The final two chapters of a local traveler’s journeys will be shown to the public this weekend.
The White Pole Road Development Corporation presents the 2nd annual Al Bell Film Festival this Sunday.
In an effort to preserve the Al Bell legacy, the last 2 of 28 short films from the Bell family’s 16 millimeter library were recently saved from further decomposition and transferred to DVD, and now is the community’s chance to take a look.
Special guests at the event include the Bells’ 4 children, Rhea, Allen, Becky and Doug who will display their family’s original travel memorabilia and will be available to reminisce with those in attendance.
If you grew up in Central Iowa, chances are you’ve attended many of the colorful and exciting school assemblies featuring performances by world travelers Al Bell and his family. From 1949 to 1979 Menlo residents Al Bell and his family visited at least 65 countries. During those 30 years, Bell performed about 12,000 shows to approximately 400 Iowa schools, showing film footage and displaying souvenirs he brought back with him. Bell passed away in 1993 at the age of 77 and his wife, Rhea, in 2005.
Event Director Liz Gilman says it wasn’t unusual to see Al come out on the stage dressed as a tribal leader, an Eskimo, or a goat herder while talking about his latest trip, encouraging rural Iowa school children to explore other parts of the world. He always tried to look the part while giving these performances. Gilman says Bell was a great influence on how local residents travel today.
The festival begins at noon Sunday at the Saints Center for Culture and Arts in Stuart. Admission will be 10 cents, which was the original admission price for an Al Bell school assembly.
Admission to view both films will be a suggested $15 donation, with all proceeds going toward the cost of the film transfers.
Seating is limited and to guarantee a ticket, visit www.whitepoleroad.com.