The Lehi sun. [volume] (Lehi, Utah) 1913-1949, 1922-02-02

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The first OF these historical ger
inis viii narrate the adventures and
struggles OF John G. Fremont, soldier
and explorer, whose excursions across
The Rocky Mountains and into the
West beyond form one OF the brightest
pages Of American history. Particu-
lar care has been taken to cast in the
leading role person whose appear
ance ut him to portray so distinguish.
ed and important character. Art
Accord, winner or the worlds rodeo
championship, an experienced plains
man and typical OF the true pioneer
has been chosen to enact tho leading
part in this new departure in "ser.
ials"
| Carl Laemmle, president OF the
company which Is responsible for the
innovation, feels that the presentation
I u important national heroes on the
screen Will bring about valuable
sense OF cooperation between the
screen and the school. A chIld's dis
inclination to study will disappear
when he has his lessons served TO him
In the form OF entertainment. He
says:
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cause II realizes that youth must be
served. Youngsters crave action and
| adventure In story and on screen.
What could be more fitting to give
them screen entertainment based upon
historical incidents and woven around
characters they are taught to respect
and admire?
I'm our forthcoming serial Win
ners OF the West we have chosen
John C. Fremont as the first OF this
'llustrious band to be immortalized
/ on the heels of Fremont's trail
Accord serial recounts the adventure
Of band OF hardy pioneers, travel
ing across the plains and through the
Rockies In their prairie-schooner
on the heels OF Fremont's trail.
breakers.
| Included In the serials are all the
picturesque activities OF the Forty
miners during the gold-rush period
and all the stirring adventures of the
Indian-infested wilds. We are TAX
ing every precaution TO assure the
authenticity and accuracy OF every
incident narrated In this production.
Costumes will be right the settings
will be accurate, and we shall sacri-
fee none OF the picturesque glamor
Of the Roaring Forties to any con.
ventional motion picture technique.
1.-THE preparation OF the script has
been entrusted to Ford Beebe, one of
our most dramatic scenario writers
and himself descendant OF one OF the
original 'Forty-niners who did so
much to furnish the pages of our his
tory with one OF its most glorious
episodes We shall endeavor to select
a cast that shall be. especially suited
to the roles wherein they. are cast--it
Is not enough to merely say, This
character Is Fremont. that one is Kit
Carson, etc. the actor must look like
the original person to the last detail
Mr.. Beebe has spent several
months consulting reference volumes
dealing with the characters and ex-
ploits to be screened. Some OF the
more important historical works to
which he has had recourse are The
life OF Kit Carson by Anderson, Ger
trude Atherton's The History OF the
} Lewis and Clarke Expidltion,' The
Santa Fe Trail by Hayes. John c.
Fremonts Memoirs OF My Life FL
bridges The Beginning OF San Fran
CISCO Brady's The Conquest OF the
Southwest and The Old Santa Fe
Trail by Inman.
There has been certain hest
fancy on the part OF motion picture
producers to make costume pictures
because II was feared such produc-
) tions were doomed to failure by the
} public's lack OF interest in semi-his-
torical subjects. That this theory was
a fallacy ~ been proven by the popu.
,arity of certain foreign films OF
historical nature. The one objection
to these films was that they we're In
many instances propaganda.
THE substitution of pictures por-
traying some OF the picturesque fig.
ures and more striking and significant
episodes In American history should
certainly be welcomed by those among
ms who are eager to foster a spirit OF
patriotism In our children. Incident
ally as we are going 20 handle them
properly, these pictures should prove
an effective agency in the interest OF
Americanlzation.
"The names OF John G. Fremont,
Daniel Boone, Israel Putnam, Marion
the Swamp Fox, Paul Revere. Ethan
Allen. Nathan Hale. Kit Carson--to
mention only few OF the conspicuous
figures OF our early days-certalnly
suggest the daring deeds OF fine spirits
which are suitable for reflection on
The screen; and Washington, Franklin
and Alexander Hamilton not less def
nitely offer themselves as heroes for
treatment In moving pictures which
would amply supply the interest
aroused by the clash OF high purpose
and intellect against opposing will and
circumstances
Few persons realize the appeal
motion pictures have for children. II
Is estimated that the public which
patrcnizes serials Is made up mostly
OF children-9O per cent Is the ap.
proximate figure. We recognize that
The tastes and requirements OF chill
dren should be considered constantly
during the production OF serial
1T Is with this nurpose before us