White Pine news. [volume] (East Ely, Nev.) 1920-1923, 1922-11-26
THRILLING SCENES At
BAKER MOVIE COLONY


established near Baker. in this coun-
ty, has about served its purpose and
many of the actors and actresses
have been moved to Los Angeles,
where the final touches will be put
on the great film production.
Director James Cruz recently said
that when the picture is thrown on
the screen it will be so great that 1t
will be hard to believe that all the
events were actually taken before
The camera. He further Gaid that
the cost of the picture had already
exceeded the original estimate by In
round figures half million dollars.
The original estimate of the cost was
4 million and a half dollars. and Il
now appears that the cost will reach
the astounding figure of two million
or more dollars.
Visitors have iourneyed from every
direction to witness the taking of
the picture and on many occasions
have had thrilling experiences.
Perhaps no incident in the taking
Of the great picture was attended
With such excitement as that part
whish was filmed last Sunday while
5ain of covered wagons was en-
gaged in fording the lake. From the
story as told by eve witnesses this
episode will be a show by itself.
The train of wagons. about twenty
i've in number, some drawn by oxen
and some by mules and horses, was
fording the lake and the cowboys
were performing their parts racing
through the water. which was about
at the freezing point. In order to
keep the teams and wagons in line
rope was attached to the wagons and
hy this guide. well concealed from
the camera range. the train was being
conducted across the lake. This
feature had been attempted previ-
ously but without that degree of
success with which Director Cruz
would be content. The exhibition
last Sunday was said TO be perfect
and the wagons. balanced by huge
logs, were being carried across the
lake as the oxen and horses. swim
ming In about twenty feet OF water.
splashed and tugged Manager Cruz
was delighted with the results OBJ
tained. but to make matters better.
after about half a dozen wagons had
been landed safely across the lake
and leaving about twenty more I'm
the water. the rope broke. This left
the wagons still in the water to work
Out their own salvation and soon the
oxen and teams became entangled In
that part of the rope with which they
= listened together. When this
.nriiifng scene reached the danger
point the cry went up to cut the rope.
Had this been done by Warren
kerrigan or some other playing a
prominent part In the picture IL
would have added to the picture 10
an enormous extent. A goodly por-
ton of IL was ruined, however. when
right in front OF the camera rushed
a carpenter clad in his regulation
white uniform. by no means in keep
ing with the rest of the party por-
traylng such an important episode
in the historic days when IL men de-
sired TO join two sticks together they
were Obliged to use their ingenuity
and first make some crude nail and
thereafter perhaps drive II with
rock. The mechanic. not being an
actor. did not realize how 1t would
appear on the screen to see him al
that critical moment cutting and
slashing the rope.
Director Cruz did not advance the
wages of the mechanic for the extra
service rendered and those near
enough to hear what he really said
later adised tho carpenter to jump
in the lake II he happened to see the
director coming. Death by drowning
IS said to be easy and friends no
doubt desired TO see the carpenter
come to as peaceful an end as pos
sible.