Why we love old movie locations — especially the Iverson Movie Ranch

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Thursday, December 16, 2021

The Iverson Movie Ranch's later days as a filming location,
preserved in color by the TV Western "The Virginian"

"Strangers at Sundown" ("The Virginian," 1963): The stage circles Iverson Pond

Some of the most striking color images of the Iverson Movie Ranch to survive from the filming era can be found in the TV Western "The Virginian," which filmed on the ranch from 1962-1965.
 
"Strangers at Sundown": Roberta Shore at the Grove Relay Station

These gorgeous color images have been preserved with remarkable clarity in "The Virginian," especially when compared with other productions from the period.
 
Grove Relay Station in "Strangers at Sundown," with Cactus Hill in the background

I don't know that I've ever seen better shots of the Grove Relay Station — except maybe in another episode of "The Virginian," as you will see later in this post.
 
Roberta Shore as Betsy and Lee J. Cobb as Judge Garth — who rarely smiles

The "Virginian" regulars are so happy to finally get away from the Universal backlot and the Shiloh Ranch that even Lee J. Cobb is smiling — sort of.
 
Grove Relay Station as "Three Fork Way Station"

The relay station appears in the season one episode "Strangers at Sundown" as "Three Fork Way Station." In this shot we also see some of the nearby rocks and other surrounding features.
 
Whoops! Is that supposed to be there?

Among the nearby features is a present-day telephone pole, probably a little bit out of place in the 1880s.
 
 
Iverson Pond in "Strangers at Sundown"

Iverson Pond is another feature of the Lower Iverson that is showcased beautifully in "Strangers at Sundown." The pond, which was only in place for a few years, took over the space where the Western street previously stood.
 
"Strangers at Sundown": Ducks on "Hidden Rock"

The pictures are sharp enough that we can make out ducks in the background. These ducks are hanging around a feature I call "Hidden Rock," which was a part of the Western street before it became a part of the pond setting.
 
Buster Keaton goes fishing at Hidden Rock ("Route 66," 1962)

About a year before the ducks were photographed on Hidden Rock for "The Virginian," Buster Keaton did some fishing near the same rock in an episode of "Route 66."
 
"Journey to Ninevah" ("Route 66" episode)

We reported on the "Route 66" episode, "Journey to Ninevah," back in 2019. You can click here to get the full story on this unusual shoot.
 
Rin Tin Tin and the boys of B-Company at Hidden Rock in its Western street days (1955)

For more about Hidden Rock, and about the connections between Iverson Pond and the Western street, click here to read an entry from our series on the Western street.
 
Pond Rock in "Strangers at Sundown"

Also in the ducks shot is the distinctive Pond Rock, another feature of both the pond and the Western street. The Buster Keaton/"Route 66" post also examines Pond Rock, including its role on the Western street.
 
"Strangers at Sundown": Savoring Sheep Flats while we still can

The Iverson shoots for "The Virginian" — especially "Strangers at Sundown" — capture the movie ranch during a period of transition, after ranch boss Joe Iverson began scaling back on the filming operation.
 
The "Virginian" sequence captures a number of movie landmarks

Joe had been running the Iverson Ranch for the better part of four decades, and after splitting the ranch in 1957 with his brother Aaron, Joe was beginning to ease his way toward retirement.
 
Was this really necessary?

The ranch's business model had pretty much run its course anyway by the mid-1960s. Cop shows, spy shows and sci-fi were all the rage, and the demand for Western filming locations was on the decline.
 
The Corral Rocks: Most of these rocks remain in place today

Meanwhile, land values were skyrocketing and development pressure was intensifying. Joe Iverson began selling off pieces of the ranch in 1963, starting with Sheep Flats — a sale that included everything in this screen shot.
 
Shirley Temple and Victor McLaglen at the India Fort in "Wee Willie Winkie" (1937)

Sheep Flats had been the location of not only Iverson Pond and the heavily filmed Iverson Western street, but also the legendary India Fort built by director John Ford for "Wee Willie Winkie."
 
Filming "Wee Willie Winkie" at the India Fort, 1937 (Jerry England collection)

By February 1964, the India Fort had been dismantled, the pond drained and work was under way to transform Sheep Flats into the Indian Hills Mobile Home Village.
 
Indian Hills Mobile Home Village (Bing Maps)

The mobile home park remains in place today, less than ideally positioned at Ground Zero of an ever-worsening traffic quagmire at Topanga Canyon Boulevard and the 118 Freeway.
 
