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December 30, 2005'Glory Road' Hits the Big ScreenLocal director plays for keeps in first feature filmTRAVERSE CITY - James Gartner has never attended a Hollywood premiere, let alone been feted at one.But all that is about to change as the Traverse City-based director's first feature film - with legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer - prepares to hit the big screen. "Glory Road," a fact-based drama about the first all-black basketball team to win the NCAA national championship, opens nationwide on Jan. 13. The Disney/Bruckheimer film is the story of coach Don Haskins, who led the 1966 underdog Texas Western College team to victory against an all-white Kentucky team and helped break down university barriers to black athletes. While the movie has yet to be reviewed by critics, it's already garnering a lot of attention. Rolled out during a 13-city promotional tour, its reception has been "really quite amazing," said Gartner, who leaves Traverse City Jan. 2 or 3 for press junkets in Los Angeles and New York. In late November, Wheaties unveiled its box honoring the 1966 NCAA title team and the University of Texas at El Paso (formerly Texas Western College). And Gartner said audiences at a Los Angeles preview rated "Glory Road" higher than any other Bruckheimer film. "That's pretty good because he's done some big stuff," he said, referring to Bruckheimer blockbusters like "King Arthur," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Black Hawk Down" and "Armageddon." Best known for his award-winning national commercials, Gartner said he worked on the film for a year and a half and is looking forward to the finality its release will bring. He and his family will attend its Los Angeles premiere Jan. 5 at the Pantages Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard. "It's done. There's absolutely nothing I can do about it any longer," he said. "I want people to like it, I hope it does real well. But I'm not nervous. I'm definitely anticipating it." While in Los Angeles, the Gartner entourage will get the star treatment, including a limousine to take them to the premiere and a party afterward at the Hollywood Palladium on Sunset Boulevard. Gartner, who will wear a dark suit with an open collar, will be accompanied by wife Lauri and the couple's three children, as well as an aunt and uncle, a niece, a daughter-in-law and a family friend. Lauri Gartner, a Traverse City native, said she consulted with Bruckheimer's wife before settling on what to wear: a black velour dress with scoop neck and jacket, and strappy shoes. She'll carry a beaded bag. "I'll probably be nervous when I get there just because I'm out of my comfort zone," she said. "I'm not into going to big, high-profile events." Filmed in pre-Katrina New Orleans and El Paso, among other locations, "Glory Road" stars Josh Lucas, Emily Deschanel, Derek Luke and Jon Voight. Extras include the Gartners' daughter, Elizabeth, a college student at Bennington, Vt., and niece Elaina Gartner. Son James Gartner, who works as Gartner's personal assistant, also has a brief role. Basketball players in the movie are portrayed by real athletes and actors who attended basketball camp, Lauri Gartner said. But audiences who stick around until after the credits will be rewarded with interviews of the 1966 teams. While "Glory Road" is expected to be released in Traverse City Jan. 13, "something is in the works with Disney" for a special opening here, promised Carmike Cinemas Buyer Bryan Jeffries. Gartner said he is proud of the film's message and hopes the movie will be as popular in his home town as it promises to be elsewhere. "I think it's an important movie because of what it did with those racial barriers that had been there for so long," he said. "It's a good story, bottom line."
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