Latest News – June 24

Movie Cameo Could Hit Big for Leadville Bartender

Leadville is the new Hollywood! And while Linda “Mom” Jones hasn’t had to get an agent – yet! – she will be the latest starlet to hit the big screen in an indie film that is winning big on the festival circuit. And next Monday, June 27, locals will have an opportunity to see the film at a private screening in Lake County.

Bartender Linda “Mom” Jones makes a cameo in the critically acclaimed indie film West of Her which was filmed, in part, in Leadville in July 2013. Photo: Leadville Today

It’s been three years since scenes from the indie film West of Her were filmed in Lake County. (STORY LINK). And while long-time, beloved Scarlet bartender Linda “Mom” Jones who makes a cameo in the movie, hasn’t been mobbed by legions of screaming fans, yet! – the movie is capturing critics attention on the festival circuit, including a screening at this weekend’s 2016 Intendence Film Festival (IFF) in Denver.

But fear not, for the Leadville film hobnobbing set because the Leadville red carpet will be rolled out on Monday, June 27 with Director Ethan Warren making a special appearance to discuss the film, a Corner Piece Production (Update: Warren will not be able to attend the Leadville screening due to a medical emergency).

“I love talking about the movie, how it made people feel, and what it made them think about,” said Warren in an interview with Leadville Today. “This film doesn’t tend to be one that goes in one ear, and out the other.”

A movie crew with Corner Piece Productions shot a scene from West of Her in Leadville’s Scarlet Bar in July 2013. Photo: Leadville Today.

West of Her is a film for anyone who’s ever longed for adventure, romance, and a life of meaning; all while traveling across ten states in iconic American locations. And well, Leadville’s downtown historic district is its own star in the indie movie, stealing the backdrop show in several clips from the trailer alone! Movie-goers will also make note of Turquoise Lake in other scenes which were filmed in the area nearly three years ago.

But it’s the local starlet and bartender at The Scarlet, Linda “Mom” Jones who made the cut!

“I didn’t run want to do it,” recalls Mom Jones. “But when Chuck and Lee called, I couldn’t say no” she explained regarding the July 2013 filming the crew did in the area, including at the popular downtown watering hole.

And it sounds like Mom made the film! Warren was able to confirm to LT that Jones does make an appearance in the film, and is noted in the end credits.

“She appears out of focus behind the bar throughout the scene,” noted the director. “We cut down a ten-minute dialogue scene dramatically, and audiences will thank us, even if it did mean sacrificing Mom’s one line: ‘Here ya go.'”

Regardless, fans will cheer wildly and likely to make her more of an iconic Leadville character than she already is – Go Mom!

The West of Her screening will be shown locally with two screenings at The Scarlet Bat at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday, June 27. Warren explained that there is about ten minutes worth of footage in Leadville, including some street shots, a sequence at Turquoise Lake, and a long scene shot at the Scarlet Bar in downtown Leadville.

Some scenes from the indie film West of Her were filmed at Turquoise Lake, near Leadville. CLICK to review entire CLIP from official website.

Of course, besides all of the local scenes that will make it worth seeing, the film has been doing well on the festival circuit, winning five awards at its premiere, including “Best Narrative Feature.” Warren has been hoping to bring the film to Leadville ever since he shot here.

“We had a wonderful time in town, and the citizens have been very interested and supportive ever since,” he stated.  So come and check out America’s highest city on the big screen, as Leadville’s makes its latest appearance in West of Her.

Oh, and don’t forget the autograph book, just in case Mom Jones makes an appearance!