The Corral Rocks/Cave Rocks in their contemporary role as swimming pool decor

Today the Corral Rocks, also known as the Cave Rocks, do their best to supply ambiance for the mobile home park's swimming pool and rec room area.
 
"Strangers at Sundown": Farewell to Sheep Flats and Iverson Pond

When the stage made its sojourn around Iverson Pond in "Strangers at Sundown," it marked the final time a major production would shoot in this area.
 
"Strangers at Sundown": Leaving Sheep Flats, headed for the Hangover Shack

The production next took up residency at another Iverson Movie Ranch set, the Hangover Shack, located a short distance southwest of Sheep Flats and Iverson Pond.
 
A last glimpse of some movie landmarks

As the stage pulled up at its next shooting location, the episode continued to provide glimpses of Sheep Flats, Iverson Pond and even Pond Rock in the background.
 
The Iverson Ranch's durable Hangover Shack, under siege in "Strangers at Sundown"

But once the stage arrived at the Hangover Shack, things got pretty serious. The passengers had to hole up in the shack while a gang of bad guys laid siege to the building, essentially holding them all hostage.
 
The Hangover Shack in all its glory in "The Virginian," one of the set's finest showcases

In the process of presenting all the human drama inherent in this tense standoff, "Strangers at Sundown" also presents some terrific shots of one of the Iverson Ranch's most important sets.
 
This is who put the "Hangover" in "Hangover Shack"

Included in the shot is Hangover Rock, which gives the Hangover Shack its name.
 
A safety hazard looms above the building

Let me call your attention to the large rock highlighted here in yellow, which is perched precariously above the shack. You can see a big crack running through the rock.
 
A bad guy is up to no good high in the rocks, unaware that one of them is fixin' to fall apart

Here's a closer look at the area with the crack in the rock. You might notice that one of the bad guys is up there too, plotting a smoke bomb attack or something — some plan to force the stage passengers out of the building.
 
This is what happens to rocks when they get old

Readers may or may not recall a post from early 2020 about this same set, which included a discussion of the "Peach Slice" — a sliver of rock that broke off from the rock above and still rests where the shack once stood.
 
Part of the origin story for the Peach Slice

The "Peach Slice" detached itself from approximately this part of the "mothership," or "Mama Peach." The bad guy's nefarious plot is unrelated to the rock's intentions to go rogue.
 
Cartoon Superman arrives at the shack in 1948, but even he can't save the Peach Slice from its fate

You can click here to read more about the Peach Slice incident as part of our post from last year detailing the history of the Hangover Shack. If you're looking for just the Peach Slice material, scroll down or do a word search.
 
Judge Garth is feeling like his old self again

While we're on the subject of food items, a comment about Lee J. Cobb. (Get it?) I had a feeling that as the plot transpired the show would find a way to wipe that smile off Judge Garth's face, and it did.
 
Heroes Tower — and why Judge Garth is back in his usual bad mood

While the shack is under siege, both the judge and viewers are treated to shots of bad guys peppered throughout the rock formations facing the building. These rocks are all still around, in a well-posted no-trespassing zone.
 
"Heroes" (NBC TV series, 2008): The future is depicted in rock paintings

The same rocks were used for the NBC show "Heroes," which filmed on the Iverson Ranch during the summer of 2008. The rocks were covered with paintings envisioning future events.
 
Behind the scenes of "Heroes" in summer 2008

I happened to visit the location that summer while filming was going on and got a few pictures of my own. I typically refer to this location as the "Heroes area," and I call the tallest of these rocks "Heroes Tower."
 
"Strangers at Sundown": More Iverson Movie Ranch landmarks

Another terrific shot from "Strangers at Sundown" shows the stage speeding down Iverson Ranch Road, headed southwest. In the background we see the Iverson family's "Old Barn" on the left and "Scavenger Rock" on the right.
 
A glimpse into the Iverson family's farming operation

These features were located in the family's residential and farming area and were not normally included in the movie operation — although the barn was used for filming on rare occasions.
 
Early photo of Aaron Iverson tending his crops near Scavenger Rock

Scavenger Rock is named for its resemblance to a scavenger fish, and if you've ever owned an aquarium I probably didn't have to tell you that. But it was located in a field that was historically used for farming.
 
"The Mountain of the Sun": James Drury shares the screen with the rock "Tilted Cube"

Other episodes of "The Virginian" featured their own terrific footage of the ranch. "The Mountain of the Sun," which immediately followed "Strangers at Sundown" in April 1963, was another good one.
 
