Warfield Films has announced the documentary entitled, “A Path to Follow — The Reddy Finney Story” is nearing completion. Redmond C. S. Finney was headmaster of Gilman from 1968 - 1992. The documentary focuses on “Reddy” Finney and the trailblazing teachers, students, parents and administrators that spurred Gilman’s growth.
The impetus for creating a documentary was the result of a lunch between former Governor Robert Ehrlich and Edwin Warfield. Ehrlich explained the impact that Reddy, his brother Jervis, and Gilman had on his meteoric career. At a follow-up meeting, Ehrlich’s father repeatedly shared, “Reddy is my hero…. Reddy is my hero.” Out of these conversations, the idea for the documentary was born.
“How did he do it?” is the focus of the film, says Executive Producer Warfield, a digital media entrepreneur who has conducted over 300 CEO interviews over the last three years. “We will look back as this tumultuous time of assassinations, Civil Rights marches, and anti-war protests and see what makes a great leader.” Warfield is partnering with a Hampden-based documentary production company.
“I am thrilled to be working on this project, which is extremely relevant to the political polarization of America today,” states Warfield. “Reddy Finney was a leader who stood for what he believed in, who propelled Gilman into becoming the school it is today, and with a diverse population of boys and teachers of all colors, creeds and backgrounds.”
Finney became Headmaster in July 1968 — two months after the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the subsequent riots and burning of Baltimore, and three weeks after the shooting of Robert Kennedy. “The moral and intellectual leadership that he provided at this tumultuous time must be viewed in this context,” states Warfield. “Reddy was a role model as a leader of Gilman to thousands of Gilman students then, and he is a role model to even thousands more alumni today.”
The Executive Producer is a graduate of Milton Academy whose alumni include Robert F. Kennedy, Teddy Kennedy, Betsey Beers (Executive Producer of Grey's Anatomy), T.S. Eliot, Buckminster Fuller, Douglas MacArthur II, Deval Patrick, James Taylor......