10/22/2024
"Sons & Daughters of Thunder" Producers receive Emmy Nominations for two new documentaries
Sons & Daughters of Thunder film producers, Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films have received TWO Emmy nominations for their new feature documentary "Resurrecting Forest Grove" and their short environmental documentary "Moved by Waters".
The Rundles wrote: "Congratulations to everyone involved in these two remarkable film projects! And, a big thank you to WQPT PBS for the broadcast premieres of these films and for being our broadcast partner! We LOVE our local PBS station." 
The Rundles' docudrama "Sons & Daughters of Thunder" received three Emmy nominations in 2020. They have been nominated 14 times for their work, and have received four Emmy awards. To stream or purchase "Sons & Daughters of Thunder", visit https://fourthwallfilms.com/
06/26/2024
Remembering Ron Peterson of Andover and his enthusiastic support of "Thunder", Jenny Lind Chapel and history
SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER director Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Ron Peterson. 2019.
We are very sad to share that Ron Peterson, the kindest of people, passed away on June 22nd at the age of 88. Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 29, 2024, at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois.
Ron was an enthusiastic supporter of the SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER film project and made production at the historic Jenny Lind Chapel a reality. We met him in the fall of 2013 in Andover, Illinois when we were location scouting for an historic chapel near the Quad Cities to represent the Lane Theological Seminary where the true story of the 1834 slavery debates took place under the leadership of abolitionist Theodore Weld and his "Lane Rebels" in Cincinnati, Ohio. The film is based on an acclaimed play written by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter.
Ron proudly toured us through the beautiful Jenny Lind Chapel. He shared the history of the Chapel and the Cholera victims buried in the church cemetery. Cholera was also running through Cincinnati in 1832, and it touched Harriet Beecher Stowe directly when she lost her beloved young son, Charles, to Cholera in 1849 before she left Cincinnati for Brunswick, Maine where she wrote her magnum opus "Uncle Tom's Cabin." The Jenny Lind Chapel would be a perfect location, we decided.
THUNDER D.P. Kevin Railsback's photo of the first morning of filming at the Jenny Lind Chapel in February 2014.
Ron made sure that all was in good order when about 40 of us showed up at the Chapel in Andover on a snowy February morning in 2014 to film the Lane Seminary anti-slavery debate scenes.
Ron and the community of Andover were wonderful, and rolled out the red carpet ensuring that the snow was cleared for parking, and the chapel was lit, clean and warm for us when we arrived. THUNDER DP Kevin Railsback captured a beautiful photo of the Chapel that early morning.
The Lane Seminary Debate cast of SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER at the Jenny Lind Chapel in February 2014. Photo courtesy SHARED LIGHT PHOTOGRAPHY.
Andover's Augustana Lutheran Church hosted a lovely lunch for our cast and crew during production, as well as a special screening of SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER at the church in March of 2019.
Ron was very proud of THUNDER and that the Jenny Lind Chapel was a prominent set location for the film. He stayed in touch with us over the years and eagerly spread the word about all things THUNDER: events and screenings, awards and Emmy nominations.
Ron introduces SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER at a special screening at the Augustana Lutheran Church in March of 2019.
We will forever be grateful to this sweet, smart, devoted and kind-hearted man, who always greeted us with a smile and hug when we showed up in Andover. We know he will truly be missed by those whose lives he touched. How fortunate we were that our life's path crossed with his. We cannot think of Andover without thinking of Ron.
Our deep sympathy goes out to Ron's wife, Eilene, his children Laura and Craig and their families, and all who loved him.
We include Ron Peterson's obituary HERE.
06/17/2024
National Civic Season Event 2024 features "Thunder" and other Documentaries by Fourth Wall Films
A new film and excerpts from three other films by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Moline-based Fourth Wall Films are among content and events selected from thousands of submissions from over 400 cultural and civic institutions across the United States for the fourth annual Civic Season that begins on Juneteenth and ends July 4th.
“We are proud that our film work has been selected for Civic Season for a fourth consecutive year,” Kelly Rundle of Fourth Wall Films said. “It allows us to reach a younger national audience with important and compelling American history stories.”