Drury, aka "the Virginian," guides a group of women in "The Mountain of the Sun"

Both episodes were shot during the same stand on the Iverson Movie Ranch. The records of series producer Revue Studios include billings for about eight days of shooting on the ranch in late 1962 and early 1963.
 
"The Mountain of the Sun": A return engagement for the Hangover Shack

It's likely that two of those days were spent at the Hangover Shack — one day with Lee J. Cobb, Roberta Shore and the "Strangers at Sundown" guest cast, and one with Drury and the women of "The Mountain of the Sun."
 
Drury may not notice the shack's new roof — he wasn't around when it was corrugated tin

For "The Mountain of the Sun," a new thatch roof was added to the top of the shack, probably mainly so viewers wouldn't notice it was the same set from the previous episode.
 
An adobe facade stands near the Hangover Shack in "Mountain of the Sun"

A fake adobe jailhouse was also erected at the north end of the shack just for "The Mountain of the Sun."
 
Something's missing! Maybe the thatch roof was supposed to go here

If you ask me, it's just a little too obvious that this set is fake, and it would have helped to put some kind of roof on it. But nobody asked me.
 
Tornado's Mine in "The Mountain of the Sun"

Continuing the theme of "best-ever shots of various Iverson Movie Ranch sets," the "Virginian" episode "Mountain of the Sun" also features crystal-clear shots of Tornado's Mine, a set that was tucked away in the Upper Gorge.
 
Tornado's Mine, following its final remodeling effort

The mine appeared in a number of productions over a span of more than two decades, and it was constantly being remodeled. But it's fair to say that the version seen in "The Virginian" represents the mine's final incarnation.
 
Tornado's Mine Rocks, strategically positioned in the Upper Gorge

This group of rocks, which I call the Tornado's Mine Rocks, helps point the way to the mine. These rocks remain in place in the Upper Gorge today, a short distance east of Lone Ranger Rock.
 
Tornado's Mine Rocks as they appear in modern times (Jerry Condit photo)

Photographer and location researcher Jerry Condit captured this photo back around 2014, showing the Tornado's Mine Rocks from almost the same angle seen in "The Virginian."
 
Zorro's Black Whip (1944): An early version of Tornado's Mine

We've discussed Tornado's Mine before on the blog, and you can read more about it here. But at least one thing about the mine has changed dramatically in the seven years since that post was published.
 
Movie junk that was still there in 2014, but has since been "picked clean"

Back when I first reported on it in 2014, bits of debris from the mine were lying around all over the site. Since then the place has been picked over by souvenir collectors, so if you're an artifact hunter, don't get your hopes up.
 
Something to help prepare you for "Bust of Kennedy"

In case you click through to the 2014 post and start seeing pictures of "Bust of Kennedy," this shot shows how Bust of Kennedy was almost a part of the mine — although the formation does not resemble JFK from this angle.
 
"The Mountain of the Sun": The rarely seen backside of Range Rider Rock

The episode "The Mountain of the Sun" also features unusual shots of the rocks in and around the swimming pool area of the Indian Hills Mobile Home Village.
 
Movie rocks now hidden away behind mobile homes

Both Range Rider Rock and its neighbor, which I call "Sonora Rock," have been featured before on the blog. You can click here for more about Range Rider Rock — including shots of the front of the rock, its usual movie angle.
 
A bad guy aims to bushwhack the Virginian from behind Range Rider Rock

The back of Range Rider Rock plays a big role in the episode. I believe this was the only time this area was used to this extent or shot from these angles. We normally don't see this side of the rock, and never in such detail.
 
The bad guy has magically changed rocks — and the Virginian senses trouble

The next time we see the bushwhacker — with the actor pretending to still be in the same place — they've moved him to a different rock, apparently so the Virginian can be in position to pull the old "sneak around behind him."
 
Follow the bouncing bushwhacker

At this point the bushwhacker is positioned behind the Ottoman, while the Virginian has taken up a position near Range Rider Rock — closer to the bushwhacker's original position.
 
James Drury climbs Range Rider Rock to sneak up on the bushwhacker

As the Virginian creeps up on the guy, we're back behind Range Rider Rock.
 
The whimpering bad guy takes his lumps behind Range Rider Rock

Next comes a beatdown by the Virginian, as the bad guy turns out to be kind of wimpy. Applying Hollywood's typical "a rock is a rock" attitude, he has also been magically transported back to his old spot at Range Rider Rock.
 
Fun stuff in the background of the "Virginian" shot

One of the fun things about the Ottoman shot is it shows the Cave Rocks in the background. These are some of the same rocks that today are positioned around the swimming pool area in the mobile home park.
 
