The Wilson Family Story
In 1950, the boat, Miss Canada IV, shattered the 200 mph water speed barrier.
Harold and Lorna is the movie and history of the Canadian couple behind the story.
"Harold and Lorna is the finest production I have ever seen on boat racing... No one, unless you have been a racer, will truly understand how hard it is to beat the great American dynasties. The Wilson family did it first. Bravo!"
Ted Abel, Past President, Canadian Boating Federation;
Past Canadian National Champion
The Story...The almost-forgotten exploits of Harold and Lorna Wilson, who raced their Miss Canada boats into international fame, made Canadians proud and racing fans everywhere stand up and cheer.
Foreword...The Harold & Lorna movie project from the perspectives of the Director, the Executive Producer and the son of the original race team.
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Behind the Camera
“For every body on stage, there are four more backstage.”
The old theatre maxim certainly holds true for the movie biz as well. Beyond the speaking roles and extras are the usual suspects: researchers and screenwriters, directors, producers, cameramen, sound and technical crews, makeup artists and facilitators of every description.
From the beginning of this project, however, Muskoka Film Works has relied on something less Hollywood and more theatrical: a legion of volunteers and facilities and equipment offered at little or no cost. Harold & Lorna is forever indebted to the people and organizations in this category, for without them the film would never have made it into production.
Backstage crews and organizations seldom receive the acknowledgement they deserve. Credits fly by on the screen while the audiences scramble on to their next engagement. It’s a fact of life in this wildly busy world. If you’ve read this far, you’ve found some spare time so I’d like to start a backstage tour with them.
Muskoka Steamship & Historical Society gave us a day on the Segwun, the steamship celebrating 125 years service to the Muskoka Lakes in 2012. Right there in her wake were Antique & Classic Boat Society members Chris Cragg, Alan Cranfield, Bobby Genovese, Rolf Gerling, Rick McGraw and Buffy O’Driscoll with their remarkable collection of classic wooden race and family boats.
Canadore College in North Bay hosted auditions, rehearsals, and the 1st week of filming. Gravenhurst’s Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre opened its doors for meetings, film shoots and extensive archival research.
John Lyons from Picton spent many hours researching the Miss Canada days in that waterfront community. The extended Wilson family, including the Elliott, Korell, Warden and Mitchell clans, provided crucial family archives, as well as accommodation, chase boats and drivers for the production company. In addition, dozens of family “extras” appear in the film; some like Syd Lawson and Andrew Blackwell make their speaking role debuts.
And the family contributed in some unusual ways. For example, James offered his huge collection of model racing boats, and because the models had been stored for many years in the open, they were filthy. So sister June, who has an interest in a wholesale supply company provided the necessary professional cleaning supplies and equipment - with enough love and care and rags, polish and detergent, the models made their film debut. Just goes to show you how determination, elbow grease and knowing the right janitorial supplies vendor can help make memorable scene - proven by the mention in the Times Spirit review.
The company is indebted to Lil & Morris Bruce, Bobby Genovese, Doreen Uren, Murray Walker and Al Ward for their memories and insights into the lives of the racing Wilsons.
Finally, Sean Hungerford and Bill Mooney; were it not for their expertise and hours of hard labour, we would have no presence on the internet.
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2013 Movie Updates
Director Bill Plumstead is interviewed by CBC Radio's Barry Mercer.
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Docudrama kicks off Sports Hall Rebuilding Campaign.
Muskoka Film Works' Harold and Lorna kicked off a fund-raising campaign in support of the Ingersoll Sports Hall of Fame in the famous racing couple's home town. The photograph below shows Harold and Lorna Wilson's two sons holding both ends of a cheque in the amount of $5000.00, the amount raised through the September 14 Gala screening.
Harold & Lorna Supports Muskoka Charity
All proceeds from the August 22-23 Gravenhurst Premiere of Harold & Lorna - over $11,000.00 - went to assist in the building of kids' bedrooms in the Habitat for Humanity Muskoka homes being built for the Martin and Prosser families. Muskoka Film Works thanks and congratulates everyone for their enthusiastic support of this wonderful charity.
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Project Friends
These Friends have played critical roles in bringing the movie & boat restoration projects to life.
