Barry Stilwell Movies
A young man with big dreams sets out to do the seemingly impossible in this bittersweet comedy drama. Ralph Walker (Adam Butcher) is a 14-year-old boy growing up in Hamilton, Ontario, in 1954. Ralph is convinced he's cut out to do something remarkable some day, but he hasn't quite decided what, and at the moment he has other things to worry about. Ralph's father has recently died, as have his grandparents, and his mother (Shauna MacDonald) is severely ill and in the hospital, leaving the boy to fend for himself at home. Despite Ralph's tragic circumstances and his attendance at a Catholic school led by strict headmaster Father Fitzpatrick (Gordon Pinsent), the young man maintains a cheeky attitude and often gets on the wrong side of his teachers, and one remarkable display of poor behavior causes Fitzpatrick to sentence Ralph to membership on the school's cross-country team. The team's coach, Father Hibbert (Campbell Scott), discovers Ralph has real talent as a runner, and encourages the boy to train seriously. When doctors inform Ralph that only a miracle can save his mother's life, he strikes upon an idea -- it would be a little short of a miracle for a talented but inexperienced runner like himself to finish first in the Boston Marathon, so Ralph sets his sights on winning the race, certain in his heart that a victory could restore his mother's health. Saint Ralph also features Jennifer Tilly and Tamara Hope. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Adam Butcher, Campbell Scott, (more)
- 1995
Ray (David Marciano) leaves Chicago to accompany Fraser (Paul Gross) to the latter's Canadian home turf, there to rebuild the cabin Fraser inherited from his late father. Unfortunately, the pilot hired to fly them to the Great White North is really a convicted felon, who bails out of the plane in mid-air. After the two lawmen crash-landing in the wilderness, a blinded, crippled Fraser must rely upon city-bred Ray for survival--all the while conducting a search for the missing "pilot", who plans kill his pursuers before they catch up with him. Comedian Red Green shows up as an airport controller. Originally telecast in Canada as the opener of Due South's second season, this episode debuted in the US on January 5, 1996. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Paul Gross, David Marciano, (more)
- 1965
Though it never boasted a huge audience, the Canadian Sunday-afternoon musical series Hymn Sing had a very loyal and fervent following. Essentially the title of the series told all; each episode featured a robust 16-voice chorus, offering a wide variety of inspirational music. A number of top CBC personalities hosted the program during its very long run, but the musical personnel pretty much remained constant. Debuting October 3, 1965, Hymn Sing ran continuously (save for summer layoff and pre-emptions for sports events) for the next 20 years. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Hector Bremner, Donovan Brown, (more)