The Cave Rocks in 2021 — along with some pool furniture

Here's a recent shot of those same two big rocks in their modern-day role as pool-area security. The one on the left, partially hidden behind a tree, is known as Hook Rock, and I call the one on the right "Big B."
 
What about that big white blob?

The "Virginian" shot even includes a big lump of fake cave material, along with what is presumably a fake bush strategically positioned to hide the fake cave opening.
 
How the "Cave Rocks" got their name

The old fake cave entrance, which was redesigned many times during the filming days, was situated right between the two big "Cave Rocks."
 
"Perils of Nyoka" (1942): The fake cave in its heyday

This fake cave entrance was used repeatedly over a span of several decades. In this shot from the 1942 Republic serial "Perils of Nyoka," I believe the cave serves as a back entrance to Vultura's Palace.
 
"Brother Thaddeus" (1963): Garden of the Gods Trail

Another "Virginian" episode with some nice Iverson Ranch content is "Brother Thaddeus," from early in season 2. In this shot taken from the Garden of the Gods we see many of the Upper Gorge rock features in the background.
 
The Grove Relay Station resurfaces, again dressed as "Morro Rock Way Station"

"Brother Thaddeus" also features another appearance by the Grove Relay Station, and as it did in "Strangers at Sundown," at the top of this post, the building again serves as a stagecoach stop.
 
Another episode, another stage stop in "Brother Thaddeus"

Filming on "Brother Thaddeus" probably took place several months after the shoot for "Strangers at Sundown," but the relay station still had the same sign out front identifying it as "Morro Rock Way Station."
 
"Strangers at Sundown": A different stagecoach and different horses

The stagecoach seen in "Brother Thaddeus" is different from this one seen in "Strangers at Sundown," although you may have to look carefully to spot the differences. The two teams of horses are different too.
 
The stage pulls out in "Brother Thaddeus," leaving us with a nice view of the relay station

"Brother Thaddeus" again provides detailed views of the Grove Relay Station.
 
Shootout at Grove Relay Station in "Brother Thaddeus"

In fact, shots of the relay station in "Brother Thaddeus" go beyond what we saw in "Strangers at Sundown." The relay station winds up at the center of a big shootout, generating closeups of various parts of the building.
 
A bad guy takes aim from a downstairs window — but just get a load of those curtains

This sequence gives us the best looks we'll ever have at details like the shutters, curtains and overall construction of the Grove Relay Station.
 
Richard Devon positions himself near some loose logs

This shot of character actor Richard Devon at the corner of the relay station is so sharp we can see how loose the nails are that hold the logs onto the outside of the building.
 
"Run Quiet" (1963): Lancer Arch on the left

We continue to be treated to great shots of Iverson Movie Ranch features throughout much of the run of "The Virginian." In this shot from "Run Quiet" we get what is probably a "best-ever" view of Lancer Arch.
 
Wyatt Earp Rock in "Run Quiet"

The same sequence also does justice to Wyatt Earp Rock, seen here on the left. Sadly, neither Wyatt Earp Rock nor Lancer Arch survived condo development, which came to the Iverson Ranch in the 1980s.
 
"Run Quiet" showcases the Devil's Doorway area and Devil's Wall

Here's a shot of "Devil's Wall," part of the Devil's Doorway cluster, in "Run Quiet." This impressive rock is still around and can be found in the midst of the Cal West Townhomes on the east side of Redmesa Road.
 
More Devil's Doorway, with Crown Rock on the left and Cactus Hill in the background

A wider shot of the same area shows more of the Devil's Doorway formation, on the right, along with a little bit of Crown Rock on the left. For the most part these rocks are still in place among the condos.
 
"Run Quiet": The Devil's Doorway area and Shirley Temple Rock

Here again we see much of the Devil's Doorway area in "Run Quiet," this time with Shirley Temple Rock in the lower left corner. Unlike most of the rocks in this shot, Shirley Temple Rock did not survive.
 
Major rock features seen in the "Run Quiet" screen shot

Some of the key features seen in the shot are identified here. Even though this location "went condo" in the 1980s, all the major features except Shirley Temple Rock can still be found at the site.
 
"Wee Willie Winkie" (1937): Shirley Temple on Shirley Temple Rock

Shirley Temple Rock gets its name from this sequence in the 1937 John Ford movie "Wee Willie Winkie," in which the young actress climbs on the rock while a battle rages all around her.
 
Nyoka Cliff in transition in "Run Quiet," 1963

An important sequence in "Run Quiet" showcases Nyoka Cliff. While the cliff is one of the most frequently filmed features on the ranch, this sequence stands out because it captures an unusual moment in the cliff's evolution.
 
