Those attending the Chamber’s May 17 What’s Up luncheon will hear from Lucas resident, historian Von Rothenberger. Rothenberger will share information about the movie Sod and Stubble that is set to go into production during the summer/ fall of 2023 and will be filmed in Downs.
In case you’ve been out of the loop, Sod and Stubble is a pioneer classic written in the 1930s by John Ise, a long-time economics professor at the University of Kansas. Ise published his pioneering family’s story in 1936 using his mother as a source. The book has become a classic often used as a text in Kansas studies or classes on the American West. Subsequent editions published by the University of Kansas Press have included additional materials by historian Von Rothenberger, an advisor and Executive Producer on the film. The information in this article was compiled from several press releases.
In the 1990s, Rothenberger added over 150 pages of additional text and The University Press of Kansas released a new edition.
The feature made-fortelevision film by the same name will be produced by Fall River Productions, Andover, Kansas.
With the screenplay written and directed by Ken Spurgeon, filming will take place near Downs, Kansas; Wichita, Kansas; and Lawrence, Kansas. Production is expected to begin in June with filming on the Miller Farm at Downs. Sets are currently being built on site including a replica of the Ise homestead.
Veteran actor Buck Taylor (Yellowstone, Hell or High Water, Gunsmoke) heads the list of cast members to star in Sod and Stubble. Spurgeon (The Road to Valhalla, Home on the Range) confirmed actors who will be in the project including Mary McDonough (the Waltons), Rudy Ramos (Yellowstone, High Chaparral), Darby Hinton (Daniel Boone, Texas Rising), Wyatt Mc-Crea (Floating Horses), R. W. Hampton (What Remains, Peace River), Mark Mannette (Home on the Range), Delno Ebie (Love, Courage, and the Battle of Bushy Run).
Another veteran actor, Barry Corbin, has been cast in the role of “Old Man” Vietz.
While the terms “icon” and “legend” are often tossed around referring to Corbin as such, is well earned. His decadeslong career has included television classics such as Northern Exposure, Lonesome Dove, Better Call Saul, The Ranch, and most recently, Yellowstone and Tulsa King. His film credits include Urban Cowboy, Any Which Way You Can, Conagher, No Country for Old Men, The Homesman, and the upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon.
Corbin is also an accomplished horseman and rodeo competitor and ranches near Fort Worth with his wife, Jo.
“Barry Corbin exudes the West,” said Spurgeon. “To have an actor of his stature involved in this project is exciting for me personally and the cast and crew who will work with Barry on set. Not only is he an acclaimed actor, but he is a gentleman and I look forward to working with him.”
