The First of May (1999)

By Anne Waisanen

Cory (Dan Byrd) is an eleven-year-old foster child who has been in numerous homes and shelters. Cory’s latest set of parents are Dan (Tom Nowicki) and Michelle (Robin O’Dell), a happily married young couple with a bright future in front of them. Early in the film Cory becomes friends with Carlotta (Julie Harris), an elderly lady who constantly complains about the prison like atmosphere that her nursing home provides. A former world traveler, she is both knowledgeable and sweet to the young child. When Cory learns of plans that will place him in yet another home, he and Carlotta chose to runaway from the lives that constantly distress them.

            During this nearly magical journey that they take, Corey matures. He not only masters the ordinary grade school material that kids his age are mandated to learn, but he encounters lessons in business, love and survival as well. Most important during Corey and Carlotta’s journey is the young boy’s discovery of various forms of affection and love. Not only does Carlotta become the stable caretaker that he has dreamed of, but he becomes the grandchild she has always wanted. Additionally, he forms bonds with a turtle named Mt T, a beautiful and talented young girl, and the numerous people that he encounters, who soon become the family he has always desired.

            They include Boss Ed (Mickey Rooney) as the circus owner and Dinghy (Charles Nelson Reilly) as a clown. But by far, the most touching and heartwarming moment of Corey’s journey is when he receives batting advice from a certain baseball legend named Joe DiMaggio. This spectacular scene is most memorable because unlike typical cameo appearances by stars playing themselves, Corey’s lack of knowledge regarding DiMaggio’s identity transforms the greatest baseball player ever into an ordinary guy.

            Paul Sirmons, the director, says, “This was a genuine circus performance arranged so that we could film, complete with acrobats, tigers, the works. The unusual nature of this event made news all over Florida. The circus, which we shot in one day flat, was a very long and difficult day, and preparation for it was challenging, as I had very little budget to work with. The circus crew arrived the day before and parked their trailers, then on the big morning they prepared to raise the tent before the crew was even on the site. I had to run around and stop the action until we were ready, because we intended to get shots of them raising the tent. This was the last time, we were told, they would be raising the tent with elephants (the old fashion way). Hydraulics is used in modern circus tents.

            We were still shooting well into the night, and the circus started breaking down their tents right around us. It was a very successful day of shooting, when the dust settled. The public had fun, the crew did a great job, and the circus workers cleaned up most of the trash.”

            Governor Jeb Bush congratulated filmmakers Paul Sirmons and Gary Rogers, on the HBO debut of The First of May, a featured film produced entirely in Florida. The film is based on the teen novel Golden days by Stetson University professor Gail Radley and was produced and adapted for the screen by writer Gary Rogers of Deland. The film features locations in Lake Helen, Deland, Volusia and Orange Counties, and was housed at the Pyramax Studios in Deland.

            The First of May received the Dove Foundation’s Seal of Approval, given only to films of the highest caliber that exhibit positive values. The late entertainer and Dove advisor, Steve Allen, called the dove Seal, “the Good House Keeping Seal for Family Entertainment. Steve Allen also presented director Paul Sirmons with the Best Film Awards-Feature Drama at the Burbank International Children’s’ Film Festival in October 2000.

            The First of May was produced and directed by Paul Sirmons and written for the screen by Gary Rogers.

     watch the movie tralier on you tube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_TPr3LFtAM