Memoir about Wright Patman to be showed on Feb. 21

Charles Shafer, in his memoir of life in Northeast Texas, noted that when he was young, Congressman Wright Patman seemed to speak to local residents with the voice of God—and he “appeared about as old.”  Mr. Patman represented Northeast Texas in Washington D.C. from 1929 to 1976, and is commemorated today by the Bowie and Cass County Lake that bears his name.
 But what did his life and tenure say about our region?  What kind of man was he? This is a question that the Northeast Texas Community College Webb Society has sought to answer in a new film about Wright Patman’s life. The group will host a premiere of their film on Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m. the Mount Pleasant Public Library (601 N. Madison in Mount Pleasant). The public is invited for a free presentation of the 50-minute film, for the panel discussion that will follow the film, and a free dessert that will be served afterwards. The film was researched, written, directed and produced by members of NTCC’s Webb Society, in conjunction with NTCC Honors.  A Whatley Enhancement Grant and Friends of NTCC Honors made the film possible.  
Presidential Scholar, Noah Griffin of Pittsburg, stars in the film as Wright Patman.  Presidential Scholars Alisha Richardson, and Lauren Fennimore play the roles of Patman’s two wives, Merle and Pauline.  Presidential Scholars Tyler Reynolds and Matthew Jordan produced the film.  Elizabeth Griffin served as the Director of Makeup.  Presidential Scholar Ricky Huitema appears as President Lyndon Johnson.
 Presidential Scholar, Kayleah Cumpian, who researched the life of Patman, and who presented some of her work at the State Webb Society meeting in Victoria earlier this fall, will provide some commentary on the panel following the film, along with other members of the cast.  Cumpian argues that Patman was an authentic populist, whose experience with destitution propelled him to support the causes of rural America, and the rural poor throughout his career.
 

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