It was an amazing first weekend showing The Boys in the Boat on January 12-14. More than a really great story and well-produced film, it launched warm memories and funny surprises!
We met Bob Stanley’s former UW Rowing crew mates and their friends and family. Who would know more about Husky Rowing than these UW grads who were also “boys in the boat?”
Shown: Larry Johnson, Jim Edwards, and Bob Stanley shared their Husky Rowing experiences from the late 60s through the early 70s. It was great to hear them talk about how rowing changed their lives. Bob said, “We were so honored to have done that with each other for five years. Puts a fire in your heart that can never be extinguished.”
From our conversations before and after the movie, we also found out Anne Bussiere’s grandmother was a rower, and others in the audience were familiar with George Pocock’s boat-building skills.
Bonus — I even met a Peloton rowing teammate for the first time in real life! You may not fully appreciate the significance, so just nod and say, “That’s nice.”
We also talked to a crew of Arty Nakis’ friends, one of whom told us about Cliff Hurn’s rowing fame. Members of Cliff’s family live in the Concrete area.
MEDIA REVIEW
Excerpt, Cascadia Daily News
It’s not often you get to see a time-period Hollywood movie with so much local flavor. Pacific Northwesterners will be able to claim a piece of “The Boys in the Boat.”
The Depression-era, true story tells of an eight-man crew, plus a spunky coxswain, most of whom were desperate to make the team because of the steady meals and housing provided. The movie plot, like the book of the same name, centers on Sequim’s Joe Rantz, but two rowers had ties to Skagit and Whatcom counties — Don Hume of Anacortes and Gordy Adam of Everson.
SHOWTIMES
THE BOYS IN THE BOAT
Playing January 12-14 & 19-21
Fridays and Saturdays at 5 p.m.
Sundays at 2 p.m. with captions
Rated PG-13, 2 hours
Free posters from MGM while supplies last!
Thanks, everyone, for joining us and sharing so many great moments. We were happy to provide a place for all those conversations to happen.