The Carl Erskine Story World Premiere

08/13/2022

With appreciation to the Indianapolis Star for this great article:

A new Carl Erskine film highlights the Anderson native, Dodgers great and his fierce fight for people with special needs and for racial equality.

08/13/2022

Thanks to WRTV, which ran this story about the Premiere on August 10.

"The Best We've Got: The Carl Erskine Story" will hold its world premiere screening on Thursday at the Paramount Theatre in Anderson, Carl's hometown. Tickets are still available for other screenings.

08/13/2022

Thanks to The Herald Bulletin for this great story today.

Local residents were the first to view the film honoring one of Anderson’s most famous native sons.

08/13/2022

Thanks to all who attended to celebrate this exceptional film about Carl Erskine, his life and family. Special thanks to whose who made the film possible: Gaither Charitable Foundation, Avis Foundation, Special Olympics Indiana, Madison County Community Foundation, Ball Brothers Foundation, McMillen Foundation, Peter O'Malley, Mike and Jeannie Dinius, the Arc of Indiana, and many others. Special Olympics Indiana is contributing an educational component to the project, the Erskine Personal Impact Curriculum, which will be presented by Duke Energy and distributed to schools statewide. Over 70,000 copies of the book have already been ordered.

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Before the start of the film, George Smith played "Take Me Out To The Ballgame" and "Back Home Again in Indiana" on the Paramount organ. Brian Hammons was master of ceremonies. Speakers were Jodi Blankenship with the Indiana Historical Society and Jeff Mohler of Special Olympics. Bob Costas sent a special video message to Carl. At the end of the film, Ted Green, Gary Erskine and John Wilson, Jr. unveiled a mural of Erskine and Johnny Wilson shaking hands. The mural will be painted on the side of a downtown building.

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Speakers included John Wilson, Jr., whose father was Carl's childhood friend, Dustin Jent of Special Olympics, and Ted Green, the film's creator. Brian Hammons was the master of ceremonies. The stage was filled with an impressive display of Carl's memorabilia.

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The event highlighted Carl's impressive career in baseball and as a champion of human rights. Guests of the pre-film party enjoyed baseball-themed decorations and food.

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Have you found your photo, or photos of your friends? You're welcome to download the photos. We'd love to see photos you took during the evening and hope you'll share them in the comments.

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Some people traveled long distances to see the film and reminisce with Carl and Betty. Many of our guests were sponsors of the film.

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Over 300 guests came to celebrate the Erskine family at the party before the film.

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Carl never stopped smiling in all these photos.

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We love all the great photos of our guests. If you took a photo of yourself or your group during the event, share it with us in the comments.