Fred G. Sullivan (The Free George)
Born:  November 14, 1945

Died:  April 18, 1996

Adirondack Filmmaker Fred Sullivan was a pioneering filmmaker in New York State's Adirondack Park. He attended film school in Boston and came to the Adirondacks to direct his first feature, "Cold River," which did not do well at the box office.  After that experience, he then filmed "The Beer Drinker's Guide to Fitness and Filmmaking" as a documentary to his experiences of filming "Cold River."  He also served as the Development Director of Paul Smiths College.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, April 19, 1996

PSC official dead at 50

By MATTHEW RUSSELL Enterprise Staff Writer

SARAN AC LAKE - Moviemaker, writer and Paul Smith's College development director Fred G. Sullivan died suddenly after suffering a heart attack Thursday. He was 50 years old.

Sullivan was playing basketball with friends at the college when he suffered the heart attack. He was pronounced dead at the Adirondack Medical Center Thursday afternoon.

"Fred Sullivan represented in my mind the spirit of the Adirondacks," said Paul Smith's College President Arthur "Pete" Linkins.  "He could articulate the importance of this region and the role of the college in the Adirondacks with an absolute passion no one else could match," Linkins said.

Mr. Sullivan is survived by his wife, the former Polly Haines; three sons, Tate, Ricky and Kirk, and a daughter, Katie Sullivan, all of Saranac Lake.

Sullivan was the Adirondack's first feature filmmaker. He wrote, directed and co-produced the film "Cold River" in 1981 and made "The Beer Drinker's Guide to Fitness and Filmmaking" in 1988.

Born Nov. 14, 1945 in Glens Falls, he was the son of Frederick G. and Ruth (LaHaise) Sullivan. He was a graduate of St. Mark's Academy in Glens Falls and received a bachelor's degree in history from Fordham in 1967. He was a 1973 graduate of Boston University School of Publishing and Communications with a master's degree in film. For his thesis he produced a documentary titled "Of Rivers and Men." He moved to the Saranac Lake area in 1974, when he struck up many friendships locally.

In collaboration with friends William Sweeney and Charles Ritchie, Sullivan produced the first feature length film ever shot entirely in the Adirondacks. "Cold River," a story of a young boy and girl stranded in the mountains in winter, played in theaters across the country. "The Beer Drinker's Guide," a unique comedy about family life and making movies in the Adirondacks, was a popular success.

"He loved the Adirondacks, he loved people, his family. He loved life...and he was a good friend," Sweeney said today. Sullivan and Sweeney shared a common passion for movies, and for both men "Cold River" and "The Beer Drinker's Guide" were milestones in the cultural history of the region.

"Both films contributed to the knowledge and culture of the Adirondacks," Sweeney noted. "Cold River" went on to air on Home Box Office and the Disney Channel, and both films continue to make money on video. Ritchie, also a partner and close friend of Sullivan, could not be reached today.

One of Sullivan's greatest interests was the future of the Adirondack region, an interest which led him to involvement with a number of not-for-profit groups. He was a founding member of the Friends of Mount Pisgah and was on the Board of Directors for the Saranac Lake Civic Center. Sullivan was a member of the Association for the Protection the Adirondacks and was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed skiing, hiking and basket ball. He was an Army veteran, having served in Korea during the Vietnam conflict.

Sullivan joined the staff of Paul Smith's College in June 1992 and was promoted to Director of Development in March 1995. He was a principal architect of the institution's "College of the Adirondacks" initiative and helped guide the college toward the introduction of four-year degree programs. He also, published the Paul Smith's alumni magazine, "The Sequel."

In addition to his work for the college, Sullivan was working on a sequel to "The Beer Drinker's Guide" at the time of his death, Also surviying are his stepmother, Mae Sullivan of Glens Falls, and his sister, Mary Edna Sullivan Of New Orleans.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise, May 03, 1996

LCPA to present 'Beer Drinker's Guide' on new projector system

LAKE PLACID - The Lake Placid Center for the Arts (LPCA) has recently acquired a state-of-the-art Sony rear screen projector system.

The system can project films on full reflective theater screen or the specially designed rear projector screen and has the capability of rear and frontal projection images. The new system will enable the LPCA to screen non-commercial award-winning films that are currently not available in 16mm format. This acquisition will enhance the current LPCA film series by increasing the pool of films accessible to the LPCA in addition to 16mm titles.

To introduce the system to the community, a special screening utilizing the new system is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. May 11 and admission is free. The special screening will be a tribute to director Fred G. Sullivan, showcasing his film, "The Beer Drinker's Guide to Fitness and Filmmaking," at 7:30 p.m. Donations in celebration of Fred G. Sullivan accepted at the door for a memorial gift. Sullivan died April 18 at the age of 50.

"The Beer Drinker's Guide to Fitness and Filmmaking," Sullivan's second feature film, is a zany and endearing movie. Filmed on location in Saranac Lake and the surrounding Adirondack Mountains, Sullivan used a cast of family and friends. This was released in 1987 under the title, "Sullivan's Pavilion," but was changed for a more attention-getting title and it worked. Sullivan's film enjoyed success and rave reviews from Boston to L.A.

Sullivan made a comedy on the serious subject of reconciling dreams with reality. He emerges as a hero, not only of this film, but of his life. "He turns a situation even the most optimistic among us would consider difficult into a celebration of small towns, big families, drinking Bud and doing things your own damn way," said Joanna Connors, Cleveland "Plain Dealer."

For those who have not seen "Beer Drinker's Guide," it's a real jewel, and for those who have, it's time for another round. "The Beer Drinker's Guide to Fitness and Filmmaking," a tribute to "Adirondack Fred," will be screened at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts on Saturday, May 11.

 

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