Roycroft Campus Corporation - RENNOVATION 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

  Contact:
Clare Root, Associate Director
croot@roycroftcampuscorp.com
(716)-655-0261

July 14, 2008

The “Message” Hollywood Style

Members and friends of the Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC) enjoyed "movie night" at the Roycroft Inn on July 10th.   The 1936 20th Century Fox movie version of “A Message to Garcia” was being shown. The Roycroft Inn was the gracious host of the event serving free popcorn, licorice, candy and drinks.

“A Message to Garcia” is a short essay on initiative, written in less than an hour by Elbert Hubbard and published in his March 1899 Philistine magazine. This essay is clearly what brought him his notoriety, wealth and the need to expand his printing space, and consequently, start building the property now known as the Roycroft Campus. Today, it is still being reprinted and distributed as a motivational booklet and remains among the world’s ten most widely published works.
The movie however was not based on Elbert Hubbard's article, but rather on the event that inspired his essay: Lt. Rowan's mission to deliver a message from America's President to General Garcia fighting the Spaniards in the jungles of Cuba. Hubbard's article did not go into detail about the mission itself. Instead he wrote about the strength of character and focus that Rowan demonstrated in carrying out his mission so quickly, with no questions asked. I am sure the popularity of Hubbard's article - reprinted for use by railroad companies, businesses and the army to name a few - is what led to the production of the movie.

The film was full of typical Hollywood moments: a monkey trying to steal "the message"; a love interest in Barbara Stanwyck featured as the Cuban sister of a soldier in General Garcia's army, who became a guide for Lt. Rowan; a few comic sidekicks; chase and gunfire scenes with the Spaniards; and Rowan fighting off a swamp full of alligators - by banging their snouts with sticks - this gave movie viewers cause for a good laugh.
It was a lovely summer night, but a curious crowd of over 60 came indoors for a bit of old time black and white movie magic.   Hubbard probably would have scoffed at Hollywood's version, but I know he would have been pleased to see the “philanstery” filled.

Varying styles and price ranges of the essay “A Message to Garcia” are available at the Copper Shop Gallery, located at 31 South Grove Street in East Aurora and on-line at www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com.
To learn more about Elbert Hubbard and the Roycroft Campus consider making a reservation for a scheduled guided tour by calling 716 655-0261. Tours are available June through September on Sundays at 12:30 and 2:30pm or Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm. Love, laughter and friends always welcome here.

Roycroft Campus Corporation, 31 South Grove Street , East Aurora New York 14052

Phone: 716.655.0261 , Fax: 716.655.8498

Gallery Hours:
Sunday-Saturday - 10am to 5pm.
info@roycroftcampuscorp.com
www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com


	FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Clare Root, Associate Director croot@roycroftcampuscorp.com (716)-655-0261 July 14, 2008 The “Message” Hollywood Style Members and friends of the Roycroft Campus Corporation (RCC) enjoyed "movie night" at the Roycroft Inn on July 10th. The 1936 20th Century Fox movie version of “A Message to Garcia” was being shown. The Roycroft Inn was the gracious host of the event serving free popcorn, licorice, candy and drinks. “A Message to Garcia” is a short essay on initiative, written in less than an hour by Elbert Hubbard and published in his March 1899 Philistine magazine. This essay is clearly what brought him his notoriety, wealth and the need to expand his printing space, and consequently, start building the property now known as the Roycroft Campus. Today, it is still being reprinted and distributed as a motivational booklet and remains among the world’s ten most widely published works. The movie however was not based on Elbert Hubbard's article, but rather on the event that inspired his essay: Lt. Rowan's mission to deliver a message from America's President to General Garcia fighting the Spaniards in the jungles of Cuba. Hubbard's article did not go into detail about the mission itself. Instead he wrote about the strength of character and focus that Rowan demonstrated in carrying out his mission so quickly, with no questions asked. I am sure the popularity of Hubbard's article - reprinted for use by railroad companies, businesses and the army to name a few - is what led to the production of the movie. The film was full of typical Hollywood moments: a monkey trying to steal "the message"; a love interest in Barbara Stanwyck featured as the Cuban sister of a soldier in General Garcia's army, who became a guide for Lt. Rowan; a few comic sidekicks; chase and gunfire scenes with the Spaniards; and Rowan fighting off a swamp full of alligators - by banging their snouts with sticks - this gave movie viewers cause for a good laugh. It was a lovely summer night, but a curious crowd of over 60 came indoors for a bit of old time black and white movie magic. Hubbard probably would have scoffed at Hollywood's version, but I know he would have been pleased to see the “philanstery” filled. Varying styles and price ranges of the essay “A Message to Garcia” are available at the Copper Shop Gallery, located at 31 South Grove Street in East Aurora and on-line at www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com. To learn more about Elbert Hubbard and the Roycroft Campus consider making a reservation for a scheduled guided tour by calling 716 655-0261. Tours are available June through September on Sundays at 12:30 and 2:30pm or Wednesday evenings at 6:00pm. Love, laughter and friends always welcome here. Roycroft Campus Corporation, 31 South Grove Street , East Aurora New York 14052 Phone: 716.655.0261 , Fax: 716.655.8498 Gallery Hours: Sunday-Saturday - 10am to 5pm. info@roycroftcampuscorp.com www.roycroftcampuscorporation.com