GRAVETTE — A movie that is in contention for the award as best film of 2012, during the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony February 24, holds interest for longtime area residents, especially in Gravette and Sulphur Springs.

The movie “Argo” has already garnered numerous awards from the Producer’s Guild, the Director’s Guild, the Screen Actor’s Guild, the Golden Globe Award and, most recently, the British Academy of Film award.

Argo is a film production based on the rescue of six diplomats who escaped capture during the revolution in Iran in 1979, during which several dozen Americans were held prisoners for 444 days. That revolution contributed to foiling President Jimmy Carter’s re-election bid and to the election of Ronald Reagan to the office of president.

The six who escaped had taken refuge with the Canadian ambassador, and it was their rescue on which the Argo movie plot is based.

What makes the story of interest to area residents is that contributing to the rescue of those six was work by a Hollywood make-up artist, John Chambers, whose wife was a native of this area.

The Local Connection

Ailene Weide was the daughter of Rudolph and Fanny Weide. The family lived on a farm just off Strawberry Ridge Road between Gravette and Sulphur Springs. She graduated from Gravette High School with the class of 1930.

Her husband, John Chambers, was the make-up artist who received a special Academy Award for his artistry in the original “Planet of the Apes” movie and its subsequent sequels.

How, where and when the two met is not germane to this story. Suffice it to say they lived in the Hollywood area where Chambers created disguises and facial/body alterations for actors and actresses for their roles in movies and television productions.

Among his scores of credits are work in “Around the World in 80 Days,” “A Man Called Horse,” “True Grit,” “Lost in Space,” “Mission Impossible,” “The Danny Thomas Show,” “I Spy,” “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea”, just to name a few.

A few stars whose appearance he altered in various ways were John Wayne, Edward G. Robinson, Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra, Lana Turner and dozens more. He even created those famous ears on Leonard Nimoy in “Star Trek.”

The Chicago native was an art school graduate. During World War II, he served in hospitals where he created artificial eyes, ears, noses, etc., for scores of wounded veterans. After the war, he added to that work by creating prosthetic devices which enabled vets to return to more normal life.

His talent attracted attention of the Central Intelligence Agency, and it was while working for that agency he provided the disguises for the rescue team members.

His work as a member of a faux movie production crew stationed in Iran enabled the breach of Iranian security and success in the rescue mission. Argo is based on that real mission. The role of Chambers in the movie is played by veteran actor John Goodman.

The film is directed by Ben Affleck, who also stars in the movie. Although the film received nomination as best movie, Affleck was snubbed by the Academy as best director.

During recent weeks a swell of support and other awards has moved the movie into contention for the top honor over “Lincoln,” the movie considered the original favorite.

The Chambers’ Visits

The Chambers visited his wife’s parents in the area several times, one of which was shortly after “The Planet of the Apes” had captured world-wide attention because of John’s award-winning ape makeup techniques which he developed in his garage laboratory. That work set new standards and was a revolutionary development which changed the industry.

While in the area, Chambers visited many people. His unassuming manner and interest in the children made him a hit with that crowd.

Later Chambers was awarded his own star in that famous Hollywood walk, the first make-up artist so honored. His star joined that special Oscar he received in 1969 from the Academy. He received other nominations for his work and was especially known for mentoring aspiring make-up artists. He was also the recipient of the CIA’s highest civilian award for his work for that federal agency.

Chambers died at the age of 78 in August of 2001, while living in the Motion Picture and Television Fund retirement home in Woodland Hills, Calif. Ailene, who was also known as Joan, was listed as his survivor. The couple had no children.

Attempts to find Ailene/Joan have been unsuccessful. A brother, Eldon Weide, who died in 1989, was a wellknown person in the Gravette area. A sister, Annabelle Wickman, who lived several years in Sulphur Springs, died in 2003. No known relatives live in the area.

Eldon and his parents are buried in Hillcrest Cemetery in Gravette.

News, Pages 8 on 02/20/2013