Racine, Wis – The last of the Lawsonians has now passed on. Merle Hayden, six days after he made an appearance on Closing Night at the Chicago Underground Film Festival (Cuff), died on June 10th, 2017, of natural causes in Racine, Wisconsin. He was 96 years old. His life was the subject of a World Premiere documentary shown at Cuff, “Manlife: The Last of the Lawsonians” on June 4th. Mr. Hayden made an appearance at that screening, lucidly participated in a Q&A and got to celebrate the achievement of his life’s work brought to a cinematic form.
The documentary – directed by Ryan Sarnowski – focused on Hayden, the last member of the utopian movement Lawsonomy, which sought to preserve the legacy of its Commander, Alfred Lawson. Lawson invented the United States’ first passenger airliner, but his company went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Dismayed by the economic policies at work, Lawson created the Direct Credits Society, a movement against what Lawson called “the one percent” (sound familiar?) The Society advocated for economic reform and “justice for everyone that harms no one.” Once the Depression ended, and the country went back to work, the movement faded. But there was one disciple left… Merle Hayden. The documentary tells the story of his loyalty to the cause, a relationship from the past and a life that still needs redemption.
Merle Hayden, Appearing at Cuff on June 4th, 2017
Photo credit: Kristi Kucera for Cuff.org
It is extraordinary that Merle Hayden got one more lap around the track before he and his legacy moved on. The whole evening was a celebration of him, the documentary about his life and how he survived to that point. The documentary also won the Audience Award at the 2017 Cuff. A couple days after the event, Hayden went into hospice care, and passed away six days after that celebration. What a way to live, what a way to go.
Related: Film News: ‘Manlife: The Last of Lawsonians’ Wins Audience Award at 2017 Chicago Underground Film Festival
Merle J. Hayden, 1920-2017. For more information about Cuff, click here. The sponsoring organization of Cuff is Ifp Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to the voice of independent film. For more information about Ifp Chicago, click here.
By Patrick McDONALDWriter, Editorial CoordinatorHollywoodChicago.compat@hollywoodchicago.com
© 2017 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com...
The documentary – directed by Ryan Sarnowski – focused on Hayden, the last member of the utopian movement Lawsonomy, which sought to preserve the legacy of its Commander, Alfred Lawson. Lawson invented the United States’ first passenger airliner, but his company went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Dismayed by the economic policies at work, Lawson created the Direct Credits Society, a movement against what Lawson called “the one percent” (sound familiar?) The Society advocated for economic reform and “justice for everyone that harms no one.” Once the Depression ended, and the country went back to work, the movement faded. But there was one disciple left… Merle Hayden. The documentary tells the story of his loyalty to the cause, a relationship from the past and a life that still needs redemption.
Merle Hayden, Appearing at Cuff on June 4th, 2017
Photo credit: Kristi Kucera for Cuff.org
It is extraordinary that Merle Hayden got one more lap around the track before he and his legacy moved on. The whole evening was a celebration of him, the documentary about his life and how he survived to that point. The documentary also won the Audience Award at the 2017 Cuff. A couple days after the event, Hayden went into hospice care, and passed away six days after that celebration. What a way to live, what a way to go.
Related: Film News: ‘Manlife: The Last of Lawsonians’ Wins Audience Award at 2017 Chicago Underground Film Festival
Merle J. Hayden, 1920-2017. For more information about Cuff, click here. The sponsoring organization of Cuff is Ifp Chicago, a non-profit dedicated to the voice of independent film. For more information about Ifp Chicago, click here.
By Patrick McDONALDWriter, Editorial CoordinatorHollywoodChicago.compat@hollywoodchicago.com
© 2017 Patrick McDonald, HollywoodChicago.com...
- 6/22/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – The 24th Chicago Underground Film Festival (Cuff) wrapped on June 4th, 2017, and announced their award winners on June 7th. Taking the Audience Award, the top prize at Cuff, was the closing night film “Manchild: The Last of the Lawsonians.” As a bonus, the 97 year-old star of the film, Merle Lawson, got the opportunity to bask in the limelight, as he appeared on behalf of the film.
The documentary – directed by Ryan Sarnowski – focuses on Merle Hayden, age 90-something, the last member of the utopian movement Lawsonomy, which seeks to preserve the legacy of his Commander, Alfred Lawson. Lawson invented the United States’ first passenger airliner, but his company went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Dismayed by the economic policies at work, Lawson created the Direct Credits Society, a movement against what Lawson called “the one percent” (sound familiar?) The Society advocated for economic reform and “justice for everyone that harms no one.
The documentary – directed by Ryan Sarnowski – focuses on Merle Hayden, age 90-something, the last member of the utopian movement Lawsonomy, which seeks to preserve the legacy of his Commander, Alfred Lawson. Lawson invented the United States’ first passenger airliner, but his company went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Dismayed by the economic policies at work, Lawson created the Direct Credits Society, a movement against what Lawson called “the one percent” (sound familiar?) The Society advocated for economic reform and “justice for everyone that harms no one.
- 6/9/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Chicago – It’s been five days of off-the-wall cinema, filmmaker appearances, afterparty happenings and showing off the emerging Logan Square neighborhood. The 2017 Chicago Underground Film Festival (Cuff) is wrapping up on Sunday, June 4th, with a day of film presentations, culminating with the special U.S. and World Premiere of “Manlife: The Last of the Lawsonians.”
The documentary focuses on 90 year-old Merle Hayden, the last member of the utopian movement Lawsonomy, which seeks to preserve the legacy of his Commander, Alfred Lawson. Lawson invented the United States’ first passenger airliner, but his company went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Dismayed by the economic policies at work, Lawson created the Direct Credits Society, a movement against what Lawson called “the one percent” (sound familiar?) The Society advocated for economic reform and “justice for everyone that harms no one.” Once the Depression ended, and the country went back to work, the movement faded.
The documentary focuses on 90 year-old Merle Hayden, the last member of the utopian movement Lawsonomy, which seeks to preserve the legacy of his Commander, Alfred Lawson. Lawson invented the United States’ first passenger airliner, but his company went bankrupt during the Great Depression. Dismayed by the economic policies at work, Lawson created the Direct Credits Society, a movement against what Lawson called “the one percent” (sound familiar?) The Society advocated for economic reform and “justice for everyone that harms no one.” Once the Depression ended, and the country went back to work, the movement faded.
- 6/4/2017
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
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