|
'Tol'Able David' to be shown May 17
 | | The silent movie "Tol'Able David" will be shown in its entirety Saturday, May 17 at 7 p.m. at The Highland Center. The movie was filmed in Blue Grass in 1921. Following the movie, a discussion will be held with filmhistorian, Dr. Walter Coppedge, who wrote a book on the film's director. The event is being held as a fund-raiser for the Highland County Museum and Heritage Center. (Photo courtesy Highland Historical Society) |
|
MONTEREY - The silent film, "Tol'Able David," will be presented May 17 at 7 p.m. at The Highland Center. Following the film, a discussion will be held with Dr. Walter Coppedge, filmhistorian. The event is being held to benefit the Highland County Museum and Heritage Center.
In the summer of 1921, a New York film company arrived in Highland County ready to work. The cast and crew included Richard Barthlemess, who would be soon launched into stardom; screen veteran Gladys Hulette; Scottish theater actor, Ernest Torrence; Hollywood director, Virginiaborn Henry King and the writer of the original short story, Joseph Hergesheimer.
The story of "Tol'Able David" was born when Hergesheimer visited Highland County. He wrote the story here. As a writer, Hergesheimer was of the aesthetic school. His prose was romantic, filled with flowery language and beautiful scenery. As such, he was a popular writer in the Gilded Age of the 1920s. "Tol'Able David" was first published in the Saturday Evening Post July 14, 1917.
Some time later, Henry King (originally from Christiansburg) was given the opportunity to direct the filmversion. For the exterior scenes, he chose the Blue Grass Valley in Highland County.
What was then known as Crabbottom was set to filmas the fictitious, "Greenstream." Today, we all know the area as Blue Grass and anyone watching the filmwill immediately recognize the scenery and many of the buildings.
Production in Crabbottom wrapped up in six weeks and the filmcompany left town heading back to the hot streets of New York in summer.
The filmwas popular from its opening. Reviews of the day commented heavily on the beauty of the landscape and its rural nature. Today, silent filmenthusiasts consider "Tol'Able David" one of the silent film-era's classic works.
Coppedge's article on "Tol'Able David" in the filmjacket reads, "The filmopened to reviews in New York and throughout the country with an enthusiasm which bordered on delirium."
From his portrayal of "David," Barthlemess became the next best thing to Rudolph Valentino. Hulette had already filmed nearly 100 movies by the time she appeared in "Tol'Able David." Her career would end in 1934. From his performance in "Tol'Able David" Torrence became one of the best bad guys in the business. One biographer called Torrence, "the man you loved to hiss."
Director Henry King went on to direct more than 100 films and boasted a career that spanned from 1910s-1960s. Hergesheimer's career was at an all-time high during the filming of "Tol'Able David." He reigned as a major American writer during the 1920s, but his knack for aestethic writing was unpopular in the harsh atmosphere of The Great Depression.
Copies of the "Tol'Able David" DVD will be for sale along with copies of Coppedge's book, "Henry King's America." Popcorn and soft drinks will be served.
For more information on the event or "Tol'Able David" call the museum at (540) 396-4478.
| 
)