NEPA-grown authenticity: ‘Words from the Oven’ movie is filmed in the Back Mountain

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to include a more accurate timeline of the Shiner family history.

At the end of June, on a quiet, tree-lined street in the Back Mountain, Frank Shiner stood outside an old farmhouse, staring at his father’s delivery truck. The one he used back in the 1940s to deliver produce grown at his family’s farm.

It’s not his actual truck, of course. That one is long gone. But if you asked Shiner, it might as well have been the real deal.

That’s how authentic the period details are in “Words from the Oven,” a new movie based on the life of Shiner’s late father, Francis, the tragedy that shaped him, and the resilience that made him who he was.

“That authenticity is powerful,” said Shiner, 65, while speaking to a reporter on set one morning before filming began.

“But it’s also, for me, you know, I’ve told the stories my whole life. I’ve heard the stories my whole life. But to sit behind the camera and watch somebody acting the story, it’s like you step back in time and you’re watching them. It’s absolutely surreal,” he added.

Even more surreal is the fact that some of the props used in the movie are genuine — like a sewing machine that belonged to Shiner’s late Aunt Marie.

Props, costumes, and period-accurate vehicles aren’t the only elements that make “Words from the Oven” special. One of the filming locations, Shadyrill Farm on Loyalville Road in Lake Township, is only a few yards away from the original Shiner family farm, which they sold in 1989.

“I keep saying my parents are guardian angels over this project,” he said. “What are the chances that we’d find this farm right on the same road?”

Shiner, a NEPA native who has lived and worked in New York City as an actor and singer for the past four decades, serves as an executive producer on the project.

Josie Hull wrote the script and is directing the film. She also serves as a producer alongside Christopher Bowen and William Scott Whitfield, under Picturewerk.

“Words from the Oven” will feature performances from some well-known actors like Alexander Siddig (“Game of Thrones,” “Peaky Blinders”) and Jonathan Banks (“Breaking Bad,” “Better Call Saul”).

Several of Shiner’s family members are also in the movie, including his daughter Lindsey Shiner, who plays his Aunt Marie.

Based on a true story

“Words from the Oven” is based on the life of Francis Shiner and his wife, Theresa, both the children of Lebanese immigrants, who made a name for themselves in the community in the 1950s, after opening Shiner’s Bakery in the basement of the family farmhouse, the first commercial bakery in the area.

That bakery eventually found a permanent home on Dana Street in Wilkes-Barre, where it was known for its Lebanese bread and pastries.

“I started work with my dad when I was 10,” Shiner recalled. “I learned everything working with him. He and my mom.”

The inciting incident of the movie, though, is based on an event that took place decades earlier in 1937, when his father’s side of the family suffered an unthinkable tragedy.

At just 13 years old, Francis, along with his 10 siblings, was left without their parents when they were killed by a drunk driver in a car accident in New Jersey.

Francis was in the car at the time and came away from the accident with a shattered leg. The emotional wounds were even deeper.

“He was yelling for his mom and dad over and over for weeks,” said Shiner. “He went into severe shock.”

As the next planting season drew near, Francis’ older sister, Marie, said they should sell the 85-acre farm. Afterall, Francis had a bum leg and couldn’t work it. Four years later, starting in 1942, their older brothers were off serving in WWII.

But for Francis, selling wasn’t an option.

“So, he plows the field, plants the crops, picks the crops, took them to the market and sold them, and gave the money to his sisters to run the household,” Shiner explained.

His Aunt Marie, who died when he was very young, was instrumental in keeping the house running smoothly.

“I don’t really remember her, but my father chose her as my godmother, so I always had a special place for her,” said Shiner. “She’s the other hero of this movie.”

Lessons from the oven

Shiner spoke about his parents in glowing terms.

To him, his father was selfless and full of wisdom — wisdom he had a habit of passing on to his son while standing by the oven.

His mother was the backbone of the family and “talented beyond belief in everything.”

They taught their children about the importance of morality, fidelity, and doing the right thing by your family, Shiner said. But they never forced them to be something they didn’t want to be.

“They let us choose our path,” said Shiner. “And it’s probably because of the tragedy that they lived through that they thought there was nothing more important than just staying alive and being with people you love.”

When Shiner told his father that, following his graduation from King’s College with a degree in theater, he wanted to move to New York City and become an actor, Francis was surprised. He thought maybe Frank would want to take over the bakery and expand operations.

“I said, ‘Dad, I’ll always value these years. They’ve been wonderful years. I learned so much here. I just don’t want to be a baker.’” Shiner remembered saying.

As Shiner recalled, Francis had a tear in his eye when he put his hand on his son’s shoulder and said, “That’s okay, son, because whatever you do, I know you’re gonna do it well.”

“That’s just who he was,” Shiner said through tears, clearly choked up by the memory.

Local businesses lend a helping hand

When Shiner set out to make “Words from the Oven,” he knew it had to be shot in Pennsylvania.

“The producers said, ‘You know, we could do it for a better budget in Ohio. We could do it here, we could do it there.’ I said, ‘No, you’re just not gonna get the feel that you’re gonna get in Pennsylvania. Plus, it’s about Pennsylvania,” Shiner said.

Because his parents were pillars of the community, he had no doubt there were people out there willing to help tell their story. Sure enough, the support from the community was overwhelming.

“But that’s just Pennsylvania,” Shiner said with a knowing smile. “That’s not a surprise to me.”

From churches to restaurants and local historical organizations, the list of those who stepped in to offer assistance, resources, and filming locations was exhaustive and included The Denison House, the Luzerne County Historical Society, Bakery Delight, King’s College, Theresa Engle Krull, The Lands at Hillside, Hanover Nursery, St. Nicholas Church, and more.

For Shiner, “Words from the Oven” is an important and timely story of perseverance and selflessness.

“It’s an immigrant story about picking yourself up by your bootstraps, loyalty, doing the right thing and self-sacrifice — everything the world kind of needs, especially now,” he said.

And if there’s any profit to be made from the film, Shiner’s committed to not taking a dime, and instead donating it all to charity.

Because at the end of the day, it’s the movie itself that matters.

“My attitude is, if it takes off, that’s great. Wonderful. If it doesn’t take off, I’ve honored my mother and my father. So, I can’t lose.”

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