"Pit Pony" series

[Joe]

Hi all,

I was at a local drug store and happened to see a rack of DVD's. On it was "Pit Pony"; a TV series set in turn-of-the-century Cape Breton.

Doing some research, a pit pony is a pony that might pull coal cars. There was a children's book of the same name, a made-for-TV movie, then a TV series followed.

A nice description of the TV serires from amazon.ca...

An epic coming-of-age story set in the harsh beauty of Nova Scotia bursts to life in this acclaimed series. It's the turn of the century. Electricity, the telephone, automobiles and wireless promise a new world-even in the remote mining town of Glace Bay. But for young orphan Willie MacLean, his family and friends, the hardships of the present threaten to crush any hope for the future. The series is filmed on location throughout beautiful Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, giving the production a breath-taking and authentic turn-of-the-century backdrop. Pit Pony won Gemini Awards (the Canadian equivalent of the Emmy Award) for Best Writing, Best Production Design and Best Original Score. It was also nominated for six other Gemini Awards.

Now, I know that Fiona and Ciaran appeared in the series. Is anyone familiar with the "Pit Pony" series? I'll probably see if it is still in the DVD rack.

Cheers,
Joe

[Joe]

Hi all

I bought the Pit Pony movie and the season one DVD on eBay. Can't wait until it arrives!

Joe

[faerie]

Thats cool hope you enjoy it, what part do Fiona and Ciaran have in it? Are they acting or is it with music?

Tia

[Ginny]

I'm pretty sure that Allister was an actor on the show, and in his "Song for the Mira" songbook, there's a picture of him with Ciaran and Fiona on the Pit Pony set. Ciaran and Fiona are dressed in rather old-fashioned clothes, so I'm assuming they were actors. Their names aren't on any cast lists that I've seen though, so I'm thinking that they were extras.
I remember reading Pit Pony in grade five. It was a really good (but sad) book. I also remember watching the show every now and then, as it used to be shown on CBC regularly. I only remember ever seeing the first episode, but I saw it a few times.

Hope you enjoy it Joe!
Cheers,
Ginny

[Joe]

My family and I really enjoyed watching the Pit Pony movie...I'm about halfway through the TV shows.

There's quite a lot of talent on the program. Also the shows are very well produced. I feel that I'm going to be going all out with Pit Pony...making an episode guide and all that. The story is based on a book by Joyce Barkhouse.

I've seen lots of familiar names and faces in the cast. Buddy MacMaster makes an appearance; Leon Dubinsky has a recurring role (he wrote "Rise Again"...popular for Raylene Rankin and Aselin Debison.) Ashley MacIsaac appears in the show as a travelling fiddler; and on several episodes, music of The Rankins is featured...including a tearful "Fare Thee Well Love".

I encourage you go out and purchase this excellent program. EBay has the introductory movie and the first season DVD set !

Joe

[Joe]

Hi all,

I'm fairly certain that I've spotted Fiona and Ciaran on the second episode of 'Pit Pony'.

I've included some screenshots...




Finally, Ashley MacIsaac appears in the same episode.

[Ginny]

That does look like Fiona...I'm not so certain about Ciaran, but it's a bit hard to tell. Nice shot of Ashley MacIsaac too!

Cheers,
Ginny

[faerie]

I was going to say that it does look like Ciaran but not so sure about Fiona, so i guess that it is both of them. the last one looks almost like a painting.

Tia

[Ginny]

actually, I've changed my mind. I think that is Ciaran.

Cheers,
Ginny

[Joe]

Hi all,

The little boy next to Fiona in that screenshot may be her brother, Conor. All three MacG's walked into the scene together.

In some of Allister's books, he dedicates them to his children Ciaran, Fiona, and Conor.

Ginny and I talked about this a while ago that Conor may be deceased. How very sorry we are, if this is the case.

Joe

[cottarsfan]

whoa. the macG's have another brother?

[Joe]

cottarsfan said:

whoa. the macG's have another brother?

Hi cottarsfan

Read the end of this post here, please.

thecottarsforum.proboards84.com/index.cgi?board=questions&action=display&thread=1163557063&page=1#1165546923

[jason22]

IMDB states that Fiona was featured in Anne of Avanlea. www.imdb.com/name/nm0569308/

[Ginny]

That's not the same Fiona as The Cottars' Fiona. The link to our Fiona is imdb.com/name/nm1856209/

Cheers,
Ginny

[jason22]

Oh well. At least I didn't mistake her for the Fiona featured in the "Shrek" movies. :smile_USA: Blessed be, Jason.