Sunset in the Gobi.

Buddy Hatton On Another Exotic Photo Shoot

The Buddy Hatton team is off again to another exotic and remote part of the world.  Their last two films were Iran and Burma. Now they’re headed for Mongolia to explore the Gobi Desert and discover the Land of Genghis Khan.

Accompanied by his co-producer and film editor, Larry Won, Buddy will be there for the National Nadaam Festival (Sporting event), meet the Raindeer People, stay in Nomadic tents and sample the local yak delicacies. They’re not looking forward to the latter.

By the magic of e-mail, TAC caught up with this hard-working duo in China. Larry reports:

“I’m here with Buddy in Beijing and taking a long 12-hour overnight bus ride to the border of China/Mongolia this afternoon We then  hop on the Trans-Siberian train to Ulan Bator for an 18-hour ride.  No easy way to get to Mongolia.

“Our journey will end back in civilization— in Shanghai, where we will attend the World Expo.”

Woody Thomas and monster.

Big Bruiser of the 1950s

Filmmaker Woody Thomas sent along the above photo, taken when he was in film school at Swarthmore College in the 1950s. The camera is an old Mitchell NC—for News Camera. (The first Mitchells were handcranked, then later motor-driven, reports our “Hollywood correspondent,” Filmmaker Joe Micalizzi.)

Woody and his wife Merillan were popular on the travel film circuit before retiring a few years ago.

Sue and Clint Denn and Jackie Lett, film program chair.

Even Cincinnati Has Camels

By Sue Denn

Under sparkling evening skies the Cincinnati Country Club came alive with voices of elegantly dressed guests.  The Travel Club of Cincinnati had gathered for cocktails on the sprawling front lawn under oak and elm trees.

Clint and I had been invited to present our Egypt’s Treasures & Cruising the Nile, and knew we would enjoy the experience when we arrived to warm greetings from Jackie Lett, the club’s film chair.

Many of the attendees chose lovely Egyptian costumes and caftans in place of formal attire, which brought an air of mystique to the black-tie event.

Looking over the scene—tables and chairs, waiters with trays of hors d’oeuvres and 130-plus guests—one “guest” stood out, standing head and shoulders above the rest of the crowd.

His long thick eyelashes accentuated his huge, brown eyes which were framed by a tuft of sandy-colored “bangs.”

Jackie kindly volunteered to make the introductions.

Ah, but what is protocol for meeting a camel—a real, live Egyptian camel. ”We couldn’t very well shake hands. (Incidentally, The camel was rented from a nearby “Camel Lot”— specializing in camel rides.)

After some polite “conversation” and most interesting replies, we posed for photos.

What a memorable evening for us, even though the camel promptly forgot our names, we’re sure, and didn’t come inside for the delicious dinner and Clint’s digital film presentation of his homeland. The camel’s, not Clint’s.