SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 17, 2012 /PRNewswire-iReach/ -- This month, RisingStar31 moved forward with plans to produce the film A Detour to Mexico and launched two online talent contests last week to open auditions for the movie.  The news signals a major move toward production despite a tragedy and unsolved mystery.

A great deal of speculation still surrounds the striking similarities between the plot of A Detour to Mexico and the film, The Cheetah Girls 2: When in Spain, which was produced by Whitney Houston and featured the star, Raven-Symone.   The screenplay was created in 2005 by Pamela Sherrod and the late Mrs. Sammy Davis, Jr., and was intended for a musical. Sherrod gave the story to an old friend (and mentor) who was a writer/producer for the show That's So Raven, but when she inquired about the similarities, was never given an answer.

Three years later, Altovise died shortly after they'd formed a production company to produce the film. When Sherrod's fiancé died, only thirty-five days later, she halted plans for the film and turned her energy toward ministry work to help fight addiction. Eventually, however, it led her back to producing inspirational books and videos. She chronicled the events that preceded the death of her partner in The Last Chapter in the Life of Mrs. Sammy Davis, Jr., and published their screenplay in the book, A Detour to Mexico.

Sherrod says that, for years she'd had sleepless nights, struggling with a deep sense of loss over the tragedies that took place, but she'd finally reached the place in her life when she was ready to move on. She feels a special calling to finish the work they began, and finally share the messages they'd sought to deliver.

"A Detour to Mexico offers an inspiring lesson about the power of love," says Sherrod.

There's also another important message, and it was the primary reason why the two women initially joined forces. Altovise was married for twenty years to the famous Rat Pack star, Sammy Davis, Jr. He'd performed from the age of four, and had never attended school. Sammy couldn't read or write until he was an adult, and had always regretted it. Before he died, he'd urged his wife to reach out to kids and stress the importance of education. Together, the women set out to accomplish this goal, and decided to deliver the message in entertaining stories and films. A Detour to Mexico was their first project.

The film's progress is significant for another reason. Altoviese endured a long battle with alcoholism, and struggled to overcome the stigma associated with addiction. "Many people took advantage of her vulnerabilities," says Sherrod. "It was sad, because Altovise was robbed of the few assets that remained from an estate that was essentially toppled by Sammy's debts.  She had numerous struggles, both, financial and personal.  However, she wanted to believe that she could get back on her feet, even though detractors portrayed her very negatively. In fact, she was once told that she'd never be anything but a famous man's wife, or rise above her battle with alcoholism to accomplish anything."

 "I beg to differ with that," Sherrod continues. "Altovise was a talented woman who helped create a magnificent story. I only wish she were here to finally see it produced."

For additional information about A Detour to Mexico and the online contests, visit the company's website: www.risingstar31.com

Media Contact: Pamela Sherrod, RisingStar31 Productions, 941-374-2474, risingstar31pro@gmail.com

News distributed by PR Newswire iReach: https://ireach.prnewswire.com

SOURCE RisingStar31 Productions

Back to top

RELATED LINKS
http://www.risingstar31.com