User: M-le-mot-dit
File: The Chechahcos (1924).webm
Author: Lewis Hembree Moomaw
Publisher: Alaska Moving Picture Corporation
Year: 1924
PD: PD-US|1980|film=yes
Note: A 1924 American silent adventure drama film about the gold rush days in the Klondike, and the first full-length motion picture filmed entirely in Alaska. It was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the United States Library of Congress.
Cat: Adventure film, Silent film
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00:01
{{ft/s|
{{Center|THE ALASKA MOVING PICTURE<br />
CORPORATION<br />
{{Fine|Austin E. Lathrop, President}}<br />
{{Smaller|PRESENTS}}<br />
{{Xx-larger|"THE CHECHAHCOS"}}<br />
{{Smaller|(The new comers)}}<br />
Made entirely in Alaska<br />
{{Fine|Pathe, Physical Distributor}}}}
}}
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00:14
{{ft/s|
{{Center|Story and Direction by<br />
{{Larger|LEWIS H. MOOMAW}}<br />
Production Mgr. GEORGE ED. LEWIS<br />
Sets and Lighting GUERNEY HAYS<br />
Photographed by<br />
HOBORT BROWNELL and<br />
RAYMOND JOHNSON}}
}}
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00:25
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}} White Dominion—lonely—unfathomable—}}
}}
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00:50
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|G}}laciers are great mountains of ice—impassible—constantly pushing toward the water's edge where tremendous blocks, millions of tons in weight, sluf off with a sickening roar{{Bar|2}}}}
}}
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01:05
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|I}}t was a whisper that echoed {{" '}}round the world" and started an epochal stampede. Fired with the faith of fools, thousands poured madly into the treasure trail.}}
}}
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01:49
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|E}}verything had to be packed. A bank clerk carried his pen, a barber carried his chair, but if you were a boiler maker{{Bar|2}}?}}
}}
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02:25
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}o lengthen this human chain, ill-chosen ships sped northward in 1897 with their cargoes of eager Chechahcos.}}
{{Right|{{Fine|''[Note: "Chechahcos" an Alaskan word meaning tenderfoot.]''}}}}
}}
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03:14
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Stow the family album, Dad, and think about the fortune you're going to take back."}}
}}
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03:41
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{X-larger|{{sup|"}}}}{{Largeinitial|H}}orseshoe" Riley—an old timer around mining camps, who hated two things—women were both of them.}}
{{Right|{{Fine|''… William Dills''}}}}
}}
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03:52
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|B}}ob Dexter{{Bar|2}}An adventure-craving young engineer who was due to have that craving glutted to the limit.}}
{{Right|{{Fine|''… Albert Van Antwerp''}}}}
}}
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04:01
{{ft/i|
{{Center|{{Smaller|BAR}}}}
}}
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04:06
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Them lambs handle a pan like they was mixin' a drink—they'd be lucky to find gold in a mint."}}
}}
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04:18
{{ft/i|
{{Center|{{Cursive|{{Fine|Goto-Dust}}}}}}
}}
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04:30
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I'm goin' to grab a grubstake, teachin' them the {{Nowrap|A. B. C.'s}} of gold pannin'."}}
}}
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05:07
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Sure it's gold—the kind you're goin' through hell for."}}
}}
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05:59
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|M}}rs. Stanlaw and her child had been swept along with the mad fever that had overtaken her husband, a young college professor.}}
{{Right|{{Fine block|''… Miss Eva Gordon''<br />''… Baby Margie''}}}}
}}
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06:33
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"One would think them jays was already millionaires, the way they're spendin' money on them painted
biddies."}}
}}
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06:51
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"—and when there glaciers moved on, they left the gold exposed. It only remains for us to pick up the larger nuggets and return home."}}
}}
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07:15
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Careful, son—they'll all trim you if they get the chance."}}
}}
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07:28
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Would you please tell my husband I'd like to see him."}}
}}
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08:39
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"She's awful. Let's get the professor's wife to sing again."}}
}}
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08:55
{{ft/i|
{{Right|{{Smaller|STEWARD}}}}
}}
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09:13
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|I}}n those frenzied times speed meant more than human life.}}
}}
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09:51
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"She's got all the steam she can stand."}}
}}
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10:25
{{ft/d|
{{Center|♪ {{X-larger|{{sup|"}}}}{{Largeinitial|M}}id pleasures and palaces tho' we may roam—" ♪}}
}}
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10:55
{{ft/d|
{{Center|♪ "—be it ever so humble, there's no place like home." ♪}}
}}
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11:12
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"She's the professor's wife."}}
}}
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11:17
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|R}}ichard Steele was {{Underline|one}} man going North who didn't expect to dig his fortune from the ground.}}
