Farenthold: A Texas Chronicle (1976)

Duration: 36:21:00

Year Published: 1974

Sound: sound

Description: Directed by Estelle Changas, this 1976 documentary profiles Texas politician Frances “Sissy” Farenthold. Farenthold served in the Texas House of Representatives from 1969 to 1973. She and State Senator Barbara Jordan were the only women serving in the Texas Legislature at the time. Farenthold also ran for Governor of Texas in 1972 and 1974, both times losing the Democratic primary to the eventual general election winner, Dolph Briscoe. Much of this film focuses on Farenthold’s 1974 gubernatorial campaign, following her on stops around the state and interviewing her about her political ideology. The film also includes interviews with Farenthold’s husband and son as well as Texas Observer editors Molly Ivins and Kaye Northcott.