A postcard from Lone Pine 2022: How a movie festival 200 miles away helped solve an old "Iverson Movie Ranch" mystery

The Lone Pine Film Festival just wrapped up its 32nd year

We had a great time earlier this month at the Lone Pine Film Festival, which is still going strong in its 32nd year. Not only is Lone Pine one of the best film festivals in the U.S., I believe it also stands alone in that it's more focused on actual filming locations — and a lot of them — than any other festival in the world.

 

Dawn breaks in the Alabama Hills (Oct. 9, 2022)

The centerpiece of the festival — and of movie history in the Lone Pine area — is the Alabama Hills, a unique geological formation that first caught the attention of Hollywood more than a century ago.

 

Alabama Hills — a vast rocky landscape

"Alabama Hills" is the name given to a sprawling rocky area west of the town of Lone Pine in California's Owens Valley, where hundreds of movies and TV shows have been filmed over the past 100-plus years.

 

Painting of Confederate warship CSS Alabama, which gave the Alabama Hills their name

The area has nothing to do with the state of Alabama, but the name is a Civil War reference. The Alabama Hills are named after the CSS Alabama, which was sunk by the Union ship Kearsarge in 1864.

 

A typical Alabama Hills rock formation

California's Alabama Hills are known for their unusual rock formations, spread out across mile after mile of dramatic landscape. This area has stood in for the American West of the frontier days in countless Western movies, and remains an active filming location today.

 

Lone Pine Peak and Mount Whitney, west of the Alabama Hills

The Alabama Hills are bordered on the west by the Eastern Sierra, including Lone Pine Peak and Mount Whitney, which lend additional scenic splendor to the location.

 

Mount Whitney keeps a low profile here

Almost everyone mixes up Lone Pine Peak and Mount Whitney at first — I know I did. Even though Mount Whitney is the tallest peak in the Lower 48 States, the proximity of Lone Pine Peak makes it appear higher.

 

Lone Pine rock detective and tour guide Don Kelsen examines an Alabama Hills formation

The Alabama Hills aren't the only thing that sets the Lone Pine Film Festival apart from run-of-the-mill movie festivals. A key to the annual event's enduring popularity is that Lone Pine is a gathering of not just movie fans, but movie location fans — including some who really know their stuff when it comes to Lone Pine.

 

"The Last Posse" (1953): One of hundreds of filming locations documented by Don Kelsen

A case in point is master Lone Pine rock finder Don Kelsen, who has been involved with the movie festival — and with uncovering historic Alabama Hills filming locations — for something like three decades.

 

The "Last Posse" location in modern times, photographed by Don Kelsen

I've reported before on Kelsen's spectacular movie location finds — you can click here to see some of his stunning Alabama Hills "then and now" shots.

 

"Gunga Din" — 1939 epic filmed in the Alabama Hills

High-profile Lone Pine movies such as "Gunga Din" and "Bad Day at Black Rock" are well-documented, so on my recent visit I made a point of seeking out locations for productions that don't normally get as much attention.

 

Jeep commercial featuring Lone Pine Peak and the Alabama Hills, 2018

One thing I've been seeing a lot of lately is car commercials shot in the Alabama Hills. Ads for Jeep, Acura, Chevy trucks and other makes have been capturing breathtaking Lone Pine scenery in recent years.

 

The same location in October 2022 — not quite the same angle, but in the neighborhood

I took this photo approximating the location of the Jeep commercial from my campsite in the Alabama Hills on Sunday morning, Oct. 9.

 

 Click on the video above to watch the Jeep spot

Here's the 30-second Jeep commercial that features the beautiful Alabama Hills shot, which appears at 0:19 in the ad. Click on the image above, then click on YouTube in the bottom right corner for the best look at the video.

 

Rabbit Dry Lake in the same Jeep commercial

Other parts of the Jeep commercial are shot at Rabbit Dry Lake in Southern California's Mojave Desert. We explored this location back in 2019, in a post you can see by clicking here.

 

Randolph Scott arrives in the Alabama Hills in the opening to the 1957 Western "The Tall T"

Unique movie tours of the Alabama Hills, such as the Del Gaudio brothers' "Tall T" tour, have long been among the biggest attractions at the Lone Pine Film Festival.

 

The same location in 2022, one of the many highlights on the Del Gaudios' "Tall T" tour

These fascinating tours give the general public a chance to experience the excitement of seeing stunning filming locations up close, and to benefit from the knowledge and legwork of veteran Lone Pine explorers.

 

Mike Del Gaudio breaks down a filming site for "The Tall T"

When you spend time in the Alabama Hills with location hunters like the Del Gaudios, you're bound to learn a thing or two — but more important, you're likely to get caught up in their passion for movie locations.

