2012 Program Book Dedication

THE GREATEST GENERATION:

Celebrating Two Men Who Represented Our Better Angels

This year’s festival is dedicated to two World War II Navy veterans that have had an impact on this festival

Bruce W. Putney (1925 to 2012) was the father of FLICKERS advisory board member Duncan B.Putney. Bruce was a US Navy fighter pilot and R.C.A.F. pilot during WW2. He was the inspiration for the short film "HALF PINT." But sadly, Bruce passed away just a week before principal photography began on the film at the end of May. Although Bruce served as a fighter pilot in WW2, he embodies the Navy motto: “A Global Force For Good.” He does so not only as a WW2 fighter pilot who fought for the good of the world but because he was a lover of the arts; encouraging and supportive of his son's career path of being a professional actor, screenwriter, and filmmaker. He also passed on to Duncan tradition of volunteering. This foundation has brought Duncan to the festival to create the Emmy award winning FLICKERS 7DayPSA competition, the Spotlight On Rhode Island Screenwriting Competition, his short film “HALF PINT” and more.

Ernest Borgnine (1917-2012), the son of an Italian countess, was born Ermes Effron Borgnino in Hamden, Conn. He has appeared in 199 movies, including “From Here to Eternity,” “Bad Day at Black Rock,” “The Dirty Dozen,” “The Wild Bunch” and “The Poseidon Adventure.” His latest is the
2009 film “Another Harvest Moon.”

Ernest Borgnine, who won the 1955 best actor Academy Award for his performance as a lovelorn butcher in the film “Marty” and is better known to a later generation of television viewers as the PT-boat skipper on “McHale’s Navy,” received a Lifetime Achievement award at the 2009 Rhode Island International Film Festival.

“Presenting Mr. Borgnine with the RIIFF Lifetime Achievement Award was deeply heartfelt for us at the Festival,” commented RIIFF’s Executive Director George T. Marshall. “He was such an amazingly accomplished actor; we were deeply honored to have him participate the Festival. His work touched millions and set new standards; becoming a vibrant and critical part of the American experience.”

Previous winners of the RIIFF Lifetime Achievement Award have been director Blake Edwards; actresses Cicely Tyson and Patricia Neal; and actors Seymour Cassel and Kim Chan.

He served in the Navy from 1935 to 1945, reaching the rank of Gunner’s Mate 1st Class. He returned to the Navy in 1962 as the skipper of PT-73 on the television series “McHale’s Navy,” which ran until 1966, and also starred in the 1964 movie version. In 1983 he returned to television in the series “Airwolf,” which ran for three years. Since 1999 he has been the voice of Mermaid Man on the TV cartoon “SpongeBob SquarePants” and in April appeared on the final episode of “ER.”

Order Your Tickets Here...

• Read the Announcement News Release

• See the 2012 Online Guide

• Download Press Photos

• See a List of our Venues