The Rundles’ new award-winning environmental film “Moved by Waters” (2024) and excerpts from “Resurrecting Forest Grove” (2023), “Sons and Daughters of Thunder” (2019), and “The Amish Incident: Wisconsin vs Yoder” (2020) are showcased on the Civic Season website.
Civic Season is the flagship program from Made By Us, a network of hundreds of museums, historic sites, libraries and archives unleashing access to history for younger generations who have the most at stake. The Season begins on June 15 with 2,000+ celebrations and events online and across the nation.
Former slave James Bradley (played by actor Jaylen Marks) addresses the crowd at the Lane Debates of 1834 in a scene from the Emmy-nominated SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER.
“Civic Season is a time to explore your story - and how it connects to U.S. history - through events, activities, and resources from credible sources. This summer, no matter where you are, you can connect to stories, inspiration and tools to help you power our democracy,” according to a Civic Season press release.
Explore Civic Season content and events at https://www.thecivicseason.com/.
The 2024 Civic Season is made possible thanks to generous support from the Mellon Foundation, Mars Wrigley AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, the Carlos Foundation, the Americana Foundation, Frontline Impact Project, and other supporters and collaborators.
Fourth Wall Films is a four-time Emmy® winning and award-winning independent film and media production company based in Moline, Illinois. For more information visit FourthWallFilms.com.
06/10/2024
Remembering Harriet Beecher Stowe on her 213th birthday
Lyman Beecher with daughter Harriet.
213 years ago, on June 14, 1811 in Litchfield, Connecticut, Harriet Elizabeth Beecher was one of thirteen children born to Presbyterian minister Lyman Beecher. Her mother, Roxanna Foote Beecher, died when she was just five years old. Harriet Beecher Stowe would go on to become a world-renowned American writer, staunch abolitionist, and one of the most influential women of the 19th century. She is best known for her anti-slavery best-selling 1852 novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin."
Litchfield, Connecticut - birthplace of Harriet Beecher Stowe.
Our Emmy-nominated documentary Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe is available on DVD, and includes extra Bonus Features including extended interview comments, and a filmmakers' commentary. Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe, by award-winning and Emmy-nominated filmmakers Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films, tells the story of the writer’s life in Cincinnati, Ohio and how these life-changing experiences contributed to her best-selling novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin. Beecher-Stowe lived in Cincinnati between 1832 and 1850, and just after her move to Maine, she adapted her Ohio experiences and anti-slavery sentiment into America’s most influential novel.
To order the Emmy nominated documentary BECOMING HARRIET BEECHER STOWE on DVD or to STREAM the film, click HERE!
Our Emmy-nominated docudrama SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER is inspired by the true story of the "Lane Rebels" and features a young Harriet Beecher newly arrived in the city of Cincinnati, Ohio. Discussing the abolition of slavery in 1834 was considered radical, even in the North. Organized by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld, the nation's first public debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati led to near riot conditions in the city. The shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the horrors of slavery. Harriet was captivated by Weld's charismatic leadership at a time when Calvin Stowe was trying to win her heart. When school trustees slapped a gag order on the "Lane Rebels", most of the students left in a collective Free Speech protest.
Inspired by Weld and the debates, Harriet later distilled her Cincinnati experiences into the world-wide best-selling novel "Uncle Tom's Cabin". SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER is based on the critically-acclaimed play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter.
To order the Emmy-nominated docudrama SONS & DAUGHTERS OF THUNDER on DVD, or to STREAM the film, click HERE!
Happy birthday, Harriet Beecher Stowe!
Fourth Wall Films is a four-time Emmy® award-winning independent film and video production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois. Fourth Wall Films' husband-and-wife team Kelly Rundle & Tammy Rundle focus on telling Midwestern stories through historical documentary films that reach viewers via PBS broadcasts, theaters, film festivals, national DVD release and online streaming. Other award-winning Fourth Wall Films are available on DVD at https://www.fourthwallfilms.com/
12/10/2023
03/13/2023
Eldridge Library features Emmy-nominated “Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” and Q&A April 5
Award-winning actress Jessica Taylor portrayed Harriet Beecher Stowe in the Fourth Wall Films documentary's companion docudrama "Sons & Daughters of Thunder".
