Blue Heron International Pictures LLC

The Blue Heron Travels To NYC

                        

Blue Heron's award-winning director Gary Lester and movie star Johnny Martino were enjoying lunch at a neighborhood Italian restaurant in Brooklyn recently, when the cell phones started to ring. A reporter for the Dawn Reese Show was requesting an interview with Johnny.

The reporter turned out to be Jessica Ashley Leighton, who also just happened to be the reigning Miss Teen New York Tropics. She arrived at the interview complete with crown and sash, much to the delight of the Blue Heron team.

During the interview, Johnny Martino shared stories about his experiences in The Godfather, as well as some insights about his co-stars Marlon Brando and Al Pacino.

Gary Lester with Jessica  (Photo by Daniel J. Portalatin)

Afterwards, Jessica was introduced to Gary Lester, whose latest  movie-making assignment was as second unit director and assistant editor for legendary director Ted V. Mikels.

Mikels recently completed post-production on his latest feature movie, Astro Zombies M3: Cloned. Gary provided Jessica with a stack of promo cards to take back home to friends in Queens.

"Blue Heron applauds Jessica for her high ideals, moral values, and dedication to improving our small planet," said producer Richard Lester. "Young people like her truly do make a difference."

                                           Johnny with Jessica (Photo by Daniel J. Portalatin)

"I love spending time with people I love," said Jessica. "I also want to have a big impact on young girls' lives."

"With her love for her parents, her faith in God, and her ability to aspire and achieve, Jessica will undoubtedly realize her dreams," said Gary Lester, who himself has impacted more than eight million lives world-wide as director of Blue Heron's blockbuster documentary, Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo.

Johnny Johnny Martino, Feliks Pastusiak and Richard Lester

The Lesters -- a father and son film-making team, along with Johnny Martino, were in New York to show support for Safe Haven producer Feliks Pastusiak from Warsaw, Poland.

                                                             Gary with Feliks

Feliks' latest film, The Dark House, was screening at the Brooklyn International Film Festival, where it captured a Best Producer award. In addition to Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo, Feliks also has production credits for Steven Spielberg's Schindler's List, Roman Polanski's The Pianist, and Proof of Life, starring Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan.

Gary Lester, Feliks Pastusiak, and Johnny Martino

Johnny Martino's film credits, in addition to playing Paulie in The Godfather, include major roles in Dillinger with Warren Oates and Capone with Sylvester Stallone.  His latest film, Dead By Friday, will be released soon.

                                    Ted V. Mikels, Gary Lester and actress Shanti

Gary Lester's most recent film assignment was with Ted V. Mikels on the Astro Zombies M3: Cloned production. His responsibilities included working as second unit director in Florida and assistant editor in Las Vegas.

Gary also appears in the opening minutes of the film as an Astro Zombie blown off the screen during a deadly  mortar attack. It was Gary's first acting assignment since 2001, when he first appeared in Flamingo Rising on the Hallmark Hall of Fame. 

                                                    On location with Gary Lester

In between his on-camera appearances, Gary has directed nine award-winning documentaries and short films, all of which are listed on the Internet Movie Data Base (IMDb).

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Blue Heron Television:

        A Night With Johnny Duncan

  (Filmed live at the historic Athens Theatre in DeLand, Florida)

Blue Heron International Pictures announced recently that Daytona Beach Director Gary Lester has completed filming the company's first half-hour television production --  A Night With Johnny Duncan. The DVD was released March 5, 2010 and will premiere at the West Hollywood International Film Festival.

The production features vintage movie icon Johnny Duncan, Batman's original Robin.

"We filmed his farewell performance  Friday night, November 13, at the historic Athens Theatre in DeLand, Florida," said Lester.

The Athens Theatre

"Since he turned 86 in December, Johnny decided it was time to bid his fans a public farewell. He is now officially retired."

Johnny fascinates the fans

Lester mounted a three camera production, covering both the farewell performance and audience reactions after the show.

"We had the best production team possible for this extremely important moment in Hollywoodhistory." said Lester.