 

John Del Gaudio stands in for Richard Boone, illustrating a key shot in "The Tall T"

The Del Gaudio brothers, who travel from the East Coast each year to conduct tours, flip burgers and whatever else the festival needs, have perfected a tandem approach to revealing the finer points of the Alabama Hills.

 

Richard Boone's character, Usher, rides through the same pass in the movie

A movie like "The Tall T," filmed almost entirely in the Alabama Hills, offers countless shots that can be matched up against the current landscape — and it's a landscape that remains largely unchanged since the peak filming years.

 

Tour participants follow along with their "Tall T" photo brochures

Visitors participating in the movie tours receive photo brochures containing screen shots from the movie so they can see exactly where everything was filmed and line up their own matching photos.

 

Randolph Scott on the Anchor Ranch in Lone Pine — note the horse stable behind him

A scene early in "The Tall T" finds Randolph Scott on the Anchor Ranch, a cluster of old buildings in downtown Lone Pine that was historically used for filming.

 

The same stable building in 2022

To my surprise, much of the old ranch remains intact today — if "intact" is the right word. The old stable isn't in the best shape these days, but it's still recognizable as the same building seen behind Randolph Scott in the movie.

 

"Conquering Comes Standard" Jeep commercial, circa 2018

One of my favorite locations I visited during this year's festival was from another Jeep commercial. When I showed this shot to Don Kelsen, he knew right away where it was.

 

The Jeep location in October 2022

Here's a matching shot I took at the Jeep location — probably my best match from the latest Lone Pine expedition.

 

Promo still for the 1938 serial "The Lone Ranger": Chief Thundercloud and Lynne Roberts

Another highlight for me from this year's festival has a connection to the Iverson Movie Ranch. I spent a long time searching for the location of this photo after someone suggested years ago that it was taken on the Iverson Ranch. It turns out it wasn't shot there after all.

 

The same rock in 2022, in the Alabama Hills

Thanks to Greg Parker — another extremely accomplished Lone Pine rock hunter and tour guide — the elusive rock was found earlier this year in the Alabama Hills. I took part in an expedition to the site on Oct. 9.

 

"The Lone Ranger" (1938): The movies' original Tonto in the Alabama Hills

A second promo still from the same photo session also turned up some time ago, with Chief Thundercloud standing on top of the rock and Lynne Roberts, the serial's leading lady, on the right.

 

The mystery rock — a mystery no more

The serial "The Lone Ranger" was filmed both on the Iverson Movie Ranch and in the Lone Pine area, among other locations. But the promo stills with the distinctive rock were definitely taken in the Alabama Hills.

 

John Del Gaudio basks in the presence of Chief Thundercloud's rock

A number of veteran Lone Pine researchers, including the Del Gaudio brothers, took part in the pilgrimage to the rock, with Don Kelsen leading the expedition.

 

"Thundercloud Rock" in its natural setting (Oct. 9, 2022)

After wondering for years where this rock might be, I have to admit it was pretty exciting to finally see it in person.

 

Lone Pine, one of the best-kept secrets of the Eastern Sierra

If you missed this year's Lone Pine Film Festival, you might want to start making your plans early for next year. The motels in town fill up fast, but there's also camping available in the historic Alabama Hills.

 

The Lone Pine Museum of Western Film History

Meanwhile, Lone Pine's Museum of Western Film History is open year-round, and is a must-see. You can pick up a brochure there for $2 that'll show you the way to many of the most important filming locations.

 

Where to go, how to get there and what to do once you're there

Two places to keep up on what's going on with the Lone Pine Film Festival, and to start making plans for next year's event, are the Lone Pine Film Festival website and the festival's Facebook page.

 

See you on the rocks at Lone Pine 2023!

If you do plan to go to Lone Pine 2023 — and for that matter, if you're headed to just about any historic filming locations in the SoCal area — shoot me an email ahead of time and maybe we can arrange to meet up.

 

I 💗 Lone Pine

As for me, I'll be going back for sure — and sooner than later. Seems I left my heart-shaped rock arch in the Alabama Hills.

A who's who of Native American actors, including Howling Wolf, Chief John Big Tree, High Eagle, Chief Thundercloud and Chief Thunderbird, assembled on the Iverson Movie Ranch

"Custer's Last Stand" (Stage and Screen serial, 1936)

I ran across this remarkable lobby card a while back for the 15-chapter Western serial "Custer's Last Stand," featuring a photo taken on the plateau just above the Iverson Gorge, with Nyoka Cliff in the background.

The photo depicts a gathering of leaders from various bands of Indians, played by a who's who of Native American actors of the early B-Western era.

The lead role among the Native Americans is that of Young Wolf, played by Chief Thundercloud.

