"Switchback" film details fear and hardship in Moriah's iron mines

Lohr McKinstry, The Press-Republican, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
Updated ·3 min read

Nov. 2—IRONVILLE — Mourners fill the front pews at the Penfield Church as the funeral for a scene in Lori Bailey's "Switchback" film begins.

Mine owner Charles Weston (played by Shane Lewis) walks down the row and glares at those in a front pew, who quickly slide over to let him take the aisle seat.

LIFE IN THE MINES

The film, set in the early 1930s, chronicles the dangers and hardships of working in Moriah's iron mines.

Outside the church, it's pouring rain and gloomy.

Lewis seems to be having fun with his role, which requires him to dress in a long overcoat, bow tie and top hat and carry a cane.

"Rain adds atmosphere," Lewis says between takes. "It is a funeral."

'MY HOST IS IN HEAVEN'

A boom mike hovers over the scene as a cinema clapperboard strikes to create a reference mark and Bailey calls, "Action."

The minister (played by Jon Russell Cring) rises from his chair to address the crowd.

"My host is in heaven," are his lines. "There's perfect joy and union in everlasting life."

Bailey calls "cut" for a 10-minute break and most of the actors cross the street to the Penfield Homestead Museum to get hot beverages on this damp and chilly day.

Bailey is director-writer-producer on the film, which is being financed through her Tandem Cage Productions LLC.

CAST, CREW

Co-Executive Producer E.J. Snyder also plays miner Seamus Lafferty in the film, and he and Bailey start reviewing digital footage on a video display.

"I'm very excited about it," Snyder said as footage rolls by. "My character is pivotal for the opening scenes. I save my best friend, Tom. I try to blow the mine and end up dying in the process."

Snyder, a former Army Ranger, has previously appeared on Discovery Channel's "Naked and Afraid" three times, TNT's "72 Hours," and History Channel's "Patton 360" shows.

Besides Snyder, stars include Mark Valley, Jay Alan-Christianson, Deaken Bluman, Thomas Caifa, Kyra Bradford, and Cade Guillory, who plays central character Michael O'Roarke.

Valley is a native of Ogdensburg who starred in the television series "Human Target" and has recently been in the "Blood and Treasure" show.

'THE REAL FEEL'

His younger sister, Lynn Valley, is also in the film, playing Tom's widow, Mary O'Roarke, who sings at the funeral.

Moriah Town Supervisor Thomas Scozzafava even has a cameo in the film as the county sheriff.

Initial filming is going well, Bailey said.

"They all did well on the first day," she said. "I think we'll be OK. This a period piece. We're trying for the real feel."

She said the film is based on the story of her family, who came to America and worked in the iron mines of Moriah.

"Michael O'Roarke knows he must live that doomed life in the mines if he is to survive," she said. "Michael sees and feels the injustice upon the local immigrant miners, and yet feels powerless to do anything about it."

Filming will continue in and around Moriah during November.

The film is expected to be released next year on DVD and some streaming services. Two of Bailey's other films set in Moriah, "Mineville," to which "Switchback" is a sequel, and "Garrow," about the life of Adirondack serial killer Robert Garrow Sr., are on Amazon.com.