Photo Album
Horsing Around at the Autry!
Subject:
Gene Autry Entertainment and the Autry National Center presented an evening of “horsing around” at the Autry Museum for a special evening of horse-themed book signing, gallery tour, and a movie screening.
Date:
Thursday, November 10, 2005
Photographer:
Karla Buhlman and Maria Ventura
Comments:
Our evening began on a good note because the recent Southern California rains stayed away from the Autry National Center for our special event! At 4:00PM horse enthusiasts and book lovers enter the Museum Store to meet the authors of the newly released book, Hollywood Hoofbeats: Trails Blazed Across the Silver Screen, Petrine Mitchum and Audrey Pavia. For the next two hours, Petrine and Audrey signed every copy the store had in stock! Yes, by the end of the evening the books were sold out. (But have no fear, this must have horse book is back on the shelves of the museum store.) In between autographs, the ladies were delighted to visit with fans and reminisce about their favorite movie and television horse hereos.
Afterwards, the Autry National Center's Senior Curator Michael Duchemin led an informative and extensive horse-themed tour of the museum, including the new Encounters: The Fur Trade exhibit. Maps, saddles, a stage coach and photographs were viewed with an emphasis on the importance of the horse in the American West. (If you missed this excellent tour, pick up the “Your Guide to... the Horse in the American West” brochure available at the museum's Visitors' Services cart.)
Meanwhile, BowTie Press – the good folks who published Hollywood Hoofbeats – hosted a private reception for the authors and their invited guests. This gave the authors a special moment to visit with the many folks who contributed information and stories to the book.
By 7:00PM, everyone moseyed on over to the Wells Fargo Theater to hear a discussion of the book with author Petrine Day Mitchum and Vice President of Gene Autry Entertainment, Karla Buhlman. Petrine shared her insights on researching the book and also told about her favorite movie horses from the past and present Hollywood scene. This portion of the evening also included a very special presentation of the American Humane Association's Humane Voice Award. The award was given to legendary horse trainer Corky Randall in recognition of his contribution to the care and training of horses in the motion picture industry. The award was presented by Karen Rosa, Director of the American Humane Association's Film & Television Unit and accepted by Rory Flynn on Corky's behalf. Although Corky could not attend, it was quite fitting that Rory accepted this as she is the daughter of Errol Flynn who was not only a motion picture star but also a pioneer in the protection of horses in the movie industry.
Karla roped in the evening by sharing fun facts and trivia on the first Champion's final movie, Bells of Capistrano (1942). Then we enjoyed the digital presentation of the fully restored film.
