Blue Heron International Pictures LLC

COMING SOON!From Bookstand Publishing"Wishes do come true in life, sometimes even when those wishes seem to reach beyond the stars."

As far back as he can remember, Johnny Martino has wished beyond the stars.

As an actor in Hollywood, Johnny found himself side-by-side with the fictional Godfather of all time -- Marlon Brando.

Part of Johnny's childhood was spent in Sicily with a real-life Godfather, who also happened to be the boss of bosses of organized crime in America.

A WISH BEYOND THE STARS journeys to the underworld, the world of Hollywood, and everywhere in-between.

Travel to Sicily with Johnny's father, who was Lucky Luciano's life-long friend. Meet Frank Sinatra, Marilyn Monroe, Pope Pius XII, and John F. Kennedy.

They are all here -- along with many other personalities who shaped Johnny's life, and the twentieth century as well.

When you wish beyond the stars, anything can happen, and even the bad guys can become the heroes -- both on-screen, as well as in real life.

Leave the gun. Take the cannoli, but you can never forget Johnny Martino. (Charlie Carlson, Author & Entertainer)_________________________________________________

Blue Heron Projects

Extend Into 2012

Blue Heron International Pictures recently announced a full production schedule throughout 2012 .

"We have just finished The Weatherwax Legacy -- a major piece in our upcoming special animals DVD, featuring world-famous animal trainer Bob Weatherwax," said producer Richard Lester.

"At the moment, it is a stand-alone short film which has already earned an IMDb page,won a Los Angeles Movie Award (Honorable Mention), and is under consideration by several international film festivals."

Bob Weatherwax with Producer Richard Lester at the Asheville Cinema Festival

Screenings have included the Los Angeles Movie Awards (June 2011), the Asheville Cinema Festival (November 2011), the Daytona Beach Film Festival (November 2011), and the 15 Minutes of Fame Festival in Palm Bay, Florida (December 2011).

Pal, the Weatherwax dog first cast as Lassie, watches over Roddy McDowell. The WEATHERWAX LEGACY is a co-production between Blue Heron International Pictures and Weatherwax Trained Dogs.

The new Forever Friends DVD will consist of several short films about animals and their bonds with humans. In addition to the Weatherwax story, Lester plans on including the immensely popular Fuzzy Little People and Happy Habitats on the DVD.

"It will be a real heart-warmer with some thought-provoking ideas about how important animals really are in our lives," said Lester. "That project will go into production in January, and Charlie Carlson will be featured."

Johnny Martino has some explaining to do in The Godfather

During the first half of 2012, Lester also plans on premiering an additional documentary, A Wish Beyond The Stars, based on the life of Hollywood movie actor, Johnny Martino (The Godfather). The book will be published in February, 2012.

In October, Director Gary Lester, Richard's award-winning son, completed The Hit -- a 48 hour short film project for the Producers Guild of America in California.

The project was so well received that Lester plans to expand the film and submit it to film festivals.

IMDb has already awarded the film a page on its website, which receives 57 million visitors each month.

The Hit (2011 V), a tense thriller, stars Johnny Martino and Stephanie Mason-Teague.

Astro-Zombies M4 is in the final post-production stages also.

Gary Lester and Ted V. Mikels filming an Astro-Zombie on location in Las Vegas

The final months of 2011 will find both Lesters finishing up ASTRO ZOMBIES M4: Invaders From Cyberspace, a co-production with TVM Global Entertainment in Las Vegas.

The full length feature film is being produced and directed by legendary Hollywood movie-maker Ted V. Mikels.

Gary Lester is assistant director and also responsible for most of the stunning visual special effects in the movie.

Joe Martino hunts an Astro-Zombie on location in Florida

"Ted's fans are going to rate this movie his best ever," predicts Gary. "The producers say the production is on track for a winter release."

