Pearl: America’s youngest licensed pilot featured in DVD

America’s youngest licensed pilot featured in DVD

The true story of the youngest licensed pilot in American history soars high with a DVD and Blu-Ray release of the award-winning movie “Pearl.”

Produced by the Chickasaw Nation, the film focuses on the adventurous teen years of the late aviatrix Eula “Pearl” Carter Scott.

Pearl, portrayed by California actress Elijah DeJesus, develops a love of flying after meeting the famous aviator Wiley Post (Tom Huston Orr) in the 1920s. Impressed by her enthusiasm and determination to learn flying, Pearl’s father George Carter (Andrew Sensenig), a very successful business man in Marlow, Okla., buys her a plane and hires a flight instructor.

She receives her pilot’s license in 1928 at the tender age of 13. By 14, she is flying her father to business appointments and wowing air show audiences with her aerobatic maneuvers all over Oklahoma. She also becomes one of the only two people Post trusts to fly his Lockheed Vega aircraft “Winnie Mae.”

More than 3,000 people crowded onto the grounds of the Fly-in Theater at AirVenture 2010 in Oshkosh to see the movie. Thousands more flocked to the "Pearl" booth and Ford's autograph headquarters to have posters or other memorabilia signed by the cast.

Several audience members said the film took them back to the days when they were learning to fly.

Mike Souders said it was an “inspiring movie” which will encourage family members to chase their dreams and “encourage each other in the pursuit.”

“Not only did I enjoy this movie - and as a Dad I had to hold back a sniffle or two - but my youngest daughter enjoyed the movie as well,” said Mr. Souders. “That would be the daughter that doesn't care for ‘aviation things.’ The whole family enjoyed this movie. The characters were well developed, the acting was great, and the filming was great.”

Filmed entirely in Oklahoma, the movie portrays the early days of aviation in the state and includes several beautifully filmed scenes of Pearl learning to fly and performing barnstorming tricks.

According to Producer David Rennke, all the flying scenes in the movie were completed in mere four and one-half hours.

The film also features a rare vintage Curtiss Robin airplane owned by Mississippi pilot David Mars, whom the crew met at a barnstorming tour in Kansas.

Mars said the plane and "Pearl" hold some things in common. Both exhibit the spirit of “never give up.” Pearl, the youngest licensed pilot, refused to live a static life and the plane, which is now 80 years old, is still flying high.

Built in 1929 in St. Louis, the plane was destined to be hung in a lobby in New York City, but Mars changed its fate by rescuing it. He flies the vintage aircraft around the country and appears at a number of air shows.

He also flew the plane to Moore, Okla., for the official premiere of “Pearl” May 4 at Warren Theatre.

The movie has been successfully screened and warmly received at several air shows and expos nationwide, including the largest air show in the nation AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wis., AAA/APM Invitational Fly-In in Blakesburg, Iowa, and many more

Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby said the story of the Chickasaw aviatrix was a natural for the tribe's first feature-length film project.

"Pearl is a legendary figure in the history of Oklahoma, the world of aviation and in the Chickasaw Nation," said Gov. Anoatubby. "She was a dynamic, determined and caring individual who exemplifies many of the finest qualities of Chickasaw people.”

Gov. Anoatubby also said Pearl’s story is an inspiration to everyone.

"She was a unique individual who had a profoundly positive impact on everyone she met,” he said. “Bringing her life story to the screen will help preserve that impact for generations to come."

The film has garnered many accolades from audiences and film industry insiders. . The film was named the best overall film and the best Native American film at the 2010 Trail Dance Film Festival. The film was also named a "Heartland Film Festival" official selection. The film is one of only 13 feature films chosen for the distinction out of more than 600 submissions to Heartland, which is well known as one of the largest family oriented film festivals in the world.

"Pearl" also won a prestigious "Best of Show" award from "The Indie Fest," and swept the feature docudrama category at the "International Cherokee Film Festival."

“Pearl” was an official selection of the AFI Dallas Film Festival, the Boston International Film Festival, the Lake Arrowhead Film Festival and the Sedona International Film Festival.

The Dove Foundation recently awarded "Pearl" four "Doves," giving the film its "Family-Approved" Seal for all ages.

To order a copy of “Pearl” on DVD or Blu Ray, visit