The Mid-America Emmy® nominated documentary “Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” produced by Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will be presented by the Scott County Library System: Eldridge Branch on Wednesday, April 5 at 6:00 p.m. A Q&A with the film producers will follow the 30-minute film. The event is sponsored by Friends of Eldridge Library.
“Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” tells the story of the famous writer’s life in Cincinnati, Ohio and how those life-changing experiences contributed to her best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. Beecher-Stowe lived in Cincinnati between 1832 and 1850, and after her move to Maine, she adapted her observations and anti-slavery sentiment into America’s most influential novel.
Historians, writers and scholars providing insight into Harriet’s life include Pulitzer Prize winning author of “Harriet Beecher Stowe: A Life”, Joan Hedrick.
“The Cincinnati years, I think, profoundly affected her,” said Hedrick. “Her early marriage, her early motherhood – I think it was hard for her to leave that sacred ground. When she moved there, she was a New Englander. When she went back East 18 years later, she was an American.”
Clips from Fourth Wall Films’ award-winning docudrama “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” are included in the documentary and feature acclaimed actors from the Quad Cities area including award-winning actress Jessica Taylor who portrays a young Harriet Beecher. The voice of Harriet Beecher Stowe was presented throughout the documentary by actress Dee Canfield of Moline. A number of historic sites in appear in the film, including the Jenny Lind Chapel in Andover, Illinois, the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling, Illinois and the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“Becoming Harriet Beecher Stowe” was partially funded by a grant from the Ohio Humanities, a State affiliate of The National Endowment for the Humanities.
Producers Kelly and Tammy Rundle are the owners of Fourth Wall Films, an Emmy® award-winning independent film production company formerly located in Los Angeles, and now based in Moline, Illinois.
The Rundles have won four Emmy® Awards, and received twelve Emmy® nominations for their documentary film work.
02/03/2023
"Thunder" showcased for 'Discover the Underground' series in Monroe, MI Feb. 10
Sons & Daughters of Thunder, a film by Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will screen at the The River Raisin Centre for the Arts, 114 S. Monroe Street in Monroe, Michigan on Friday, February 10th at 6:00 p.m. The special film event is in collaboration with the Discover The Underground series beginning February 1st-March 6th in collaboration with the Monroe Historical Society. The film is FREE to the public.
In 1834, if polite discussion about abolishing slavery was considered inappropriate among Americans in Northern states, then eighteen days of public student-sponsored debates on the divisive subject at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio were scandalous.
Thomas Alan Taylor (Theodore Weld).
Organized by Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor), one of the architects of the abolitionist movement, the shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher Stowe (Jessica Taylor) to the horrors of slavery.
Jaylen Marks (James Bradley).
When school trustees slapped a gag order on the "Lane Rebels," most of the students left the school in collective protest.
Inspired by the debates and her first-hand observations of slavery across the Ohio River, Harriet’s novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” was described by President Abraham Lincoln as the book that started the Civil War.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. The award-winning film features an original score by William Campbell, the composer behind the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Lifeboat”.
Kimberly Kurtenbach Vanderginst (Catharine Beecher), Janos Horvath (Lyman Beecher) and Jessica Taylor (Harriet Beecher).
Executive Producer Kimberly Kurtenbach Vanderginst who portrays Catharine Beecher in the film, cast the project. The film was shot by award-winning Director of Photography Kevin Railsback. Chris Ryder handled Sound and Visual Effects. Emily Busha was the film’s Costume Designer, circa 1834.
The producers note that the movie is not for young children, and the 85-minute film’s detailed discussions of slavery might suggest a PG-13 rating.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder won the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival in Cincinnati, Ohio, and received three regional Emmy® nominations. For more information about Sons & Daughters of Thunder, visit www.LaneRebelsMovie.com.
06/28/2022
"Sons & Daughters of Thunder" Screening and History Event in Fayette, Ohio a Success
The Fayette Opera House screening of the Emmy® nominated movie Sons & Daughters of Thunder and history exhibit drew a large crowd of patrons of all ages on Saturday, June 25th.
