The Singing Lumberjack

The Singing Lumberjack

| 6 min

For nearly 40 years, Charlie Chamberlain was one of the most popular vocalists in Canada—and the most beloved member of the old-time band Don Messer and His Islanders. This five-minute short by filmmaker Rachel Bower brings Chamberlain’s home-grown talent and gregarious personality back to life.

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The Singing Lumberjack, Rachel Bower, provided by the National Film Board of Canada

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Credits
  • writer
    Rachel Bower
  • director
    Rachel Bower
  • producer
    Paul McNeill
  • graphics
    Joel Lelièvre
    Frank Forrestall
  • animation
    Frank Forrestall
    Joel Lelièvre
  • sound design
    Eva Madden
  • sound recordist
    Glen Ferguson
  • visual researcher
    Ernest Dick
    Elizabeth Klinck
  • music clearances
    Lucie Bourgouin
  • assistant editor
    Chris MacIntosh
  • Photoshop assistant
    Jenna Marks
  • participation
    Mary Trudie Chamberlain-Grimason
    Muriel Chamberlain-Meredith
    Ann Marie Chamberlain-Doyle
    Donald Chamberlain
    David Chamberlain
    Barry Chamberlain
    Sandi MacKinnon
    Liam MacKinnon
    Wally MacKinnon
    Bill Fulton
    Don Tremaine
  • mix
    Luc Léger
  • online editor
    Serge Verreault
  • titles
    Mélanie Bouchard
  • technical coordinator
    Jean-François Laprise
  • graphic artist
    Lindsay Allan
  • production supervisor
    Candice Desormeaux
    Roz Power
  • production coordinator
    Stephanie Coolen
    Vanessa Larsen
    Jenna Ross
    Tara Taylor
  • senior production coordinator
    Isabelle Limoges
  • program administrator
    John William Lutz
    Leslie Anne Poyntz
  • executive producer
    Annette Clarke
    Ravida Din
 See also
Music
All subjects
Spotlight on Canadian Musicians
Staff Picks
All channels
Add a new comment
  • None

    "Open the Book" (lyrics and music) was written by my father Garnet Boyd and sung by Charlie Chamberlain on the Don Messer and His Islanders TV show. I'm delighted that Rachel Bower selected the song as the theme track for THE SINGING LUMBERJACK and hope you enjoy the music as much as I have. Thank you to the NFB for making this documentary available in the United States.

    None, 27 Jul 2020
  • erinmac

    That is a great little short about someone I have never heard of. I like the simple animation style for using the archival images and film. Thanks NFB!

    erinmac, 12 Feb 2017
  • jakebergen

    I loved this film! A great story I'd never known about, told in such a visually unique way... fantastic. I'm a sucker for retro stuff and this pulled me right in and made my day. Thanks for that!

    jakebergen, 7 Jun 2016

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