Best Damn Fiddler from Calabog

Back in 1968 The National Film Board came to a remote hillside area of the Ottawa Valley to film what would become their highest rated film of all. This film, "The Best Damn Fiddler from Calabogie to Kaladar", was Margot Kidder's (Superman's Lois Lane) first feature film when she was 19 yrs of age.

From the NFB, "The setting for this drama is a logging community, focusing on a man who chooses the unfettered life and uncertain income of an itinerant bush worker, even though it means that his family lives poorly as a result. The film is a study of the effects on family life of isolation and deprivation. Features a wonderful performance from a young Margot Kidder."

Veteran actors, Chris Wiggins and Kate Reid, also appear as the parents of the Prometer clan. Local children were cast as the young kids in this large backwoods family.

Much of the film delivers a bleak and cold look at the local countryside- a landscape wrought with derelict buildings and abandonment. I have included shots of the farm where the exteriors were shot. The inside scenes were done at a farm directly to the south of this point, on what is now a retreat for naturists. They were kind enough to let me venture in. Much of the original interior has been changed but the main inside door and banister still match exactly as it did back in the 1960s. Out of respect I did not snap any photos inside.

The famous dance and fight scenes at the local dance barn were done on the main farm to the immediate west of the outdoor scene location. The barn still stands proud.

The film is a must-see for all Canadians. The link to watch it is provided below. Photos of the abandoned buildings are included on the right from the film.