{{Right|{{Fine|''… Alexis B. Luce''}}}}
}}
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11:36
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Come on, old kid, give us a lively tune for a change!"}}
}}
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13:24
{{ft/i|
{{Center|'''S. S. RELIANCE'''}}
}}
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14:39
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I wouldn't be scared if my mama was here."}}
}}
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14:51
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|M}}arine history of that Northern coast is rife with the tales of disastrous wrecks.}}
}}
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15:04
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|B}}ut the survivors all joined the eager army at Chilcoot Pass where they pressed on to a blizzard-beaten crest.}}
}}
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15:35
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}here was only one who would have gladly turned back except for an insistent yearning.}}
}}
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16:10
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"If the young engineer is alive our best chance to find him is at Lake Bennett."}}
}}
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16:32
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|I}}t was not in the gambler's plans to tell Mrs. Stanlaw that her baby was being sheltered in the very camp they were leaving.}}
}}
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17:28
{{ft/i|
{{Center|MAMA}}
}}
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18:05
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Riley, it's kind of nice to be a—a mother."}}
}}
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18:20
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|B}}eing a "mother", however, has its trying moments. Riley was glad little Ruth wasn't "twins".}}
}}
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19:48
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|B}}eaver Camp marked the first lap on the way to the Klondike.}}
}}
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20:16
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"This is Pierre's cabin—we'll stay over here."}}
}}
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21:20
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}} good-night kiss.}}
}}
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22:00
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"How can I ever thank you for your kindness?"}}
}}
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22:06
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"By permitting me to call you—"}}
}}
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22:14
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Margaret."}}
}}
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23:48
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he "Chilcoot" was ruthless—it dared the strong and crushed the weaklings.}}
}}
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24:33
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Got his feet froze up at Beaver{{Bar|2}}and don't know yet they're got to come off."}}
}}
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25:01
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Saw the kid's mother with that gambler Steele, but didn't get a chance to talk to her."}}
}}
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25:36
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Riley, if that mother is on ahead, it's our duty to find her."}}
}}
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25:48
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Maybe so—but it's darn funny she's gallivantin' around with a tin-horn gambler."}}
}}
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25:58
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"We're not sure of that{{Bar|2}}"}}
}}
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26:09
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}}fter "mushing" the trail for eighteen hours.}}
}}
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26:41
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Wait here 'til I find a warm place for the kiddie."}}
}}
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27:47
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Sorry I disturbed you and your lady friend—"}}
}}
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27:57
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Huntin' quarters for the night—reckon I came to the wrong place."}}
}}
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28:17
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"It's too bad we have to travel with that scurvy crowd."}}
}}
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28:53
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Margaret—you need someone to protect you against it all{{Bar|2}}you need me!"}}
}}
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29:06
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|W}}inter made its sullen retreat—the ice in the Yukon moved down to the sea.}}
}}
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29:51
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}}nd the reindeer came up to browse along the warm slopes of Mt. McKinley.}}
{{Right|{{Fine|Note: This is the first filming of Mt. McKinley, highest peak in North America.}}}}
}}
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30:31
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he eager army converged on the shores of Lake Bennet, building crude boats that were to carry them to the "Eldorado of their Dreams".}}
}}
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31:07
{{ft/i|
{{Block center|W6X<br />{{Em}}{{X-larger|{{sc|'''Ruth'''}}}}}}
}}
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31:19
{{ft/i|
{{Center|{{Smaller|KEEP IN A<br />COOL-DRY PLACE}}}}
}}
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31:57
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"She's ready—and some boat, too."}}
}}
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32:04
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Yep! But God help some of them poor devils—they think they're buildin' boats when they're only buildin' coffins."}}