The Bean Creek Valley History Center of Fayette, Ohio, Fulton County Historical Society, Williams County Historical Society and Lenawee County Historical Society, Lyons-Muir Historical Museum, and the Blissfield Area Historical Society presented displays and discussion about the abolitionist and Underground Railroad activities in the region. Costumes and props from the film were also on display.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America. The award-winning docudrama tells the true story of firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (played by Thomas Alan Taylor) and the nation’s first public debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio. The shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the horrors of slavery. Harriet (played by Jessica Taylor) was captivated by Weld’s charismatic leadership at a time when Calvin Stowe was trying to win her heart. Inspired by Weld and the debates, Harriet later distilled her Cincinnati experiences into the world-wide best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This forgotten story was a prelude to America’s Civil War. Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films participated in Q&A following the film.
"We had a fantastic time in Fayette, Ohio and met so many wonderful people who were very passionate about this part of our nation's history," said producer Tammy Rundle. "The response to the film and the history event was so enthusiastic and exciting."
The event was sponsored by Bean Creek Valley History Center. Visit their website at https://www.beancreekvalleyhistorycenter.org for more information.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder continues to screen in independent theaters, at historic sites, museums, film festivals, and churches throughout the U.S. To order the movie, visit FourthWallFilms.com or Amazon.com.
06/16/2022
"Thunder" screens at 2nd Annual NW Illinois Film Festival June 24
The 2nd-annual Northwest Illinois Film Festival 2022 has been announced and scheduled for screening on June 24 and 25, 2022, at Morrison Technological Institute in Morrison, Illinois.
The film festival, hosted by the Northwest Illinois Film Office (NIFO), celebrates independent filmmakers with ties to Northwest Illinois. This year’s films will be Fourth Wall Films’ award-winning and Emmy-nominated “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” (a docudrama that portrays the true story of the Lane Seminary debates on slavery of 1834); Never Submit Entertainment’s “Without Grace” (a romantic drama with a faith-based undercurrent); and “The Blacklight” (a genre bending thriller from Rockford’s Dashford Media and producer Don Hatton).
Joining the films will be two short films and the introduction of “Chucky Chicken,” a lovable animated chicken character created by Michael Cook from Oswego, Ill., and Valley Studios.
The Northwest Illinois Film Festival 2022 will be held at Morrison Tech, 701 Portland Avenue, Morrison, Illinois and is a free event, but registration is required.
- Friday, June 24th, 7 p.m. — “Sons & Daughters of Thunder,” and an episode of “A Bridge Too Far From Hero Street.” A Chucky Chicken animation will join the screening.
- Saturday, June 25th, 3 p.m. — “Without Grace” and a Chucky Chicken cartoon.
- Saturday June 25th, 7 p.m. – “The Blacklight,” short film “Wolfdog,” and a Chucky Chicken cartoon.
All the films shown have a strong connection to the Northwest Illinois region, with production teams based in Northwest Illinois, and featuring locations from the region, according to a Wednesday release.Gary Camarano, executive director of the Northwest Illinois Film Office, said, “The region has some very talented filmmakers, and we want to celebrate their successes.
“With nearly $500 million in film production last year, Illinois is becoming a major destination for film projects, and we would like to point out the growing activity here in Northwest Illinois,” he said in the release. “We have seen short films, feature films, major studio episodic projects filmed here, and we have a new animated character, ‘Chucky Chicken,’ making his local debut.”
The event is free, but registration is required HERE.
For further information, call 815-772-5182 or visit https://www.nwillinoisfilmfestival.com/.
Fourth Wall Films' "Sons & Daughters of Thunder" is also screening at the Fayette Opera House on June 25th in Fayette, Ohio. For more information on that event, visit Fayette Opera House HERE.
Based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, “Sons & Daughters of Thunder” tells the unforgettable true story of the first-in-the-nation 1834 emancipation debates led by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor) in Cincinnati, Ohio, and their effect on a young Harriet Beecher Stowe’s (Jessica Taylor) views of slavery.
