In advance of the International Christian Film Festival in Wales this Saturday (August 15, 2009) Mark and Camille Arnett were invited to screen Baby Boomerang for the residents of North Pickenham, where Charles Arnett and the rest of the 492nd Bomb Group were stationed in May of 1944. 

The film was screened at The Blue Lion, the local pub frequented American servicemen.  Charles only visited The Blue Lion once.  No, not in 1944, but in 1994 during the 50 year reunion trip.  In 1944, Charles never had the chance to visit anywhere as the Boomerang was shot down before the crew could ever leave the base.  “When we visited the Blue Lion in 1994 I’m pretty sure that it was dad’s first pub experience,” Mark recalls.  “I remember that Dad thought the root beer was excellent.”

The back room at The Blue Lion was packed for the screening where Mark and Camille were greeted with the same warmth and hospitality that prevailed in 1994.  “The English have been so good to us,” Mark reports.  “And they seemed very forgiving of the fact that I misspelled North Pickenham in my film.”  The film credits “North Pickingham.” 

The screening went well as those in attendance laughed in all the right places and appeared genuinely moved by the story.  Pub owner, Mick Lee was very touched by the film.  “The film is quite special and unlike your standard documentary.  It draws you in,” Mick told the packed room at the Blue Lion.  “I put the DVD in to make sure it would work and I couldn’t stop watching it.  Quite special.”

The Blue Lion has an impressive room devoted to the 492nd and 491st Bomb Groups that flew out of North Pickenham.  Now it houses a copy of Baby Boomerang for anyone in the village to borrow.