Manningmilt1

Here now is one of Florida's very rare (if not lost) motion picture gems, and a ton of fun for the whole family. Filmed in 1981 as part of an ABC's "Afterschool Special" anthology series, this half-hour puppy flick served as a publicity stunt both for the Benji film company and for Marineland of Florida. Located on Highway A1A (the Route 66 of Florida's east coast) this Sunshine state counterpart to Marineland of California was one of Florida's first theme parks before Disney. Besides Benji, the park has also shared the spotlight with Clint Eastwood in "Revenge of the Creature" (sequel to "Creature from the Black Lagoon")Lloyd Bridges in his "Sea Hunt" series, and Elvis Presley in "Live a Little, Love a Little." Alas today, the ravages of time, weather, and economics have turned the facility from a once famous dolphin show site, into a strictly marine biology education camp. Still, should you happen to spot this classic on DVD at your local Wal-Mart or Target Store, (along with the aforementioned other 3) snatch it up quickly before it's gone! You won't be sorry.

John Hand, yes, is brilliant, talented, and able to sell a picture. (I said 'sell a picture,' not 'tell a story.') Evidently he wants to create an aura of mystery and suspense around his nebulous art style, if only to cover up the fact that he's a less than great narrator. (Well, what of it? Ed Wood, Tim Burton, he's in good company.) He seems to brings up plot points and characters for the sake of having them, then discards them entirely once a spurt of action takes place.

But hey, I'm not giving him points for perfect story, big spending OR an all-star cast. I'm giving him points for location use, and effort. WHY you ask? Well...because regionally speaking, even though we're not a big film town, Pensacola is NOT exactly 'Nowhere, Florida.' Yes, we're better known for turning out more Navy pilots than filmmakers, and probably more paper products than film stock. BUT... the tide in the art community is slowly changing. Presently, filmmakers are still a rare breed in the local crowd of painters, sculptors, weavers and folk singers. But in the last 26 years alone, more than 50 Pensacola filmmakers, actors, and technicians have sprung up and left the nest. Some work in Hollywood, some in New York, others in Atlanta, Mobile, and New Orleans. Some have already won Oscars and Palm D'or's for their work. Others are still waiting in the wings.

So take heart, Friend John. You're still a diamond in the rough, but you're headed in the right direction. At least you're trying. And historically, that could pave the way for legions more in the near future. Lead on, John. Lead on.