Perhaps the most revered and controversial Northeast Texas legend of all time is the story of Harriet Potter Ames.† In 1959 it was immortalized in an international best-seller,†Love is a Wild Assault,†by Elithe Kirkland.† It is a tale with Shakespearean dimensions that plays out against the backdrop of the Texas Revolution, and Caddo Lake.
In a cinematic version of the story,†Northeast Texas Community College's Walter Webb Society under the auspices of Honors Northeast will re-present the story on Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Mount Pleasant Public Library.† Admission is free and a discussion will follow the one-hour and two-minute film, led by NTCC Honors students who formed the cast.† Dessert and coffee will also be served.
Kirkland?s tale, as with the story researched by members of Honors Northeast, began with the diary of Harriet Ames, now found in the Dolph Briscoe Center in Austin.† Both this first cinematic effort and the book agree with the basic history. †Harriet came to Texas in 1835 married to a gambler.† He deserted her on the frontier, and Harriet, with two children, nearly starved.† But they manage to flee the Mexican army in the Runaway Scrape right into the arms of Robert Potter, Secretary of the Navy.† Potter?s wealth from seizing contraband and dark past make for an interesting counterpoint with Harriet, a beautiful runaway, now seeking freedom as well from her husband. The two end up on a fairy-tale mansion on Lake Caddo, where more jealousy, murder, romance and?court cases, waiting for them both, will bring the story to a climactic, and unforeseen end.
The research team of Honors Northeast led by Dr. Andrew Yox, and Honors Scholars Kelli Knepp, Miranda Mendoza and Brian Taylor studied the original documents last May in Austin, and their work brings a new slant to the story.† Cassia Rose, a Presidential Scholar who also recently played the part of Bonnie Parker in a recent play at the Winnsboro Center for the Arts, stars as Harriet Potter Ames.† Presidential Scholar, Tyler Reynolds, who produced the last Webb production on Wright Patman, co-stars this year as Robert Potter.† Local sports star, Andrew Flanagan, plays the role of Solomon Page, Harriet?s first husband.
The drama was filmed last summer in Uncertain, Texas with Dr. Chuck Hamilton of NTCC supervising the cinematography, and Presidential Scholar, Kayleah Cumpian, directing the action.† Honors Scholar, William Villalobos of Winnsboro produced the film.
This film and the program at the Mount Pleasant Library would not have been possible without the Friends of Honors Northeast, especially†Jerald and Mary Lou Mowery of Scroggins,†whose early financial gift and on-scene encouragement facilitated the filming.† NTCC Trustee Chuck Johns also allowed for some of the filming to occur in his Yantis-Johns Insurance Building in Pittsburg.† Al Clay of Pittsburg donated some of his rich collection of period wear to be used in the film, including Linsey Woolsey shirts, buckskins, and a coonskin cap.† Helen Thompson of the Mount Pleasant Library has volunteered her services as host for an Honors production now for the third year in a row.
Presidential Scholar, Tyler Reynolds, who presented the Wright Patman film recently in Denver, notes that this film is ?high action?†and it ?reveals the rawness of frontier life for Texas women. From a cinematography viewpoint this year?s film is highly organized and William Villalobos has endowed it with some driving background music which makes the film more exciting to watch.?
The film effort in Uncertain received the additional support and help from former Presidential Scholar, Kristin Ellermann who had just returned from a Peace Corps stint in the Republic of Georgia, and Bonnie Spencer of Leesburg, a Registered nurse, and the owner and founder of Yellowbush Appaloosas.
Others in the cast and production crew include the following: †Costume Director: Miranda Mendoza of Mount Pleasant, Makeup--Elyse Coleman of Gilmer and Kaitlyn Klepfer of Mount Pleasant, Scene Liaison:† Matthew Jordan of Pittsburg, Child: Gabriel Rose of Winnsboro, Nancy: Miranda Mendoza, Zeke: IsaacEarl Burris of Mount Pleasant, Tobiah: Matthew Jordan, Barmaid: Jessica Velazquez of Mount Vernon, John Moore:† William Villalobos, Dr. Francis Moore: Dr. Andrew Yox, Sarah Moore: Kaitlyn Klepfer Henrietta Embree: Kelli Knepp of Linden, Amy Moore:† Kelli Knepp, Mr. Merrick:† Yox, Rev. Cloud:† Brian Taylor,†Norton: †Yox, Neighbor:† Jessica Velazquez, Rachel: Elyse Coleman, Samantha: Miranda Mendoza,†Deborah: Ana Martinez of Mount Pleasant, Martha: Kaitlyn Klepfer, Reverend Taylor:† Matthew Jordan, Wiley:† William Villalobos, Thomas: Chris Hall of Bogata, Possom Perry:† IsaacEarl Burris, Lucy Rose: Angelica Fuentes of Mount Pleasant, Indians:† William Villalobos and Ana Martinez, William Pinckney Rose: Yox, Jeb Rose:† Brian Taylor, Lamech Rose:† William Villalobos, Charles Ames: Andrew Yox, Sophia †Mayfield:† Jessica Velazquez, Ruthy Ann:† Kaitlyn Klepfer. Patsy:† Elyse Coleman, Natchez:† Angelica Fuentes, Defense Attorney:† Matthew Jordan, Prosecuting Attorney:† Ricky Huitema of Pittsburg, Katy: Elyse Coleman, and Lucille:† Angelica Fuentes.† Dr. Mary Hearron of NTCC has a cameo role as a bystander.
