Fernley barmaid plays self in movie

Not only was Fernley's oldest bar, the Silver Spur, in the movie "Pyramid Highway" filmed last summer, but so was its primary daytime barmaid, Georgia Gillespie.

Gillespie essentially plays the part of herself working behind the bar.

Now an exclusive screening of the independent film will be held for Fernley residents at the Silver Spur, 45 E. Main St., at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Being shown in "appreciation of the city of Fernley," according to Gillespie, the admission is free. The movie is not yet rated, but is for mature audiences age 21 and over.

The movie stars Monica Jayne Booth, Michael S. Barnett, Krystal Landrum and Anthony Specchio. Under the direction of Ken Locke, the film was made to be entered in the Reno Film Festival.

According to the Reno News and Review, the film has "solid acting, a good story line ... worth seeing."

Some of the scenes were shot inside the Silver Spur, although the interior was changed and might not be recognizable.

The one constant in the bar scenes is Gillespie, who has worked at the Silver Spur for twelve and a half years, five days a week, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. She seems to love every minute of it as she chats with customers, many of whom are old friends.

"I couldn't stand to stay home. I need the interaction with the people," Gillespie said. She wasn't looking for a job as a movie extra when Bar Fly Productions came along. But like the famous story about movie star Lana Turner being discovered in a drugstore, Gillespie was in the right place at the right time.

"It was fun. It was exciting (filming). It was amazing how all the volunteers put this place together," she said. "It was the second part I've had in a movie. My first experience was in 1940."

Gillespie was in "Angels in the Outfield" as a child when it was filmed at the Sisters of Charity Orphanage in Los Angeles. The movie starred Paul Douglas and Virginia Mayo.

For more information about the screening, go to http://fernleynews.com/PR/Pyramid_Highway_Spur_062608.html or call the Silver Spur at 575-0995.