Wehrenberg Steeds Escape Out Back of Theater
FairCityNews.com | Jun 11, 2009 | Comments 0
Springfield—Eleven American Quarter horses escaped out of the back of Campbell 16 Cine Theaters Wednesday night. The horses, known as the Wehrenberg Steeds, have been enjoyed by generations for their pageantry as they deliver reels of film to the theater.
The horses were apparently spooked when viewing Ghosts of Girlfriends Past, the newest film starring Matthew McConaughey. Lead by the alpha mare, Sundance in Cannes, the herd crashed through the west exterior wall of the theater and disrupted traffic on nearby Campbell Avenue.
“They seemed to be just fine,” explained trainer Robert Parks. “Next thing I know, ole McConaughey’s got his shirt off, and the horses are heading in the direction of the Family Medical Walk In Clinic. I called out ‘Ba ba ba Ba ba ba ba ba..ba ba ba..ba ba ba Ba ba ba’, which is the command given to arrive at the theater, but they kept on a runnin’.”
Most American theatres ditched horse delivery decades ago citing a dusty reel that projected what was known as “equine flakes” onto the silver screen. The Soupy 16 horses came to prominence as they serviced one of a handful of theaters still bringing film reels in by horseback. “There’s something special about a movie that’s been delivered by horses with independent spirits that just makes it seem more authentic,” explained local moviegoer Ann Carlson.
For Campbell 16 manager, Jeremy Homan, the horses can’t get back soon enough. “Those horses are part of our identity. They’re like the Clydesdales for Budweiser, the Colts of Indianapolis, and Ford’s Mustang. We’ve already had to cut 5 of the original Soupy 16 studs due to economic pressures… Come to think of it, maybe we could make up the losses by selling beer. Nah, that would never happen.”
Theatre management denies having submitted “Sudsy Steeds” for trademark protection.
Filed Under: Business