Amelia Earhart

Norbert plays a KLM mechanic on the island of Java in this 1994 movie about the famous aviator, Amelia Earhart in her 1937 attempt to fly around the world. He has a small role in this towards the end of the movie, but it's a fun scene, even though it is on the receiving end of Amelia's wrath because of mechanical problems with her plane. In this scene, Amelia has arrived in Indonesia and is anxious to leave on the final segments of her flight. She doesn't want to hear that serious problems are keeping her grounded. She is just shy of throwing a complete temper tantrum over the whole incident as Norbert's character informs her that it may be days or even weeks before the plane will be able to fly again. It's actually a very cute scene as Norbert tries to explain the mechanical problems she is facing, with some help from Rutger Hauer as Fred Noonan, her navigator. Even the water buffalo in the background throw in their two cents worth. Amelia stomps off in frustration when she hears she will be grounded for a week. With a shrug after she walks out of earshot, Norbert adds quietly, "...maybe more..?" It's a cute moment in the film.

Amelia Earhart was played by Diane Keaton in this 1994 made-for-television movie. Her husband, George Putnam was played by Bruce Dern. Fred Noonon, Amelia Earhart’s Navigator, was portrayed by Rutger Hauer. Norbert and Rutger have appeared in several films together, two of them Albert Pyun films. This movie was filmed in a soft focus style (for some reason a trend for a few years around the late 80s and early 90s) which has resulted in very poor quality screencaps. Director: Yves Simoneau Ex Producer: Randy Robinson Producer: Cary Brokaw Co-Producer: Joseph J. Kelly

Amelia Earhart is available on Amazon.

The movie touches on the controversy caused by some researchers that her flight was partly financed by the U.S. government. They claim she was spying on the Japanese while flying the Pacific legs of her journey, and was subsequently taken prisoner by them. For some viewers that theory tarnished the movie, but other see it as a plausible scenario. Other theories are that she never made it to Howland Island because she landed instead on Gardner Island, now known as Nikumaroro Island, an atoll to the south. Artifacts have been found but no solid evidence. I will not address any of these theories here. Links have been provided if you are interested in additional reading on Amelia Earhart, Fred Noonan, or any of these theories. A particularly good site is The Earhart Project (TIGHAR).

Norbert Weisser as KLM Mechanic in Amelie Earhart: The Final Flight

Amelia Earhart lighthouse on tiny Howland Island. It was damaged during WWII. This photo was taken after some restoration.

U.S. Postal Service commemorative issue of a first day cover from 1937, prepared for her to carry around the world with her. She frequently carried mail with her for souvenir collectors.

The Earhart Project - one of the best sources for information on Amelia Earhart and what may have happened to her. Several large corporate sponsors have donated to this research group. The data is well documented and presented. They have a current research project underway on Nikumaroro Island (formerly Garner Island) to search the water for her plane, and to perform DNA tests on bone fragments that were recently found. Update: DNA test results are pending and should be announced soon.

Earhart was the first person to fly solo nonstop from Mexico City to Newark (destination New York City). In 1935 Mexico issued a special overprinted stamp for this goodwill flight. She carried 35 pieces of mail with her on this flight.

These maps are pop-up images. They show Amelia’s projected flight path and the location of where her plane is believed to have gone down.

Amelia Earhart's Lockheed Electra from the movie

Amelia Earhart publicity shot

Navigator Fred Noonan Former Navigator for Pan Am Airlines.

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