Amelia Earhart

By LISA GUTIERREZ
The Kansas City Star

The film “Amelia” features Richard Gere and Hilary Swank.

A little piece of Hollywood is coming to Atchison, Kan.

The town that gave the world aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart will get costumes and other mementos from the new biopic “Amelia.” The items will go on display Oct. 23, the day the movie opens, at the Amelia Earhart Birthplace Museum, which is where Earhart was born on July 24, 1897.

Earhart is among the most famous missing-persons cases of all time. She and navigator Fred Noonan were trying to circle the globe in 1937 when their plane disappeared, it’s believed, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean.

Two-time Academy Award winner Hilary Swank plays Earhart in the movie. Richard Gere is her husband, George Putnam, and Ewan McGregor is Earhart’s lover, Gene Vidal.

The gift to the museum will be announced Friday at a news conference in New York. That’s when Swank and the film’s director, Mira Nair, are to present the items to Susan Larson, president of The Ninety-Nines, a nonprofit organization of female pilots that owns the Atchison museum.

The gifts include a brown leather bomber jacket, a white jumpsuit and a red blouse and ivory slacks that Swank wore in the movie. The museum also is receiving a cloche hat encircled with feathers that Swank wears in a scene in which Earhart is honored with a ticker-tape parade.

The costumes and props will join other Earhart memorabilia already displayed at Earhart’s birthplace, which museum officials say attracts 20,000 to 30,000 visitors a year.

The museum owns family photos, a swimming suit Earhart wore when she was 4 years old, a dress from the line of ready-to-wear clothing she designed and a piece of luggage from the line that bore her name.

On Wednesday, museum officials remained in the dark about the details of what is coming their way.

“Because I have never gotten the formal list of what we’re getting, it’s going to be like Christmas in October when we open up these boxes,” said Carole Sutton, chairwoman of the museum’s board of trustees. “It’s exciting because we’ve been trying and trying to think of something new that we could do for the museum, and this just sort of came up out of the blue.”

Larson said her group learned of the donation in the last month when Fox Searchlight, the movie’s studio, asked The Ninety-Nines to help publicize the film. The group, which also owns and operates a museum in Oklahoma City dedicated to women pilots, gets a brief mention in the movie.

Earhart, who was the group’s first elected president, announces in one scene the formation of a new group of 99 female pilots. Today the group has more than 5,000 members worldwide who work on preserving the history of women in aviation.

In Atchison, the buzz surrounding the movie has been building.

“This is big stuff,” said Jacque Pregont, president of the Atchison Chamber of Commerce. “We’re hoping that more and more people will want to know more about her.”

October 14, 2009 | 3:09 pm

Skingraft channeled Amelia Earhart and Louis Verdad’s muse was Michelle Obama last night at Downtown L.A. Fashion Week.

“We were really inspired by strong women like Amelia Earhart and Joan of Arc,” said Skingraft co-designer Katie Kay. “There is sexiness in strength.”

Kay and her design partner Jonny Cota sent out a parade of fitted and detailed leather jackets, vests and body-conscious clothing. The majority of the looks were topped off with an Earhart-esque aviator’s cap, and many pieces had a layered cap sleeve detail that echoed the collar on a bomber jacket.

Their piece de resistance was a black, leather “bridal gown” with a studded leather corset, long layered skirt that pooled into a train, and feathered headband jutting out of the model’s forehead. It was dramatic, a bit macabre, but like their sharp, second-skin leather jackets, it exhibited a lot of workmanship and attention to detail.
Verdad is an L.A. runway staple who shows a collection in some form each season. This time it was called “Louver,” and thankfully the name wasn’t the only thing new about the line. Verdad took a refreshing departure from the 1940s-infused quasi-costume theme he often retreads and instead went for wearable and modern. He cited Obama as his muse in the show notes and he translated the idea quite literally. As the show started, a video montage of Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Janet Jackson, Grace Jones and Maya Angelou was projected on the wall, and every model cast to wear the all-ivory collection was African American.

Cream jumpsuits, shift dresses and trousers were accented with pops of gold and the occasional splash of navy, infusing a nautical aesthetic into the line. Verdad did a few jodhpur-style pants and a pair of shorts that bubbled around the thigh. Silhouettes were clean and details were not overdone or heavy-handed. His use of cream and ivory looked striking against the models’ dark skin and for Verdad seemed to signify a fresh start or rebirth in his design career.

Click here to see more looks from the Skingraft show.

– Melissa Magsaysay

Photos: Top, Skingraft; bottom: Louver by Louis Verdad; credit: Adam Tschorn / Los Angeles Times

Jennifer MacKinnon grew up in the Lucknow area where her parents, Dave and Cathy MacKinnon, and brother, Jonathan, still live. MacKinnon moved to Simcoe (Norfolk County) in 1999 when she became an Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) officer.

Two years ago MacKinnon moved to the Toronto area where she is a Detective Constable with the Drug Enforcement Section, and is currently seconded to Pearson International Airport. She was also selected to attend the 2010 Winter Olympics in January in British Columbia to work for 30 – 40 days, and is looking forward to the experience.

