Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society
May 1929 - A Race for Ties
A Race for Ties is the first film made by the Port Arthur Amateur Cinema Society, and it also has the distinction of being the first amateur feature-length film made in Canada. Based on the real life experiences of Dorothea Mitchell shortly after she became the first single woman granted a homestead in Ontario, the story is about a small sawmill owner, Joe Atwood, and his race against a large timber company, headed by U. Cheetem, for a railway tie contract.
 Dorothea Mitchell as Sarah Atwood |
Filmed during the spring of 1929, production was directed by Major Harold Harcourt and cinematographer was Port Arthur bakery owner Fred Cooper. The cast, all chosen by Dorothea Mitchell, was composed of local men and women, most of whom were friends of Mitchell, Harcourt, and Cooper.
While A Race for Ties was a group effort, Dorothea Mitchell played a leading role in all aspects of production. In addition to writing the script, she acted as the films production manager, producer, assisted in directing, and was involved in the editing process.
A Race for Ties premiered on 31 May 1929 and ran for three sold-out days at the Lyceum Theatre in Port Arthur, Ontario. Afterwards, the film toured the surrounding country-side, used by a variety of organisations in Northwestern Ontario to raise funds for local charities.
Film Credits
| Director: | Harold Harcourt |
| Scenerio: | Dorothea Mitchell |
| Photography: | Fred Cooper (assisted by
Fred Lovelady and W.J. Lovelady) |
| Casting: | Dorothea Mitchell |
Cast
| Eddie Cook |
as Jack Atwood |
| Dr. H.A. Saunders |
as Joe Atwood |
| Miss Martha Lake |
as Marion Atwood |
| Miss Dorothea Mitchell |
as Sarah Atwood |
| Ed Lindey |
as Barlow |
| F. Duncan Roberts |
as U. Cheetem |
| Wally McComber |
as The Goof |
| Harold Harcourt |
as Larkin |
| Fred Lovelady |
as Stable Hand |
| William Gibson |
as Bill Wotnot |
| And |
|
| Laddie the Dog |
as Himself |
|
