Leonis Adobe film debuts

Documentary will be part of museum presentation


WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers LIVING HISTORY- Dinner  is  served  at  Leonis  Adobe  in  Calabasas  before  the  premiere  of  the documentary

WENDY PIERRO/Acorn Newspapers LIVING HISTORY- Dinner is served at Leonis Adobe in Calabasas before the premiere of the documentary “Share the Legend: The Story of Leonis Adobe,” a film about local history.


It wasn’t in Hollywood and there was no red carpet, but the Leonis Adobe Museum boasted quite a premiere party last weekend when “Share the Legend: The Story of Leonis Adobe” opened to a local crowd. Starting next week the 14-minute film can be seen anytime by museum visitors.

Susan Eastman, executive director of the Leonis Adobe, said she expects the film to be playing at the Plummer House in the coming week. A DVD will also be sent out to local teachers and brought to students and senior groups as well.

The premiere party featured a barbecue dinner, live entertainment and line-dancing lessons.

“It was a tremendous success,” said Eastman. “It was the best party. We projected (the film) on a 10-foot screen on the barn in high definition. We were so thrilled with the final product. It exceeded everyone’s expectations.”

The story of the Leonis Adobe is brought to life by actors in period costume. With an introduction by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, the Adobe’s story is told through the eyes of Juan Menendez, the son of Espiritu, a Chumash Indian who lived at the Adobe as the common-law wife of Miguel Leonis. Leonis was a Basque sheepherder who became known as the king of Calabasas. Menendez continued to live at the Adobe with his family long after Leonis died.

“Using Juan enabled us to tell a full story because he had a perspective on everything that went on back then,” said Don Sweeney, co-producer and scriptwriter of the film. “There are so many colorful stories, so many interesting characters, but so many conflicting reports of what actually happened that our challenge was sorting out the facts from the wild tales and having the right mix of both to keep the program moving, interesting and fun.”

The short film was put together by Sweeney and Randy Witt. Witt has created videos for a variety of clients, including the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley and Caruso Affiliated Holdings. Sweeney was formerly the music supervisor for “The Tonight Show” working with both Johnny Carson and Jay Leno. Currently, he is director of operations for the Valley Cultural Center.

“There was just so much we could include,” Witt said. “We needed to keep a balance between re-creations that feel authentic, old images and other maps of the period and the dialogue necessary to paint a complete picture of what’s going on. But people today learn visually- and young people, especially, expect something (to be) happening on the screen. Our intention was to create a first-class production that everyone can enjoy.”

Showings of the film will be followed by docent-guided tours of the Monterey-style adobe home.

For more information, call (818) 222-6511, or visit www.leonisadobemuseum.org. The Leonis Adobe Museum is in Calabasas at 23537 Calabasas Road.

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