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Honoring
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The Historic Castro Theater prepares for a Movie Premier:
San Francisco 4:30 pm, November 11, 2001: The streets around the majestic Castro theater buzz with excited movie buffs and roller derby fans. People to San Francisco from as far away as New York and Connecticut to see the debut of Calvello's unique movie. They've come from Los Angeles, Chicago, the East Bay and all around the country.
The streets line up with artsy young and hip film maker wanna bees from the Film Arts Organization.
They are here to honor the independent film makers of the bay area and to see the DEMON OF THE DERBY. Hopefully they'll get a glimpse of the diva herself.
In the crowd, are old time roller derby star that can still walk who live in the San Francisco Bay Area. They are mostly in their mid 50's or older now, and sport receding or balding heads, glasses, and sagging waistlines.
All except the roller-diva herself who will be arriving soon by special limousine. The night is tense with anticipation. Calvello is not in her 50's, she is 72 years old.
The legendary queen of the roller derby appears:
San Francisco 5:05 pm, November 11, 2001: The streets overflow with movie goers. Once a quiet scene, is now jammed with people to the point that no one can cross on the sidewalks. The crowds of people run off the sidewalks and into the streets.
The police arrive to keep the crowd under control and try to keep the area safe.
Limousines appear with darkened windows. They sit quietly for ten minutes or more. Everyone waits for the special guest to appear. There is excitement in the San Francisco air. Hearts thrum and tighten.
Then the car roof of one of the limousines opens. Everyone looks. Suddenly a head appears and the diva herself is visible.
Flashbulbs pop and camera's whirr as the crowd cheers and claps. Someone says, "Look who's that", another person says, "That's Ann Calvello the queen of the roller derby".
"Look it's a movie star", someone said. "We love you Ann", people yell and chatter loving epitaphs.
Movie Goers file into the luxurious movie palace:
San Francisco 5:30 pm, November 11, 2001: The line of movie
goers grows from the theater's box office, and trails all the way down to the end of the street and around the corner.
The roller derby queen in the limousine disappears and the doors to the theater swung open.
Within moments a
second set of doors open so that the large crowd could is ushered into the luxurious theater. The long lines are full of all types and sizes of people. There are young and old, male and female and from every walk of life; an example of the diversity of America and the power that this shining celebrity had over so many people. It's an night of American pop culture at it's best.
They came for one thing and that was to rub shoulders with someone that they saw, loved and adored. They wanted to be around a shining star. They came to see Ann Calvello.
It was a sell out.
Pomp and Ceremony:
San Francisco 5:30 pm, November 11, 2001: The sell out crowd hushes as lights dim and the grand pipe organ plays and quietly assends up from the floor.
The music welcomes it's audience to San Francisco, a city that embraces history. Then came the famed "San
Francisco" song that ended with the large pipes reaching their deepest and lowest tones, vibrating the theater like a small earthquake as the organ slowly sunk back into the floor.
The distinguished and talented film makers, Sharon Rutter, Christine Murray and Elizabeth Pike introduced Ann Calvello, giving a mesmerizing thank you and welcome.
The Movie:
We laughed and then we cried as we experienced the most compelling life story ever told of a woman who dedicated over five decades to her sport. Then we clapped and yelled with glee when she overcame her obstacles.
This is a fun movie made about roller derby. Ann Calvello is the star. This movie is just plain cool. It's a roller coaster ride ..... only this ride is on roller skates. "Provocative, Historical and delightfully funny"
Who is Who at the Premier:
Tom Chasuk : Builder of Danny Wolf: TV producer Jerry Seltzer: Executive owner
the World Skating League and TV personality of the original Roller Derby
Will McCoy : Keith Coppage: Martin Spencer:
Director of the IRSL Author and derby historian Video Sports authority
STACEY BLITSCH LIZ McCLUSKY IRMA REYES
active roller derby star active roller derby star active roller derby star
Click on a thumbnail and see if you recognize someone in the crowd
The Demon of the Derby comes to Historic Castro Theater.
CO-Sponsored by the Bay City Bombers
"The Demon of the Derby" is the authentic docu-drama of Ann Calvello one of the games most 'love to be hated' stars. The movie documents Ann in a behind the scenes struggle for domination of this all-American sport.
The movie, "The Demon of the Derby", highlights a sports legend and her star-studded life. She has been at the top of her form for over over fifty years.
So popular, an American icon, that her dedicated fans from all over the world have already purchased their tickets and made their travel reservations to see this great movie in spite of September 11th attack on America.
Her life as the bad girl of the roller derby will never be repeated. Even today, her persona is so intoxicating and strong she overpowers any crowd with her presence.
"When Ann Calvello is in the room, no one else matters"... SF Chronicle.
But all that glitters wasn't gold for Ann. From her beginnings as the sex-pot of the 1948 roller derby, Ann had to overcome devastating obstacles on her way to the top. It is a story of one woman's independence in a behind-the-scenes world of vindictive, backstabbing ladies.
Ann Calvello's grudges with another famous roller derby skater, Joan Weston, made both household names in the 1960's and 70's. But this was not the end of Ann Calvello's career.
She skated with the American Roller Derby League for almost 10 years from 1990 to 1999 where she was the highest paid skater of all time for the league.
Suddenly, her career came to an abrupt end. The league banned her from skating. Her female counterparts had voted her off the track. Feeling pressured, American Roller Derby League owner, Tim Patten tells her, "Ann, you are just to old
to skate anymore!". His words cause a world war within the roller derby community. Hate mail and phone calls hit Patten's desk immediately, but it wasn't until the summer of 2001 that Patten fully realizing the mistake he had made apologized to Ann.
"I should have listened to you much earlier. I want to apologize to you and I am embarrassed that I was not wise enough to see that I was being manipulated. I should have been stronger. You were right", Patten says.
But now with the bad times over, both Patten and Calvello are soaring with new projects---Calvello with "The Demon of The Derby", and Patten announcing in 2007 the re-release of his 1989 documentary, "Ann Calvello Unleashed" which will include new footage and photos.
Some say that Ann Calvello has the last laugh on everyone. "This Movie in 2001 is entirely about her. In a world where ego's drive the business, Ann Calvello has finally got in the last word and the last laugh on all of us". Says Tim Patten. "And she deserves it", He adds.
Do you have anything to ask or say?
The end of an incredible era.
An experience that will never occur again.
Special Thank you to the Film Arts Organization of San Francisco and to the producers of the film at Fireproof productions.
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