100 Stories for 100 Years

Mason Movie Village: Alberta’s Role in a Hollywood Western

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another in our series 100 Stories for 100 Years, Cochrane Tales

The Mason movie village is one of several sets in the Cochrane area.

Started in 2005 by Jane and Tim Mason, it has hosted several movies, TV series and music videos. Brad Pitt and Casey Affleck were among the cast of the first shot at the movies village, The Assassination of Jesse James.

MOVIES MADE OUT AT THE JESSE JAMES SET 

2005 THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THAT COWARD ROBERT FORD 

  • Brad Pitt, Casey Affleck, Sam Shepard, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeremy Renner, Paul Schneider, Garret Dillahunt, Zooey Deschanel, Nick Cave, James Carville, Ted Levine, Allison Elliott, Michael Parks 

      2008 THE LAST RIGHTS OF RANSOM PRIDE 

      • Kris Kristopherson, Lizzy Caplan, Dwight Yoakam, Peter Dinklage, Jason Priestley, Scott Speedman, Jon Foster, Cote de Pablo, W. Earl Brown, Alfonso Quijada, Mark Hanson, Blu Mankuma, Rene Quijada, Morris Birdyellow, David Trimble, Wilma Pelly, Ann Ramsay, Christy Greene 

      2010 DRYLAND

      • MOVIE ABOUT BOOTLEGGING IN SASKATCHEWAN

      2017 DAMNATION 

      • Sarah Jones, Killian Scott, Logan Marshall, Chasten Harmon, Christopher Heyerdahl, Melinda Page, Joe Adler, Teach Grant, Arnold Pinnock, Nola Auguston, Gabriel Mann, Paul Rae, Dan Donohue, David Haysom 

      2019 TIN STAR-SECOND SEASON 

      • 2020 Tim Roth, Genevieve O’Reilly, Abigail Lawrie, Christina Hendricks, Oliver Coopersmith, Ian Puleston-Davies, Sarah Podemski 

      2020 WYNONNA EARP-SEASON FOUR 

      2021 MUSIC VIDEO- ORVILLE PECK 

      Orville Peck

      2021 MUSIC VIDEO – “AMY” 

      • friend of Alexa and Madie McClelland 

      2021 UNDER THE BANNER OF HEAVEN (Oct.-Feb 2022) 

      • 2022 actual filming DISNEY 

      2022 TIES THAT BIND

      2022 SETTLER

      •  April 19-25 Produced by the Blackfoot Nation Film -Siksika Nation. 
      • Trevor Solway – director. 

      2023 THE LILY & THE SCORPION 

      • Produced by Blue Ring Productions. 

      2024 ELEVEN NINE FILMS 

      • Short Film

      Deep Dive

      To the Outhouse – Sondra Corff

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      In 2005 Barry Thorson approached CHAPS with an idea to record stories from Cochranites. This is Sondra Corffs story of seasonal and life changes that brought her to Cochrane and her rustic home.

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      Tour of Duty – Michelle Greenwell

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      CHAPS presents another popular video from 100 Stories for 100 Years by Barry Thorson. Michelle talks about her adventures while performing in Cape Breton and Scotland.

      Please like and subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

      From Russia with Relief – Gordon Davies

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      Gordon tells the story of one of his adventures with the MacMillans. This story is from the series 100 Stories for 100 Years produced by Barry Thorson back in 2005.

      Gordon took many student trips to Europe as well. I know the trip Cam Camden, Greg Hawkwood and I went on was a memorable experience. If you have a story about your trip please comment below.

      It was our first trip outside North America. It was a whirl wind of travel, architecture, different food, meeting other groups, bus travel, castles, churches and unsupervised adventures. The photo on our return tells the story.

       I’ll make sure Gordon sees them.

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      One Human Family – Judie Bopp

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      In 2005 CHAPS sponsored Barry Thorson of the Lone Wolf Theater Company to record stories of Cochrane Residents. Some were of local history, some of a more personal nature. This is Judie Bopp’s story of community, charity, & humanity.

      We’re all in this together – Ellen Perrault

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      Ellen mentions the small-town character of Cochrane and her memories of Milt, Hugh Wearmouth and I believe she meant Mildred Camden.

      A Question of Why? – Warren Harbeck

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      Warren Harbeck talks about his long-running newspaper article from when Cochrane was a small town of 13 or 14 thousand. He talks about the spirit of small-town Alberta and has a nice story of Bill Keane (Author of the Family Circus). He mentions other highlights of his column and a world renown astronomer.

