A glitzy sold out crowd of 1,200 that packed the Mother Lode Theater gave rousing approval for “The Orphan Girl” short film Thursday night.
The 20-minute film played mighty well in its hometown, where Chisel Industries of Bozeman filmed it with local actors and crew last summer.
“I’m just loving it,” said Brick Patrick, hometown star of the documentary. “I’m excited for Butte. I thought it came together pretty well – I think the film looked great.”
Also known as Rick Prigge, Patrick walked the red carpet and posed for flash photos, Hollywood-style, in the crammed lobby before the show. His date was his mother, Marnie Prigge, in a time-honored tradition of swanky affairs.
Long lines and folks dressed to the nines mingled with the more casually dressed in the lobby. More of an event than a typical going-to-the-movies night, the gala burst with high energy and anticipation.
During the show Patrick and the rest of the cast, including Ken Bates of Anaconda, who played one of six miners, sat toward the front of the house.
During the show he and the rest of the cast, including Ken Bates of Anaconda, who played one of six miners, sat toward the front of the house. Bates, the least experienced of the cast, awaited with bated breath.
In front of them were Director Yarrow Kraner of Chisel, producers John and Courtney McKee of Headframe Spirits and members of the Montana Film Office staff. The trio collaborated to create the Butte-centric film as part of the larger “Spirit of Butte” campaign.