THE FILM
ABOUT THE FILM
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BROTHERHOOD OF THE POPCORN is an inspiring, nostalgic human interest documentary about friendship, classic films, growing old, and living life to the fullest. It is a heart warming story about a group of lively senior citizens who call themselves, 'The Cliffhangers.' The group meets bi-weekly on Saturdays at theater in Hollywood for over 35 years to watch and celebrate the classic American films of Hollywood. Our narrator and originator of the club, Woody Wise guides us through his home (formerly a building on Bette Davis’ estate) on a typical Saturday; where the Cliffhangers meet, have breakfast, watch a double-feature, a cliffhanger serial, and also have lunch. They talk about everything under the sun: movies, family, wives, stars, surgeries, their health, their diet, their retirements, their kids, their pets, their loves (and although the rules state that members cannot talk about religion or politics) they somehow end up talking about that, too. Told through the lens of their unique personalities, it becomes apparent that their individual life stories and struggles are just as interesting as the movies they watch! This documentary demonstrates how each of their lives was shaped by the 'Saturday Matinee' of yester-year, the era they grew up in, and the history of Hollywood and it's movies.
The film also explores film preservation, the progression of animation, film projectors, silent films, theater organs and movie theaters. BROTHERHOOD OF THE POPCORN is chock full of antique stock footage of Hollywood, the major studios, film sets, and movie stars and is sure to make every movie-lover's heart rate skip a beat or two. We hope you enjoy this special film that celebrates tradition, friendship, nostalgia and films ~ The good ole' fashion way, with some good ole' fashioned gentlemen. They definitely don't make 'em like they used to!
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THE CLIFFHANGERS
written by the director.
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On a brisk October day, 2010, while having coffee and donuts in the San Fernando Valley, I overheard an interesting conversation between Rocky (a retired house-painter) and Bill (a retired animator). They were discussing the classic Hollywood actresses they believed to be "knock-outs" in their day. Names were dropped like, Ava Gardner, Jane Russell, Lana Turner, Lauren Bacall, Betty Grable, Sophia Loren.
Being a film “addict” and filmmaker myself ,their conversation quickly caught my attention. I butted in and said, what about Veronica Lake, Hedy Lamarr or Grace Kelly? The guys looked at me like I was crazy. Rocky blurts out in his sardonic Brooklyn accent, "How would you know those dames? You weren't even born when they were in the movies!"
"I just watched Mildred Pierce last night for the third time," I said. "I love classic films, especially black & white."
We sat for hours and talked about movies we'd seen, films that were our favorites, and films that I haven't seen, but should (yes, films I should see, being the “whipper-snapper that I am). They told me they loved classic movies so much that they had an exclusive club called “The Cliffhangers,” where they got together every other week to watch a double feature and a cliffhanger serial. I told them I was a filmmaker and would love to come and possibly do a short piece on their band of brothers. Well, cut to four and a half years later, that “short piece” turned into a full-blown documentary. . . . and the rest is History. These guys have way too much to show and tell ~ it would never all fit in a short. Not to mention, like most classic film fans I know, we just can’t get enough. So much has happened since that day, and I have been truly blessed to be able to have this wild ride with the guys. This experience and the time with each of them has taught me more about life than they will ever know, and I’m happy to have the film to show for it.
Brotherhood of the Popcorn was filmed on Location in Hollywood, Burbank, and Lone Pine, California. Through interviews, personal stories, unexpected cameos and rare stock footage, this documentary should prove to be an awe-inspiring journey for every film fan, young and old. This is filmmaker Inda Reid’s second documentary feature. Her first film, “The Making of The Nutcracker,” won best documentary at Temecula International Film Festival in 2009.
Members of the Cliffhangers are:
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Woody Wise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as The President
Dennis Penna . . . . . . . . as The Rock-a-billy Crooner
Eric Harrison . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as The Irishman
“Rocky” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as The Big Italian
Bill Exter. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . as The Animator
Tim Walker . . . . . . . . . .The Animator - “from the left”
Richard Mottern . . . . . . . . . . . as The Teacher
Jack Edward Tuerk . . . . . . . . . . as The Fish Truck Driver
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DIRECTOR
Inda Reid is a director, producer, photographer, writer and former actress and singer. She is known for directing the award-winning film The Making of The Nutcracker (2009), The Leading Man (2011), Mormon Boys (2012) and Brotherhood of the Popcorn (2014), and Sunday Mornings (2021). Inda also directs, writes, and produces commercials, industrials, series episodes, and feature films. Prior to directing and producing films, she was a successful Theater director, as well as a professional stage and television actress. She is a member of the Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Radio and Television Artists, Actor’s Equity Association, American Society of Composers and Publishers, and the Writers Guild of America.
She received her Masters of Fine Arts in Acting and Directing from The University of Arizona. As a graduate student there, she won Best Director for her production of, "From The Mississippi Delta" in 1997 from Alpha Psi Omega, honorary Theater Fraternity. In addition, she studied Shakespeare, British History and period Styles in London, England at Richmond College on a study abroad scholarship.
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After graduate school, Inda became a member of the girl-band, "Roxxi," which opened for Destiny's Child and 112 on a European tour in 1999-2000. During her time in Roxxi, she and her bandmates met the artist formerly known as Prince, who encouraged the girls to tap into their maximum creativity and potential by venturing into writing, acting, and producing.
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Recently, she produced, and DP'd the SAG short film, "BUS STOPS" (2023) written and directed by Dave Goudge (of Gadfly Films). The film is about a confused man whose time on earth is limited. He then auditions different religions from the "discomfort" of his hospital bed. The film is slated to be complete by June of 2023.
