High School Classmates Reunite After Five Decades For Powerful Reflections on Friendship, Masculinity, Mental Health And More in Broadcast Television Premiere of New Documentary FORTUNATE SONS September 3 on PBS SoCal Plus
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Los Angeles, Calif. – August 7, 2025 – PBS SoCal, Southern California’s flagship PBS station, announced today the national PBS distribution plans as well as the television broadcast premiere of FORTUNATE SONS. A Peter Jones Productions/John Bard Manulis Production, the new feature-length documentary explores the lives of members of the 1974 graduating class of Los Angeles-based private school Harvard School for Boys (currently known as Harvard-Westlake School), then a private military academy for sons of many notable Southern California-based celebrities, corporate leaders and other prominent figures in the region. With themes exploring friendship, masculinity and mental wellness, the film follows the stories of former classmates as they prepare to celebrate their 50th reunion, leaning into the truths of their journeys growing up together with humor and vulnerability. FORTUNATE SONS will roll out to other PBS stations across the country. The 90-minute documentary premieres on Wed., Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. on PBS SoCal’s broadcasting channel PBS SoCal Plus with an encore airing on Thurs., Sept. 4 at 11 p.m. on PBS SoCal.
Following the broadcast, the film will stream at pbssocal.org/fortunatesons as well as be available to anyone on the free PBS App
During the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the classmates reconnected online through a series of video calls, sharing with rare emotional honesty about life, love, loss and redemption. The schoolmates’ stories inspired Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker and former classmate, Peter Jones (“Inventing LA: the Chandlers and their Times” and “Blue Sky Metropolis”), to write and direct a film that captured their friendship and reflections on the lives they’ve lived. Producer John Manulis, producer Taylor Vracin-Harrell, and filmmaker classmates David Rosemont and Scott Shepherd launched the project when the group’s conversations revealed a rare opportunity to tell a unique and universal human story that resonated with the developing national conversation about masculinity and mental health.
The film features interviews and appearances by over forty members of the class of ’74 including former architect turned French restaurateur John Saliba, sports agent-turned headmaster of New Roads School Patrick McCabe and accomplished pilot/engineer Martin Montague, the son of Los Angeles’ iconic KGFJ radio disc jockey Nathaniel “Magnificent” Montague.
In partnership with schools, nonprofits and community groups nationwide, the filmmakers are launching an impact campaign featuring screenings and facilitated discussions around themes illuminated by the film, including mental health, masculinity and the power of connection. The campaign is being developed in collaboration with ROCO Films. Organizations interested in learning more or hosting a screening, can visit https://www.fortunate-sons.com/host-a-screening/
“When we witnessed how powerfully the film resonated with folks grappling with these issues, we knew we had to create a program for deeper community engagement, to help challenge stigmas and illuminate a path toward healing”, explained Producer John Manulis.
Writer/Director Peter Jones adds “Rather than preaching, the film invites audiences into individual life experiences shared with candor and vulnerability. We believe these screenings can help spark meaningful conversations and healing in communities that need it most.”
A virtual LinkedIn Live event featuring Peter Jones, John Manulis, Patrick McCabe and Martin Montague from FORTUNATE SONS will be hosted by “Consciously Unbiased” and “Hire Talent” on Thurs., Sept. 18 at 9 a.m. PT/12 noon ET.
Join the conversation on social media by tagging @pbssocal and @fortunatesonsmovie
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