| ~The Covered Wagon~ 1923 |
| ~Paramount Pictures Herald~ |
"The Covered Wagon," is the greatest achievement in motion picture history. Nothing was spared in
the making of it, for Paramount had, from the beginning, full confidence it would be the greatest
popular attraction ever offered to the American people.
Several hundred mounted men actually risked their lived in the buffalo hunt, which is absolutely
genuine from the start to finish.
Adapted by Jack Cunningham from the famous novel by Emerson Hough.
The scenes in which the 300 Wagons ford a mile-wide rushing torrent were made at great risk, for
men and horses actually had to swim for their lives.
Nine square miles of wast territory were burned up for the prairie fire scene. You will see men,
woman and horses menaced by the devouring flames, fleeing for their lives. You will see thrilling
rescues in the very midst of a roaring fire. Nothing so big was ever attempted before in motion
picture history, and probably never will be again.
The attack of a thousand Indians on the two-mile wagon train is one of the greatest thrills ever
staged. These Indians were brought from reservations hundreds of miles away to appear in this
episode.
To make "Covered Wagon," 3000 actors spent three months on a location 80 miles from a railroad.
They endured floods, blizzards, zero temperatures, and sometimes lack of food. A thousand Indians
were used, and the live stock included 600 oxen, 1000 horses and 540 mules.
Providing a new standard for comparison, "The Covered Wagon" is an astounding romance of the
days when the star of empire gleamed beacon-like in the Western sky and when brave men and
women risked their lives fearlessly in their efforts to build up a mighty nation.
"The Covered Wagon" tells a love story of great sweetness.
Every character in "The Covered Wagon" is a real human being. Each represents the pride of
American manhood and womanhood of pre-gold discovery days in California. Some were bad,
others indifferent, but the majority are of noble texture, staunch and true. It is these human
qualities which make the story of this tremendous production appealing and wonderfully effective
as screen entertainment.
"The Covered Wagon" will enthrall every spectator. It is one of those pictures every American ought
to see, and will see. It is a photoplay which serves a double purpose. It pleases both the eye and
mind. It is a screen masterpiece.
"The Covered Wagon" is the Grand Canyon of motion pictures. Every turn of the wheel provides a
new and breathless thrill. Through every scene romance races with hurricane swiftness. It is the
greatest screen adventure motion picture devotees hitherto have experienced or will enjoy within
the coming decade.
the making of it, for Paramount had, from the beginning, full confidence it would be the greatest
popular attraction ever offered to the American people.
Several hundred mounted men actually risked their lived in the buffalo hunt, which is absolutely
genuine from the start to finish.
Adapted by Jack Cunningham from the famous novel by Emerson Hough.
The scenes in which the 300 Wagons ford a mile-wide rushing torrent were made at great risk, for
men and horses actually had to swim for their lives.
Nine square miles of wast territory were burned up for the prairie fire scene. You will see men,
woman and horses menaced by the devouring flames, fleeing for their lives. You will see thrilling
rescues in the very midst of a roaring fire. Nothing so big was ever attempted before in motion
picture history, and probably never will be again.
The attack of a thousand Indians on the two-mile wagon train is one of the greatest thrills ever
staged. These Indians were brought from reservations hundreds of miles away to appear in this
episode.
To make "Covered Wagon," 3000 actors spent three months on a location 80 miles from a railroad.
They endured floods, blizzards, zero temperatures, and sometimes lack of food. A thousand Indians
were used, and the live stock included 600 oxen, 1000 horses and 540 mules.
Providing a new standard for comparison, "The Covered Wagon" is an astounding romance of the
days when the star of empire gleamed beacon-like in the Western sky and when brave men and
women risked their lives fearlessly in their efforts to build up a mighty nation.
"The Covered Wagon" tells a love story of great sweetness.
Every character in "The Covered Wagon" is a real human being. Each represents the pride of
American manhood and womanhood of pre-gold discovery days in California. Some were bad,
others indifferent, but the majority are of noble texture, staunch and true. It is these human
qualities which make the story of this tremendous production appealing and wonderfully effective
as screen entertainment.
"The Covered Wagon" will enthrall every spectator. It is one of those pictures every American ought
to see, and will see. It is a photoplay which serves a double purpose. It pleases both the eye and
mind. It is a screen masterpiece.
"The Covered Wagon" is the Grand Canyon of motion pictures. Every turn of the wheel provides a
new and breathless thrill. Through every scene romance races with hurricane swiftness. It is the
greatest screen adventure motion picture devotees hitherto have experienced or will enjoy within
the coming decade.
| Directed by: James Cruze Written by: Jack Cunningham - adaptation Based on the novel The Covered Wagon by Emerson Hough (New York, 1922). |
| ~Cast~ J. Warren Kerrigan ... Will Banion Lois Wilson ... Molly Wingate Alan Hale ... Sam Woodhull Ernest Torrence ... William Jackson Tully Marshall ... Jim Bridger Ethel Wales ... Mrs. Wingate Charles Ogle ... Jesse Wingate Guy Oliver ... Kit Carson Johnny Fox ... Jed Wingate James Cruze ... Indian (scenes deleted) Frank Albertson ... Bit (uncredited) Constance Wilson ... Extra (uncredited) |
| ~Remaining Credits~ Production Companies: Famous Players-Lasky Corporation Paramount Pictures Released by: Paramount Pictures Produced by: Jesse L. Lasky Cinematography by: Karl Brown Film Editing by: Dorothy Arzner Costume Design by: Howard Greer Props: Delmer Daves Stunts: Spike Spackman Stunt Double for Mr. Kerrigan: Jack Padjan Still Photographer: Edwin W. Willat Assistant Camera: Irvin Willat Length: 10 Reels Runtime: 105 Minutes Released: September 8, 1924 |
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| ~Plot Synopsis~ |
Two wagon trains--one led by Wingate, the other by Will Banion (J. Warren Kerrigan)--in 1848
travel from Westport Landing (Kansas City) over the Oregon Trail to California and Oregon. Their
major adventures include the crossing of the Platte River, an Indian attack, and a prairie fire. The
narrative revolves around Will Banion and Wingate's daughter, Molly (Lois Wilson). Her scoundrel
fiancée, Sam Woodhull (Alan Hale), works constantly to discredit Banion, with the eventual result
that Banion and his wagons are banished from the train and follow the lure of gold to California.
Molly learns the truth through Kit Carson (Guy Oliver) and Bridger (Tully Marshall) and sends
Jackson (Ernest Torrence) for Banion. They are married after Jackson saves Banion from being
murdered by Woodhull.
Plot Synopsis from afi.com
travel from Westport Landing (Kansas City) over the Oregon Trail to California and Oregon. Their
major adventures include the crossing of the Platte River, an Indian attack, and a prairie fire. The
narrative revolves around Will Banion and Wingate's daughter, Molly (Lois Wilson). Her scoundrel
fiancée, Sam Woodhull (Alan Hale), works constantly to discredit Banion, with the eventual result
that Banion and his wagons are banished from the train and follow the lure of gold to California.
Molly learns the truth through Kit Carson (Guy Oliver) and Bridger (Tully Marshall) and sends
Jackson (Ernest Torrence) for Banion. They are married after Jackson saves Banion from being
murdered by Woodhull.
Plot Synopsis from afi.com
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