}}
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32:30
{{ft/i|
{{Center|{{Smaller|SALT}}}}
}}
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33:55
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|S}}our-dough bread, bacon, beans, rice and hard-tack was the menu, when you put in your stomach what you packed on your back.}}
}}
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34:14
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I'll give her plenty! Do you want her to grow up to be a midget?"}}
}}
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35:07
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Them beans certainly add a nice flavor to the salt."}}
}}
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35:24
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}}cross the lake and down through the treacherous White Horse Rapids{{Bar|2}}a death trap to many a goldlured Chechahcos.}}
}}
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36:35
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|R}}iley finally did some plain talking to his young partner.}}
}}
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36:44
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"You must be wrong—"}}
}}
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36:50
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Maybe—but I saw a plenty that night at Beaver Camp."}}
}}
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37:12
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"And we've been trailing her like a pair of sapheads when she didn't give a—"}}
}}
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37:38
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|O}}f the many who harkened to that "Whisper" only the few were chosen to reap. With the years the makeshift gold-pan gave way to the hydraulic mining—"{{Underline|Alaska was discovered}}".}}
}}
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38:01
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|D}}exter and Riley had named their mine "The Golden Girl", for the girl more precious to them than all the yellow dust on the Bonanza{{Bar|2}}}}
}}
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38:50
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he dozen years in the open had scarcely changed the partners. But Ruth had grown to sweet young womanhood.}}
}}
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39:43
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Pretty good for a couple of sour-doughs."}}
}}
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39:50
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Heap big talk{{Bar|2}}little do."}}
}}
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40:19
{{ft/s|
{{Block center|{{Largeinitial|R}}uth.
{{Parabr}}
{{Gap}}{{Fine|''… Gladys Johnston''}}}}
}}
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41:21
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he land lay beneath its white coverlet, and the crisp air welcomed its lovers to the open…}}
}}
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42:45
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I'm glad you're back. Bob's inside, frettin' his life away."}}
}}
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43:04
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"The poor calf's been tryin' to tell me all day. Go in an' show him how it's done, child."}}
}}
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43:55
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"No longer your little girl, but your—"}}
}}
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44:19
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"You gettum papoose—me taken care of."}}
}}
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44:26
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|W}}here the creek showed pay dirt a town grew nearby. Such was Mason, nine hours by dog-team from the "Golden Girl Mine".}}
}}
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44:49
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he Dance Hall was a part of a gold-born town—it served both for business and pleasure.}}
}}
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45:04
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|N}}o longer were they Chechahcos, for the breath of the Yukon has transformed them into lonely sour-doughs, eager to taste the wine of happiness.}}
}}
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45:29
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}} man, known as "Cold Steele", had lately acquired the "Miner's Rest".}}
}}
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46:21
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|S}}teele, recognizing Dexter, saw trouble looming.}}
}}
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46:32
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Get these supplies and load the sled."}}
}}
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47:16
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"They call her the 'Nightingale'—she just came in with the new owner."}}
}}
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48:20
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"The drinks are on you, boys."}}
}}
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48:53
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"To the Nightingale!"}}
}}
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49:07
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|D}}ance Hall girls received their pay in percentage checks for inducing men to buy drinks and dances. Ten drunks made it a profitable evening.}}
}}
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49:47
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"You remember me{{Bar|2}}please came where we can talk."}}
}}
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50:06
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|M}}rs. Stanlaw told her story—it was not all pretty—yet there was a tragic note in her recital which troubled Dexter's conscience.}}
}}
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50:21
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I couldn't believe my baby was{{Bar|2}}was drowned—I wanted to stay{{Bar|2}}"}}