Nyoka Cliff's trademark tree is on the way out

It's easy to miss, but something's going on among the trees on top of the cliff. In particular, the original tree, which was a Nyoka Cliff trademark for decades, appears to be on its last legs.
 
The new kid on the block

Meanwhile, a new tree can be seen to the right of the original tree. It's an early sighting of this tree, which was probably planted with the idea in mind that it would replace the dying tree.
 
Don't be distracted by these other trees

It may be worth noting that these other trees that are visible near the top of the cliff, while they have their own histories and screen appearances, are not pertinent to this examination of Nyoka Cliff's two main trees.
 
"The Golden Gift" (Metro Pictures, 1922): Nyoka Cliff's original tree, already fully formed

The original Nyoka tree has a history in movies going back at least to the early 1920s. Here's a promo still for the 1922 silent film "The Golden Gift," where the tree is already making its presence known.
 
A fight to the death — right near the tree

Two men can be seen fighting to the death on top of the cliff, but you almost have to squint to see them as they're dwarfed by the impressive scale of Nyoka Cliff.
 
Lobby card for "The Golden Gift," photographed on the Nyoka Summit

A lobby card for "The Golden Gift" offers a closer look at the fight and the tree, along with Alice Lake, the lead actress. The movie is lost, so details are hard to come by, but one of the two men fighting is actor Louis Dumar.
 
The lobby card shows what could already be considered a mature tree, way back in 1922

I want to send out a big thank-you to Louis Liserani Jr., who came up with the promo still and lobby card for "The Golden Gift." Louis is the son of actor Louis Dumar, who was born Louis Liserani.
 
"The Lives of a Bengal Lancer" (1935) (Jerry England collection)

The original tree went on to survive several decades of movie and television appearances. Here it can be spotted in the background of a promo still showing the big fort built in the Gorge for "The Lives of a Bengal Lancer"
 
Nyoka Cliff and the Nyoka tree

The tree often added subtle but meaningful accents to the backgrounds of productions shot in the Gorge. The number of appearances by the tree would be hard to calculate, but it wouldn't surprise me if it's in the hundreds.
 
"Wee Willie Winkie" (1937): Another appearance by Nyoka Cliff and the tree

Here's a promo still for "Wee Willie Winkie," and there's the tree again — along with a small wooden bridge that was in place for years next to the tree.
 
"The Real Glory" (1939): Gary Cooper brings a gun to a knife fight

We get a good look at the tree in this promo still for the Gary Cooper movie "The Real Glory," where Cooper appears to have overprepared for some hand-to-hand combat on top of Nyoka Cliff.
 
Putting some weight on the bridge in "The Real Glory"

Several of the people in the shot are standing on that wooden bridge we mentioned. The bridge will continue to show up in productions as the years go by.
 
"The Grapes of Wrath" (1940): Russell Simpson makes a point

In a screen shot from "The Grapes of Wrath," which I've discussed on the blog before, Russell Simpson, as Pa Joad, appears to be pointing toward Nyoka Cliff — and is almost pointing at the tree.
 
"The Valley of Vanishing Men" (1942): Another tree and bridge sighting

The tree surfaces again, along with the bridge, in the Bill Elliott serial "The Valley of Vanishing Men." This promo still includes a number of other interesting items too, which I talked about in a blog post you can find here.
 
"The Fighting Seabees" (1944): The tree stands by as a bulldozer shoves a tank off the cliff

John Wayne's World War II movie "The Fighting Seabees," filmed in 1943 on the Iverson Ranch and released in 1944, features a number of encounters with Nyoka Cliff's tree, which by then had become a fixture in the movies.
 
The wooden bridge has been temporarily removed

You may have noticed that the bridge is gone. It appears to have been removed during filming on "The Fighting Seabees," but it would be put back up following production on the film.
 
"The Fighting Seabees": Tank down!

Moments later the small Japanese tank somersaults down the side of the cliff. It has been reported that the tank was made out of balsa wood to ensure that the stunt did not damage the rocks and other features below.
 
"The Fighting Seabees": The battle rages in the Iverson Gorge

A wider shot from "The Fighting Seabees" confirms that the bridge was not in place while battle scenes were being filmed in the Gorge. The tree, meanwhile, stands in its usual position as silent witness to the action.
 
"The Fighting Seabees": John Wayne, left, leads a siege of Nyoka Cliff

John Wayne and his men get up close and personal with the tree during an assault of the Nyoka Summit. The guy in the middle appears to be standing about where the bridge would have been if it hadn't been taken down.
 
