Film buffs and history enthusiasts alike are slated for a treat at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library in Las Cruces this June. Julia Smith, a dedicated film scholar and documentarian, will be presenting her latest project on the pioneering work of the late New Mexico State University professor Orville Wanzer. The event, sponsored by the Friends of Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, is set to offer a window into the distinctly unique genre of Acid Westerns through Wanzer's acclaimed film "The Devil's Mistress," the first feature film shot in the Las Cruces area that made it onto Hollywood's silver screen.

Julia Smith has been meticulously working to resurrect Wanzer's film archives since 2019, and her upcoming documentary, "Birth of the Acid Western," promises to provide attendees with an insightful look into the genre's embodiment of the 1960s American counterculture. In an era defined by upheaval, it was an age ripe to thoroughly challenge the traditional Western archetype. On Saturday, June 21, beginning at 3:30 p.m., Smith will introduce and screen "The Devil’s Mistress" at the library, located at 200 E. Picacho Avenue, according to the City of Las Cruces .

Smith's presentation is expected to delve into the historical significance of Wanzer's contributions, as well as his role in leading the way for independent filmmakers in New Mexico. Accompanying the feature film screening, the program will showcase a trailer for Smith's documentary. Participants will be treated to a comprehensive look at how the Acid Western genre reflected a more existential take on the American West, diverging significantly from the conventional portrayals of cowboys and gunfights.

Following the screening of "The Devil's Mistress," the program will segue into a question-and-answer session. This segment is anticipated to provide an open forum for attendees to engage directly with Smith, learning more about both Wanzer's influence on the film industry and the nuances of the Acid Western genre. With her work to ascertain and preserve the legacy of Orville Wanzer, the documentary and subsequent discussion at the library aim to enliven both the local and larger filmic discourse on this segment of cinematic history. Visitors will have the opportunity to gain insight into the not often widely acknowledged world of low-budget regional films and their enduring mark on Hollywood's expansive narrative.