Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
Utah is known as an Olympic state, but few know the first Olympic medalist from Utah won it in track and field — the high jump.
Renowned Director T.C. Christensen's new film, "Raising the Bar: The Story of Alma Richards," hits theaters throughout the Intermountain West in April. It tells the inspiring true David-vs.-Goliath story of Alma Richards, Utah's first Olympic hero from Parowan, a tiny town in Southern Utah.
Growing up in a tight-knit town of 1,100 in 1910 (now home to about 3,000) Alma's athletic talents were nurtured in the countryside, where he could be found chasing jackrabbits and leaping over fences for fun. His path to the Olympics began as a way to earn an education. Little did he know he was destined to leave a lasting mark on sports history.
Actor Paul Wuthrich, who has previously captivated audiences with roles in "Escape from Germany," "Witnesses," and "The Fighting Preacher," brings Alma's story to life, embodying the youthful spirit and determination of this remarkable young man.
Wuthrich calls Christensen's film another "greatest story never told" and said he loved bringing the story to life. Wuthrich and Richards are alike in their dedication to family, faith and country, making it easier for Wuthrich to understand, appreciate and portray the bigger-than-life hero.
Richards' win occurred in 1912. That was 12 years earlier than the event portrayed in the "Chariots of Fire" movie, which brought Olympic track-and-field fame to Britain.
Audiences will root for Alma as he faces intense competition, including bullying, a stacked coaching deck and a formidable German high jumper, yet emerges victorious against all odds. "Raising the Bar" is a heartwarming chronicle that resonates with small-town values, highlighting the triumphs of perseverance and dreams.
For Christensen, Alma Richard' story loomed large since childhood. It sounded almost like folklore — this bullied boy who dropped out of school in the eighth grade to become a ranch hand who became a gold medalist in the Olympics as a high schooler instead.
Yet Christensen knew of the story's authenticity because Alma Richards is Christensen's Grand-uncle and he heard every detail of the unlikely events over and over.
"I love to make films about ordinary people who accomplish extraordinary things, despite all obstacles in their path. It helps us reach and aspire for more," Christensen said.
The story didn't help Christensen accomplish great athletic feats (he hoped he'd inherited some Olympic skill but barely cleared a "five-feet nothing high jump bar," he said). It did, however, help him dream, aspire and overcome obstacles placed in his way.
He applied this mindset and work ethic to his own dream of making films telling extraordinary, true stories of ordinary people accomplishing great — even miraculous — things.
An interesting twist in this film-honoring-family came when an actor dropped out at the last minute. Christensen was having a hard time finding a replacement. In answering a talent agent's question about what he was looking for, Christensen said he wanted the character portrayal to be similar to what Buddy Hackett had accomplished in "The Music Man."
An unlikely solution emerged. A Los Angeles actor came forward, requesting that despite the fact that the film would be a lower paying, non-screen-actors-guild project, he wanted to play the critical role to honor Buddy Hackett, his father. Sandy Hackett got the part.
According to Christensen, the movie is a lasting reminder that extraordinary achievements can come from humble beginnings just like those in towns throughout the Intermountain West, and is a story that will inspire audiences of all ages.
"Raising the Bar, The Alma Richards Story: opens in theaters April 24. For more info go to https://raisingthebarmovie.com/.
