In the footsteps of Kootenai Brown FILM-MAKER PAYNE TELLS HERO’S TALE released motion picture, describes the adventure: | "HE PRESS release for Kootenai Brown, a soon-to-be- drama as “the saga of one of Western Canada’s most amazing folk heroes.”’ Weil, this folk never heard of him. “He's one of those incredible undiscovered stories of Canadiana still to be told,” says the film's producer Gary Payne, a former North Vancouver City alderman and past chief news editor for BCTV. After flipping through the Cana- dian Encyclopedia, it’s clear that Anglo-Canadian folklore hasn't at- tracted nearly as much attention 5 aboriginal or French-Canadian. Thumbing through the “"B’s’; however, | managed to come up with one measly paragraph on Brawn: John George Brown, an army officer, prospector, con- stable, whiskey trader, buffalo hunter, wolfer, dispatch rider, guide, scout and the first park ranger of Alberta’s Kootenay Forest Reserve, now the Waterton Lakes National Park — hence the nickname ‘‘Kootenai.”” A survivor of the Canadian fron- tier, Brown came to B.C. in 1862 prospecting for gold in the Cariboo. As a dispatch rider for the military, he narrowly escaped being murdered by Sitting Bull. Eight years later he quarrelled with and killed celebrated hunter Louis Ell, for which he stood trial and was acquitted. Then at the ripe old age of 71, Brown became the first park ranger of the Kootenay Forest Reserve. He died at Waterton six years later. “He was gritty and tough, a real survivor,” says a soft-spoken Payne, 48, who learned of Brown’s story in the mid '70s dur- ing a trip to Kamloops. “’He’s a man, if he lived in the 1990s, we wouldn’t want to know him. He was a racist and he didn’t believe in equality between the sexes — he would kill in a fit of rage. But judged by 1860s standards he was a hero.” Payne began piecing together the story of Kootenai Brown in 1977, travelling to the legend's Brave at Waterton and to his boyhood home in treland. By 1987, he had enough maternal to begin production, Kootenai Brown marks Payne's debut asa feature film producer. EVELYN WCF JACOB + * spotlight feature During an interview on the set in a small clearing in the Seymour Demonstration Forest, an animated Payne speaks pas- sionately about Brown. It’s clear he’s openly moved by the man. “People haven’t been talking to me because I’m so tense on the set seeing my dream come true,” he says. The $3 million film (considered low-budget) features Canadian- born actor Tom Burlinson (The Man from Snowy Riven as Brown, Donnelly Rhodes as Brown’s evil nemesis Eben McTooth and Ray- mond Burr as Judge Thomas Jet- ferson Webster. Apparently, Rhodes was too busy with Danger Bay to accept the part at first, but when CBC cancelled the series he jumped at the chance, ‘‘Within a week,” says Payne, “I met him and he already had a gold tooth. He’s been brilliant.” To capture the flavor of Brown's time, Payne’s production crew went on a B.C. tour of Barkerville, Alouette Lake, Lynn Canyon Park, the Seymour Watershed and Sur- rey. Last Thursday they wrapped up filming at Waterton. Part way through the shoot Payne received a surprise call from Brown’s great-grandson Chris Harper, who had read about the The Savings are Clear! FRAME with purchase of any prescription eyeglasses. Choose from our special collection. SUNGLASSES with purchase of any pair of contact lenses. 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If it hap- pens, it’s a miracle.” Payne’s miracfe is due out in theatres next April, and the West Vancouver film-maker is hoping that his movie will allow him to carve out a niche for himself as a feature film producer. te's also managed to throw light on a piece of Canadian histo- ry that would have othenvise re- mained buried. TOSHIBA 29” FST MONITOR Model CX-2988 TV Features ¢ Carver Sound C AR’ SONIC HOLOGRAPHY? i © Sub-Woofer Base System © 181 CH Cable * 650 Lines Res * S-Video * 24 Watts « MTS ¢ 46 Key Unified Remote « seme 1 299 SHARP ON-SCREEN VHS 19 - Wednesday, Jusy f1, 1990 - Nocth Shore News GARY PAYNE marks his debut with the made-in-B.C and: Alberta feature film Kootenai Brown. Says Payne: ‘‘Making a film is like a roller coaster ride of highs and lows.’ 8mm Camcorders “CANADA’S BEST BUY FULLY LOADED 8X POWER ZOOM SANYO VM-D6 Delxue 8mm Camcorder Features ¢ Digital A Auto. 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