Pancho Barnes (Oct 25, 1988)

Genre: Drama / Adventure / Action

Awards: Won Emmy. Another 1 nomination.

Cast
Valerie Bertinelli ... Pancho Barnes
Ted Wass ... Frank Clarke
James Stephens ... Rankin Barnes
Cynthia Harris ... Mrs. Lowe
Geoffrey Lewis ... Ben Catlin
Todd Allen
Richard Young
Sam Robards ... Gene McKendry

Run Time: 150 (mins)

Rating: NR

Summary: A high spirited young woman ( Valerie Bertinelli ) gives up society life to pursue her passion for flying. Pancho Barnes is the incredible true story of this 1920's maverick who beat the odds for a career in aviation. Valerie Bertinelli, Ted Wass and Sam Robards star.

Who Was Pancho Barnes?

In a field populated by colorful characters, Florence 'Pancho' Barnes was probably one of the most colorful of all. These days, most folks probably only remember her as a background character in the movie The Right Stuff--an excellent movie, made from a fine book, which really put a mythic spin on the early days of the US space program. Remember the older woman behind the bar in the broken down dive frequented by Chuck Yeager and the other pilots? That was Pancho, (portrayed by actress Kim Stanley) and the dive was supposed to be her (in)famous Happy Bottom Riding Club. A few years later, an execrable TV movie appeared, featuring, for some reason, Valerie Bertinelli as Pancho.

In truth, there was a lot more to Pancho's life than that. It might surprise some folks to know that this raucous aviatrix was born Florence Leontine Lowe on July 22, 1901 into a wealthy California family, and later married an Episcopalian minister. This first marriage was apparently not a happy one, but it resulted in her beloved son, Billy. An avid horsewoman, she trained horses for the budding film industry. A true free spirit, by all accounts she caroused her way down south, had several romances, drank, cussed and adventured better than any man. Caught in the middle of a Mexican rebellion, she acquired the nickname 'Pancho'. Back in the States, she decided to learn to fly at age 27; by 29 she had broken Amelia Earhart's world speed record for women (clocking in at 197.26 mph) in a hot Beech Travel Air 'Mystery Ship'. As a racer and stunt pilot, Pancho blazed through the Golden Age of Aviation in fine style.

She may be best known today for the role she played in the lives of America's test pilots and astronauts. Falling in love with the desert, she constructed a ranch and airstrip at Rancho Oro Verde, CA. As fate would have it, it was near Muroc Army Air Base, which would later become Edwards Air Force Base. Pancho hosted movie crews on location, rodeos, parties, and all sorts of entertainment--apparently she was a hell of a hostess. In 1942, the Happy Bottom Riding Club opened its doors; this members-only club was intended to be a haven for pilots. Various (probably apocryphal) stories have circulated as to the origin of the name; Pancho usually insisted the name had to do with horseback riding, but others looked at the beautiful hostesses she employed and weren't so sure. Alas, the Air Force wanted her land for its own purposes, and went after the woman dubbed the 'unofficial Mother of the Air Force'. Pancho fought back tooth and nail, even in the face of a devastating fire. Declaring the Club to be a house of ill repute, the Air Force eventually succeeded in shutting it down. Thus did the pilots lament the loss of their 'briefing room'. Pancho successfully sued the Air Force for accusing her of operating a brothel, and so had the last laugh.

Pancho may have been down but she wasn't out, and spent the rest of her life at such diverse activities as songwriting and ice skating. Though she pursued other real estate projects, nothing ever came close to what was lost at Muroc. Honored by many aviation organizations, she was in demand as a lecturer. On March 30, 1975, Pancho's body was discovered along with the bodies of several of her loyal dogs. It was determined that this inimitable lady had perished of heart failure, her pets remaining with the body until they succumbed to thirst.

Pancho was not only an intelligent, daring, generous, loyal lady, she also lived life to the hilt.

For more information about Pancho Barnes, there are two fine books you might read Pancho: The Biography of Florence Lowe Barnes by Barbara Hunter Schultz, published by Little Buttes Publishing Co. (ISBN 0-9652181-0-4); and The Lady Who Tamed Pegasus by Grover Ted Tate, published by Maverick (ISBN 0-89288-092-9). Both books are available through most aviation book companies.