"Our cinematographer, Dave Karner, is a graduate of the USC School of Motion Picture Production, and you could tell he was a real pro.

I was fascinated while watching him make the fans feel at ease as he filmed audience reaction interviews after the show."

                Blue Heron cinematographer David Karner captures a moment with the fans

Lester also had associate producer Ed Kirkland handling a multitude of tasks which added dramatic impact to the farewell show.  "Ed ran the follow spot, the house lights, the CD projector, the digital projector, the VCR...He was amazing," said Lester.

The production's other associate producer, Charlie Carlson, kept the show running on stage as emcee. 

"Charlie had the audience in stitches. Everyone was expecting a very dramatic show, and Charlie comes on in a fancy white sport-coat sweeping the stage with a broom," said Lester. "At least Ed won't have to sweep his stage for awhile."

Blue Heron Associate Producer Charlie Carlson

Carlson also told the audience. it was his first time back on the Athens stage in almost 50 years.

In 1963, he worked as a stooge for nationally famous magician Harry Wise, who was from Sanford, Florida. Carlson  paid tribute to Wise, who was unable to attend the performance due to extremely poor health.

Harry Wise passed away the following week, unaware of the tribute paid to him at The Athens.

Carlson is currently appearing on PBS in his newest television show, Weird Florida: Roads Less Traveled.

"Johnny mesmerized the audience with stories about his Hollywood adventures, and teaching Lana Turner how to dance the Lindy," said Carlson.

Johnny (L) with real-life western badman Al Jennings (C)

"We then showed episode six of the 1949 serial Batman & Robin, followed by Gene Autry's Trail to San Antone." 

"Johnny starred in both films, both are his favorites, and it was great to see him live on stage and then see his movies. He's not only a great actor, but a real people person as well," Carlson added. 

                                Johnny romancing leading lady June Carlson in Delinquent Daughters
 

In addition to playing the original Robin with Robert Lowery as Batman, Duncan appeared with all of the Hollywood greats in the studio heydays. He socialized with Humphrey Bogart, who he worked with in three films, and lived next door to Audie Murphy.

                                                               Johnny pleases the fans

Besides teaching Marlon Brando how to ride motorcycles, Duncan also performed 'saddle falls' for Michael Landon on Bonanza. He also appeared as one of the East Side Kids in several movies with Leo Gorcey and Huntz Hall.      

                               Johnny's wife Susan helps keep the photos flowing to the fans 

"Johnny Duncan has touched so many lives and brought so much joy to so many people, that this recognition was long overdue," said executive producer Richard Lester, "He could not have received it among a finer group of people than those who turned out this weekend to honor him and his work."

"Our cameras were able to record everything for posterity," said Gary Lester. "Anyone who loves the golden years of Hollywood will love the broadcast and the DVD."

  
                                                       Johnny with his wife, Susan, 2009
                               

Johnny Duncan presently lives in retirement on his 22 acre ranch with his family and animals.

         For further information about Johnny Duncan, please click here.

 

       For further information about Charlie Carlson's hit PBS TV show, please click here.

 

   To see the trailer, please click here.

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     Flight of The Blue Heron Soars

On October 15, 2009, Blue Heron Executive Producer Richard Lester’s first book -- Flight of the Blue Heron --was published by Bookstand Publishing in Morgan Hill, California.

Over the past forty years, Lester has listened to people talk about their lives. Now he has compiled many of those riveting stories into his new book.

According to the publisher, Flight of the Blue Heron will answer some interesting historical questions. For example, was Billy The Kid confused the night he died?

“I’m not old enough to have personally asked Billy that question,” Lester notes, ”but I did the next best thing – I asked Sheriff Pat Garrett’s son!”

                 Ted Mikels  talks about his ASTRO ZOMBIES in Flight of the Blue Heron

Lester also recounts his experiences with the Beatles, the legendary lawman from Walking Tall, Holocaust survivors and rescuers, and even the Gestapo officer who arrested Anne Frank.

“You will learn about all of the people who wanted to burn her diary, said Lester, “and I think you will be surprised about the identity of one of them.”

