Susan Barr
Kern Valley Sun

Bakersfield’s historic Fox Theater set the scene for last Friday night’s festive opening of Chuck Barbee’s two latest offerings; the 30 minute documentary short “The House With Three Lives” and the 80 minute docudrama“Wild West Country: The Lure of Gold.” The event was a joint presentation by the Kern County Museum and the Kern River Valley Historical Society. A large crowd, many of whom had traveled down from the valley, was on hand to attend the eagerly awaited documentary premieres. Friends and family of the many locals appearing in the films were also eager to see loved ones in their debut on the big screen. Others, who share a love of history, were there to enjoy an evening of nuggets of local lore from days long gone by.

Scott Meier, Principal of the Valley Oaks Charter School took to center stage and opened opened the event. After welcoming everyone, he provided background information about both of the films. Jeff Nickell, 
Assistant Director
 of the Kern County Museum then took the opportunity to thank everyone for their ongoing support of the Lopez Hill House project.

Many 19th century characters came face to face with 21st century moviegoers at Friday’s showing of “The House with Three Lives” and “Wild West County:The Lure of Gold” at the Fox Theatre in Bakersfield.

The first film of the eveing, “The House With Three Lives” details the saga of a Bakersfield home built in 1906 by J.J. Lopez, the Spanish immigrant who became the majordomo of the well known Tejon Ranch. Although the home passed through the hands of several families, the film focuses on three in particular, each of whom was responsible for the home being moved to different location. Due to the tenacious efforts of two sisters, Glenda Rankin and Dianne Sharman Been, the house was eventually moved to the Kern County Museum in April of this year. The women’s mother, Lavern Hill, owned the home from 1966 until her death in 2005. She loved her home dearly and longed for it to sit alongside the other historic buildings on the museum grounds. She finally got her wish thanks to her daughters unceasing commitment to the project. Barbee's film beautifully captures the heart and soul of the home itself, as well as that of the families who resided within it's walls.

A spirited auction was conducted during the intermission by auctioneer Bob Evans. Three items; a watercolor of the Lopez Hill House, a print of “Lynn's Posse” and an original branding iron from the famed Tejon Ranch were all on the auction block. The monies raised will be used for the ongoing restoration and preservation of the Lopez Hill House.

The main event of the evening, “Wild West Country” immediately followed the first feature. The audience was already in the right frame of mind due to the pre-show western reenactment held outside the theater earlier in the evening. A horse drawn stage coach along with numerous cowboys on horseback had journeyed to the heart of the city to lend an authentic air to the event. Numerous reenactors from the film itself, were on hand as well. Dressed in period attire, they added a charming touch to the event. Barbee, himself handsomely attired in western clothing, mingled with the appreciative crowd before the festivities began inside the theater.

“Wild West Country” was inspired by the series of books written by valley resident Bob Powers. Barbee had read the books several years ago and found himself dreaming of a way to bring the rich and colorful history of the Southern Sierras to he big screen. No one can dispute that this documentary has done just that. By expertly weaving a plethora of old photographs, with interviews of descendants of the original miners and settlers, Barbee has been able to capture what life was really like in the valley during the mid-1800's.

Numerous local history aficionados were called on to be reenactors and narrators for the project. Their love of the area in which they live and the era of history that they are so passionate about, comes through as clear as a blue sky over the Kern River Plateau. Two of the reenactors in particular, Valerie Cassity and the late Don “Dufus” Legg, absolutely shine in their performances.

Barbee has plans to bring five other installments of “Wild West Country” to life. If the crowd's reaction last week was any indication, each one sure to be a resounding success.

'Wild West Country: The Lure of Gold” will be available to the public in either television or DVD form in the near future, by which time Barbee anticipates that the second episode will be completed.