BEVERLY HILLS, CA -- 08/12/07 --
Beverly Hills was buzzing with cowboys
and cowgirls as the Motion Picture & Television Fund presented the 25th
annual Golden Boot Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel here tonight.
The annual Award ceremony recognized those who have advanced the Western on
film and in television. This year's honorees were Viggo Mortensen, Eva
Marie Saint, Martin Kove, Lee Horsley, Caruth Byrd and Walt LaRue.
In addition, Patrick Wayne accepted the prestigious Founders Award on
behalf of his father, John Wayne. This marks the seventh time a Founders
Award has been given in 25 years, with the last winner being Clint
Eastwood. A new award, the Champion Award (named after Gene Autry's
horse), was presented to Jackie (Mrs. Gene) Autry in recognition of her
philanthropic endeavors.
The Best of the West Award, which is presented to the film that best
embodies the spirit of the western, was given to "Avenging Angel," which
aired on the Hallmark Channel. The film is about a preacher (Kevin Sorbo)
who defends a local town from greedy land-barons. After his church is
destroyed and his family is killed, "The Preacher" picks up his
long-forgotten gun, leaves town and heads out into the desert to begin a
new life as a bounty hunter. Returning years later, he discovers his town
has been overrun by the same scoundrels who destroyed his quiet existence.
The Preacher can no longer stand by and watch as innocent people suffer the
same fate as he.
The other nominees for the Best of the West Award were "Disappearances,"
"The Last Confederate," "Saraphim Falls," "Tears of the Black Tiger,"
"Love's Unending Legacy," "Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee" and "Three Bad
Men."
Often referred to as the "Academy Awards" of the Western, the Golden Boot
Awards were established in 1982 to recognize those performers, stunt
people, producers and directors who have furthered the tradition of the
Western on film and in television.
During the past twenty years, Golden Boots have been awarded to such
notables as Gene Autry, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Clint Eastwood, Jack
Palance, Ann-Margret, Melissa Gilbert, Clayton Moore, Jay Silverheels, Sam
Elliott, Tommy Lee Jones and Tom Selleck.
The evening included a silent auction of Western artifacts and memorabilia,
dinner, performances by Western favorites, the awards presentation and a
live auction. Once again, the event will be written and produced by
Patrick Curtis and directed by Michael Emerson and hosted by Ben Cooper.
Since their inception in 1982, the Golden Boot Awards have contributed more
than $3.9 million to the Motion Picture & Television Fund. More
information about the event and purchasing tickets can be found at
www.goldenboot.org.
The non-profit Motion Picture & Television Fund, headquartered in Woodland
Hills, Calif., was founded in 1921 to provide "relief" for those in the
film industry who had fallen on hard times. Today, 85 years later, MPTF is
a major service provider supporting the health and well being of the
entertainment community. Healthcare, childcare, retirement living and
social/charitable services are offered with compassion and respect for the
dignity of the whole person. Care is offered through the MPTF 250-bed
hospital, five outpatient health centers, charitable financial assistance
and community outreach programs, a full-scale retirement community and a
children's day care center. More information is available at
www.mptvfund.org.
Contact:
Steve Honig
The Honig Company, Inc.
818-986-4300
Email Contact
