The Chechahcos collection, 1923-1924.
Title:
The Chechahcos collection, 1923-1924.
Physical Description:
1.9 linear ft.
Abstract:
The collection consists of 4 reels of 35 mm safety film of the silent movie "The Chechahcos" and 269 black-and-white still photographs (21 x 26 cm.) from the movie. Subjects of the photographs include: members of the movie cast, glaciers, steamboats, locomotives, dog sleds, cast members as gold miners and gamblers, and crew member Sydney Laurence.
'Horseshoe' Riley and Bob Dexter save a little girl named Ruth when the Alaska-bound steamer on which she is riding is destroyed by a boiler explosion. A gambler named Steele permits the mother of the child, Mrs. Stanlaw, to believe that her little girl has drowned and then offers her his 'protection.' Little Ruth grows to young womanhood and ten years later marries Bob. Meanwhile, Steele comes to town and buys a gambling house in which Mrs. Stanlaw is forced to sing. Bob and Riley discover the whereabouts of Mrs. Stanlaw and attempt to restore her to her daughter. The resentful Steele binds Bob to a chair and sets the house on fire. Bob escapes and goes after Steele, who is killed by a collapsing glacier. In the end, mother and daughter are reunited.
Corporate Subject:
Genre:
Added Title Contained Works:
Cheechakos.
Added Uniform Title:
Chechahcos (Motion picture : 1924)
Biographical/Historical Data:
"The Chechahcos" (also known as "The Cheechakos") was the first silent movie feature filmed entirely in Alaska, and the only film produced by Austin "Cap" Lathrop for his Alaska Motion Picture Corporation. It was produced in 1923 and released in 1924. The film was directed by Lewis H. Moomaw, and photographed by Herbert H. Brownell and Raymond Johnson. Many scenes were filmed in Denali Park and nearby, in the Grandview area along the Alaska Railroad, in Anchorage, in Girdwood, and on Bartlett Glacier to recreate the famous gold rush scene of the Chilkoot Pass. Titles and background panels were designed by Alaskan artist Sydney Laurence.
Credits:
Producer, Austin "Cap" Lathrop ; director, Lewis H. Moomaw ; photographers, Herbert H. Brownell, Raymond Johnson ; titles and background art, Sydney Laurence.
Performer:
William Dills ('Horseshoe' Riley), Albert Van Antwerp (Bob Dexter), Eva Gordon (Mrs. Stanlaw), Alexis B. Luce (Richard Steele), Gladys Johnson (Ruth Stanlaw), Baby Margie (Ruth Stanlaw, as child).