John Wayne and Nyoka Cliff's famed tree

The Duke pauses momentarily for a shot with his hand on the tree.
 
"Old Los Angeles" (Republic, 1948): The tree is still up, and the bridge is back

It's hard to tell from this promo still for the Bill Elliott B-Western "Old Los Angeles," but when the bridge was put back up following filming on "Fighting Seabees," it was moved from in front of the tree to behind it.
 
"Al Jennings of Oklahoma" (Columbia, 1951): Nyoka Summit

This shot from "Al Jennings of Oklahoma," filmed on the Iverson Movie Ranch in 1950 and released in 1951, shows the Nyoka Summit from a high angle, capturing both the tree and the original bridge location.
 
No bridge to be seen here

The bridge can no longer be found in its original location.
 
Backing up the horses, we catch a glimpse of the bridge

To get a look at the bridge in its new location behind the tree, we have to back up the horses a little bit — which is probably a good idea anyway, because they were precariously close to the edge of the cliff.
 
The bridge's new, less prominent, location

The bridge is a little difficult to see in the shadows, but you may be able to make it out.
 
"Zorro's Black Whip" (Republic serial, 1944): The bridge has already been put back

A shot from "Zorro's Black Whip," filmed on the Iverson Ranch in July and August 1944, reveals that the bridge had already been installed in its new location by then — soon after filming wrapped on "Fighting Seabees."
 
Who moved the bridge?

The most likely scenario is that the "Fighting Seabees" crew removed the bridge themselves and had to put it back when they were done filming. Who knows — maybe they put it back in the wrong place!
 
"Montana Desperado" (Monogram, 1951): The original tree at top right

Shots from the early '50s, including this one from the Johnny Mack Brown movie "Montana Desperado," show that the tree was still in pretty good shape at that point.
 
"Saga of the Viking Women" (1957): The tree has seen better days

But by the time the tree resurfaced six years later in Roger Corman's "Saga of the Viking Women," it was showing substantial wear and tear. Maybe it just got old and started falling apart, which happens to all of us.
 
That's not a healthy tree

Something to think about: This is a shot of young, healthy Viking women and men, so if the thing you find most interesting here is a worn-out old tree (guilty as charged!), you may want to check your priorities.
 
"Last Stand at Smoky Hill" (episode of "The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp," January 1959)

Barely a year later we see the tree again in an episode of "Wyatt Earp," looking about the same. But by this time the "replacement tree" had just begun to emerge above the edge of the cliff.
 
The "replacement tree" emerges

It's barely visible, but I think this is the top of the new tree.
 
"The Virginian" episode "Run Quiet" (November 1963)

It's almost five years later when we first see both the old tree and the new tree in "Run Quiet." By now the old tree has lost all of its foliage and the new tree is beginning to come into its own.
 
"Ring of Silence" ("Virginian" episode, October 1965)

Another two years go by, and "The Virginian" continues to document the transition atop Nyoka Cliff. Now the original tree is completely gone and the new tree has grown a bit ... but what's that other tree doing there?
 
This thing does not belong here

Clearly this is a fake tree. I mean, maybe it's a real tree, but it was put there — it didn't grow there. What's most interesting about this shot is that it shows someone was consciously trying to replace the original tree.
 
A tale of three trees

While the original tree was now completely gone, the "replacement tree" wasn't yet up to the task of replacing it. It may have been "on its way," but it didn't quite have the heft yet to convince anyone it was the old tree.
 
The replacement tree — all grown up, in 2008

Years later, the replacement tree would become, for all intents, the Nyoka Tree. Most people who see the tree for the first time just assume it's the same tree that was in the movies — I know I did. But we know better now.
 
The gravity-defying "Bald Knob" in "Run Quiet"

"Run Quiet," the same episode of "The Virginian" that spilled the beans about the dying Nyoka Tree, also features the best shots I've ever seen of the late, lamented Iverson Movie Ranch rock "Bald Knob."
 
The infamous bolt

The "Run Quiet" sequence includes clear views of the huge bolt that was holding the rock together. We examined Bald Knob's infamous bolt and other enhancements in a post you can read by clicking here.
 
"The Wall" in "Run Quiet" — There's more where this came from

"Run Quiet" is a true Iverson spectacle — a sprawling episode of "The Virginian" with more Lower Iverson content than I can do justice to in the space available here. I recommend checking it out if you can.
 
The Gorge Arch in "The Fatal Journey" (1963)

Other good "Virginian" episodes for Lower Iverson footage include "The Fatal Journey" and "Smile of a Dragon," both from season two, and the season three episode "The Girl From Yesterday."
 
