The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar
| The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Peter Pearson |
| Written by | Joan Finnigan |
| Produced by | John Kemeny Barrie Howells |
| Starring | Chris Wiggins Kate Reid Margot Kidder Paisley Maxwell William Thourlby Sandy Webster Jon Granik |
| Cinematography | Tony Ianzelo |
| Edited by | Michael McKennirey |
| Distributed by | National Film Board of Canada |
Release date |
|
Running time | 49 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $82,635[1] |
The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar is a 1968 National Film Board of Canada (NFB) drama directed by Peter Pearson, produced by John Kemeny and written by Joan Finnigan. The 49-minute drama stars Chris Wiggins and Kate Reid, along with Margot Kidder in her first feature role.[2]
Produced for the NFB's Challenge for Change program, the film had initially been "pushed aside and ignored by CBC TV," according to Canadian film scholar Gerald Pratley, who called it "A brilliant example of what our filmmakers could do if they had the opportunities and the material to replace the run-of-the-mill American films that dominate our theatres and television – the kind of inexpensive creativity private broadcasters continue to say they cannot afford."[3][4]
Synopsis
[edit]The Best Damn Fiddler is a realistic account of an itinerant bush worker (Chris Wiggins) living in the rural area of the Ottawa Valley who cannot make enough money to feed his large family but nevertheless rejects government handouts. The oldest daughter (Margot Kidder) eventually leaves home to find work and a better future.
Cast
[edit]- Chris Wiggins - Emery
- Kate Reid - Glad
- Margot Kidder - Rosie
- Bill Thourlby - Adam
- Paisley Maxwell - Miss Angelus
- Sandy Webster - Doctor
- Jon Granik - Interne
- Liza Creighton - Spread
- Paddy Moran - Carson
Awards
[edit]| Award | Year | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian Film Awards | 1969 | Film of the Year | John Kemeny, Barrie Howells, Peter Pearson | Won | [5] |
| Best Television Drama | Won | ||||
| Best Actor, Non-Feature | Chris Wiggins | Won | |||
| Best Direction | Peter Pearson | Won | |||
| Best Screenplay | Joan Finnegan | Won | |||
| Best Black-and-White Cinematography | Tony Ianzelo | Won | |||
| Best Editing, Non-Feature | Michael McKennirey | Won | |||
| Best Art Direction | Michael Milne | Won |
Filming locations
[edit]- The farm locations, dance hall and river scenes were shot at Barryvale, Ontario.
- The downtown scenes were shot in Renfrew, Ontario.
References
[edit]- ^ Evans 1991, p. 163.
- ^ "The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar". Collection. National Film Board of Canada. 1968. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ Pratley, Gerald (1987). Torn Sprockets. Mississauga: Associated University Presses. p. 103. ISBN 0-87413-194-4.
- ^ "The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar". Canadian Film Encyclopedia. Film Reference Library. Retrieved 2009-10-15.
- ^ Maria Topalovich, And the Genie Goes To...: Celebrating 50 Years of the Canadian Film Awards. Stoddart Publishing, 2000. ISBN 0-7737-3238-1. pp. 111-114.
Works cited
[edit]- Evans, Gary (1991). In the National Interest: A Chronicle of the National Film Board of Canada from 1949 to 1989. University of Toronto Press. ISBN 0802027849.