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Thursday, December 27, 2018


The Legend of Boggy Creek was created and directed by Arkansas native, Charles B. Pierce.
The film was released in 1972 and it has obtained an iconic cult classic film status. It is one of the all time favorite films for many Bigfoot researchers. The film itself was inspired by true events that happened in the small town of Fouke, Arkansas. The Fouke Monster, as it was called, was a reported aggressive Sasquatch-like creature that was sighted in the town of Fouke.

Now all these years later, the film is getting the make over it deserves and it is being restored to 4K. This massive project and undertaking is being conducted by none other than Mr. Pierce's own daughter, Pamula Pierce Barcelou.

We recently sat down with Ms. Barcelou to learn more about the film, the restoration process and release dates.

Interview with Pamula Pierce Barcelou:

GC - Your father is Charles B. Pierce, the director and creator of "The Legend of Boggy Creek".  How old were you when he put you in the film as Bessie Smith's daughter?

PB - I was in the 3rd grade when my Uncle Steve Lyons (Mother's little brother, who also played the creature along with Keith Crabtree and Steven Ledwell) picked me up early from school, and took me to the Ledwell's farm (Steve Ledwell's house), where I was told I was needed for a scene in the movie. I was used to this, as my dad was in the advertising business prior, and I had been subject to his work before. "Bessie Smith" was played by my real mother.

GC - After such a long time, how were you able to secure the copyright to the film?

PB - I simply asked! Mr. L.W. (Buddy) Ledwell had always owned full copyright, as the "money-man", and producer of 'The Legend of Boggy Creek', and while my father earned half the profits, he held no official position in ownership. In 1975, while filming 'Winterhawk' in Kalispell, MT, there occurred a falling-out, and each man went their separate ways, with Mr. Ledwell retaining full ownership, and my dad taking full ownership of 'Winterhawk', along with a cash settlement, from Mr. Ledwell, and relinquishing all claims to the first two films.

Cut to early 2000's, and my husband is an early adopter of the internet, and I shy away. He finally insists I sit down, and "surf the 'net", with 'Ask Jeeves' as the search engine. The first question I ask, "Who is Charles B. Pierce?", and up pops a slew of chat room links, all asking for someone to get clear copyright, and release a clean print on DVD. I knew my dad was suffering, as many artist's do, though a financial slump, and called him right away, to read my findings, and encouraged him to go back to Mr. Ledwell to clear copyright, and do just as the internet fans were requesting. Shortly thereafter, Dad was calling me from Walmart, and Sam's Club, excited to tell me what he was now looking at! (The Cheezy Flicks release)

After my dad died in 2010, his will was circumvented, and "lost", and his wishes thwarted. In 2012, my brother located an original will, and finally sent it along to me in 2013. For several personal reasons on my part, the will was not filed until 2015, when I was finally named Administratrix of the Charles B. Pierce estate. Demands for Dad's papers, etc., were made, to no avail. (To this very day, I have yet to receive a single paper, photo, or penny, belonging to the Charles B. Pierce Estate.) If I were going to settle my Dad's estate, I was going to have to piece it together myself, so relying on God's direction to guide me, I started at the beginning: 'The Legend of Boggy Creek'. As I had recommended to my dad years earlier, I called Mr. Ledwell, already believing previous DVD rights had been granted, but learning there had never been proper authorization (on ANY release after 1972), or assignment, so I ventured to ask if he'd grant them to me, having read the new cries, with fans now requesting Blu-ray! Mr. Ledwell told me to "run with it!" So, that's where it began, 4 years ago, but I also knew I needed good elements to restore, and remaster, or what was the point; I had only answered half of fan's request. Thus, began the nail-biting part of the journey; the search for the negatives!

GC - Can you help us to understand the 4k restoration process for the film?

PB - All the elements were located (from New Orleans, to Technicolor Burbank, to the BFI, across the pond, and back then, to Texarkana), assessed for condition, and cleaned/treated, etc. The best quality elements were chosen (considered near "pristine" by industry standards), and run through special machines to scan, and convert. The process for 4K, requires each frame to be scanned 4,000 times, taking approximately 11 days to fully complete that aspect alone. I was blessed to be connected to the George Eastman Museum, in Rochester, NY, from the beginning, and have Kyle Alvut, the head of their restoration/remastering services (and school), responsible for the project.

Kyle has spent his entire career working with George Eastman/Kodak, and is a master at what he does; I couldn't have asked for anyone better! Kyle, and his students, then went through each of the scenes, looking for touch-ups, or corrections. They also did initial sound improvements. As their contribution is almost complete (adding the legal and 'G-rated' notices), the sound elements now go to Audio Mechanics, where they too, will be remastered and restored, using the latest technology! Audio Mechanics has recently worked on the film classics, 'The Sound of Music' and "Night of the Living Dead'. The sound restoration/remaster will now take about a month, and will begin just after the holidays.

Here's a short clip on YouTube:

Also, after we had the essential elements, I knew I needed an Intellectual Property attorney to handle the Copyright Assignments, and it just so happens, Ken Burns, the documentary filmmaker, lives nearby, and I had met him earlier, and knew Mr. Burns was a fan, so when the time came, I reached out to him, and was referred to his IP counsel, who was able to handle everything! It was registered with the copyright office within short weeks of receiving the application. I have been blessed to work with the industry's best professionals, and I think that speaks a lot to the importance of 'The Legend of Boggy Creek'.

GC - What are the dates and times for the re-release and when and where to get tickets?

PB -  Here is a facebook link for the premier: https://www.facebook.com/events/304111637072610/


Times are as follows:
Premiere (private) Friday, June 14, 2019 8PM showing, Midnight showing,
Saturday, June 15, 2019, and 10AM, 12Noon, 3PM, 6PM, 9PM, another Midnight showing, Sunday, June 16, 2019 (Also, Charles B. Pierce Day in Texarkana), 12Noon, 3PM, 6PM, 9PM.

Tickets on sale NOW, and can be purchased 3 ways:

Online through the Perot ticket site or here: https://itkt.choicecrm.net/templates/PERO/#/ .
By phone (903) 792-4992, Mon. - Fri. 10am - 5pm,
or in person, at the Box Office on the corner of W 3rd & Main St, Mon. - Fri. 10am - 5pm

https://www.facebook.com/events/304111637072610/

- End of Interview -

I very big thanks to Ms. Pamula Pierce Barcelou for the interview and for bringing new life to a classic film.

~Greg~




This post by Team Member Greg Champy. Greg displays an amazing artistic ability and a special knack for background research. He is an accomplished writer and does voice over narrations.


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2 comments:

  1. The Legend of Boggy Creek was one of the better Bigfoot films. A little hokey at times but still it had some scarier moments. It is for sure a classic!

    ReplyDelete
  2. How come haven't seen it here lately . Since the early 1970s . We haven't seen and heard of it since then

    ReplyDelete

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