"Custer's Last Stand": Chief Thundercloud vs. young Paleface Bobby Nelson

Thundercloud is not a nice guy in "Custer's Last Stand." His character is so treacherous and bloodthirsty that it's hard to imagine the actor was about to become one of Hollywood's quintessential "good Indians."

Promo still for "Custer's Last Stand": Chief Thundercloud with Nancy Caswell

I get a kick out of the expression on Thundercloud's face in this promo shot for the serial. I can't help but wonder what he had in mind before Nancy Caswell produced her big six-shooter.

"The Lone Ranger" (1938): Chief Thundercloud as Tonto with Lee Powell as the Masked Man

Chief Thundercloud would go on two years later to become the original "Tonto" of the movies, starring in the 1938 Republic serial "The Lone Ranger" along with its 1939 sequel, "The Lone Ranger Rides Again."

Chief Thundercloud as Tonto

For those of us who grew up with Jay Silverheels' kid-friendly interpretation of Tonto, Thundercloud's version still comes off as a bit of a big scary meanie.

Chief Thundercloud on the Uncle Russ children's radio program

Born Victor Daniels in 1899, Thundercloud claimed at times to be either Cherokee or Creek/Muscogee. While his Native American heritage has never been nailed down, his "Chief" status is pure Hollywood hype.

Chief Thundercloud on the Upper Iverson in "The Phantom Rider" (1946)

Thundercloud's prolific film career, spanning 1935-1956 and including 76 movies along with numerous TV appearances, brought him back to the Iverson Ranch on many occasions — often in bad guy or "savage" roles.

Chief Thundercloud in the title role of "Geronimo!" (1939)

Tonto was one of two career-defining roles for Thundercloud in the late 1930s. He followed up his "Lone Ranger" serials with a tour-de-force performance as Geronimo in Paramount's 1939 movie about the Apache warrior.

Poster for "Geronimo!" — Where's Chief Thundercloud's credit?

Curiously, Chief Thundercloud's credit was omitted from much of the marketing material for "Geronimo!," even though he played the title role.

Chuck Connors as "Geronimo" (United Artists, 1962)

The role of Geronimo would later be played by Chuck Connors, who was moonlighting at the time from his day job on "The Rifleman."

The real Geronimo

The real Geronimo spent his later years as a prisoner of war and a tourist attraction, traveling under Army guard and becoming one of the most widely photographed Americans of his era.

Also appearing in the lobby card is Chief Thunderbird — not to be confused with Chief Thundercloud. Billed as "Chick Davis" in "Custer's Last Stand," Thunderbird played the character Rain-in-Face.

Chief Thunderbird in 1935

Born Richard Davis in 1866, Thunderbird, a Cheyenne chief, had a film career going back at least to 1914, with many of his appearances uncredited.

Chief Thunderbird

By the time "Custer's Last Stand" was filmed in 1935, Chief Thunderbird was pushing 70 and had become something of a patriarch to the Native American actors of the period.

Chief John Big Tree, whose character in the serial is identified simply as "Medicine Man," is another interesting figure from early Hollywood.

Chief John Big Tree with Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert in "Drums Along the Mohawk" (1939)

A member of the Seneca Nation, Big Tree was reportedly born Isaac Johnny John in 1877. He became one of director John Ford's go-to Native American actors, appearing in a string of Ford movies including "Stagecoach," "Drums Along the Mohawk" and "She Wore a Yellow Ribbon."

Big Tree in uncredited role in "Stagecoach" (1939)

He was uncredited in Ford's "Stagecoach" in the role of an Indian scout who wore a cool "Indian Police" star and dressed up like a Cavalry soldier.

Indian Head Nickel, first issued in 1913: NOT Chief Big Tree

Besides appearing in more than 60 movies going back to the silent era, Big Tree became the focus of a number of myths and legends — including his own claim that he was the model for the Indian Head Nickel.

Chief Big Tree on the cover of Esquire, 1964

The claim, which has since been discredited, was widely believed for years — with Big Tree even appearing on the cover of Esquire magazine in 1964 as part of a feature perpetuating the false claim.

The blurb on the cover reads: "Chief Johnny Big Tree today ... and as he looked when he posed for the Indian-head nickel 51 years ago."

Promo material for the early Western talkie "Red Fork Range" (1931)

Big Tree was apparently encouraged by the Hollywood studios to cash in on his image as the Indian on the nickel, whether it was true or not.

Besides circulating a story about how the prolific actor had become known as "Shoot-a-nickel" among production crews, this example of vintage Hollywood hype describes Chief Big Tree as a "heap-good actor" — a characterization the studio probably wouldn't use in today's more PC climate.

Following Big Tree's death in 1967 at age 90, the Franklin Mint issued a "Proof Silver Medal" — not actual U.S. currency — featuring Big Tree's profile along with a mockup of Big Tree's mythical modeling session with the designer of the Indian Head Nickel, sculptor James Earle Fraser.

