SW New Mexico News

The film "George Andrews," created by the late Orville Wanzer, a professor at New Mexico State University (NMSU), will be screened on February 24 at the Fountain Theatre in Old Mesilla. This screening marks the return of a significant work from the 1970s that showcases Wanzer's influence on avant-garde filmmaking and modern western cinema.

Julia Smith, who has spent five years restoring the film, will introduce it and discuss its restoration process. "This is the best existing digital copy of ‘George Andrews,’" said Smith. Her efforts included assessing, digitizing, and preserving materials from the Wanzer archive at NMSU's Rio Grande Historical Collection.

Wanzer joined NMSU as an English professor in 1959 and was instrumental in developing film studies courses. He co-created NMSU's film society and established one of the first filmmaking programs in the nation. His semi-autobiographical film "George Andrews" features experimental techniques like montage and non-linear narrative to explore themes such as marriage and academia.

Smith describes "George Andrews" as a "gothic psychological shocker" that challenges traditional storytelling methods. The event will also feature a trailer for Smith’s documentary, “Birth of the Acid Western,” which examines Wanzer’s contributions to cinema.

“This screening is a fundraiser for my independent documentary ‘Birth of the Acid Western’ that highlights Wanzer’s pioneering filmmaking," Smith explained. She aims to raise $25,000 to support her project through donations collected during screenings across New Mexico historical theatres.

Since collaborating with the Institute of Historical Survey in Mesilla Park in 2019, Smith has digitized about half of Wanzer's collection to preserve his legacy for future generations. Donations can be made online to support this effort.

Tickets for "George Andrews" are available online or at the door with different pricing options for general admission and students.