By Parker Anderson
In 1957, a former ASU English professor named Richard Kenneth Snodgrass formed a new business called Counterpoint Productions, with which he hoped to foster arts and humanities in Arizona and Yavapai County in particular. Among his partners were area photographers Art Clark and John Ludwig. After publishing two historical booklets, “The Prescott, Arizona Story” and “Ballad of a Laughing Mountain”, Snodgrass and Counterpoint set their sights on independent filmmaking.
Snodgrass was influenced by European “New Wave” cinema, which was starting to make its way into American art house theatres in the 1960s. He envisioned a multi-part film he would name LEGACY, to be filmed entirely in Prescott. It is no longer known who his investors were, but it is presumed they were local residents excited about a home-grown movie being filmed in Prescott. The actors were all locals who volunteered their services, and it is believed the Prescott city government volunteered to shut off city streets without charge so scenes could be filmed. Everyone was excited about the new movie!
LEGACY consisted of three themed stories about divorce, racism…..and the Apocalypse, as seen through the eyes of children. Richard Snodgrass cast his young son, Michael, as one of the lead children. A fourth segment was filmed but cut out by Snodgrass before presenting his final cut.
LEGACY had its world premiere at the Elks Theatre on June 26, 1963. The reaction of Prescott residents to the surrealistic film ranged from raves to bewilderment to anger. In small-town Prescott of the day, people weren’t sure what to make of it. The Courier published several letters to the editor about it, ranging from one reader who called for all colleges and universities to be closed if this represented the mindset they were turning out, to another who decried the “righteous indignation” against the film and stated that it showed how needed LEGACY was. Snodgrass proceeded to enter LEGACY in film festivals around the world (it won a Gold Prize at West Germany’s Mannheim Festival), but he failed to acquire a distributor for the film, so even though it has had public screenings, it remains officially unreleased.
Late in 1963, Richard Snodgrass obtained permission to document the reaction of children at Sacred Heart School to the JFK assassination. They drew pictures and recorded interviews with Snodgrass about their feelings about what happened. Snodgrass turned these into a seven-minute short film called A CHILD’S EYES, a remarkable little movie that received quite a bit of attention a few years later when Snodgrass circulated it. Today, the rights to A CHILD’S EYES are owned by the Sixth Floor Museum in Dallas.
Richard Snodgrass died in 1991. He was a man ahead of his time, and his movies are remarkable time capsules of Prescott in 1963. Both LEGACY and A CHILD’S EYES, unseen publicly in many decades, will be screened on August 12th at Sharlot Hall Museum in the Education Center Auditorium. The screening will be hosted by historian Parker Anderson, followed by a discussion with a panel of local film experts. Experience this unforgettable glimpse into Prescott’s film history and a significant moment in American memory. This event begins at 4:30pm. Before the screening, enjoy a light reception on the brick patio in front of the Transportation Building. Seating is limited, and tickets ($25 per person) are required. Please note that there are no refunds. Be aware that the film LEGACY explores mature and emotionally complex themes that may not be suitable for young audiences. Viewer discretion is advised. For more information click the link for this event on our Events Calendar at: https://sharlothallmuseum.org/event-calendar/
“Days Past” is a collaborative project of the Sharlot Hall Museum and the Prescott Corral of Westerners International (www.prescottcorral.org). This and other Days Past articles are also
available at www.archives.sharlothallmuseum.org/articles/days-past-articles/1. The public is encouraged to submit proposed articles and inquiries to dayspast@sharlothallmuseum.org
Please contact SHM Research Center reference desk at 928-277-2003, or via email at archivesrequest@sharlothallmuseum.org for information or assistance with photo requests.