The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-06-08

POLI'S

AS far back as Hollywood can re-
member, the dramatic and colorful
Figure Of Americas greatest from
.tlersman hero, Buffalo Bill" and
the thrilling story of his action
packed life, have stood as a tantaliz-
ing challenge to the movie makers.
For here was a theme that called
for spectacular scope and production
daring such as no studio could yet
presume to attempt. But today,
the word out Of Hollywood is that
"Buffalo Bill" at long last, been
brought to the screen by the pro-
ducers Of the unforgettable hits,
"Jesse James" and Western Union"
.. goth Century-Fox and with
all the bigness, sweep action and
Technicolor that marks it the
nightiest thrill spectacle and adj
venture picture ever filmed. STAR
ring Joel McCrea, Maureen O'Iara
and Linda Darnell, the picture.
which was directed by William A.
Wellman, is scheduled to open to-
morrow at the Loew's Poll theater.
With the filming Of Buffalo Bill"
in technicilor, Harry A. Sherman,
dean of producers of western pic
lures, realized a dream Of many
years. He's made films all over
the Far West, and long before color
was commercially practicable, he
used to complain to associates that
black and white was consistent
libel on his beloved terrain. IT.
was not until Buffalo Bill" that he
was able to do anything about 1t.
With his vast knowledge of the
West, Sherman chose the century
around Kanab, Utah, as the section
An which technicolor values are the
highest. Included in this area
are Zion, Bryce and Grand Canyon
National Parks. 1t Is largely a sand
stone country which weather and
subterranean upheavals have trans
formed into a verittable melange Of
color. But despite natures gen.
erous bounty, a Goth Century-FoX
construction crew still had plenty
Of work. They had to build fort
and agroup Of pioneer homes in
Johnson's Canyon against the tow
ering vermilioin cliffs. An Indian
village was erected in one part Of
Paria just above the old town
there. With the assistance of r.
q. Redden of the Utah State En-
gineers Department, three dams
were rebuilt, replacing those made
ineffective by a rush Of water which
brought seven feet Of silt down and
filled the small lakes the dams had
created. At the Grow Reservation,
13 miles east of Hardin, Montana,
10th CenturylFox scouts located the
annual Sun Dance-a marathon
which lasts 70 hours without food
or water-and which Is ritual with
the tribes. Thousands of Indians
from all over the United States and
Canada gathered for the event
Though long pow-wows with the
Crows and numerous Indian agents
the studio obtained permission to
on the reservation every
thing that was needed for the auth
enticity Of the picture. Nothing was
especially staged The spectacle
lar buffalo hunt audiences will see
on tl9e screen is the Crows annual
hunt by which they provide meats
for their winter needs. White men
were permitted to participate for
the first time. Joel McCrea, APP
pears in the title role of the film;
Maureen O'Hara Is seen as Louisa
Cody" and Linda Darnell as Dawn
Starlight" The brilliant featured
cast. headed by Thomas Mitchell
Edgar Buchanan and Anthony
Quinn, includes Moroni Olsen, Frank
Fenton, Matt Briggs, George Lesey
and Frank Orth.
The second great hit on this big
program Is "Jamboree" featuring
Ruth Terry and George Byron.
Ends tonight. ANDY Hardy's
Blonde Trouble" with Mickey
Rooney and Lewis Stone, plus sec
ond big hit Bermuda Mystery" with
Preston Foster and Ann Rutherford