James Earle Fraser, designer of the Indian Head Nickel, working on Benjamin Franklin

Fraser himself refuted Big Tree's claim of being involved in the nickel, including explaining that the image was a composite. But controversy over the identities of the models for the nickel has never been fully resolved.

Adoeette — aka Big Tree: Kiowa war chief

That's at least in part because Fraser's own recollection "evolved" over the course of his life. By the time the sculptor died in 1953, he had apparently settled on the story that one of the models for the nickel was in fact named "Big Tree" — but it was a different Big Tree, the Kiowa war chief also known as Adoeette.

"The End of the Trail" (James Earle Fraser sculpture, 1915)

A similar controversy surrounded Chief John Big Tree and "The End of the Trail," one of Fraser's best-known sculptures. Big Tree claimed to be the model for the artwork — another claim that is widely regarded as false.

At this point things get a little sketchy for me when it comes to trying to ID the Native American actors in the lobby card. I invite readers to set the record straight if you know who's who, but I'll offer a few of my best guesses.

I think this is Carl Mathews, who plays two roles in "Custer's Last Stand," including that of True Eagle.

"Custer's Last Stand": Carl Mathews as True Eagle

This is what Mathews looks like as True Eagle in a different scene in the serial. Mathews, a prolific actor and stuntman, worked in well over 200 movies in a career spanning 1930-1957.

Mathews, who was said to be one-eighth Cherokee, also appeared in "Custer's Last Stand" as Curley, Gen. Custer's Native American orderly.

Carl Mathews, left, gets under Dennis Moore's skin in "Black Market Rustlers" (1943)

Mathews typically played non-Indian characters, frequently working uncredited, and almost as often as not, appearing in the uncelebrated role of "henchman."

One character I'm sure about is Red Fawn, played by the non-Native American actress Dorothy Gulliver.

Dorothy Gulliver

The beautiful Dorothy Gulliver was a pretty big star in the 1920s and 1930s, including playing the heroine in serials both before and after the arrival of sound. She was once married to Danny DeVito's father, Chester DeVito.

Dorothy Gulliver with Rin Tin Tin in a promo shot for "A Dog of the Regiment" (1927)

Gulliver starred opposite some of the biggest stars of the era — none bigger than Rin Tin Tin. (Click here to read our recent post about Rin Tin Tin's adventures on the Iverson Movie Ranch.)

Dorothy Gulliver puts the heat on Roy D'Arcy in "The Shadow of the Eagle" (1932)

In this lobby card for Mascot's early sound serial "The Shadow of the Eagle," Dorothy demonstrates that empowered female characters aren't an entirely new idea in Hollywood.

The lobby card also features legendary stuntman Yakima Canutt, seen standing next to B-Western workhorse Bud Osborne. Osborne chalked up something like 600 credits over a 50-year career.

John Wayne snuggles with Dorothy Gulliver in "The Shadow of the Eagle"

Gulliver starred opposite John Wayne in "The Shadow of the Eagle." Some of her other leading men around that time were Hoot Gibson, Lon Chaney Jr., Jack Hoxie, Bill Elliott, Rex Lease, Tim McCoy and Red Grange.

Dorothy Gulliver with Kenneth Harlan in "Under Montana Skies" (1930)

Much of Gulliver's work was in Westerns, including Tiffany's early talkie "Under Montana Skies."

Howling Wolf as Sitting Bull in "Custer's Last Stand"

The little-known Native American actor Howling Wolf — no relation to bluesman Howlin' Wolf — plays Sitting Bull in "Custer's Last Stand," but I've been unable to make a positive ID on him in the lobby card.

I think he might be the guy on the right here — I'd be interested in hearing what readers think. The fact that he's shirtless in other shots in the movie is throwing me off.

We're getting into some pretty low-res material here, but the credits for "Custer's Last Stand" also give us a look at another relatively obscure Native American actor, High Eagle, who plays Crazy Horse.

Here again, the costume is different, but my best guess is that this is High Eagle.

Iron Eyes Cody as Brown Fox in "Custer's Last Stand"

Famed actor and Iverson Movie Ranch regular Iron Eyes Cody plays Brown Fox in the movie. IMDb suggests that Iron Eyes is in the lobby card, but I haven't been able to find him — my hunch is he isn't in the shot.

Famous "Crying Indian" anti-pollution ad from the 1970s, featuring Iron Eyes Cody

Readers may be surprised — I know I was — to learn that Iron Eyes Cody, if not the most famous of all "Native American" actors, at least high on the list, was not in fact Native American, but was of Italian heritage.

A lot of question marks remain about the "Custer's Last Stand" lobby card. Maybe blog readers can help fill in some of the missing or incorrect IDs. You should be able to click on the photos to see a larger version.