Funding is holdup for Ben Johnson documentary

Funding is holdup for Ben Johnson documentary (Tulsa-AP) -- A documentary on the life of Oklahoma actor Ben Johnson may never see the light of your television screen. Kentucky-based

Wednesday, May 24th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Funding is holdup for Ben Johnson documentary

(Tulsa-AP) -- A documentary on the life of Oklahoma actor Ben Johnson may never see the light of your television screen.

Kentucky-based documentarian Tom Thurman produced the film with his own funds on Pawhuska's favorite son. And he included clips from Johnson's biggest films, including his Oscar-winning performance in The Big Picture Show.

But American Movie Classics, Turner Broadcasting and A & E all told Thurman that Johnson was too obscure for a documentary.

Officials from Oklahoma's public television network, O-E-T-A, would love to show it. Trouble is -- someone coming up with the cash.

Clips shown in the movie from Johnson's many film appearances must be paid for.

And Thurman needs to recoup his costs. He says it will take about a quarter of a million dollars to get the documentary released to the general public.

(Tulsa-AP) -- A documentary on the life of Oklahoma actor Ben Johnson may never see the light of your television screen.

Kentucky-based documentarian Tom Thurman produced the film with his own funds on Pawhuska's favorite son. And he included clips from Johnson's biggest films, including his Oscar-winning performance in The Big Picture Show.

But American Movie Classics, Turner Broadcasting and A & E all told Thurman that Johnson was too obscure for a documentary.

Officials from Oklahoma's public television network, O-E-T-A, would love to show it. Trouble is -- someone coming up with the cash.

Clips shown in the movie from Johnson's many film appearances must be paid for.

And Thurman needs to recoup his costs. He says it will take about a quarter of a million dollars to get the documentary released to the general public.