Back to God’s Country
David M. Hartford, 1919, silent with English intertitles, 74 min, colour-tinted and colour-toned black & white
Canada’s
first English language feature, made by screen pioneer, Nell Shipman—writer,
producer, director, star, stuntwoman—the original action heroine who
became a symbol of untamed wilderness and untamed womanhood. Snowshoeing
and dogsledding across the Great White North (Alberta), she protects her
husband, avenges her father, defeats the villain, and saves the day, always
with the help of a dog and her bear, and never looking more beautiful than
in her pioneering nude scene.
The story was filmed again in 1927 and 1953.
The
film was a Canadian and international success at the box office; in fact,
its 300 percent return on investment has yet to be matched by another Canadian
film.
Screening details
This is the feature film in the festival Opening Night Gala.
The film will be introduced by Dr. Kay Armatage, professor of Film and Women’s Studies, filmmaker, and author of The Girl from God’s Country: Nell Shipman and the Silent Cinema.
This screening will feature a live soundtrack by renowned Sunshine Coast musician Ken Dalgleish.
Screening
Friday February 18, 6:30pm
(doors close 7:45)
Feature of the Opening Night Gala.
Live soundtrack by Ken Dalgleish.
About the Director
David M. Hartford
FILMOGRAPHY (as director)
God’s Great Wilderness (1927)
The Man in the Shadow (1926)
Jack O’Hearts (1926)
Rapids (1922)
Golden Snare (1921)
Nomads of the North (1920)
Back to God’s Country (1919)
About Nell Shipman
b 25 October 1892, Victoria, BC
d 23 January 1970, Los Angeles, CA
FILMOGRAPHY (partial)
God’s Country and the Woman (1916)
Back to God’s Country (1919)
Something New (1920)
A Bear, a Boy, and a Dog (1921)
The Girl from God’s Country (1921)
The Grub Stake (1922)
The Light on Lookout (1923)
Trail of the North Wind (1923)
Wings in the Dark (scriptwriter, 1935)
Cast and crew
Producer
Ernest Shipman, Canadian Photoplays Ltd.
Writer
James Oliver Curwood, Nell Shipman
Cinematographer
Joseph M. Walker, Dal Clawson
Editor
Cyril Gardner
Music
Frank Skinner
Principal Cast
Nell Shipman, Wellington Plater, Wheeler Oakman, Charles Arling, Ralph Laidlaw
Links
Nell Shipman biography at SVP Productions
Northern Stars biography of Nell Shipman
TAKE ONE article on Nell Shipman
The Film Reference Library entry for Nell Shipman
AFI Catalogue fim summary.