Flight of the Blue Heron is now available in select bookstores for $15.95, as well as from Bookstand Publishing, Amazon.com, and Barnes & Noble.com.

An imported edition is available in India from flipkart.com.

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  Blue Heron Website Honored

Blue Heron International Pictures is deeply grateful that its official company website recently received a prestigious award from the Weatherwax Trained Dogs organization in California.

“These are the folks who brought animals into the hearts of millions of children for more than 75 years,” said Executive Producer Richard Lester. “It is we who should be honoring them.”

The Weatherwax group designated Blue Heron’s website as an aesthetically attractive one, offering wholesome family content to its visitors. The company website is now authorized to display the prestigious Bob and Laddie Award, and link to the Weatherwax organization.

      Blue Heron Director Gary Lester with Jon Provost, who played Timmie on Lassie

“I first learned of this award from Jon Provost, who played Timmie on the Lassie television series,” said Blue Heron’s award-winning director Gary Lester.

“He is very much into supporting animal causes such as Canines For Independence, and we are very much into bringing attention to shelter animals across the country through our animal documentaries.”

Bob Weatherwax is the son of famed animal trainer Rudd Weatherwax, who exclusively owned and trained the first seven generations of Collies who portrayed Lassie. Rudd also trained some of vintage Hollywood’s most lovable canines, including Asta in the Thin Man movies of the 1930’s, Daisy in the Blondie shorts of the 1940’s, and Toto in 1939’s blockbuster hit, The Wizard of Oz.

        Blue Heron's canine mascot, Don Pablo, celebrating at one of our premieres

However, it was the Lassie TV series beginning in the 1950’s that sealed Rudd’s reputation as a Hollywood icon, known for bringing animal celebrities to both the big screen and television.

Holocaust Poster created by students in Gdynia, Poland 

Blue Heron International Pictures announced today that two heroes of the Holocaust who were featured in the documentary film Deliver Us From Evil have been singled out for special recognition in Israel.

According to Irena Steinfeldt, Director of the Righteous Among Nations department of Israel’s Yad Vashem, “We are pleased to announce that the Commission for Designation of the Righteous has decided to award the title of ‘Righteous Among the Nations’ to Lambert and Lea Sabaux, for help rendered to Jewish persons during the period of the Holocaust at the risk of their lives."

                                                           Claire Soria

"Claire Soria  was a six year old Jewish child living in Nazi-occupied Europe during World War II,” said executive producer Richard Lester.

According to Irena Steinfeldt,  Lambert and Lea Sabaux “are entitled to a medal and certificate of honor which will be presented to their nearest relative at a ceremony organized by the Israeli embassy in Bruxelles.    

In addition, their names will be inscribed on the Righteous Honor Wall at Yad Vashem.” 

No photos may exist of Lea Sabaux, but her letters to Claire are permanent reminders of her love and courage.

 

“Until we filmed her story, that elderly couple  had received absolutely no recognition or special thanks for doing what few people are called to do – risk their lives for a fellow human in peril,” said award-winning director Gary Lester.

“I felt in our small way, we had to honor Lambert and Lea for opening their hearts and home, which allowed Claire to survive the Holocaust.”

Deliver Us From Evil includes rare color footage smuggled out of the Warsaw Ghetto. An audience of 10,000 attended the premiere at the Daytona Beach Jewish Heritage Festival in April, 2008.

The film has also screened at the Non-violence International Film Festival in Ontario, Canada and won the Audience Choice Award at the Daytona Beach Film Festival on the same weekend.

            Claire's cousin survived Auschwitz, but bitter memories remain.

Deliver Us From Evil also aired on national television in Israel with Hebrew subtitles in May, 2008 and April 2010. It won a prestigious Crystal Reel Award from the Florida Motion Picture & Television Association in August, 2008.

Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo had its official world premiere on Saturday, August 8 at 3:00 PM at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel on Hollywood Boulevard. 

