Customer Reviews

The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club

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4 star:		(6)
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If you saw the classic movie "The Right Stuff", and were interested in the rough-hewn female bartender who ran the local watering hole "Pancho's Happy Bottom Riding Club" and put Gordon Cooper & Gus Grissom in their place at the bar at Edwards AFB, this film is for you. This amazing documentary has been years in the making, and was well worth the wait. The life and times of the legendary, inimitable, Florence "Pancho" Barnes is told by many of the people who knew her best, America's finest test pilots of the era- including Chuck Yeager, Bob Hoover, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, and Bob Cardenas, among others who worked & actually lived with Pancho. More than just a biography, this film for me was also a history lesson studying the early years of female aviation, as well as a glimpse at the men who risked their lives daily at Edwards, testing 'hurtling pieces of machinery', some with no method of ejection from when things went wrong, which they often did. The DVD is loaded with extras, including 2 versions of the film, the longer 64 min. one a little racier for adults, as well as 18 min. of bonus scenes, and a rare audio track where Pancho relates some of her experiences in her own voice during an interview for a student. Chock full of vintage photos & video, this film delves into the character of a woman who lived her own dreams and never gave up, an individual that many would consider larger than life. In her own words, "We have more fun in a week than other weenies do in a lifetime". Narrated by Tom Skerrit, with the voice of Kathy Bates as Pancho, this is an entertaining, informative look into an era that could never happen again. A fine addition to the video library of the aviation enthusiast.

I heard of the "colorful" Pancho Barnes when I moved to
the Antelope Valley in 2000. This movie tells her story more fully with interviews by her contemporaries and material from her estate.
I did not know her grandfather was the famous Thaddeus Lowe. She is
still a presence in aviation circles at Edwards Air Force Base.

This film is for anyone interested in American aviation history.
Yes, there was Amelia Earhart and Jackie Cochrane, but there was also Pancho Barnes who made contributions to the development of flying that should be better known. This movie does just that.

Great educational video. But most of all Pancho was one of the Greatest American's that ever lived. I just wish the video "Pancho Barnes" with Valerie Bertinelli was on DVD too. I think Kim Stanley in "The Right Stuff" had a better grasp on how Pancho acted. Though Bertinelli had no idea how to pro tray Pancho because Pancho really could get her own way at times, and she much louder than life it self. This video that was put out gets as close to Pancho as you can imagine.

I cannot top the previous reviews, especially Ben's which very well sums up the documentary. If I could ever travel back in time I would love to go back to the late 1940's or early 1950's and walk through those doors. What a place and what a time. Her life was just amazing, if ultimately sad, from being a stunt pilot right through to her last days. Why is it that people so often become famous after they have passed away in virtual obscurity? If only Tom Wolfe had written his book a few years earlier, if only....

The documentary has so much in it of interest. I found myself freeze framing some of the documents that are very briefly shown to read them. One brief shot is of the Happy Bottom Riding club's guest book with an entry dated 12-10-46 from Slick Goodlin ! If only that book could be reprinted ! I once had the pleasure of meeting Cliff Morris (whose color photo is briefly shown stading in front of the "Air Force" fountain at Pancho's). This was in Lancaster CA in 2005. He used to work at NACA and part time at Pancho's. Cliff was very frail but his son showed me momentoes including his membership card and a music score written by Pancho called "Ghosts of The Badmen" with a note to Cliff. Cliff kindly signed my copy of Barbara Shultz's biography of Pancho which I recommend.

Once again a fascintaing and perfectly produced documentary which was exactly what I had hoped for. The audio interview by Don Kuhns is a great bonus. Pancho sounds so much more articulate and thoughtful than one might have expected given the hype. It is good to have that additional perspective on her life.

Ahh, Pancho! She was proof positive that you don't need a Y chromosome to be tough, adventurous, bold, and a protector of your people. I've seen other videos about this lady, but none captured her essence so well. Sure. she was unrefined, but that makes her the perfect opposite role model to the pseudo-feminine consumerist dronettes that go gaga over makeup and clothes.

This was one of the most enjoyable documentaries I have ever seen. Not just because I am a pilot but the true heart felt story that mirrors a life that seems to parallel so many greats in America. From the likes of Hank Williams to Curt Cobain it always seems like the star that shines the brightest always goes out in a blaze of glory. Well, no exception here. Cheers to a great aviator! Don't miss this opportunity to see the true back story of the race to speed and the glory days of Aviation as America's new frontier.

This is a great film for anyone interested in aviation, such as myself, or anyone interested in a fascinating slice of 20th century culture. I first heard of Pancho Barnes in the film "The Right Stuff" and was aware of her presence in early aviation, but I had no idea what an intriguing, outrageous and larger-than-life character she was. This is a very well-done and enjoyable film.

The Legend of Pancho Barnes and the Happy Bottom Riding Club is a wild romp through the Golden Age of Aviation. Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes was an aviation legend in her own right as well as a personal friend of many of the aviation greats of the 20th Century.

Actor Tom Skerritt narrates the documentary which is filled with fascinating background information about this magnificent lady in her various guises. As a young woman initially constrained by the mores of her day, Florence threw off the shackles of her cheerless life and quite literally reached for sky as Pancho.

Wonderful interviews from the likes of Buzz Aldrin and Chuck Yeager, great stills and movie clips of the day answer many questions about the sometimes lurid tales of the Happy Bottom Riding Club. Actress Kathy Bates, gives voice to Pancho's dreams and accomplishments, and unabashed sense of humor. This excellent documentary is deeply personal and a wonderful tribute to lady who expanded the bounds of womanhood and flying.

From the author of:

China Clipper, a Nick Grant Adventure
Flying Boats & Spies

"Pancho Barnes and the happy Bottom Riding Club" is a very informative but low key documentary. Pancho Barnes had an amazing life and this film tells you all about it. I heartily recommend it to anyone interested in aviation.

The docummentary is a well done mix of old footage and film. I owned the grocery store in Boron, CA and knew Pancho. We saved all produce trimmmings for her animals and meat scraps for her dogs. She was a great character. She helped me stop chewing my fingernails by shaming me, telling me I looked like a monkey. This film brought her back to life for at least 64 minutes. Thanks
Mr. Jiminny, Pat Patterson