A documentary profile of Pasadena society girl turned adventurer and aviator, Florence Lowe "Pancho" Barnes. In the 1920's and 30's, Barnes was Hollywood's top woman stunt pilot. In the 1940's and 50's, she owned and operated the (in)famous "Happy Bottom Riding Club" - a fly-in resort located near Edwards Air Force Base.
Pancho Barnes lived a really amazing life and this documentary touches on the all the key points. She resisted a life that was expected of her, opting to literally blaze a trail through the friendly skies, back when most people hadn't even seen an airplane. Raise a family with a Minister or fly airplanes upside through barns? Who could blame her? She went toe to toe with all aviation greats and was so well respected that she ended up at the center of a stunt/aviation scene, rubbing elbows with Hollywood legends and all the Air Force party animals. Drinking everyone under the table, swearing like a sailor and defying death to break speed records. There is a book (The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes), for anyone wishing to know more of her story, but this hour long documentary will paint the picture with key strokes of a broad brush.
