Hayden to host hydroplane film double feature

Hydroplane history will be celebrated on the big screen on June 27 at the Hayden Discount Cinema as a fundraiser for the Museum of North Idaho.

The special film event will feature two screenings of the Hollywood theatrical release “Madison” and a special documentary short film “The Roaring Giants.”

The showings of the two films will take place at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and will be preceded by a special presentation about the filming of “Madison” by David Williams, executive director of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum in Kent, Wash.

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Museum of North Idaho, and the double feature is a special golden anniversary event offering an exciting look back into the history of hydroplanes in the region. All proceeds from the event will support the museum’s plans to expand and serve our growing community.

The 2005 feature film “Madison” was directed by William Bindley and tells the story of a hydroplane driver Jim McCormick’s personal struggle to win the 1971 Gold Cup for unlimited hydroplanes with the community owned Miss Madison.

For the hydroplane fan, “Madison” is notable because it contains authentic race footage from the 1971 Madison, Ind., race as well as action scenes of restored vintage hydroplanes currently in the collection of the Hydroplane and Raceboat Museum of Kent, Wash. “Madison” is thought to be the only feature film ever made that is centered on professional boat racing.

The showing of “The Roaring Giants” will be of particular interest to the residents of Coeur d’Alene, as it was filmed before and during the 1962 Diamond Cup unlimited hydroplane race on Lake Coeur d’Alene. The film short was independently produced and then stored away without explanation, and has never been shown to the public. Included in the footage are scenes of the big unlimited boats testing and racing on the lake as well as special concert footage from a performance by popular singer Jimmy Rodgers at North Idaho (Junior) College the weekend of the race.

Award-winning actor Jim Caviezel portrayed McCormick in the “Madison” film. Two-time Oscar nominee Bruce Dern also has a featured part. “The Roaring Giants” was created by Hollywood producer Gerald Block and the film prominently features his wife, a television and movie starlet named Bambi Hamilton.

General admission tickets for each showing are priced at $15 per person. A Special VIP Ticket Package is available for $150, and it includes two reserved seats; the DVD version of “The Roaring Giants”; an autographed copy of “Hydromania: A History of the Diamond Cup” by Stephen Shepperd, published by the museum; and a Museum of North Idaho membership.

Food and beverages will be available for sale to those attending by local vendors. The Museum of North Idaho will have copies of “The Roaring Giants” for sale at the event, as well as a selection of the books including “Hydromania: A History of the Diamond Cup.” In addition, it is hoped that arrangements can be made for David to bring one of the museum’s collection of hydroplanes that was used in the filming of the movie for display at the theater.

Ticket outlets include the Museum of North Idaho, the Nickel’s Worth publishing office, Adventure Outdoors, Inc. of Coeur d’Alene, and Hayden Discount Cinema. Only 150 General Admission tickets and a limited number of VIP tickets will be sold for each showing, so those interested in attending are encouraged to buy tickets as soon as possible.

For more information or to purchase tickets by phone contact Dorothy Dahlgren at the Museum of North Idaho 208-664-3448 Tuesday through Saturday. Checks can be mailed to PO BOX 812, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83816-0812 and tickets will be mailed.