Space race documentary to be shown

DOWNEY - Musician Jerry Burgan will be in Downey next week as he screens the 1963 documentary "With Their Eyes on the Stars" before the Downey Historical Society on Feb. 24 at the Barbara J. Riley Community and Senior Center.The screening begins at 7:30 p.m. and is open to the public. "With Their Eyes on the Stars" is a documentary of the American space program produced by North American Aviation during the lull between the first orbital success with Project Mercury and the eventual landing on the moon with Apollo. "Before watching it, you'll want to set your body and mind clocks back to 1963," said John Vincent, president of the Downey Historical Society. "John Kennedy was still president, no one knew if rockets were going to fly or explode, and the only footage anyone had ever seen from space is in this movie. "I think the movie really accomplished its objective with the music and narrative coming together for some very emotional moments," he said.

********** Published: February 17, 2011 - Volume 9 - Issue 44