The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar

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]

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	1968 (1968)
Running time	49 minutes
Country	Canada
Language	English
Budget	$82,635[1]

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

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

• 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

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

• The farm locations, dance hall and river scenes were shot at Barryvale, Ontario.
• The downtown scenes were shot in Renfrew, Ontario.