The Grub-Stake Revisited

This screening took place on Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 8:00 pmYukon Arts Centre

Best known for the 1919 film 'Back to God's Country,' Victoria-born Nell Shipman spent most of the 1920s in Idaho making independent films that focused on the major themes she enjoyed: wild animals, nature, feminist heroes, and filming on location. The Grub-Stake (the original version is 100 minutes) was considered her magnum opus, but sadly disappeared from cinema history with the bankruptcy of the distributor at the time of the film's release. In The Grub-Stake, Shipman plays Faith Diggs, a beautiful young woman who supports herself and her ailing father by taking in laundry and modelling for artists. Enter the villain, Leroy, who agrees to back her plan to open a laundry in gold rush country. Once in the Klondike, Faith discovers Leroy's true and dastardly schemes. Faith flees with her father in a dogsled and gets hopelessly lost. A series of Shipman's trademark animal and wilderness scenes ensue before Faith is rescued in what Shipman described as a 'sockeroo finish.' In this re-visioned live performance of music and dialogue in concert with the projection of the The Grub-Stake, there will be 11 ensemble members in the pit and back stage to bring this show to life. Musicians: Daniel Janke, Jesse Zubot, Jordy Walker, Peggy Lee and Andrea McColeman. Cast: Celia McBride, Charles Laberge, Dave Haddock, James McCullough, Roy Ness and Sarah Moore. Please note that ALFF 5 Film Passes cannot be redeemed for admission to this event. It is a separate ticketed event. $18 for YFS members and $20 for non-members.