Catfish: Man of the Woods

Alan Bennett. 1974. 16 mm Film.
Clarence “Catfish” Gray is a fifth-generation herb doctor living near Glenwood, West Virginia. In this day-in-the-life visit, Catfish reads letters from around the world seeking health advice, gathers herbs and roots from the woods around his house, receives visitors, and, finally, relaxes by skinny-dipping in a nearby stream. Running throughout the film is Catfish’s constant discourse on his healing techniques and his personal philosophy of life. Fascinating as a character study, Catfish: Man of the Woods has also been used extensively in colleges of medicine and nursing and among health care providers to explore alternative methods of healing and cultural assumptions about medicine and health care.
“A beautiful film, keenly observant and irresistibly appealing. It is difficult to imagine an audience that would fail to respond.”- The Washington Post
“A fun film … a real American character, full of malarkey, old wives’ tales, and tall talk. A great film for library programs.”- Los Angeles County Public Library System
All films in the Appalshop collection are protected under Title 17 of the United States Copyright Law. The unauthorized distribution or public performance of copyrighted works constitutes copyright infringement under the Copyright Act, Title 17 U.S Code Section 106(3)-(4). This conduct may also violate the Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works and The Universal Copyright Convention, as well as bilateral treaties with other countries that allow for protection of Rights Holder copyrighted works even beyond US borders. To receive rights for public performance of our works, including educational or institutional licensing, please contact Appalshop Sales to complete the purchase at 606-633-0108 or [e-mail].
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[@Redgunner101]

Hey! I am actually the grandson of the man who made this documentary (and who is speaking over it) I was asking him about what he did for work, and he told me he was a director/writer and made documentaries. Funnily enough, as I’m writing this comment I’m at a fire with him sitting in front of me. Anyways, it’s really cool seeing this preserved, Alan bennett rocks!

[@appalshop]

We agree, Alan Bennett rocks! Thanks so much for commenting, this is awesome! - Aaron

[@detroitos]

Well, he had that fella chewing all kinds of stuff out there.

[@mustaffa1611]

Catfish Rules!!!

[@Josephboley81211]

Can you make it to where I can have the full screen on your videos. Please.

[@MrPnew1]

not possible because of the aspect ratio

[@mustaffa1611]

11:57 Blood root

[@alw7810]

Is this guy still alive???

[@appalshop]

Unfortunately no. Clarence "Catfish" Gray passed away in 2002 at the age of 84 but we hope his legacy will live on forever. - Aaron

[@lukedesselle2491]

Wonder if what he said about having 14 heart attacks were true??

[@YarrHarr11]

I think Ted worked for big pharma.

[@country4lyfe365]

Those aren't locusts. They are cicadas. Not the bug that caused the plague. The plague was locusts.. grasshoppers .