The 2019 film was co-produced by Kelly & Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films and Kent Hawley, and executive producer Kimberly Kurtenbach. Award-winning cinematographer Kevin Railsback served as the director of photography. The film received the Harriet Beecher Stowe Power of Voice Award at the Over-the-Rhine International Film Festival, won seven Iowa Motion Picture Awards, and received three Mid-America Emmy® nominations in 2020, including Original Score by William Campbell of Davenport.
05/20/2022
Emmy-nominated "Thunder” and History Showcased at Fayette Opera House June 25
In celebration of Harriet Beecher Stowe's 211th birthday, the Fayette Opera House will showcase the Emmy® nominated and award-winning docudrama Sons & Daughters of Thunder on Saturday, June 25. Q &A with Emmy® award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will follow the film presentation. Doors open at 1:00 p.m. The film will be shown at 3:00 p.m. in the historic Ginnivan - Spiess Theater in the Fayette Opera House, 105 East Main Street, Fayette, Ohio.
The Bean Creek Valley History Center of Fayette, Ohio, Fulton, Williams County Historical Society and Lenawee County Historical Societies will have displays showcasing the abolitionist/Underground Railroad activities in their respective areas. Costumes and props from the film will also be on display. The event is sponsored by Bean Creek Valley History Center. Tickets can be purchased by calling 419-237-2721.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder is based on the play by Earlene Hawley and Curtis Heeter, and tells the unforgettable true story of the beginning of the end of slavery in America.
In 1834 discussing the abolition of slavery was considered radical, even in the North. Organized by firebrand abolitionist Theodore Weld (Thomas Alan Taylor), the nation’s first public debates at Lane Seminary in Cincinnati, Ohio led to near riot conditions in the city. The shocking oratory sparked intense controversy and awakened a young Harriet Beecher (Stowe) to the horrors of slavery. Harriet (Jessica Taylor) was captivated by Weld’s charismatic leadership at a time when Calvin Stowe was trying to win her heart. Inspired by Weld and the debates, Harriet later distilled her Cincinnati experiences into the world-wide best-selling novel “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This forgotten story was a prelude to America’s Civil War.
“Sons & Daughters of Thunder is a fascinating, inspiring slice of influential U.S. history told with characteristic grace, intelligence and emotional power…” wrote Jonathan Turner,
entertainment reporter/WHBF.
"This is an earnest and rewarding docudrama shedding light on the origins of one of the most influential novels in American history," Ed McNulty, Visual Parables.
Executive Producer Kimberly Kurtenbach cast the film and starred as Catharine Beecher. Los Angeles actor Mark Winn plays abolitionist Frederick Douglass, and Jaylen Marks
stars as former slave and Lane Rebel James Bradley. The film was shot by award-winning director of photography Kevin Railsback.
Principal photography for Sons & Daughters of Thunder took place at the Harriet Beecher Stowe House in Cincinnati, Ohio; the Harriet Beecher Stowe Center in Hartford, Connecticut; and several historic sites in Illinois, including Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum, Augustana College's House on the Hill in Rock Island; the Jenny Lind Chapel in
Andover; and the Dillon Home Museum in Sterling.
The producers note that the movie is not for young children, and the 96-minute film’s detailed discussions of slavery might suggest a PG-13 rating.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder continues to screen in independent theaters, at historic sites, museums, film festivals, and churches throughout the U.S.
Sons & Daughters of Thunder was partially funded by a grant from the Quad City Arts, provided by the Illinois Arts Council Agency, Hubbell-Waterman Foundation and John
Deere; and a grant from the Illinois Arts Council. The Moline Foundation and the Shell Rock Community Historical Society served as the fiscal sponsors for the project.
For more information about Sons & Daughters of Thunder, visit LaneRebelsMovie.com.
The Rundles are the producers of the Emmy® Award winning Over and Under: Wildlife Crossings, and Emmy® nominated documentaries Good Earth: Awakening the Silent
City, Letters Home to Hero Street (with WQPT-PBS), and Country School: One Room – One Nation. Other award-winning productions include Lost Nation: The Ioway, and The
Barn Raisers.