Film Producer Brings ‘Follow The North Star’ To Jackson Center
Aaron Beckwith appeared at the Robert H. Jackson Center Tuesday morning and will be in again today at 9:30 a.m. to present the film Follow The North Star to school children and the general public.
A Syracuse University graduate, Beckwith, now 91-years old, began his career in film production in New York City where he became a vice president of the Music Corporation of America, a media giant that owned Universal Studios. His next move was to the American Broadcasting Company where he became director of program sales. As vice president of a large New York advertising company, Beckwith represented advertisers to the popular shows of Lucille Ball, Red Skelton and Groucho Marx.
Beckwith’s career turned to films when he became the head of Radio Keith Orpheum Pictures. When RKO decided to stop film production, Beckwith established his own production company, Beckwith Presentations. ABC hired Beckwith to produce an after-school special presentation entitled Follow The North Star.
Follow The North Star was so successful that it was shown in Japan, Germany and throughout the United States, culminating in the Emmy Award for Beckwith. The Catholic Church honored Beckwith as ‘‘Television Humanitarian of the Year’’ with a Christopher Award.
The movie, which takes place during the Civil War era, is about a white boy’s journal south to free an enslaved boy and reunite him with his mother who previously had fled north. The title Follow The North Star was chosen because escaped slaves on the run to escape headed for the north where they could be free. They often hid in the woods during the day and at night under the cover of darkness, followed the North Star to freedom.
Since his retirement 20 years ago, Beckwith has traveled throughout Florida, his winter home, showing the film to school children.
‘‘I present the movie to school children because it makes me feel good to share with others and it’s something the children need to see,’’ he said. ‘‘All the teachers who have seen it asked me to come back next year because it makes such an impression on their students.’’
Gregory L. Peterson, Jackson Center president, said they are excited about the event.
‘‘The Robert H. Jackson Center is indeed grateful to Aaron Beckwith for his offer to show the film in the Carl Cappa Theater,’’ he said. He notes the film ties in with the Brown vs. Board II commemoration which took place at the Jackson Center and Chautauqua this winter and in mid- May.
Teachers from six area school districts are bringing their children to the event. There are also a limited number of seats for the general public at each showing.
For more information call 483-6646 or visit the Jackson Center Web site at www.roberthjackson.org.