Antique and Classic Boat Society | Toronto Chapter
A staunch supporter of the movie and restoration effort, ACBS-Toronto strives to raise public awareness and appreciation of the importance of protecting, preserving and promoting our Canadian heritage of vintage water craft and related artifacts. The Society also works with and supports organizations with strong linkages to its interests, events and communities.
BG Capital Group
BG Capital Management Corporation is a multi-faceted financial corporation based in Barbados specializing in international equities, asset consolidation, strategic partnerships and real estate trusts. Founder and Chairman Bobby Genovese, a Toronto native and Muskoka summer resident who celebrates historic wooden boats at every opportunity, led the charge to turn the project's movie and boat restoration dreams into reality.
Flight Engineering
This UK company specializes in a number of fields from industrial automation to construction of light aircraft. They were selected to modify and supply the 3,000 horse power Rolls Royce Griffon engine and transmission used to power the restored Miss Canada IV.
Town of Gravenhurst
The Gateway to the Muskokas, the Town of Gravenhurst is rich in boating heritage. Originally the terminus of 18th century rail lines heading north where visitors would transfer onto steamships to travel to wilderness hotels, the Town retains its links to this era as home port to R.M.S. Segun, at 125 yrs old the longest serving steamer in North America. By the mid 20th century, Gravenhurst had become a world leader in wooden boat design and construction. Greavette, Ditchburn and other marques are highly sought-after, even today. The Town was the home port of the Greavette-built Miss Canada race boats, and today hosts the annual Antique & Classic Boat Show and powerboat races on Gull Lake.
Ingersoll Machine and Tool
IMT was founded back in 1914 by the Wilson family and although under different ownership IMT continues its proud history of growth and development within the community. IMT gives homage to the Wilson family and the Miss Canada IV by supporting this historic film, Harold and Lorna. As a Canadian owned manufacturing corporation, serving a wide variety of industries, it is IMTs mandate to make worthwhile ventures such as this possible.
Harold & Lorna and Miss Canada IV Facebook Page
This Facebook page is an interactive forum for fans, providing regular updated information on the movie about the famous Canadian racing couple and the restoration of their iconic, record-breaking Miss Canada.
Hydroplane & Race Boat Museum
In addition to thrilling fans when the likes of Miss Budweiser and The Blue Blaster roar back to life, the Museum is also home to historical and educational information on hydroplane racing, including books, newspaper stories, photos, video footage and online special events.
Town of Ingersoll
Incorporated in 1852, Ingersoll evolved from an agricultural town into a centre of industrial innovation. The heart of Ontario’s dairy country, birthplace of Laura Secord and the north end of the Underground Railroad, the town’s fame grew in the 20th century. Situated half way between Detroit and Oshawa, it attracted entrepreneurs and businesses serving the rapidly expanding automobile industry, and provided the Miss Canada team with unmatched technological advantages.
Muskoka Boat & Heritage Centre
This Gravenhurst, Ontario boat and heritage centre preserves and exhibits the unique history that defines the Muskoka area, captivating cottagers and visitors alike. They own and operate the historic Royal Mail ship The RMS Segwun, the oldest steam-driven vessel in North America, built in 1887. Along with the many frequently changing displays in their beautifully designed building is an in-water exhibit of working antique boats.
Muskoka Magazine
Muskoka Magazine is the magazine for people who enjoy Muskoka's unique life style and care about its future, providing coverage of fascinating people, things to see and do, special places, and current issues facing those with an interest in Muskoka.
Muskoka Transport
Muskoka Transport has been the only company entrusted to transport the historic Miss Canada IV for over twenty years. Most recently, MT brought the boat "back home" from Ingersoll to Gravenhurst and Port Carling for restoration, and is responsible for delivering her British-built Rolls Royce Griffon engine for installation.
Tom Adams Boatbuilder
Tom Adams, the Port Carling boat builder who restores and refinishes antique and classic wooden boats, was chosen to restore the famous Miss Canada IV. After a year spent rebuilding the hull, he and his team faced the challenge of installing the 3,000 horse power Rolls Royce Griffon engine and related running gear in time for the boat's Summer 2012 launch date.
Woody Boater
This is the premier website for those who enjoy classic wooden boats. This site connects boat enthusiasts from around the world with their stories and pictures of their boats, new projects and events.