Way Up Thar
Way Up Thar

Way Up Thar

1935Movie19 minEnglish

This 1934 short subject was Mack Sennett's final directorial effort for Educational Pictures, and comedienne Joan Davis' film debut. It features Buster Keaton's Mother and Sister, Myra and Louise, respectively. A very young Roy Rogers (billed as Leonard Slye) is featured as a member of the Sons of the Pioneers, and sings a few songs during the course of the movie.

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Insights

Director: Willard RogersGenres: Documentary, Short

Plot Summary

This short documentary offers a glimpse into the challenging and dangerous lives of coal miners in Appalachia during the 1930s. It depicts their daily work underground, highlighting the physical toll and the risks involved in extracting coal. The film aims to showcase the labor and the environment in which these essential workers operated.

Critical Reception

As a short documentary from 1935, 'Way Up Thar' was not subject to widespread critical reviews in the way modern films are. Its primary value lies in its historical documentation of mining practices and the lives of the workers. Contemporary reception would have likely focused on its realism and its portrayal of a significant American industry.

What Reviewers Say

  • A stark, unvarnished look at the realities of coal mining.
  • Provides valuable historical insight into the labor conditions of the era.
  • Lacks typical narrative structure but offers authenticity.

Google audience: Audience reception for this historical short is not readily available through standard review platforms. Its impact is primarily recognized by historians and those interested in social documentation.

Fun Fact

This film is notable for its authentic, on-location filming within actual coal mines, offering a rare and unfiltered look at the mining environment of the time.

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