Last September, Bethany College alumnus Cody Knotts’s, Bethany ’87, film Kecksburg debuted at the State Theater in Uniontown, Pennsylvania.
Cody Knotts and wife Emily Lapisardi, alongside leads Szonja Oroszlan and Scott Cooper
This film, produced, written, and directed by Knotts, revolves around the Kecksburg UFO incident – a scandal in 1965 where residents of Kecksburg, 30 miles south of Pittsburg, spotted a burning fireball in the sky. Reported by NASA as debris of a Soviet Satellite, the Kecksburg incident has remained a popular conspiracy of alien invasion government cover-up.
Thomas Kurt Fuchel, Cincinnati ’71, as Pennsylvania Governor Edward Martin
This film was very much a show of Phi Tau brotherhood. It stared Thomas Kurt Fuchel, Cincinnati ’71, as Pennsylvania Governor Edward Martin and George Manahan, Bethany ’80, worked as Associate Producer. The final credits included a tribute to the late Todd Jones, Bethany ’81, and a thank-you to Phi Kappa Tau and the Phi chapter.
Among those in attendance of the sold-out premier were Ken Ohrman, Bethany ’84, JP Silk, Bethany ’84, Scott Wilcox, Bethany ’87, Edward Arose, Bethany ’94 and family, and Barry Gaetano, Bethany ’81. “The film was made possible because of the brothers of Phi Kappa Tau,” said Knotts. See below for photos.
Kecksburg poster
This film also stared actress Szonja Oroszlan (The Martin), Scott Cooper, (Maze Runner), Maria Olsen (Percy Jackson), and Richard John Walters (My Bloody Valentine 3D) as President Lyndon B. Johnson. Knotts’ wife, Emily Lapisardi, plays Lady Bird Johnson. Knotts also makes a cameo in the film.
Kecksburg will have a general release in March, then a limited theatrical and DVD/Blue Ray release. You can find more information on the film’s IMDb page or the Kecksburg website.
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A still from the film
Phi alumni left to right: Ken Ohrman, Bethany ’84, JP Silk, Bethany ’84, Cody Knotts, Bethany ‘87, Scott Wilcox, Bethany ’87,
Edward Arose, Bethany ‘94, and family