“Although I have moved away from Lucknow, I return often and always consider it to be home,” said MacKinnon.

MacKinnon became involved in flying about seven seven years ago when a co-worker took her up in a small airplane (citabria). She obtained her private pilot licence and night rating, and later her commercial pilot licence. MacKinnon is a member of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA), which is where she learned how to fly.

It was at an airshow in Welland in 2006 where MacKinnon met, Cam Harrod, who would later be tasked with selecting pilots to fly in a movie called “Amelia”, featuring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.

MacKinnon was at work last April, when she received a call from Harrod, asking her if she would like to be in a movie. Harrod had tracked her down and told her he was tasked to coordinate airplanes and pilots for part of a movie called “Amelia”. The movie would feature Hilary Swank, cast as Amelia Earhart, and Richard Gere, cast as her husband, George Putnam. He was looking for female pilots who had an appreciation for vintage aircraft and, of course, who could fly them.

“I thought at first he was playing a joke on me, especially when he told me who was in the movie,” said MacKinnon. “I then realized he was serious. The movie shoot would last three three days at Dunnville airport, and would feature a segment of the “Powder Puff Derby”.

The Powder Puff Derby began in 1929 and was a transcontinental race as part of the National Air Races at Cleveland, and was entered by 20 female flyers. It was also this year that the Ninety-Nine’s women’s aviation organization was born; this organization still exists today.

MacKinnon was cast as a special skills expert, who would be required to fly in the movie, if required (there were three female pilots cast). Basically, she was a “Powder Puff Girl”. She filmed two part days, plus a full day with Hilary Swank “Amelia” and the other “Powder Puff Girls” as part of the derby.

“Swank was a real personable individual, interacting with all of the girls and joking around when we had a bit of downtime,” said MacKinnon. “When it came to filming; she took her role very seriously and it was amazing to see her transform into Earhart. Unfortunately, the Director, Mira Nair, opted that we didn’t fly for liability reasons, but I experienced in three days what it was like to be a movie star.”

MacKinnon and her fellow pilots were all dressed in full, 1929 period costumes. “The movie props were unreal; it really felt like I was living in that time period for those few days,” said MacKinnon. “It was an absolute once in a lifetime thrill to be a part of.”

On June 1, 1937, Earhart and her navigator set off for her next most challenging flight – to be the first woman to fly around the world. Her twin engine Lockheed Electra disappeared somewhere across the Pacific Ocean, near Howland Island, on July 2, 1937. She was declared dead on Jan. 5, 1939. Her body was never found.

The life of this remarkable woman is captured in the upcoming movie “Amelia”. It is due out on Oct. 23.

“I hope I at least make a couple of seconds in the movie, after all the editing,” said MacKinnon. “I know I’d do it all over again, in a heartbeat!”

Article ID# 2120614
~ www.lucknowsentinel.com

Join other Amelia Earhart fans on the new Amelia Earhart message board! Chat with other fans about the new upcoming movie Amelia or just talk about what you love most about Amelia Earhart. Join Today!

1. Goggles, $9.99, Amazon
2. Flight Pin, $4.50, AV Mart
3. Aviator Hat, $12.99, Land’s End
4. Bomber Jacket, $59.99, JCPenney
5. White Button-Down, $17.99, Target
6. Silk Striped Scarf, $20, Amazon
7. Skinny Jeans, $9.99, Forever 21
8. Riding Boots, $39.99, Target

The 13th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, presented by Starz, have announced that two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank will be honored with the “Hollywood Actress Award” at the festival’s Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony. Hilary Swank will soon be seen starring in the title role of Mira Nair’s biopic “Amelia,” from Fox Searchlight, which is the story of the life of legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart.

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) October 14, 2009 — The 13th Annual Hollywood Film Festival and Hollywood Awards, presented by Starz, have announced that two-time Academy Award-winning actress Hilary Swank will be honored with the “Hollywood Actress Award” at the festival’s Hollywood Awards Gala Ceremony.

The gala ceremony will take place at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills on October 26, 2009. The announcement was made today by Carlos de Abreu, Founder and Executive Director of the Hollywood Film Festival. “It is a privilege to honor Hilary Swank’s extraordinary talent and remarkable career,” said
Mr. de Abreu.

About Hilary Swank

Hilary Swank will soon be seen starring in the title role of Mira Nair’s biopic “Amelia,” from Fox Searchlight, which is the story of the life of legendary aviatrix Amelia Earhart. World famous for her aviation triumphs, Earhart disappeared along with her navigator Fred Noonan on July 2, 1937, somewhere over the Pacific Ocean near Howland Island while on her World Flight to circumnavigate the globe. “Amelia” also stars Richard Gere, Ewan McGregor, Christopher Eccleston, and Joe Anderson.

Hilary Swank has won two Best Actress Academy Awards. She won her first Oscar(r) for the role of Brandon Teena in the 1999 drama “Boy’s Don’t Cry.” In 2005, she won her second Academy Award for her starring role as boxer Maggie Fitzgerald in Clint Eastwood’s Oscar(r)-winning Best Picture, “Million Dollar Baby,” opposite Eastwood and Morgan Freeman.