"The Girl From Yesterday" (1964): Riders cut behind "Garden Sign Rock"

"The Girl From Yesterday" includes some nice shots of what I call the "Garden Sign Rock," a small formation in the Garden of the Gods that later had the word "GARDEN" inscribed on it.
 
The Garden Sign in modern times (Jerry Condit photo)

Here's what the rock looks like today, with the "GARDEN" inscription. As far as I can tell, it never had "of the gods" as part of the inscription — it was always just "GARDEN."
 
No Garden Sign yet when "The Virginian" filmed here in 1964

I always like finding the Garden Sign Rock in productions, because I'm always trying to figure out when the inscription first appeared. Thanks to "The Virginian" we know the inscription was not there yet in 1964.
 
"Tarzan's Peril" (1951) Lex Barker rides past Garden Sign Rock

Not that it's pertinent to figuring out the date of the inscription, but just because it's a cool picture, here's a shot from "Tarzan's Peril" with Lex Barker as Tarzan riding an elephant between Tower Rock and the Sphinx.
 
No inscription on the rock yet in 1951

The shot gives us a good look at Garden Sign Rock, even if it's too long ago to help date the inscription.
 
"Logan's Run" TV series (1977): People of the future trudge through the Garden of the Gods

Later tends to be better when it comes to determining when something that's there now, like the inscription, first showed up. And thanks to the TV series "Logan's Run," we know the inscription still wasn't there in 1977.
 
"Logan's Run" episode "The Judas Goat": Still no inscription

The "Logan's Run" sequence, besides showing off Heather Menzies' legs, effectively gives us our last reference point, at least for now, on the pre-inscription timeline for the Garden Sign.
 
Heather Menzies, Gregory Harrison and the Garden Sign Rock

Even though the Garden Sign Rock is easy to spot in "Logan's Run," these pictures also make the point that shots from "The Virginian" tend to be a lot clearer than other productions — even shows from a decade later.
 
"Logan's Run": A rare 1970s Iverson Ranch shoot

Very little filming took place on the Iverson Movie Ranch in the '70s, so I was pretty excited when I discovered the "Logan's Run" shoot. Below you'll find a few more screen shots from the episode.
 
The present-day location of the Garden Sign

This shot from 2015 shows where the Garden Sign can be found today, near the base of Tower Rock.
 
"Ring of Silence" (1965): Tower Rock, left, and Sphinx, right

"The Virginian" cranked out another Lower Iverson spectacle, "Ring of Silence," during season four.
 
Fake rocks block the road between the two big rocks

Here again we see Tower Rock and Sphinx, two of the most famous rocks on the former Iverson Movie Ranch. But check out the "barricade of fake rocks" that was installed for the episode.
 
The stage is stuck just north of the Garden of the Gods

The barricade was part of a "stuck stagecoach" sequence that set up a standoff between the stage passengers and a small army of bandits.
 
Stranded passengers roam a landscape riddled with fake rocks

The setup included a fairly extensive array of loose movie rocks strewn about on the ground below the actual rock features. The Sphinx again appears at top right in this shot.
 
Movie rocks hit their marks in the Garden of the Gods

The effect wasn't all that realistic, especially if you know what the place looks like normally. But like most of the special effects seen on "The Virginian," the fake rocks were apparently determined to be "good enough."
 
The actors have apparently been told to stand near the fake wall and act like it's real

Part of the barricade consisted of a custom fake rock wall that was fitted next to the base of the Sphinx. Clearly the set builders put some effort into this sequence.
 
Hey, get that real rock out of there!

One of the rocks that turns up in the sequence looks a little more realistic than some of the fake rocks, and for good reason: This one is an actual rock.
 
"Logan's Run": Heather and Greg ignore the rock and the red arrow

We know it's a real rock because 12 years later, long after the mess from the barricade of fake rocks had been cleaned up, "Logan's Run" shot in the same spot and the rock was still there.
 
The same rock remains in place in modern times

The same rock can still be found at the site, as seen in this photo from 2014.
 
"Logan's Run": The future comes to the Iverson Ranch

Considering all the Westerns that filmed here, these "Logan's Run" shots are a fun change of pace. Here's a futuristic car in the Garden of the Gods' old Camera Mount area, with a view of the Gorge in the distance.
 
Who says the future will be futuristic? Maybe we'll all be driving pontoon boats

Here's another alleged Car of the Future, clomping past Stage Road Rock in the Iverson Gorge as it traces the hoofsteps of many a stagecoach, outlaw gang and cowboy hero.
 
