Pubication Date: 12/17/2010
Article URL: http://newsok.com/pearl-soars-onto-dvd/article/3524193

Cast and crew of the Oklahoma-made aviation drama "Pearl" will sign copies of the DVD on Monday at Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City.

The soaring aviation drama "Pearl" is landing on DVD, and the public is invited to a special event to celebrate the Oklahoma-made film.

"Pearl" producer David Rennke, screenwriter Donna Carlton and cast member Angela Gair will sign copies of the just-released "Pearl" DVD at 2 p.m. Monday in Full Circle Bookstore at 50 Penn Place. They will be joined by Paul F. Lambert, who wrote the biography "Never Give Up! The Life of Pearl Carter Scott," on which the film is based. The four will sign copies of the book as well as the DVD.

Produced by the Ada-based Chickasaw Nation, "Pearl" tells the inspirational true story of Marlow-bred Eula "Pearl" Carter-Scott (Elijah DeJesus), who in 1928 became the youngest licensed pilot in the nation.

Through the encouragement of her supportive father (Andrew Sensenig) and her friendship with celebrated Oklahoma aviator Wiley Post (Tom Huston), Pearl earned her pilot's license at age 13.

She quickly launched a career as a barnstormer and commercial pilot. Gair plays Pearl's mother, Lucy Carter.

"Pearl" is the first feature film made by the Chickasaw Nation. The filmmakers worked on a tight budget; principal photography had to be completed in 23 days.

The movie was filmed at several state locations, including Oklahoma City's Harn Homestead, El Reno Municipal Airport and Jude and Jody Airport near Macomb. Four blocks of downtown Guthrie streets were covered in dirt to transform the city into 1920s Marlow.

In a spring interview, Rennke said the film's heart proved much bigger than its budget. "Pearl" became a hit during its rounds on the film festival circuit, and the Dove Foundation awarded the film its family-approved seal.

"It's a very strong family film," said Rennke, who works for the Chickasaw Nation's multimedia department. "It's a story about Pearl, but it's really a family story, too. The (actors playing the) family really had chemistry; they just jelled. And that made all of our work so much easier because they didn't require a huge amount of direction. They were very natural together."

"Pearl" is available on DVD at Full Circle, Gaylord-Pickens Oklahoma Heritage Museum, Riverwind Casino gift shop in Norman, WinStar World Casino gift shop in Thackerville, Bedre Chocolates in Pauls Valley, Chickasaw Cultural Center in Sulphur and McSwain Theatre in Ada.

The DVD and Blu-ray also are available at www.pearlthemovie.net.

Along with the film, DVD features include deleted scenes, a "making of" featurette, music video and documentary on the real Carter-Scott.