WICHITA, Kan. (KAKE)- Sod and Stubble is a classic Kansas novel being made into a film about a pioneer family from Germany trying to make a new life for themselves in the Great Plains. The film is written by Friends University history professor Ken Spurgeon, and he has other historians working on it to ensure they are accurate in their portrayals.
Spurgeon spent years teaching the novel and love the story it tells.
But, he says, he's seeing it very differently after watching the first days of filming.
“It just comes alive to me and I want to make it alive for others.”
He wants what any writer and producer wants for their film, to touch lives and inspire others. That’s his goal with his upcoming movie being filmed in Kansas right now.
Deb Goodrich, another producer who's handling public relations for Sod and Stubble said, “We are all here because we believe in the power of story and we believe in the power of film to tell stories.”
“That is what is so refreshing about this, to actually get the facts right," said actor Darby Hinton, best-known doe his role of Israel Boone in the show Daniel Boone from 1964 to 1970. "And again, to actually film it where it actually took place, with actual (descendants) standing right behind the camera while you're telling the story. I mean it's magical.”
The movie crew filmed in Cowtown Thursday and Friday. During a news conference, the actors discussed what surprised them about Kansas.
Mary McDonough, best known for her role as Erin on The Waltons, said, “The caliber of people here in Kansas working on this project is amazing. It's not like we brought Hollywood here to film, it's people from here, who live here, educated here, and work here all creating here.”
This is not Spurgeon's first film. Last year, he released the docudrama On Contested Plains, also about Kansas History. McDonough and Hinton both starred in that film as well.
Sod and Stubble centers around the lives of German immigrant Henry Ise and his newlywed bride Rosa Haag Ise, a first-generation American, child of German immigrants. They settled near Downs, Kansas, where most of the movie is being filmed.
Bailey Chase plays Henry and Dodie Brown plays Rosa. Chase is best known for playing Deputy Branch Connelly in the crime thriller Longmire. Brown recently appeared in the movie Grumpy Old Santa, which is set for release later this year. This is the first trip to Kansas for both actors.
Chase, who is also a co-producer, said he was surprised by the crew working the film.
"A lot of volunteers on this film. And that is really what's blown my mind, coming from...LA," he said Friday. "People who are showing up and they're all day. For free."
Brown says what she loves is how heartwarming the story is.
"They don't know what's ahead of them, but they, through their faith in God, their selfless love to each other and their family," she said, "They just persevere."
McDonough called the theme of the film very timely.
"A story that's so important to this state, but also so important to the country... about family, a story about unity, a story about brotherhood," she said, "People reaching out and helping each other in really hard times.
The film doesn't have a distributor yet. Spurgeon hopes to see INSP pick it up.
The film is supposed to conclude filming in August and the movie is set for release in 2024.