Arkansas Films & Stars Featured in Book Talk & Prime-Time Screening
- Jacqulyn West
- 4 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The authors of "Lights! Camera! Arkansas! From Broncho Billy to Billy Bob Thornton" visited FSMH to discuss their book and give a multimedia presentation in the Event Room upstairs. About two dozen FSMH members and guests gathered, greeted by the smell of fresh popcorn, to listen and learn about more than 30 movies featuring Arkansas performers, producers, and other talent, or filmed on location in the Natural State.
A banner exclaiming "Movie Night" hung on the entry door, matched by two reading "Lights" and "Camera" alongside an Arkansas state flag unfurled on the back wall. A "Cinema" sign stood lit on the piano's music stand above movie-themed photo props.
Drs. Robert Cochran and Suzanne McCray - Bob and Suzanne - are the husband-and-wife team who watched and researched hundreds of films to create the book that details Arkansas films with historical significance, notable cinematography, outstanding actors and producers, and unique locations within the state from the early days of movie-making through present-day productions.
Bob began with a note: while our promo credited them with curating the exhibit, he said the Old State House Museum "has all kinds of folks who do that work," and that he and Suzanne created the idea so they could work together on a book project since their work disciplines are different, and they had not collaborated prior to this project. He also noted that the day - August 4 - was Billy Bob Thornton's birthday. The actor, born in Hot Springs and raised in nearby Malvern, turned 71.
Suzanne said that her father took her to see the original True Grit in 1969 "as a means of instruction" - that is, she was to learn the sort of determination and demonstrate the strength of character that Mattie Ross displayed on screen.
Two dedicated FSMH volunteers dressed in costume for the occasion! Sue Robison, most frequently seen around the Museum and at other historical reenactment and heritage sites as Mary O'Toole Parker, wife of Judge Isaac Parker and founder of the Fortnightly Club (a women's literary group integral to the founding of the Fort Smith Public Library), portrayed the Mother Parker from A Christmas Story, and was gifted a bar of LifeBuoy soap just like the one from the movie. Mother Parker was portrayed in the beloved seasonal favorite by Melinda Dillon, born in Hope, AR.
Melissa Woodall, a staffer at Miss Laura's Brothel Museum, notable civic participant and frequent contributor to local music scenes, donned an excellent reproduction outfit - including a handmade replica Tommy gun and real cigar - of Shelley Winters as Ma Barker in the 1970 film, Bloody Mama, which was filmed entirely on location in Arkansas. Suzanne McCray panned the film, calling it one of the worst she and Bob screened for the book. Happily, Mrs. Woodall's interpretation was well received -- and no shots were fired.
Signed copies of Lights! Camera! Arkansas! and other books by Robert Cochran are available in the Museum Store Gift Shop, open Tuesdays - Saturdays, 10 am - 4 pm.
Concessions were provided by our sponsor, C & C Market Research
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