solely for the conference. What made it a must attend for me was the fact that the star of the movie, Hilary Swank, would be there as, well as the Lockheed Electra that was used extensively in the movie. The Electra, flown in especially for the event, is one of only ten or so in the world. It stood out prominently in the rear of the hangar, behind the dignitaries platform. In its glistening silver finish, it stood out like an aviation Great Pyramid or Taj Mahal.
In addition to the expected corps of media personnel, there were about fifteen members of The Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots. Amelia Earhart was a charter member and its first president. There were also several members of the NJ Wing of the Civil Air Patrol who were asked to help with the running of the event. The event started with the introduction of people that were key members of the film’s production including Hilary Swank, the director Mira Nair, two authors, Susan Butler (East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart) and Elgen Long (Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved), and Susan Larson, the President of The Ninety-Nines.
Prior to beginning an open question and answer session, Susan Larson presented Hilary with a commemorative Amelia Earhart bronze medallion that has only been awarded to recipients of Ninety Nine scholarships. She also gave Mira an original, autographed, Earhart book, “20 Hours and 40 minutes-Our Flight in the Friendship”. Both Hilary and Mira were obviously moved by this gesture.
In return, Mira announced that they were donating the flight suit and leather jacket used by Hilary in the film, as well as other items, to the Amelia Earhart Museum which is supported in part by the Ninety Nine.
This was followed by an extensive Q&A session during which all the right questions were asked and all the correct answers proferred. Some statements by the attendees and principals stood out. Hilary noted that she is learning to fly and will pursue a pilots certificate when the studio contract allows. She said that life is short so you might as well do what you love. Mira called Hilary a daredevil, willing to do virtually anything asked of her. Mira referred to the Electra as “My hero.” Both she and Hilary expressed admiration for the Electra although Hilary did say that it was “a beast to fly”, further adding to Amelia’s charisma. Several people that attended the prevue screening predicted a third Oscar for Hilary. I heard one party state that “Hilary was Amelia.” The session ended with an informal picture taking period and a chance to chat with the guests.
It seems that “Amelia” is destined to be a hit. It will obviously appeal to today’s women, older folks that date back to the thirties, and people like me that simply love flying and airplanes. I can’t wait for the films release.
By Victor Banko