Dalton Gardens' Clark Shotwell plays the starring role in "Propeller One-Way Night Coach," a newly released family adventure film written, co-produced and directed by John Travolta. The movie is based on Travolta's 1997 children's novel. 

The film had its world premiere at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival on May 15. It was released globally by Apple TV on May 29. The plot revolves around the main character, Jeff, played by Shotwell, who recalls his departure from Idlewild Airport in New York on December 28, 1962, as an 8-year-old boy with his mother, Helen, who was traveling to Hollywood to try her hand at acting.  

The excitement of his first flight kindled his enthusiasm for aviation. Along the way, Jeff's encounters with quirky passengers, flight attendants, and unexpected stopovers turn the trip into a once-in-a-lifetime experience he'd never forget.  

“When they told me I got the starring role, I freaked out. I was shocked because I never thought I would have gotten the chance to star in a movie, let alone with John Travolta, who I really didn’t know,”  said Clark, who was 9 years old at the time. “But I figured out that he’s a really big deal, and I can fully understand how crazy this was. It’s a great start to hopefully a future acting career.” 

This is Clark’s first movie he’s been cast in, but he has performed in local theatrical productions. 

“I went from stage to film very quickly — and there’s a big difference between the two,” Clark said. “In the movies, you are performing in front of a camera, and you get multiple takes. Onstage, you are performing in front of a live audience and get one.” 

Clark didn’t have to go through the traditional audition stage to be cast in the movie; instead, he submitted clips through Travolta’s sister, Ellen, who lives nearby. 

“She had been doing a Christmas show in Coeur d’Alene for about 14 years and knew my mom, who was a vocalist and pianist for the show,” Clark said. “Ellen had known for a while that John was trying to find a little boy to cast in his movie and recommended me to him. So, I sent him the clips."

It wasn’t long afterward that Clark and his mother, Jenny, flew to Florida to meet Travolta. 

“I talked with John, did a script reading and came to understand what the movie was about," Clark said. “The night before we left to come home, he told me I got the part.” 

Clark said the news left him speechless. 

“I didn’t know what to say — I was overwhelmed,” Clark said. “I felt like I kind of floated away into some other world — I couldn’t believe it.” 

One of the challenges he faced, Clark said, was memorizing his lines. 

“It was a little difficult. Every morning before we started filming, my mom and I would go over my lines in the scenes I’d be doing that day,” Clark said. “But it was easier than doing it for the stage because you could memorize one line at a time, and then you could do multiple takes if you had to.” 

Not only did Clark spend hours learning his lines, but he also had to complete his schoolwork while filming. 

“He was away from school for about two-and-a-half weeks, but there was a tutor on set,” Jenny said. “He was actually doing schoolwork for four to five hours a day.” 

Another challenge Clark faced was getting and staying in character with his role. 

“I’d be like really tired or wanting to cry because I had a big mess up,” he said. “At one point, we had to evacuate from a fire in LA, and I knew we still had two scenes to film. We ended up filming them in an office that they painted and made into a toy shop in two hours.” 

The most fun and exciting part of being in the film, Clark said, was traveling to all the various locations. 

“We went to New York, LA and to the Cannes Film Festival in France for goodness' sakes,” Clark said. “That was crazy because when you got out of the long line of cars you were in, there were actors all around you and people shouting John, John, John.” 

Clark said he wants to continue acting. 

“I really enjoyed this experience, and I do want to continue this, not only to possibly become famous or rich but to also meet people who are already famous and to travel the world,” Clark said. “If this hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have traveled past California.” 

Clark’s little sister, Skye, was happy her brother got to star in a movie. 

“I feel great that my brother was in a movie and got the experience he did,” she said. 

An inspiring actor herself, Skye, who has been in some local theatrical productions, walked up to Travolta during an after-party in Los Angeles and told him, “I want to be in the movies.” Travolta replied, “Well, you should be, because you’re so darn cute.” 

Clark’s dad, Dalton, and mother, Jenny, agreed that Clark handled his role in "Propeller One-Way Night Coach" well. 

“Like a seasoned professional — a real pro. He’s always had a level of maturity beyond his age,” Jenny said. “I think that’s what Ellen saw in Clark, too. She said he reminded her of John when he was a young boy.” 

Travolta had high praise for Clark as well. 

“Clark is the ultimate professional. He understood the character, knew all of his lines and was able to take directions as a seasoned actor would have,” he said. “He did a perfect job, and I couldn’t be happier.” 

    John Travolta and Clark Shotwell at the LA Premiere of Propeller One-Way Night Coach.
  

    Skye and Clark with mom Jenny and dad Dalton at the LA Premiere.
  

    Dalton and Clark Shotwell with John Travolta on the last day of filming in Los Angeles.
  

    Clark with his mom, Jenny, as she prepares for her debut in the movie.