The Coronado Quivira Museum/Rice County Historical Society is celebrating Kansas Day 2012 with the creation of a special exhibit with a local tie to the bright lights of Hollywood. From Jan. 25-March 10, the special exhibition area at the museum will feature the exhibit “From Rice County to Hollywood: Mary Astor and Shirley Knight”.
This exhibition continues the theme of Kansas Humanities Council Dr. Thomas Prasch, speaking in Lyons on Monday Jan. 30th. Dr. Prasch will be discussing how Kansas has been presented and represented on the silver screen sponsored by the RCHS and Lyons Public Library. “From Rice County to Hollywood” tells the story of two women with ties to Rice County, who have gone on to perform in Hollywood.
Mary Astor, born Lucile Vasconcells Langhanke, is the daughter of Lyons native Helen Vasconcells. Though reared in Qunicy, Ill., Lucile was a frequent visitor to Rice County and the Central Kansas area. She began her career in silent films, but went on to star in several “talkies”, including “The Maltese Falcon” opposite Humphrey Bogard and her Academy Award winning protrayal of Sandra Kovak in the “Great Lie”.
Shirley Knight, born in Goessel, grew up in Lyons. She attended Lyons High School, graduated in 1954. She has appeared in feature films such as “As Good As It Gets” as well as various television series, such as “House M.D.”, “Desperate Housewives” and “Hot in Cleveland”.
The museum is free for Rice County residents and RCHS members. Admission if $3/adults and $2 children 6-12. The museum is open 9-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.