Film about prairie life in Kansas premiering this week in Wichita
Charles Rankin- "Sod and Stubble," a film adaptation of John Ise's 1936 book, will premiere on March 28 at the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita.
- The film tells the story of the Ise family's homesteading experiences in Osborne County, Kansas, during the late 19th century.
- A Q&A and meet-and-greet with the cast and crew will be held March 29 in Downs.
Originally published in 1936, a book about pioneer life in western Kansas has finally had a film adaptation that is set to premiere this week in the Sunflower State.
"Sod and Stubble," a movie by Ken Spurgeon, which was filmed in Downs, Wichita and El Dorado, will premiere at 7 p.m. March 28 at the Orpheum Theatre in Wichita.
The film, which was adapted from author John Ise's work, tell the story of the Ise family, led by Henry and Rosie, as they homestead in Osborne County in the late 1800s.
What is 'Sod and Stubble' about?
According to the webpage about the book from the University Press of Kansas, which published the "Unabridged and Annotated Edition" of it, which includes additions from Von Rothenberger in the 1990s, "Sod and Stubble" is a "nonfiction novel."
"Deeply moved by his mother's memories of a waning era and rapidly disappearing lifestyle, John Ise painstakingly recorded the adventures and adversities of his family and boyhood neighbors — the early homesteaders of Osborne County, Kansas," the publisher said.
In the original book, Ise kept the tone and reality of the prairie life alive, but changed some of the names and the timing of some of the stories. The new edition by Rothenberger, who is a native of Osborne County, give notes and additions to uncover the real identities of these characters and offers background on the historical and geographical context of the area.
"He includes the entire first edition — replete with Ise's charm, wit, and veracity, restores four of Ise's original chapters that have never been published, and adds photographs of many of the key characters," KU Press said.
Actors from film will be attend film and go to Downs for separate event
Attending the premiere will be actors from the film, including Bailey Chase and Dodie Brown, who portray Henry and Rosie Ise respectively, Mary Beth McDonough, who plays Mary Bartsch and Buck Taylor, who plays John C. Haag.
Doors to the premiere open at 6 p.m. March 28, at the Orpheum Theatre, 200 N Broadway St. in Wichita. Tickets to the premiere are $25 and can purchased at the Orpheum website.
The day following the premiere, the cast and crew of the film will also be present at 7 p.m. March 29, at the Downs Memorial Hall, 500 Morgan Ave. in Downs for a Q&A and meet-and-greet.
Chase, Brown and Taylor will be joined by Darby Hinton, Rudy Ramos, Wyatt McCrea, R.W. Hampton and director Ken Spurgeon for the Downs event.
Tickets to the meet-and-greet are $20 and only available at the door.
"Sod and Stubble" is set for a limited theatrical release on April 18. Spurgeon said he is not sure yet which theaters will have it on that day.
"I would imagine lots of Kansas theaters would pick it up, but I haven't seen a list yet," he said. "But it's coming."
He also said the film is likely to be available for streaming this summer.