As part of Laie Days, cast and crew of the Mormon classic “Johnny Lingo” came and celebrated the 42nd anniversary of the film.
This event, sponsored by the Mormon Pacific Historical Society and the Laie Community Association, took place on July 29 in the Cannon Activities Center. Attendees were honored to hear guest speakers Naomi K. Wilson who played Mahana, and Joseph Ah Quin who played Moki, Mahana’s father. The event began with a showing of the film, made by the LDS Church in 1969, followed by talks from Wilson and Ah Quin, respectively.
“I ran into a [man in the] U.S. Air Force ... who had first-hand information that the pentagon uses this film in many of the third-world countries who have experienced a disaster; and it helps the people there to rebuild their inner strength,” recounted Wilson. She went on to say that “Johnny Lingo” is also used in the Peace Corps and around the world.
A theme of Wilson’s talk, and the movie itself, was that there are many things that can make a woman beautiful, but one of the most important is what she thinks of herself. (Pictured at left: Naomi Wilson, who played Mahana)
Ah Quin’s appearance was a special treat, as he had recently broken his right foot in five different places. At the
start of the event he was being transported from the hospital where “[the doctors] put Humpty Dumpty back together again,” said Ah Quin, who had told the coordinators of the event that he would “come or die trying.”
Ah Quin’s talk was about his life, the impact of the gospel, “Johnny Lingo”, and his family. He started with a song and ended with his testimony about little children and their innocence that we should all try to mirror. (Pictured at right: Joseph Ah Quin, who played Moki, Mahana's Father)
Even 42 years after its release, “Johnny Lingo” remains a favorite among the LDS community worldwide.
Photos by Aissa Mitton