Toga people create a low-budget force field near the future garden sign

I guess it was inevitable with "Logan's Run" that we'd get "state of the art" special effects, juxtaposed against the major rock features of the Garden of the Gods.
 
"Ring of Silence": Rock Island at top right

Getting back to "The Virginian," the episode "Ring of Silence" also features nice shots of Rock Island.
 
Pay no attention to the snoozy wagon driver, just take a gander at that rock!

This shot showcases RI-3 (at top right), one of the major rock features of Rock Island, shot from a super-rare angle. To learn more about this rock and the rest of Rock Island, please click here.
 
More good stuff in "Ring of Silence"

Here we see part of that small army of bandits I mentioned, but what I like more about the shot is the nice array of Upper Gorge rock features in the background.
 
"Ring of Silence": A wider view of the Upper Gorge

This wider shot adds a few more movie rocks to the background. These are not the most common camera angles, and some of these rocks are rarely seen in productions.
 
A few of the known background features

But many of these rocks remain in place today and can be seen in person simply by parking on Redmesa Road. You can find more material on each of these identified rocks in the long index on the right side of the page.
 
"The Virginian" cast photo, circa 1964-1965 — clockwise from top: Randy Boone,
Clu Gulager, Roberta Shore, Lee J. Cobb, Doug McClure, James Drury

The story of the Iverson Movie Ranch didn't end with "The Virginian," and even today, filming still takes place on rare occasions on the former Iverson property. But the mid-'60s, and especially the run by "The Virginian," marked the end of an era when the Iverson Ranch was Hollywood's go-to outdoor location. Luckily, the TV show left us with a lot of terrific pictures and memories of the old movie ranch.
 
Links!

If you feel like watching some "Virginian" and discovering your own great Iverson Movie Ranch footage, check out the links below to various "Virginian" DVD packages on Amazon — including the way-too-pricey complete series. There's also a link to a book about the history of the TV show. If you buy any of these items off Amazon after clicking the link, you'll be supporting future research by the Iverson Movie Ranch Blog. Thank you for your interest in the Iverson Ranch and old movie locations!

6 comments:

Unknown said...

thanks dennis for all the great work for the year on the locations,
looking forward for more in 2022.
merry christmas and a happy new year.


steven dwyer

Philigan said...

Unknown said it perfectly so I'll say it again.

thanks Dennis for all the great work for the year on the locations,
looking forward for more in 2022.
merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Anonymous said...

What a nice Christmas present! What a lot of work, going through all the shows, stopping to screen cap, organizing and yet you haven't lost your sense of humor. These color shots are incredible. Seeing the rocks decorating the pool is a jolt and yet I'm so glad so many of them survived to smile for the camera again. They're not shy, but they've had a lot of practice. Love that shot of the bolt on Bald Knob. The first time I saw Pond Rock was in the village, and in a way, it's odd to see it hanging out in the pond all out in the open like that. You made me laugh about the tree vs the young healthy Vikings, but tracing the tree through the different productions over the years is fascinating. I've made a list of the Virginian eps to be on the lookout. That shot from Strangers at Sundown" leaving Sheep Flats is amazing, showing the rocks from a different angle and that vista in the background. Since reading about Peach Slice, I have seen both Virginian eps and was keeping an eye on the crack in the rock, knowing it fell. Haha, in Hollywood a rock is a rock. At least they filmed them so we can see them. I'll be reading this one again, and thank you for all the links to the related posts. Now I'm dying to know when "Garden" was carved.
Caris

Swami Nano said...

Me too! At least we know it was sometime between 1977 and ... well, I'm sure it was already there in 2008. I'll bet there's someone out there who saw it much earlier than that.
I'd love to know when the Peach Slice jumped ship too. And there are a number of other carvings and rock migrations that also fall into that category.
Thanks again for the great feedback, Caris, Steven and Philigan. Ho ho ho!

Big Valley said...

"Mountain Of The Sun" was one of James Drury's favorite episodes. It is often shown on INSP when there is a tribute to James Drury and the The Virginian. Great to see it featured here! Also, let's give some respect to the stagecoach driver of the six-horse hitch in "Strangers At Sundown". It requires great strength and skill to drive a six-horse hitch, so it is rarely shown on series television. Thanks for highlighting that piece of history!

Rocknstv said...

Hi Dennis. Great content as usual.
I'm watching The Texan, The Man Hater, '59. There is quite a lot of Iverson Pond featured. The intro as well as a fight scene later on.