“The Fries Rebellion” comes to life through the eyes of a teenage girl as her history professor uncle introduces her to several Lehigh Valley historic sites in an independent film premiering at Wind Creek Bethlehem Aug. 25.
In fall and winter 1798-1799, vendue cryer, aka auctioneer, John Fries and his followers rebelled against a federal property tax recently passed by President John Adams’ administration. The movie’s protagonists, Kayla (played by Nancy Kimball) and Steve (Jon Reinhold) follow the insurrectionists’ footsteps from the Red Lion Inn in Quakertown, where newly-appointed tax assessors were first confronted, to Bethlehem’s Sun Inn, where the mob secured the release of their fellow malcontents, held prisoner there by threatening to burn down the town.
The youth-friendly approach to teaching history toggles smoothly between past and present as the young woman’s mind wanders in and out of the late 1790s as historic events, driven by misinformation, unfold. She learns that “fake news” is nothing new.
Besides the Red Lion Inn and Sun Inn, filming took place at the Buckeye Tavern in Macungie, 1760 Pub N Grille in Trexlertown, as well as the Shelter House and 1803 House in Emmaus, from March 4-12.
“My first words were not ‘Mama’ or ‘Dada.’ They were ‘fries,’” quipped Emmy Award-winning TV personality Carson Kressley at the film’s fundraiser, held Feb. 4 at Folino Estate Winery, Greenwich Township. The Claussville native quickly mentioned that John Fries’ name is pronounced “freeze.”
Kressley portrays Gen. William McPherson, leading Federal forces that quelled the uprising, in the 30-minute docudrama. A host of local talent appear in various scenes, including Jason Searock from Telford, who portrays Fries.
Danita Fries from Montgomery County and a distant relative of John Fries, is cast as Anna Marie Wolle.
As production armorer, Stephen Krentler from Bethlehem Township kept a sharp eye out making sure only period appropriate weapons, apparel and props appear on screen. He is also cast as Henry Shiffert, one of Fries’ followers.
With the screenplay written by Lower Macungie Township Historical Society President Sarajane Williams, the society’s history buffs worked on the project as a local contribution to America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.
Partnering with LMTHS are Dan Hertzog and crew from New Jersey-based In the Wee Hours, and Craig Friebolin and crew from Allentown-based ubiFire.
“The Fries Rebellion” Film Premiere and Gala is scheduled for Aug. 25 at Wind Creek, 77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, from 4-8:30 p.m. The red carpet event includes drinks, music, seated dinner, behind the scenes photos and a screening of the educational film.
Proceeds from this fundraiser will be used to distribute the legacy film to schools, other nonprofits and various media outlets.
For information, visit friesrebellionfilm.com.
From left are John Fries (Jason Searock of Telford), U.S. Marshall William Nichols (Michael Patrick Owen of Nazareth), Hannah Heckewelder (Sabrina Moody of Bethlehem Township) and Captain Henry “Light Horse” Jarrett (Rek Anthony of North Whitehall). The smoky scene where Fries demands prisoners held in the Sun Inn be released was filmed March 11 in the Sun Inn’s gaststube (guest parlor).
PRESS PHOTOS BY ED COURRIERFrom left: Stephen Balliet (Chris Naples of Flemington, New Jersey), Esquire Joseph Horsfield (Brian Hoffner of Lehighton), Jacob Eyerly (Ted Moyer of Lower Macungie Township), Anna Marie Wolle (Danita Fries from Montgomery County) and Judge William Henry (Blake Marles of Lower Macungie Township) take their positions around a table inside the Sun Inn March 11 ahead of filming another scene there for “The Fries Rebellion.”
Stephen Krentler from Bethlehem Township as prisoner Henry Shiffert slumps under a tree as fellow prisoners Lee Lichtenwalner in costume as Daniel Schwartz Sr. and Greg Laubach as Henry Stahler are escorted by Federal soldiers in a scene filmed on Shelter House grounds in Emmaus. Lichtenwalner and Laubach are Lower Macungie Township Historical Society members.
From left, Casting Director Beth Clausnitzer from Center Valley and Producer Ganna Hertzog from New Jersey serve lunch to David A. Pribulka from New Tripoli at “Base Camp” across the street from the Sun Inn at Main Street Commons. Stations Café at 563 Main St. catered the meal. Pribulka portrays Henry Huber in “The Fries Rebellion.”
Madelyn Dundon removes lint from a hat worn by David A. Pribulka, in character as Henry Huber, outside the entrance of the Sun Inn. Assisting with her Bethlehem-based wardrobe supervisor mom Kristy, Dundon had played the lead in Bethlehem native Daniel Roebuck’s “Getting Grace” in 2017. Pribulka resides in New Tripoli.
From left in front, Greg Laubach as Henry Stahler and David A. Pribulka as Henry Huber threaten the authorities inside The Sun Inn during the March 11 filming of “The Fries Rebellion.” Laubach is a Macungie resident and Pribulka lives in New Tripoli.
In the foreground, John Fries (Jason Searock of Telford) stops his followers from storming the Sun Inn during a scene filmed March 11. At left is Anna Marie Wolle (Danita Fries of Montgomery County) and next to her is Henry Huber (David A. Pribulka of New Tripoli).
Students from Bethlehem Catholic HS turn out to watch filming at Emmaus’ 1803 House March 12.More photos on A3.
Owner of Bethlehem Township-based Horses Unplugged, Heidi von Liebenstein, leads “Typhoon,” ridden by Patrick Voss Davis, portraying Jacob Schaeffer for a “The Fries Rebellion” scene.Behind them, the 1803 House in Emmaus serves as a stand-in for the 1780s Schaeffer farm for the indie film March 12. Originally from Bethlehem, Voss Davis resides in Brooklyn, New York.
TV personality and Claussville native Carson Kressley at the Feb. 4 fundraiser at Folino Estate Winery. He portrays Gen. William McPherson in the indie film.
