Hollywood and Horsepower Show, March 5, 2026

Hollywood and Horsepower Show with Mark Otto Guest, Michael Blowen, Founder of Old Friends farm, Formerly the Entertainment writer for the Boston Globe Hollywood and Horsepower: The Michael Blowen Odyssey Hollywood & Horsepower: Michael Blowen From the Red Carpet to the Bluegrass—A Life Dedicated to Legends. Editorial Abstract The Protagonist Michael Blowen Founder of Old Friends Farm. Former Boston Globe critic & Emerson Professor. Core Philosophy "A motion picture home for horses... giving great athletes the same respect as old Hollywood directors." Key Connections Jack Nicholson John Huston Frank Capra Julius Epstein Career Evolution & Insights 01 The Academic Roots Taught film at Emerson/BU. Hosted legendary directors like Frank Capra and King Vidor, moving enrollment from 6 to 300+ students. 02 The Boston Globe Era Spent 20 years as a movie critic. Developed a "foundation in trash" before reviewing masterpieces. Met wife Diane White (the "Snow White" to his "Dopey"). 03 Old Friends Odyssey Founded the first retirement farm for stallions. Now the #1 TripAdvisor attraction in Lexington, KY. Home to Derby winners and legends like Game On Dude. Memorable Anecdotes John Huston & the Racing Form $50 bet with Spielberg $40 for Little Silver Charm Jack Nicholson's "Go-Between" rule #HorseRacing #Aftercare #HollywoodHistory #OldFriends Reading Time: ~5 mins | Audience: Equine & Film Enthusiasts Introduction This interview features Michael Blowen, the visionary founder of Old Friends Farm, as he recounts his eclectic journey from being an Emerson College professor and The Boston Globe movie critic to a pioneer in thoroughbred horse aftercare. The discussion explores the surprising parallels between the "discarded" legends of Hollywood’s Golden Age and retired racehorses, highlighting a life defined by a passion for storytelling and animal welfare. Detailed Summary From the Classroom to the Red Carpet Michael Blowen’s career began in academia at Emerson College, where he developed a unique approach to teaching film by bringing in legendary directors from "Old Hollywood." During a summer session at Boston University, Blowen and his colleague Gary Grossman realized they could only teach the technical aspects of filmmaking for 90 minutes; to fill a six-week course, they traveled to Hollywood to recruit veteran directors who were no longer being utilized by the studios. This initiative brought icons like Edward Dmytryk, Rouben Mamoulian, King Vidor, and Frank Capra to the classroom, causing enrollment to skyrocket from six students to over 300. Blowen noted a poignant parallel during this time: just like the great directors who were often "disposed of" once they were no longer generating income, aging racehorses faced a similar fate after their careers ended. 🎬 The Emerson Guest Director Roster Michael Blowen transformed a 6-student seminar into a 300-person sensation by recruiting Hollywood legends. Edward Dmytryk The Caine Mutiny Rouben Mamoulian Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde King Vidor The Big Parade Frank Capra It's a Wonderful Life The Golden Era of Journalism and Unlikely Friendships Blowen’s transition to The Boston Globe occurred after he began freelancing as a "second-string" critic, eventually becoming a mainstay during the newspaper's expansion. His tenure was marked by deep, genuine relationships with stars like Jack Nicholson and John Huston. Blowen’s friendship with Huston was cemented not through a formal interview, but through a shared love for horse racing; after accidentally showing up a day early for an interview, the two spent the afternoon at the racetrack. Similarly, his long-standing friendship with Nicholson was built on mutual respect and the fact that Blowen never asked the actor for favors. These experiences provided him with a "backstage pass" to the humanity of Hollywood, from the wit of Casablanca writer Julius Epstein to the quiet loyalty of Walter Matthau. The Genesis of Old Friends Farm The seeds for Old Friends were sown when Blowen apprenticed with Carlos Figueroa, a "bottom of the barrel" trainer known as the "King of the Fairs." Observing the harsh reality for horses at the end of their careers, Blowen felt a calling to create a "motion picture home for horses." Despite initial skepticism from the racing establishment, he moved to Kentucky in 2000. The project gained momentum with a $5,000 donation from Governor Brereton C. Jones of Airdrie Stud and the support of Penny Chenery, the owner of Secretariat. Today, the farm is a world-class attraction and a vital resource for equine medicine, housing legends like Silver Charm and Game On Dude, and serving as a model for thoroughbred aftercare globally. 🐴 Old Friends Farm: Impact Model Beyond retirement, the farm serves as a multi-disciplinary educational hub: Equine Medicine: Largest group of aging thoroughbreds for geriatric study. Vocational Training: Partnership with the Kentucky Shoeing School. Public Awareness: Rated the #1 attraction in Lexington on TripAdvisor. Key Data Course Enrollment Growth: Jumped from 6 to over 300 students after recruiting Hollywood directors. Racing History: In the 1930s, there were 17 licensed thoroughbred tracks in New England; today, there are 0. Film Industry Saturation: Between 1934 and 1937, nearly 50 movies were produced specifically about horse racing. Founding Support: Received an initial $5,000 "good luck" check from Brereton C. Jones to start the farm. To-Do / Next Steps Visit Old Friends: Schedule a tour at the farm in Lexington, KY, to see Kentucky Derby winners face-to-face. Support the Foundation: Visit OldFriendsEquine.org to donate or learn about their mission. Research Equine Aftercare: Read Hollywood at the Races by Alan Shuback for more on the historical link between the two industries. Support "No Fallen Heroes": Contribute to the foundation helping military veterans and first responders. Healthcare Consulting: Contact MB Gray Healthcare for corporate healthcare consulting needs. Conclusion Michael Blowen’s story is a testament to the power of reinvention and the importance of dignity in "retirement"—whether for a Hall of Fame director or a Triple Crown contender. By bridging the worlds of Hollywood and Horsepower, he has created a legacy that ensures the "old friends" of the turf are never forgotten.