"The Legend of Ivan Tors"

[Rachel Galvin]

(On left: Director Scott Cardinal, FLIFF President and CEO Gregory von Hausch looks on)

By Rachel Galvin

Director Scott Cardinal showed his documentary "The Legend of Ivan Tours" at Cinema Paradiso on Oct. 25 as part of the Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival. This was not the only showing, but this one included a pre-party with dinner from Carrabba's.

The film included interviews with those who knew Ivan Tours, a filmmaker, screenwriter, scientist, activist, spy for Office of Strategic Services and beyond. Film industry professionals, broadcasting gurus and personal friends who shared their stories included Larry King, Rance and Clint Howard, Ric O'Barry, Ricou Browning, Bill Grefe and others.

The film also showed footage from some of the various films and TV shows that he was involved in, including films/ shows with a focus on animals like "Flipper," "Gentle Ben,""Thunderball,""Sea Hunt," "Namu" and many more. He also delved into Sci-Fi with TV shows like "Science Fiction Theater" and "Gog."

 "Big John" McLaughlin was in the audience and came down on stage with Cardinal after the film ended. McLaughlin taught Lloyd Bridges how to scuba dive on "Sea Hunt" and worked as a double for Bridges. He also worked on "Namu: The Killer Whale." In Cardinal's film, he talks about Tors approaching him about working with a killer whale, which no one had ever done. McLaughlin was worried, but, in the end, Tors' courage seemed to soothe his fears and he went ahead with the project. In the end, he was underwater hand-feeding the 11-ton whale.

This type of confidence for Tors continued with projects like "Gentle Ben." Rance Howard tells how his 6-year-old Clint auditioned for the project, which led to a film and TV show and how Tors' approach to the animals calmed Rance's hesitation "dispelling any fears he would have had" and how, in turn, he was able to instill confidence in his young son, who was so sure of himself that he grabbed the bear by the chain during his screen test, perhaps a brave action that gained him the role.

Indeed, what made Tours so unique was his passion for animals. An activist before activism became trendy, his projects showed animals in a positive light. He also stood his ground and broke out of the typical filmmaking mode. In the process, he gave a start to many young actors, including Lloyd Bridges and Richard Dreyfuss, among others.

He showed the intelligence of dolphins not only to the cast and crew, but the world. Ric O'Barry tells the amazing story of how Suzy, the dolphin from "Flipper," ended up saving Tors when he was drowning.

Tors' work in South Florida led to the creation of Hollywood, FL, the idea that South Florida shores were a beautiful location for filming.

Jordan Klein, an underwater cameraman, said that he "really opened South Florida."

Stuntman Jay Amor said, "He created so many jobs for so many people."

Bill Grefe added, "He was the guy who brought experienced crews" when explaining the way Tors trained people in Florida to work on his projects.

And in the world of Sci-Fi, he ended up entertaining and educating by adding some elements of real science in.

In addition to the film world, he also created a Africa USA, a wildlife refuge with animals from all over, everything from big cats to rhinos. He created the blueprint for "Torsland," as well. Similar to Disney and Universal Studios fantasy lands, his world allowed guests to see underwater filming in action, among other features. But after the project was planned out and kicked off, Tors shut the project down suddenly.

Some of his friends felt a special connection with Tors, others felt he was psychic and even had special healing abilities. One friend tells of a "list" he had made in which he had written everything he would like to do before he died, which he said he would do at 65 (he died at 66). Among his desires was the wish to marry a certain actress, which, in a grand act of serendipity, (told in the film) actually happened. Some recount the way he went out of his way to not only help and connect with animals, but human beings as well. The stories keep coming. For all these reasons and more, Cardinal feels the word "legend" applies to Tors.

Cardinal said, "I think the word 'legend' applies. It's hard to believe a guy like this actually existed. The world is a better place because Ivan Tors existed."

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