Casper Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 29, 1923, Page 4

| e “THE FAMILIES ARE THE COVBRED DAGOIW ” — Epic Story of the Wagon Trains Told on the Screen by Paramount Pictures—“The Covered Wagon’ a Colossal Production. Preparations Like Planning Campaign for an - Army—an Idea of Vast Undertaking Given in Word Picture and Statistics. F it were possible to take behind the scenes the twenty million people who daily attend the mo- tion picture theaters, so that they might gain a slight conception of the tremendous task involved in making an epic picture such as ‘‘The Covered Wagon” it would prove not only the greatest experience of their lives, probably, but also would set at rest the unjustified claims of some per- sons to the effect that the producers are satisfied with makeshifts and are careless of detail. When it was determined to under- take the huge task of translating to the screen Emerson Hough's noyel, “The Covered Wagon” as a Para- mount picture, it was with a full knowledge of what was entailed. It meant weeks of preparation, pains- taking research, gigantic expendi- ture and a responsibility almost un- equalled in the entire history of tho films. History in Celluloid, Instead of acting as a deterrant, this was only a spur to greater ef- fort and determination to make of this not only an entertaining drama of avital period in American history, sufficiently recent to compel and hold the audiences of today, but likewise an historical document on celluloid, preserving for all time, for the benefit of this and future genera- tions, the accurate spectacle of the noble task of the pioneers who made the trafl across the continent in the face of untold hardships, dangers and privations. James Cruze producer of “The Old Homestead,” etc., was given the task of making the photodrama, which Jack Cunningham adapted from the book. A staff of fifty or more experts was assigned to him and immediately the preliminary work of research and location find- ing was entered upon. Enthusiasm permeated all the activities from the start. Nine states—California, Utah, Ne- avda, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Ore- gon, New Mexico and Arizona—were combed for locations and data, ma- terial and “properties.” Scouts were sent ahead to pave the way and re- port back aa they located necessary information. Meanwhile the continuity Brew be- neath Cunningham’s skillful hand; the costuming department was pre- paring for the immense number of period garments to be worn—plains- men, trappers, Indians, guides, emi- grants, scouts, cattlemen, drivers, etc.—all must be represented. The Tesearch department. was busy col- lecting data as it came in from vari- ous districts and in gathering ma- terial itself. State historical societies were appealed to and among those who answered immediately were A. BH. Sheldon, superintendent of the Nebraska State Historical Society, with valuable information regarding photographs and data about the Ore- gon trail in that state. Eunice G. Anderson, state historian of Wyo- ming, gave advice and references regarding Fort Bridger and other historic forts in Wyoming, So it came from all quarters until the pile of material began to assume formid- able proportions. The Setting, Then Mr, Cruze went himself to Nevada and Utah, which has been settled upon, largely, as the most promising spots whereon to film the scenes for the play. A DIRECTOR WHO STARTED TO BE AN ENGINEER LAN DWAN, famous director, A started his career as an elec- trical engineer, He was born in Toronto, but his family moved to Chicago while he was very young. Later he graduated from Notre Dame 8s an electrical engineer. He was an all-around athlete in college. He became interested in dramatics and went to New York with a play which he had written. It was an unpleas- ant experience with the pawnbrok- ers and hotelkeepers who took his baggage for unpaid bills. Nevertheless, a product of his pen started him in motion pictures. He sold a scenario to the old Essanay Company, and later became scenario — Golden Gleaning writer with the American Film Company. With this organization he went to San Diego, Cal., as editor and writer, and when a director be- came incapacitated he was assigned the task of completing the picture. He did it so well he was made a director, He has since directed such famous pictures as: “Wild- flower,” with Marguerite Clark; “Panthea,” with Norma Talmadge; Cheating Cheaters,” with Clara Kimball Yo: ; “Mr, Fixit,” “Bound in Morocco," “He Comes Up Smiling” and “Heading South,” with Douglas Fairbanks. Then followed “Soldiers of Fortune” and five other inde- pendent productions, His most re- cent achievement ts “Robin Hood.” came a, PYLIGED LIV OT4EF t RIGATP- LOLP WIL Sb, ALIVYD ALLEIN HALE IN A BIT OP LOVE SCENE He returned, set to go! With Otto Meek, owner of the Baker ranch, of probably 200,000 acres, the largest in Nevada, if not in the world located in the Snake Valley—arrangements were made whereby it might be used as the principal location. It contains a great lake which it was decided could be banked and an outlet formed to create a river which should provide the raging torrential stream, which would later be forded by the wagon trains, every animal being obliged to swim as in the actual experiences of 1848-9, The most formidable task con- fronting the producers, however, was that of staging a buffalo hunt. It will be patent to those who are at all familiar with the carly days of the country, that in the conquest of the West, the buffalo played a great part. It was the principal meat of the Indians, who preferred it to any other kind, almost. Every boy and girl for several generations has become familiar with the story of the plains and of the great