           German actors flee the Astro-Zombies in front of Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

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Lassie Star Visits

One of television's first child superstars, Jon Provost, who played Timmy on the iconic Lassie show, arrived in Daytona Beach recently for a personal appearance at Cinematique of Daytona.

Jon's visit marked the final event in a five day Florida tour, during which an estimated 10,000 fans turned out in Orlando, followed by another thousand at Ripleys Believe It Or Not Museum in St Augustine.

We were so excited to have Jon visit us, said Kim Kiff, Ripleys manager. Just thinking of the television show and the hours I spent with my parents watching it brings a smile to my face. Who didnt love Timmy and Lassie?

"He was as popular with adults as he was with the kids," said Gary Lester of Blue Heron International Pictures, the company arranging the event.

Jon had an unbelievable run in Hollywood during the golden age of the studios and in the early days of television."

In his book,Provost provides us with a candid view of his life growing up among the stars, and what he did, and the passions he pursued once he retired from the Lassie series at age 14.

He also talks about how he worked closely with Rudd Weatherwax, the owner and trainer of the dogs who played Lassie, beginning with movies in the 1940s.

We wrapped up the Florida tour with two screenings of Lassie's Great Adventure in Daytona Beach, said Lester.

While it was the smallest of his venues, Jon was a people-pleaser in Daytona Beach as well.

People were even coming by with their rescued collies and service dogs in-training who also seemed to love Jon immediately.

"It was a beautiful thing to behold," said Gary Lester.

Blue Heron's Johnny Martino (The Godfather), Gary Lester (Safe Haven: The Warsaw Zoo), and Jon Provost (Lassie)

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Famed Animal Trainer

Featured in New Documentary

Bob Weatherwax is the son of famed animal trainer Rudd Weatherwax, who exclusively owned and trained the first seven generations of collies who portrayed Lassie.

Rudd also trained some of vintage Hollywood's most lovable canines, including Asta in the Thin Man movies of the 1930s, and Daisy in the Blondie shorts of the 1940s. Rudd's brother Frank trained Toto in 1939's blockbuster hit, The Wizard of Oz.

Blue Heron's canine mascot, Don Pablo, celebrating at one of our premieres

However, it was the Lassie TV series beginning in the 1950s that sealed Rudd's reputation as a Hollywood icon, known for bringing animal celebrities to both the big screen and television.

Gary and Richard Lester on location with Bob Weatherwax and his latest famous collie.

To learn more and view The Weatherwax Legacy, an award-winning short documentary from Blue Heron International Pictures, in association with Weatherwax Trained Dogs, please click here.

Producer Terry Thistlethwaite and friendwith her Weatherwax Legacy trophyfrom the Los Angeles Movie Awards

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Blue Heron Books

Go International

     From Berlin To Tokyo To Dublin

Blue Heron International Pictures announced recently that both of Richard Lester's books are now being distributed internationally by internet booksellers throughout the world.

"Flight of the Blue Heron just got picked up by booksellers in Lagos, Nigeria,"said Lester from his home in Daytona Beach."Hollywood Legend: The Johnny Duncan Story is on sale today in Croatia!"

Autographed copies of both books are available  at all author personal appearances throughout the coming year. In addition, the books can be purchased from the publisher -- Bookstand Publishing.

"For readers in the United States, the books can also be purchased on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Books A Million.com," said Lester.

"Both hard copies and electronic versions are available. Copies of Hollywood Legend autographed by Johnny Duncan may be purchased at www.originalrobin.com."

Armin Lehmann's life-long quest for world peace and tolerance took him to 150 different countries around the globe. His story is told in Flight of The Blue Heron.

Although more expensive, Lester prefers hard copies of books, rather than electronic versions.

"I am old-fashioned enough to want an actual book for my bookshelf, instead of a computer download stored in some memory bank," said Lester.

Flight of The Blue Heron and Hollywood Legend are now available worldwide in the following countries:

Australia, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, India, Ireland, Japan, Mexico, and the United Kingdom.

For a list of distributors, please visit the Blue Heron Books page.

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