"THE CAPTIVES" PREMIERE DRAWS BIG CROWD - Ingles Journey Riveting Story

(06/14/2004)
By Bob Weaver

The world premiere of "The Captives"
drew hundreds to the Robey Theatre

Dianna Board congratulates writer-producer Judy Miller

Judy Miller greets young Abby Nichols and her mother Jennifer

Actors, craft people and well-wishers gathered at McIntosh Mansion

Hundreds attend reception following the showing

Mary Draper Ingles long journey home stretched 800 miles in 1755, the story of a 23-year-old pre-revolutionary war woman captured by the Shawnees. The ordeal lasted 43 days across the primitive wilderness, much of it in West Virginia.

She came home, a shell of a woman, starving and near death to recover and live to the ripe old age of 83.

A movie about Ingles life premiered Saturday at the historic Robey Theater in Spencer - "The Captives" - written and produced by Spencer native Judy Miller.

Dozens of local actors and citizens appeared in the film, which was filmed in Roane County, the New River Gorge and Prickett's Fort.

Riley Keaton (left) of Spencer awaits the premiere showing.
The theater was packed with actors and craft people who helped with the film project, and lots of local supporters who came to enjoy the production.

The film was shown twice, once to an invitation-only group and then to the public. A reception was held at the McIntosh Mansion following the premiere.

Spencer's Robey Theater has officially been certified as the oldest continuously operating movie house in America.

The one-hour movie will soon be available on DVD.