Tuesday, June 09, 2026
The Emmy™Award-Winning Documentary Film
"Broadcast" version now airing on most public television stations.
"Uncensored" version now on DVD and in film festivals.
Synopsis: A charismatic figure featured in Tom Wolfe's book The Right Stuff, Florence "Pancho" Barnes was one of the most important women in 20th Century aviation. A tough and fearless aviatrix, Pancho was a rival of Amelia Earhart's who made a name for herself as Hollywood's first female stunt pilot. Just before WWII she opened a ranch near Edwards Air Force Base that became a famous -- some would say notorious -- hangout for test pilots and movie stars. Known as the "Happy Bottom Riding Club", it became the epicenter of the aviation world during the early jet age. Chuck Yeager celebrated breaking the sound barrier there in 1947, and Howard Hughes and Jimmy Doolittle caroused in the bar. The Club's destruction by fire in 1953 is seen by many to mark the end of a Golden Era in post-WWII aviation. In the same fashion Pancho herself has become something of a legend, a fascinating yet enigmatic icon whose swagger is often celebrated, but whose story has been largely unknown. Until now.
A documentary film produced and written by Nick Spark and directed by Amanda Pope. Featuring interviews with test pilots Bob Cardenas, Bob Hoover and Chuck Yeager, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and biographers Barbara Schultz and Lauren Kessler. Narrated by Tom Skerritt with Kathy Bates as the voice of Pancho Barnes.
Last Updated: Wednesday, 12 August 2015 04:31 Nick Spark Hits: 17393
The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club (film festival version) screened at:
A Celebration of Women in Aviation
Allen Airways Flying Museum
Airplane Owners and Pilots Association National Convention
American Cinematheque
Arlington Air Show
Big Muddy Film Festival
California Museum of History / Sacramento
Cal State Dominguez Hills / Rancho Dominguez
Douglas Aircraft Alumni Association
EAA
EAA AirVenture
Evergreen Museum of Aviation
Flight Path
Flying M Ranch
Hawthorne Airport
HomeBase Phoenix
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
Huntington Library
Los Angeles Women's Film Festival
Mission Viejo CIvic Center
Montana CINE Film Festival
NewFest Film Festival
Ninety-Nines
Northrop Grumman Bethpage
Northrop Grumman San Diego
Northrop Grumman Torrance
Oakland Museum of California
Palm Springs Museum of Aviation
Quiet Birdmen
Red Barons
San Diego Air and Space Museum
San Francisco Airport Museum
San Francisco Women's Film Festival
San Luis Obispo International Film Festival
San Marino Public Library
Santa Monica Public Library
Society of Experimental Test Pilots
South Pasadena Public LIbrary
Sun N Fun Air Show
Western Museum of Flight
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