      Is there a Hot Chocolate with Warren?
      Click image to read about Father Lucien Kemble

      The Fourth Party – Milly Pratt

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      100 Stories for 100 Years contains a lot of sweet personal stories of Cochrane residents from 2005. Here is one of those from Milly Pratt.

      Thanks to Barry Thorson and the Lone Wolf Theatre Company for developing this series of videos.

      Children and Art – Ursula Reynolds

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      Ursula Reynolds talks about teaching in small town Cochrane during the 70’s and a acquiring a special painting of the Cochrane Rodeo.

      This video is from our 100 Stories for 100 Years series by Barry Thorson.

      What stories would you to to see?

      Let us know. We'd love to record your stories of Cochrane.
      Email us

      A True Story – Cathy Thompson

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      Why do people immigrate to Canada? Cathy Thompson relates a story of the Donnelly’s travels and reasons for. Be aware the details are pretty grim.

      Another video in the 100 Stories for 100 Years series.

      Miss Bell-Irving – Cathy Thompson

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      Cathy Thompson remembers Miss Bell-Irving in the first of her videos from 100 Stories for 100 Years. This video series was produced by Barry Thorson back in 2005.

       The Bell-Irving home mentioned is on William St.

      Uncle Vincent & the Dynamite Yarns

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      Don Hutchinson remembers when dynamite was advertised in the Western Producer and was used on the Perrenoud Ranch. He has a handful of “dynamite” stories.

      He continues with stories about his Uncle Vincent.

      This is Don’s second video recorded in 100 Stories for 100 Years by Barry Thorson.

      Turner for the Worst – Don Hutchinson

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      We have a couple of videos in our 100 Stories for 100 Years collection where Don talks about his child hood heroes Bobby Turner and Dennis Wearmouth.

      This tale is about the mischief Don and Bobby Turner got into.

      Our 59th in Hawaii – Dolly and Gordon Callaway

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      Gordon and Dolly Callaway ran a diary farm north and east of Cochrane. Daughter Rochelle relates in her history in More Big Hill Country that this was Gordon’s home for the majority of his life.

      Dolly and Gordon recorded their story of growing up in Alberta when distances were harder to traverse and winter was a more of a struggle. Their story was captured by Barry Thorson in his CHAPS sponsored series, 100 Stories for 100 Years.

      I think the title of their video comes from their wish to spend time somewhere tropical after spending so many years in Canada’s winter.

      Callaway’s were neighbors when my brothers and I were growing up. I was fascinated by a diary and by the huge tunnels David built in the feed in their huge barn. I also remember Christmas’s filled with conversations, music and games.

      Their family history starts on page 350 of More Big Hill Country.

      We still have copies of More Big Hill Country

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      Copies of Big Hill Country are available.

      An egg in the desk – Ellen Buckler

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      Ellen Buckler talks about growing up in the Glendale area, riding to school on very cold winter days, and the day the original school burned down when she was in grade two. ( 1932)

      Ellen's parents, Arthur and Susie

      Geography Bee Graduate – Leslie Davies

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      Leslie Davies talks about growing up in Cochrane, working at Mackay’s, going to school in the old 2 room, later 4 room brick school and a life lesson learned by volunteering.

      This video from our 100 Stories for 100 Years series on our YouTube site. Please like and subscribe.

      This video is part of the Live Stories Programme – 100 Stories for 100 Years, Produced by Barry Thorson – Lone Wolf Theatre Company

       

      Man of the Times – Andy Marshall

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      Andy Marshall talks about his involvement with the Cochrane Times.  

      From the Livestories Programme: 100 Stories for 100 Years. Produced by Barry Thorson & Lone Wolf Theatre Company. Years ago, CHAPS sponsored the production of videos from Cochrane residents to capture their stories.

      CHAPS has created a Youtube channel to present these wonderful stories.

       

      Winters of Discontent – Fred Stenson

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      Years ago CHAPS sponsored the creation of 100 Stories for 100 Years. Last year we created a YouTube channel that highlights these local stories. The producer of the series is Barry Thorson of Lone Wolf Theatre Company.

      This video is the first we’ll highlight on our website blog.

      Author Fred Stenson talks about the history of the Cochrane Ranche and his book Lightning.

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