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If you work alongside Betty White, good things will happen on TV, but in her case, she is a star in her own full right. And now Hallmark Movie Channel announces “Wild Horse Annie,” a Hallmark Movie Channel Original Premiere starring Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee Wendie Malick (“Hot in Cleveland,” “Just Shoot Me”), is in development with an anticipated premiere date of Summer 2012. Ms. Malick will also serve as Executive Producer of the film which is adapted from a portion of Deanne Stillman’s grand epic Mustang: The Saga of the Wild Horse in the American West. Helen Bartlett (“North Country”) is Executive Producer. The screenplay will be written by Jenny Wingfield (“Man in the Moon”). Deanne Stillman will also produce.
“Wild Horse Annie’ is the triumphant story of Velma Johnston’s commitment to majestic wild horses; that they be preserved, enjoyed and celebrated by generations of Americans,” said Michelle Vicary, Executive Vice President, Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. “It is an honor to memorialize Ms. Johnston’s humanity in this film,” Vicary concluded.
“Velma Johnston, also known as ‘Wild Horse Annie,’ grabbed hold of me from the moment I read about her in Deanne Stillman’s fascinating book,” Ms. Malick said.
“Despite physical and emotional challenges, Johnston committed her life to getting federal protection for our wild horses and burros, saving them from cruel roundups and barbaric slaughter.
“Today there are 40,000 wild horses languishing in government holding facilities, and we are in danger of losing the wild mustangs forever. Helen Bartlett, Jenny Wingfield, Deanne Stillman and I came together to tell this courageous woman’s story, and hopefully shine a light on the plight of these remarkable creatures before it’s too late,” Malick concluded.
Velma Johnston became a leading animal rights activist in this country. Her dedicated quest to protect America’s wild horses, a campaign she began with the nation’s school children, culminated in the US Congress’ passing of the Wild Free Roaming Horse and Burro Act of 1971. The bill became the law of the land, signed by then President Richard M. Nixon on December 15, 1971. Ms Johnston’s legacy lives on.
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Wild Horse Annie
This page is dedicated to all children in our country and throughout the world who want to learn more about Annie and her valiant efforts in hope that they will be empowered in the belief that they too can change the world and make it a better place for all living things.
All American’s owe the survival of wild horses and burros on the North American plains to this magnificent woman who dedicated her life to end their inhumane treatment and slaughter.
With nearly three decades of hard work and dedication, Wild Horse Annie’s dream was realized, that future generations would have the pleasure of seeing wild horses galloping across the plains with manes and tails flying in the wind, nostrils flared, and eyes reflecting their wild spirit, their freedom.
Wild Horse Annie rose up against tremendous odds to achieve one of the greatest accomplishments in American history, the ideology that one person can change the world! She brought much needed attention to our country that our public lands are not just for the vested interest groups but that they belong to all the people of the United States. From her early efforts, spawned other legislation that resulted in furthering the protection of public lands such as NEPA. (National Environmental Protection Act.)
Annie’s Achievements in Legislation
•1952 – Annie organized the ban of using aircraft to capture horses in Storey County where she resided.
•1955 – A bill, similar to Storey County, was passed in the Nevada legislature that banned aircraft from capturing wild horses except on public lands which constituted 86% of Nevada’s lands.
•1959 – The first federal law was passed which prohibited the use of motorized vehicles in the capture of wild horses and prohibited the pollution of water holes for the purposes of trapping horses. [Known as the Wild Horse Annie Law (PL86-234)
•1971 – Federal legislation that protected wild horses and burros from capture, branding, harassment or death on public lands. [The Wild Free-Roaming Horse and Burro Act (PL92-195
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“I can’t wait till this movie conmes out !!”