Photo credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
Rear Admiral Richard Blackburn Black was a member of the United States Navy Reserve who assisted Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd in his expeditions to Antartica – three of them to be exact. From 1933 to 1935, he served in Byrd’s Second Antarctic Expedition as a civilian in charge of East Base in “Little America” for which he received the U.S. Navy Special Silver Medal. Over the next thirty years, he served in four other expeditions and was an active-duty officer planning Antarctic expeditions. We’re talking Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Everest, as in the most dangerous place on earth.
Admiral Black was also in the radio room of the USCG Itasca as he listened to Earhart’s last known radio transmission indicating that she was low on fuel and was searching for Howland island, which has nothing to do with this story, just a fascinating factoid.
Rear Admiral Richard Blackburn Black lived close to me in Georgetown. His daughter Debra was a friend of mine. Through her, I was sometimes invited to their exquisite parties and even once interviewed him. Only regret about the interview is it is most likely long gone along with my first PC.
Michael Kelly is one of Hollywood on the Potomac’s favorite actors as is Robin Wright, both in House of Cards…..which takes us to EVEREST which will open in theaters on September 18th.
“Inspired by the incredible events surrounding an attempt to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain, Everest documents the awe-inspiring journey of two different expeditions challenged beyond their limits by one of the fiercest snowstorms ever encountered by mankind. Their mettle tested by the harshest elements found on the planet, the climbers will face nearly impossible obstacles as a lifelong obsession becomes a breathtaking struggle for survival. The epic adventure stars Jason Clarke, Josh Brolin, John Hawkes, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Sam Worthington, Keira Knightley, Emily Watson and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Josh Brolin
Everest is directed by Baltasar Kormákur (2 Guns, Contraband) and produced by Working Title Films’ Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner, Cross Creek Pictures’ Brian Oliver and Tyler Thompson, as well as Nicky Kentish Barnes and Kormákur.
Universal Pictures and Cross Creek Pictures’ presentation of Everest—in association with Walden Media—is adapted for the screen by two-time Academy Award® nominee William Nicholson (Gladiator, Unbroken) and Oscar® winner Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire, 127 Hours).
The film was shot on location in Nepal on the foothills of Everest, the Italian Alps and at Cinecittà Studios in Rome and Pinewood Studios in the U.K. Everest may now be experienced on IMAX 3D and premium-large format 3D screens, as well as standard 2D and 3D.” Production Notes
We bring you the trailer. It is not for the fainthearted. If you have acrophobia or hate the cold, it will give you the chills. If you love adventure, danger and risking all, this one’s for you:
