That Ice Ticket

Plot

In this charming romantic comedy from North Dakota's pioneering amateur filmmaker Angela Murray Gibson, a spirited young woman finds herself juggling the attentions of multiple eager suitors in her small town. Her mischievous younger brother, rather than helping as promised, creates comedic chaos through his well-intentioned but disastrous meddling in her romantic affairs. The film follows a series of humorous misunderstandings and near-misses as the young woman attempts to navigate the complicated social dynamics of courtship in rural America. Through slapstick situations and clever visual gags, the story ultimately reveals true love triumphing over confusion and interference, with the brother's antics inadvertently leading to the right romantic match.

Historical Background

This film was created during the late 1920s, a period of tremendous transition in American cinema. The silent film era was giving way to sound pictures, and the Hollywood studio system was consolidating its power. Meanwhile, in rural America, amateur filmmaking was becoming increasingly accessible through the availability of portable 16mm cameras. The late 1920s also saw the rise of women's independence and changing social attitudes toward courtship and relationships. The film reflects small-town American life during the Roaring Twenties, a time of relative prosperity before the Great Depression. In North Dakota, farming communities like Casselton were experiencing both agricultural challenges and cultural changes. The fact that a woman could independently create and distribute her own films during this period, especially in such a remote location, speaks to the democratization of filmmaking technology and the expanding roles available to women in society.

Making Of

The making of 'That Ice Ticket' represents a remarkable feat of independent filmmaking in an era when the film industry was dominated by major studios in Hollywood. Angela Murray Gibson worked completely alone in every phase of production, from writing the script to processing the final film. She converted a room in her house into a darkroom where she developed the footage, often working late at night after completing her other responsibilities. The cast, composed entirely of Casselton residents, would gather after work and on weekends to shoot scenes, with Gibson directing them while also operating the camera. The film was shot on location around Casselton, using local businesses, homes, and public spaces as backdrops. Gibson had to solve numerous technical challenges, including creating makeshift lighting solutions and dealing with the extreme North Dakota weather conditions. The entire production likely took several months to complete, as Gibson could only work on the film during her spare time while running Gibson Studios and managing other community responsibilities.

Visual Style

The cinematography in 'That Ice Ticket' reflects the limitations and creativity of amateur filmmaking in the late 1920s. Gibson likely used a hand-cranked 16mm camera, resulting in a somewhat unstable but intimate visual style. The shots are probably static and composed with care, as moving the camera would have been difficult without professional equipment. Natural lighting was likely used for outdoor scenes, while interior shots would have required makeshift lighting solutions. The framing probably focuses on characters and their interactions, with close-ups used to emphasize emotional moments and comedic expressions. Despite technical limitations, the cinematography achieves a certain authenticity and charm that professional studio films of the era sometimes lacked.

Innovations

The primary technical achievement of 'That Ice Ticket' lies in its existence at all - a complete narrative film created independently by one woman in rural North Dakota using amateur equipment. Gibson's ability to handle every aspect of film production, from photography to processing to editing, represents a remarkable technical accomplishment for the era. The film demonstrates mastery of 16mm filmmaking techniques including proper exposure, development, and editing. Creating a coherent narrative with clear continuity using the limited resources available to an amateur filmmaker shows significant technical skill. The preservation of the film itself, given the unstable nature of early film stock and the lack of professional storage facilities, is another testament to Gibson's technical expertise.

Music

As a silent film, 'That Ice Ticket' would have been accompanied by live music during its original screenings. In Casselton, this likely meant a local pianist or small ensemble playing appropriate music to match the action and mood of each scene. The musical accompaniment would have included popular songs of the late 1920s, classical pieces, and improvisational music to enhance the comedy and romance. There was no original score composed specifically for the film, as was common with amateur productions of the period. Modern screenings of restored silent films like this one typically feature newly composed scores or curated period-appropriate music.

Memorable Scenes

• The climactic ice cream social scene where multiple suitors converge, leading to comic confusion orchestrated by the mischievous younger brother

What Critics Said

Contemporary critical reception is largely unknown, as this amateur film was not reviewed by major publications or trade papers. However, within the Casselton community and among film historians who have discovered it, the film has been celebrated for its charm and historical importance. Modern critics and archivists who have studied Gibson's work praise her technical skill and creative vision, noting the impressive quality of filmmaking achieved with limited resources. The film is valued today by scholars of amateur cinema, women's film history, and regional American culture as a rare artifact of independent filmmaking from the silent/early sound era.

What Audiences Thought

Original audience reception in Casselton was reportedly enthusiastic, as community members enjoyed seeing themselves and their familiar surroundings depicted on screen. The film likely drew large crowds at local screenings, as the novelty of seeing a film made by and featuring local residents was a significant attraction. For many in the audience, this may have been their first experience seeing moving pictures that reflected their own community rather than distant urban life. The comedy and romance elements would have provided entertainment value, while the local settings and characters created a strong sense of connection and recognition among viewers.

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