The hotel opened in 1927 and was the playground of such luminaries as Clark Gable, Carole Lombard, and Marilyn Monroe. On May 16, 1929, the first Academy Awards ceremonies were held in the hotel's famous Blossom Room.

 

                                                      Gary Lester on location

"I am extremely pleased that Safe Haven was chosen for its world premiere by the West Hollywood International Film Festival," said award-winning director Gary Lester. 

"It is one of America's most prestigious festivals, and it's located in the film-making capital of the world."

Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo  was honored in Hollywood        with a Special Juror Mention Award. 

                                 Poster created by students in Gdynia, Poland

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           The Zabinski Family villa at the Warsaw Zoo (Photo by Piotr Bujnowicz)
 

Moshe Tirosh, who spent part of his childhood in hiding at the Warsaw Zoo, re-visits the Zabinski Family villa more than 60 years later. With him, during this very emotional experience,  is Warsaw Zoo Deputy Director Ewa Zbonikowska, who assisted in making the film. (Photo courtesy of Feliks Pastusiak)

 

Safe Haven premiered at the West Hollywood International Film Festival in August, where it won a Special Juror Mention Award.

Then it hit the road for an official September screening at the Route 66 Film Festival in Illinois, followed by a screening at the Daytona Beach Film Festival in October.

Safe Haven also showed at the Orpheum Movie Palace in Sioux City, Iowa in October.

In February, 2010, Gary Lester received a Best Director trophy in the Short Films catagrory from the Treasure Coast International Film Festival in Port St. Lucie, Florida. 

 Safe Haven Broadcast On Israeli TV Network

                                                                                (Israel 10 Television poster by Alex Ringer)

"Wise people were those who called and coined this day, as the Remembrance Day for the Shoah and for Valor. You are justifiably commended as doing a great service to humanity.

Thank you warmly, for every minute of your thoughtful and important documentaries."                                               Dr. Chanan Rapaport

                                                                        

Blue Heron International Pictures announced that Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo will be re-broadcast on Israeli national television in April 2010. It originally premiered in Israel on Tuesday, April 21, 2009. 

According to Orlando Sentinel film critic Roger Moore, “the film does bring to light another Holocaust story that Hollywood could take note of and turn into a major motion picture.”

                Ryszard Zabinski at home in Warsaw. (Photo by Piotr Bujnowicz)

Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo was directed by Daytona Beach film-maker Gary Lester. It was co-produced in Israel by Alex Ringer (Deliver Us From Evil) and in Warsaw by Feliks Pastusiak (The Pianist, Proof of Life). Florida author and historian Charlie Carlson was an associate producer in the United States.

“Channel 10 is one of Israel’s leading television networks. They broadcast Safe Haven last year on Yom Hashoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day -- at 15:25 Israeli time,” said Ringer. "It will be seen again on Yom Hashoah this year, along with a re-broadcast of Deliver Us From Evil."

“I believe Israel is about seven hours ahead of us here in Florida,” said Gary Lester. “That means Channel 10 network began broadcasting and web-streaming the film at 8:30 AM EDT on Tuesday, April 21, 2009.” 

         

Deliver Us From Evil won Lester a Crystal Reel Award for Best Director from the Florida Motion Picture & Television Association. Both films will be broadcast gain with both Hebrew and Russian sub-titles added.

The morning broadcasts last year opened with an interview with Marsha Goren, founder of Global Dreamers and Education Outreach Coordinator for the film.

“Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo tells a story that must be told and shows how good can prevail over evil, even in the darkest times of mankind,” said Goren in her pre-taped interview.

Moshe Tirosh with his wife in Israel, recalling his childhood days in hiding at the Warsaw Zoo. (Photo by Alex Ringer) 

Holocaust Memorial Day is commemorated in Israel and throughout the Jewish world each year on the 27th of Nissan, six days after Passover.

“It was important for me to have taken part in this film because my grandparents didn’t make it through the Holocaust. They met their deaths in the Warsaw Ghetto and at Auschwitz concentration camp,” said Alex Ringer.

“Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo is my personal dedication to their memory.”

Poster created by students in Gdynia, Poland

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