The Lone Pine Film Festival: Sunday and Oh, Susanna! (1936)

All too soon it was our final day at the 29th Lone Pine Film Festival!

This was our first year to stay for the full day on Sunday, so we were able to participate in Cowboy Church, which has been provided as part of the festival for over two decades.

In years past Cowboy Church has been held on the grounds of Anchor Ranch, but this year it took place on the Rodeo Grounds behind the Museum of Western Film History.

There was a nice turnout despite a strong, very cold wind. We were well bundled up with coats, hats, and mittens! We really enjoyed the local musicians who came to participate in the worship service, especially given the weather.

The spectacular views of God's creation made the brief service all the more special.

Then it was off to see Gene Autry in OH, SUSANNA! (1936). The movie featured the classic Stephen Foster song along with Autry's "Dear Old Western Skies" and "Honeymoon Trail." The movie was a quick and pleasant 59 minutes, directed by Joseph Kane, filmed in Lone Pine by William Nobles.

The movie costarred Smiley Burnette, Frances Grant, and the Light Crust Doughboys.

The Sunday afternoon parade down Main Street was a really nice, old-fashioned parade such as we've experienced further up the 395 in Bridgeport. The participants were a mixture of locals, including veterans, fire fighters, and the 4H Club, along with the festival's special guests.

Scott Eyman (left) and Robert Wagner:

Stuntman Diamond Farnsworth, the son of Richard Farnsworth:

William Wellman Jr.:

William Fox biographer Vanda Krefft:

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans' granddaughter Julie Rogers Pomilia with her husband:

Wyatt McCrea, the grandson of Joel McCrea and Frances Dee, with his wife Lisa. She's tossing candy to kids in the first pic!

John Gilliland, who attends the festival each year in an authentic Hopalong Cassidy costume:

Western historian Rob Word:

The parade ended with local fire equipment. Fire fighters had a tough year and up down Highway 395, and it was nice to applaud for them and let them know they're appreciated!

We concluded our festival events later that afternoon watching Tim Holt (and his father Jack!) in the not-on-DVD THE ARIZONA RANGER (1948), which I'll be writing about separately as my final festival post. (Update: Here is the review link!)

There was a closing night campfire at Spainhower Park that evening, but we decided to skip it given the weather.

As was the case last year, there were also a limited number of tours on Monday, which was the Columbus Day holiday. We had a final breakfast at the Alabama Hills Cafe Monday morning and then headed on home after a wonderful time!