The pioneering life of a Craven woman that spanned continents and eras is set to be captured on film.
A new documentary will celebrate the extraordinary journey of Grassington woman Rowena "Bunty" Harker Leder MBE, a Yorkshire-born dancer, flight attendant, and arts leader whose story took her from the Yorkshire Dales to Las Vegas, Beirut, and the skies of 1960s air travel.
Love & Laughter Around the World will be produced by Whittaker Lemberg Productions Ltd, an independent film and theatre studio.
Bunty dressed for the stage in the 1950s (Image: UGC)
The film aims to chart not only Bunty’s adventures but also the changing lives and opportunities of women in the post-war era.
David Lemberg, producer at Whittaker Lemberg Productions, said: "Bunty’s story is much more than a collection of wonderful adventures.
"It is the story of a generation of women who grew up with one set of expectations but found themselves living through a period of extraordinary social transformation.
Bunty in Las Vegas in the 1950s (Image: UGC)
"She travelled from rural Yorkshire to the neon lights of Las Vegas, danced in cosmopolitan Beirut and flew around the world during the golden age of aviation.
"Throughout it all, she retained her warmth, determination and unmistakable sense of humour."
The filmmakers hope to assemble a predominantly female-led creative and technical team, with roles spanning directing, producing, cinematography, camera, sound, lighting, archive research, editing, music, and post-production.
Mr Lemberg said: "Because this documentary explores women’s independence, resilience and changing place in society, we believe women should also play a leading role behind the camera.
"Our ambition is to assemble a predominantly female-led team, including the director, producer and technical crew.
"We want to create genuine opportunities for talented women at every stage of production while ensuring the documentary benefits from their experiences, creativity and perspectives."
Bunty’s story began in the Yorkshire Dales but soon expanded onto the global stage.
Rowena 'Bunty' Harker Leder recently celebrated her 90th birthday (Image: UGC)
After learning French as an au pair, she joined the famed Bluebell Girls dance troupe and in 1958 travelled to Las Vegas to perform in the Lido de Paris show at the Stardust Hotel and Casino.
During her year in America, Bunty wrote 54 handwritten letters to her family in Grassington.
These, along with photographs and other memorabilia, now form a rare personal archive of life behind the scenes during the golden era of Las Vegas entertainment.
In 1960, she spent a year dancing in Beirut.
At the time, the city was known as the "Switzerland of the Middle East" and was a hub of international culture and glamour before later conflicts changed its landscape.
Two years later, Bunty joined the British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC) and spent 10½ years flying around the world.
She lived near London’s King’s Road during the height of Swinging Chelsea.
While air travel offered freedom and excitement, her experiences also reveal the limitations and discrimination women faced in the workplace.
Her decision to marry the next suitable man who asked her led to a marriage that lasted 53 years.
After returning to Yorkshire, she became artistic director of the Grassington Festival, a role she held for 18 years.
She was later awarded an MBE for her services to the arts.
The documentary is inspired by her autobiography, Love & Laughter Around the World, and will place her personal story within the wider context of a generation of women navigating dramatic societal change.
The film will feature newly recorded interviews with Bunty, as well as contributions from surviving Bluebell dancers and former BOAC colleagues.
It will also include personal photographs, handwritten letters, and licensed archive footage.
Historic film of 1950s Las Vegas, golden-era Beirut, and London’s King’s Road will help bring her story to life.
The production team also plans to professionally scan and preserve Bunty’s archive for future generations.
Bunty said: "If you think this could be a successful documentary, I would so love to see your names on the credits."
A crowdfunding campaign has been launched to raise £79,000 for development, filming, interviews, archive research and licensing, editing, music, and festival preparation.
The company is also inviting expressions of interest from female directors, producers, and technical professionals who connect with Bunty’s story and the film’s themes.
Members of the public can support the campaign by donating or sharing Bunty’s story with others interested in women’s history, dance, theatre, aviation, and 20th-century culture.
To learn more about Bunty or support the project, visit www.bunty.life or www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/love-and-laughter-around-the-world.