"A Last Hurrah" - documentary film

   This documentary focuses on the golden age of high school football in Southern California, highlighted by the most memorable high school football game ever played in the region (please view the 5-minute promo video). 
     Although the game is what drives this story forward, this film is about much more – an economic, social, and cultural transformation of an entire region, when all eyes of the nation were on California.  This documentary would appeal to all persons interested in American history in the 1950s.
     The football game was the 1956 CIF championship between two powerhouse teams – the Anaheim Colonists and the Downey Vikings.  The media buzz was unprecedented.  Each team had a star player of almost mythical status – Anaheim's Mickey Flynn, and Downey's Randy Meadows.
     Anaheim and Downey – still considered small towns in the 1950s – were truly represented by these teams, with businesses often closing early to attend games.              The two 12-0 teams clashed in the L.A. Memorial Coliseum on a foggy December night. It was a game for the ages.
     Yet in the aftermath of the game, the economic landscape and infrastructure of southern California was changing so rapidly that a game of such magnitude could not – and would not – ever happen again. And if we look back at that period from afar, perhaps we can also reflect on how we sometimes treat our heroes, and what that says about us.
     Most importantly, this film will allow the men and women interviewed to tell their stories – which will make us all richer by reflecting upon their experiences, and ours. 
      Your donation will help preserve this important piece of history. Any amount is appreciated, but there will be thank you gifts for specific amounts donated. Those details – plus information for those who wish to make a tax-deductible donation by check – are available at our website:

http://www.alasthurrahmovie.com

     Thank you so very much for your consideration.

     Paul Molina earned a B.A. degree from the UCLA Dept. of Theater, Film, and Television.  For the past 25  years he has produced and written documentaries and news programming, some of which have aired nationally on PBS, The Learning Channel, E! Entertainment, NBC affiliates, and via Netflix.  He has also produced and written corporate media productions for clients that include Time-Warner, the U.S. Postal Service, 3M, Pearson Education, McGraw-Hill, Allina Health in Minneapolis, and numerous veterans groups and health care organizations in the upper Midwest.
     Paul was born in Anaheim and attended Katella High School, where he played football and was selected  All-Empire League as a defensive lineman. 

          UPDATE: interviews with Flynn and twelve other former players and students (members of the '57, '58, and '59 Anaheim and Downey classes) were filmed in October, 2016.  My sincere thanks to those who have already contributed, which has made this initial filming possible.  

           UPDATE: interviews with three historians, two former students, and several former football players were filmed in May/June 2017. Again, thanks to those whose contributions helped make this filming possible. More interviews and filming are planned for October 2017, so please consider a donation toward this phase of production. 

           UPDATE: more interviews were filmed with former players, students, and historians in October 2017 and June 2018.  We have almost completed filming all necessary interviews, and we've moved into post-production, including the acquisition of more stock footage.  Thanks again to those who have helped us thus far!