An actress as well as a producer, Swank is involved with several highly anticipated projects. She recently completed filming on the feature “Betty Anne Waters,” based on the true story of a working mother who puts herself through law school to free her wrongfully convicted brother who is serving a life sentence. Set for release in late 2009, Swank stars alongside Sam Rockwell and Minnie Driver. Swank also stars in the 2010 thriller “The Resident,” about a doctor who suspects she may not be alone in her Brooklyn loft, and learns that her landlord has formed a frightening obsession with her.

In 2008, Swank and producer Molly Smith launched the production company 2S Films and signed a two-year first-look pact with Warner-based Alcon Entertainment. Projects in the works include “French Women Don’t Get Fat,” based on the 2004 bestseller by Mireille Guiliano, a romantic comedy about a young, single woman living in New York who learns some tough life lessons about truly loving yourself and “Sweet & Vicious,” a light-hearted comedy about female friendship and the pitfalls of success. Other projects in development are “You’re Not You,” based on a novel by Michelle Wildgen, about a woman suffering from a terminal illness and an aimless young woman who enters her life as a caregiver. Also in development is “Falling Out of Fashion,” based on the debut novel by Karen Yampolsky, which centers on a woman who leaves a Georgia hippie commune for New York City with dreams of becoming a magazine editor, and “Something Borrowed” based on the first novel from author Emily Giffin, about a woman who falls for her best friend’s fiance.

In 2007, Hilary starred in two films which showcased her range in talent, both from director Richard LaGravenese: first in the drama, “Freedom Writers,” opposite Patrick Dempsey, based on the inspirational true story of school teacher Erin Gruwell, followed by her starring role in the romantic comedy “P.S. I Love You,” opposite Gerard Butler and Kathy Bates.

Swank’s other film credits include Brian De Palma’s real-life crime drama “The Black Dahlia,” opposite Josh Hartnett and Scarlett Johansson, “The Affair of the Necklace,” opposite Adrien Brody, Sam Raimi’s “The Gift,” with Cate Blanchett and Keanu Reeves, Christopher Nolan’s “Insomnia,” opposite Al Pacino and Robin Williams, “The Reaping,” “The Next Karate Kid” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”

The festival and awards presenter is Starz Entertainment, LLC, a premium movie service provider operating in the United States. It offers 16 movie channels including the flagship Starz(r) and Encore(r) brands with approximately 17.5 million and 31.5 million subscribers respectively. Starz Entertainment airs more than 1,000 movies per month across its pay TV channels and offers advanced services including Starz HD, Encore HD, Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, MoviePlex On Demand, Starz HD On Demand, Encore HD On Demand, MoviePlex HD On Demand, and Starz Play. Starz Entertainment (www.starz.com) is an operating unit of Starz, LLC, which is a controlled subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation, and is attributed to Liberty Entertainment Group, a tracking stock group of Liberty Media Corporation.

For more information please go to http://www.hollywoodfestival.com

Festival Contact: 1.310.288.1882
Hollywood Film Festival®
433 N. Camden Drive, Suite 600
Beverly Hills, CA 90210

Posted By SAULT STAR

Posted 23 hours ago

The Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre will be closed between Oct. 19 and Oct. 23.

It will be the first time in years that the tourist attraction will significantly change its floors.

The museum will reopen on Oct. 26 with winter hours, Monday to Sunday, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.

Meanwhile, the centre will host a special event An Evening With Amelia, celebrating the life of Amelia Earhart and the Bushplane’s recent acquisition of Fokker Tri-Engine aircraft used in the 2009 Fox Searchlight movie Amelia, starring Hilary Swank and Richard Gere.

The evening will feature a dramatic presentation starring Kathie Brosemer celebrating the life of Amelia Earhart, the famous female pilot who disappeared in 1937 while circumnavigating the globe.

Cost is $5 for adults.

The event takes place from 7:30 to 9 p. m.

HILARY SWANK’s new biopic about AMELIA EARHART is sure to be a fly-away success if demand for the aviator’s memorabilia is an indicator – her goggles topped all celebrity items at a California auction last week (09Oct09).
The eye accessories Earhart wore during her historic 1932 solo transatlantic flight sold for more than a guitar Elvis Presley used onstage in Las Vegas and an endoskeleton from Terminator sequel T2 3-D.
Auction experts at Profiles in History were stunned as the goggles sent bidding into a flurry – they eventually went under the hammer for $141,600 (GBP94,400) at the 37th Hollywood Memorabilia Auction.
Presley’s personal Martin D-28 guitar state, used in his final Las Vegas performance, fetched $106,200 (GBP70,800) and an original hero screen-used T-800 Endoskeleton from T2 3-D: Battle Across Time went under the hammer for $94,400 (GBP62,933).
Also snapped up at the auction: a full-scale screen-used Hero Bumblebee robot from Transformers, Michael Jackson’s iconic illuminating glove worn on state during The Jackson’s Victory Tour and a Harrison Ford-signed Indiana Jones bullwhip from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.