A special episode of Mountain Lake Journal is up for an Emmy! A Spotlight Special: Jean Arthur’s Birthplace Celebrates the Star has been nominated for an Emmy award for the Boston/New England region in the Arts/Entertainment category. The half-hour program was produced by Paul Larson, with videography by Will Houle and assistance from Madison Spear.
The program focused on the creation of an outdoor mural in downtown Plattsburgh depicting local native Jean Arthur, star of some of the greatest films of Hollywood’s Golden Age, such as Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and Shane.
The special documented the painting process of Plattsburgh native Brendon Palmer-Angell. The mural was coordinated by Outside Art: The Plattsburgh Public Art Project, founded by local residents Julia Devine and Amy Guglielmo.
The episode also featured Jean Arthur’s biographer John Oller, speaking with Larson about the earliest years of Arthur’s life in Plattsburgh, as detailed in his book Jean Arthur: The Actress Nobody Knew.
The special is already a winner, having earned a New York State Broadcasters Association award earlier this spring.
Enjoy this feature story on the mural and the biographer interview from the special. Regional Emmy awards will be announced in June.
Spotlight is made possible, in part, by the Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, dedicated to improving the quality of life for year-round residents of the Adirondack Park. Spotlight is also supported by Hill & Hollow Music.