herds of S~ brig buffalo which roamed them at will, Some of the Indian chieftains of those times told their people that the plow was the instrument which was employed by the paleface to bury the buffalo—in other words, that the emigrants were “the natural en- emies of the redskin because they killed their principal food wantonly. ‘Thus the feud was established which brought about terrible massacres, cruelties and a hatred that only end- ed when the Indians were all but wiped out in the march of civiliza- tion. As a matter of fact the emigrants Killed the buffelo, as did the redskins, for food. But later on when the trains began to-run through the wastes, tourists shot the animals from car windows for the sport of it and the Indians were perhaps justified in their antagonism. Buffalo Real and Otherrise, Where to find a herd of buffalo! The average person would cay that none existed save in museums or circuses, and these few in number. But by painstaking research, a herd The comfortable and ‘comfo: ht side of life, gathering its r happens seem the best. We FERRIGAN SIS HE BPP IO DULL BANION LN Cabs OBO PRODOOOTION:"” PME COLERED: Peo Ker INDIAN CHizeE 5XPLAL NING ERIES of perhaps 500 magnificent speci- mens of the bisoy was located om An- telope Island—situated 18 miles out in the Great Salt Lake; the largest herd in existence today. This island is 19 miles long and 9 miles across and in this expanse the shaggy beasts roam in as wild a state as they did on the plains when the first wagon trains set forth from Westport Landing on the great trek westward. The arrangements to use this herd exclusively were made through the courtesy of Barnes, Erickson and Barnes, owners of the buffalo. Thus it was possible to stage a real buf- falo hunt, but not at the expense of killing the animals. The studio property department made several “prop” bison, which could be skinned and quartered and will completely deceive the most carefyl observa- tion. é As the story of “The Covered Wagon" and the picture thereof is an accurate record of the actual train of its size which crossed the plains in that time, it was necessary to procure from somewhere upward of 600 prairie schooners, These were purchased outright where any were actually in existence—and strange to say, some are still being used; others were built to order. A Few of the Difficulties, Oxen had to be obtained to pull them and s0 150 yoke of steers were secured and broken. The yokes and chains had to be made, * In addition 200 mules were re- TELS WIGWATT quired of the army type—no small task in itself. A thousand horses, cow- Ponies with equipment, several herds of ordinary cattle, flanking the wagon trains, were needed. One thousand Indians, 500 being mounted warriors, the rest made up of squaws, _papooses, old men and so on, was another order, Covers had to be made for several hundred wagons. The country must be untouched by modern equipages, there must be no telephone or telegraph wires, no trains, no autos. In fact much of the territory to be used has never been trodden by man; all of it ts id and primitive—in none of it a camera ever clicked. Westport Landing, now Kansas City, rose again in the heart of the Baker ranch—complete in every de- tail. Old forts—Bridger, Hall and oth- ers had to be duplicated. Famous Names, Kit Carson, Jim Bridger, Bill Jackson, famous figures of those old days, rose from their hallowed graves and once more walk in this moving spectacle of a period which meant the conquering of the great West. An attack by Indlans upon the trains will be shown in all its thrill- 100 ing realism; the fording of the Kaw’ river will be depicted with perfect accuracy, 500 covered wagons, 100 outriders, will cross the turbulent stream. Used in “The Covered Wagon” The largest ranch in Nevada, if not in the world. The greatest herd of buffalo now in existence. gs An army of three thous®nd peo- ple. A commissary equal to that of an army division. built or bought, Nine states combed for loca. tions, properties, ete. Untamed steers broken to yoke, Hundreds of types gathered from far and near, The commissary department pre- sented one of the greatest problema of all, but it was worked out in great detail by the studio experts. Remember that ft means the feed- ing of 3,000 human beings and thou- sands of animals in a location far from human habitation, to which even the water and lights will have to be conveyed; a regular army en- campment to shelter the players and the staff; immense cook and mess tents, When completed a print will be given to the Smithsonian Institute, it is stated, for preservation in its archives, for the film should prove of immense historical value for future generations, In addition, however, it tells a moving story of the passions and privations, the dangers and heroism, their loves and sacrifices, of that vital period in the history of the West, which is bound up indelibly in the history of the nation, The book has been closely fol- lowed, t is stated—By Adam Hull Shirk. “CAYE-MAN” PHOTO FOR BUF- FALO MUSEUM. One of the “cave-man” phote- graphs from “Adam’s Rib” has been hung up in the Buffalo Museum. Mr. DeMille presented the “cave- man” to the museum and it was ae- cepted by C. J. Hamlin, president of the Buffalo Society of Natural Science, “The ‘cave-man’ photograph is'an Accurate and interesting reproduc- tion of life-ds it was lived some 26,- 000 years ago,” said Mr, Hamlin, “and I believe the picture will be a welcome addition to the art collec- tions of the museum. That picture Producers should be incorporating something scientific, something of permanent value into their works is of real importance.” rting people are those who look upon the ‘oses and sunshine and making the most that Dorothy Dix j p