Bob Baker speaking at the Glory movie event at the Dietrich sponsored by the Ezra Griffin GAR Museum
Last weekend I had the pleasure of introducing my daughter, April, to Dietrich film festivals, having shared the experience with my two sons. April is from the second biggest city in Illinois – Aurora, a city of 200,000 or so, a river city like Tunkhannock, Aurora is rich in theatre and restaurant opportunities, but it has nothing like a film festival. I told her that during her long weekend stay we could see any movies she would like to see. I thought she might want to see 2 or 3, but she picked out 5 films! So in 4 days we saw 5 Winter Fest films, joined by family and friends.
Of course we went to Opening Night to see Conclave, a very timely film, rich in beautiful scenes of the Vatican. Afterwards everyone wanted to talk about the ending! But we were not surprised that it won so many awards. The very next day we saw All We Imagine as Light, a beautiful film that gives us an up close and personal glimpse into another way of life in India in all its challenges and beauty. Every Little Thing was her next choice, a documentary about a hummingbird rescuer in California, a habitat for many varieties of hummingbirds. We learn how Terry Masear brings injured hummingbirds back to good health in her lovely home, equipped with a state-of-the-art rescue center. To me the fascinating story that we learned is how her role as rescuer relates to her own life, a really special film. The other two films were Vermiglio, this time taking us to an Italian mountain village and Oh, Canada, starring Richard Gere as an aging and ailing filmmaker wanting to tell his life story in a documentary, including a confession to his wife, before he dies.
All of these films inspired discussion at the end of the showings. Many times we had to stay in our seats to share interpretations. Many times friends and acquaintances came over to share their comments. We should be so proud to have these films shown right here in our town of 1700 or so.
Speaking of the need for discussion of foreign and independent films, the day after Winter Fest, our own Film Booker Ronnie Harvey will lead the Post Film Fest Discussion on Friday, March 14 at 1:00 p.m. All are welcome. Come and ask your questions, find out which films you missed that others recommend. Come for discussion and camaraderie and lots of fun.
Then at the Dietrich is a return of Leprechaun Lore with Storyteller Hal Pratt on Saturday, March 15 at 11:00 a.m. This is the best way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Hal is the only one who can tell you all you need to know about leprechauns and then turn into one. I have been to every performance over the years and I will be there for sure this year. This performance is good for all ages. It is free. And you are invited.
Coming up on Sunday, March 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. is another kind of film experience. Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. with R.E.M: A Silents Synced Film. This is so cool! A silent film paired with rock music performed 70 years later! Come see Buster Keaton’s silent slapstick comedy, accompanied by 1990’s music. What a neat idea! Tickets are $8.50 each. To get yours, stop at the ticket booth or call the Dietrich at 570-836 –1022 x3.
The free showing of Glory at the Dietrich last Sunday was sponsored by the Ezra Griffin GAR Museum in Scranton. It was a powerful event. Former Examiner editor Bob Baker spoke about some of the 52nd Regt. Co. B soldiers (192 in all recruited in Wyoming County), including Philo Burr of Meshoppen, who was second in command 160 years ago this month when the Union flag was placed atop Fort Sumter for the first time since the start of the Civil War there four years earlier.
A lot of bravery unfolded with his talk mostly about the larger regiment off the coast of Charleston, S.C., when the troops pictured in Glory - the 54th Mass. and 52nd Pa. - were together for the first time in Beaufort, S.C., for a sane (no fireworks) Fourth of July celebration in 1863, then landed at Folly Island a weekly later getting ready for the July 18 assault featured at the end of the movie.
Among the notable soldiers serving from Wyoming County was Jerome Furman who left the 52nd to command a group of 1st U.S. Colored Troops only to be assassinated by the rebels in Walhalla, S.C.; Danford Wakefield, buried in the Eaton Cemetery, with his obituary noting he lost his voice for 15 months while in the war; future Congressman Frank Bunnell in the Gravel Hill Cemetery; and Uriah Mowry who died at age 20, just 11 days after the regiment disbanded in the summer of 1865, buried at Laceyville; and so many more fascinating stories.
The free showing of Glory was part of an effort to help fund the return of a sword that was stolen from the old Ezra Griffin GAR Hall on Linden Street in Scranton. Donations will be gratefully received by sending a check made out to ‘GAR Museum Sword’ and sent to GAR Civil War Museum, Marketplace at Steamtown, 300 Lackawanna Ave., Ste. 220, Scranton, PA 18503. The museum is open noon to 4 p.m., Monday-Saturday.
So much awaits you right here in historic downtown Tunkhannock. We hope we see you soon.
