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Shepherd of the Hills Outdoor Drama Depicts Ozark Folklore
BY BOB LINDSEY
There are certain shows that just identify with Branson and the Ozark hill country. The Shepherd of the Hills outdoor drama is one of them, if not right at the top of the list.
Several trips to the Branson area never afforded an opportunity to see this historical and uplifting production, until recently.
On a cool May evening we sat near the front of the outdoor dirt-floor arena which looks like it could host a rodeo as well. Shepherd of the Hills is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Harold Bell Wright’s novel.
This preacher turned writer moved to the Ozarks as a young man and fell in love with its people and natural beauty inspiring him to write his best-selling novel. It had an immediate impact on the area and brought people to the Ozarks in search of the places and people described in Wright’s novel. The story is one of struggles, hardships, good times and an unwaving faith that brings home the message at the end of the drama.
While I can say much of the show I anticipated such as the horses, gunfire and the burning cabin, there were still many surprises. I now know what Baldnobbers are and understand their cruel gang legacy. These hooded horsemen were not Klansman, but they could be just as vicious.
In the ’20 and ’30s, locals would gather on the lawn of the original home of the main characters in Wright’s book, known as Old Matt’s Cabin and would recreate events in the book. A wealthy banker’s daughter, known as Miss Lizzie bought the original cabin 1925. She had fell in love with the book and wanted to restore the cabin and provide reenactments. Four motion picture versions of the novel including the 1942 film starring John Wayne and Betty Field preceded the full live outdoor drama, which first came on the dirt road stage in 1960.
Forty-seven years later, more than 6.5 million have attended the show on the hilltop overlooking expanding Branson below. Since then, there have been several significant additions to the show including: expansion to 2500 seats, Clydesdales debuting in 1988, Inspiration Tower added in 1989 as part of the Shepherd of the Hills complex, and new special effects such as the burning of a cabin and a ghostly exit at the end.
This is a must see show to understand the folklore of this area of the Ozarks. The production is just that, a major effort of timing with horse, sheep and other of God’s creatures taking their turn on the stage with dozens of actors bringing Harold Bell Wright’s story to life.
The Shepherd of the Hills includes the historic homestead where Old Matt’s Cabin has been moved to the dirt stage, outdoor arena called Old Mill Theatre.
In the daytime, there are guided tours of the homestead, horseback trail rides, craft shops and demonstrations and visits to the top of Inspiration Tower, the tallest point in these parts.
There’s also a Sons of the Pioneers Chuckwagon Dinner show at 4:30, with main show at 8:30 p.m. (summer months) proceeded by a 45-minute pre-show. Shows continue until Oct. 20. (7:30 in the fall). In November and December, Old Matt’s Historic Homestead is transformed into a Christmas wonderland featuring The Trail of Lights.
For more information on ticket prices and schedules call 1-800-65-6288 or on line at www.theshepherdofthehills.com.
