Pearl the Chickasaw aviatrix

Movie about youngest pilot being filmed in OklahomaFilming is underway on a movie about the late Pearl Carter Scott, a Chickasaw girl from Oklahoma who is well known as the youngest licensed pilot in America. Befriended by famous aviator Wiley Post in the late 1920s, Pearl was performing as a barnstormer and commercial pilot by age 14.

Produced by the Chickasaw Nation, the feature-length film is based in part on Dr. Paul Lambert's biography "Never Give Up!: The Life of Pearl Carter Scott" published by the Chickasaw Press in 2007.

"Pearl was a dynamic Chickasaw woman who is a legendary figure in the history of Oklahoma, the world of aviation and in the Chickasaw Nation," said Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby. "She was a unique individual who had a profoundly positive impact on everyone she met. Bringing her life story to the screen will help preserve that impact for generations to come."

Pearl was the daughter of a successful businessman in Marlow Oklahoma who witnessed the world around her change from prosperity in the late 1920s into the Dust Bowl days of the 1930s. These social and economic changes serve as a backdrop for the passion, celebrity status, romance and internal conflict which marked Pearl's teen years.And: Actors in leading roles are a mix of talent from Oklahoma and actors from across the U.S. The lead character, Pearl Carter Scott, is portrayed by Elijah DeJesus, a 13-year-old actress from Burbank, California. DeJesus has appeared in the primetime ABC comedy "Ugly Betty," as well as other productions, but "Pearl" is her first leading role in a feature film. "It's going to be a wonderful family film for everyone to see. Pearl Carter was amazing. It's good to bring her story out to the world." "I am honored to be Pearl," said Elijah.

Isabel Archuleta is Pearl's sister Opaletta. Archuleta performed in several theater performances at the University of Oklahoma, where she earned her bachelor's degree in acting. Her roles at the University of Oklahoma include Juliet in "Romeo and Juliet" as well as Hermia in "A Midsummer Night's Dream". Ironically, she had recently moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career when she was cast in the film.

Andrew Sensenig is Pearl's father George Carter. Sensenig has performed in dozens of film and television roles, including roles on two popular cable television series, "Burn Notice" and "Prison Break."

Tom Huston Orr, Director of the University of Oklahoma School of Drama, plays legendary aviator Wiley Post.Comment:  I've never heard of Pearl Carter Scott the person or the movie. Shows what I know!

P.S. Prison Break is on Fox, not a cable network.

For more on the subject, see The Best Indian Movies.