}}
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50:31
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"What else was left for me to do?"}}
}}
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50:37
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Just tell me she is alive{{Bar|2}}"}}
}}
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50:55
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"If I told you she was—what then?"}}
}}
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51:04
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Oh, I love my baby—I'd do anything—I'd promise never to see her."}}
}}
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51:21
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"When we learned you were with—him—we told her you were{{Bar|2}}dead."}}
}}
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51:39
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Don't worry—I'm not trying to steal your woman."}}
}}
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51:51
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"So it was you who knifed me on the boat! I've got a hunch that rumpus isn't finished yet!"}}
}}
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52:37
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Pierre ees good hand with dogs—you give me job?"}}
}}
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52:45
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"We'll start soon as the supplies are ready."}}
}}
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53:13
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}} woman of the Dance Halls.}}
}}
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53:19
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|C}}ame a blinding blizzard with the remperature sixty below…}}
}}
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54:44
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"You save my life so I tell you—Meester Steele he hire me to keel you{{Bar|2}}"}}
}}
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54:52
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Tell the skunk I'm coming back to thank him!"}}
}}
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55:41
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Don't worry, Honey—Bob's mushed through worse storms than this."}}
}}
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57:29
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I've got to get warm."}}
}}
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57:34
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Sure—Minnie's bringing enough coal oil to thaw the chill out of an iceberg."}}
}}
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58:24
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}hroughout a long Arctic night, fighting that demon which chills the bone and cooks the flesh—Frost.}}
}}
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59:02
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|W}}ith the morning came relief and the story of the meeting with Ruth's mother.}}
}}
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59:22
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I thought about it out in the snow{{Bar|2}}would she have gone with him if she'd had her child."}}
}}
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1:00:19
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Figurin' from what you've said, Bob, I'm thinkin' we might have made a mistake."}}
}}
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1:00:33
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Maybe I should have investigated more the time I found her with the gambler at Beaver Camp."}}
}}
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1:01:38
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Zee storm et get him jus' same, 'cause I find zee dogs."}}
}}
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1:02:02
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"The next time you muddle things{{Bar|2}}remember!"}}
}}
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1:02:19
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}} cry from the spirit—that hour when man must face the tribunal of conscience.}}
}}
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1:02:46
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"God forgive me, if I've done what ain't right!"}}
}}
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1:03:03
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he Mail Carrier.}}
}}
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1:03:59
{{ft/i|
{{Block center|{{Cursive block|{{Fine block|promise. To Know that<br />
my little Ruth lives<br />
has given me courage.<br />
I am leaving Mason<br />
so that she may<br />
never learn the<br />
fate of<br />
{{Gap}}Her Unhappy Mother.}}}}}}
}}
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1:04:24
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"She's going out to the Sates and says to give these to the girls."}}
}}
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1:05:37
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"So you're going to leave me because you found out about your brat."}}
}}
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1:05:46
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Yes! You cheat! Liar! You've known where she was all these years."}}
}}
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1:06:11
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"—and here's something to tell that engineer{{Bar|2}}you're mine—and going to stay mine!"}}
}}
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1:06:28
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|O}}n a pretext of mining business, Dexter and Riley depart for the town of Mason.}}
}}
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1:08:38
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{X-larger|{{sup|"}}}}{{Largeinitial|T}}he Miner's Rest" claimed the street crowd, for the "Nightingale" was singing her farewell song.}}
}}
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1:09:27
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|I}}t was a mother's call that echoed to the girl—her mother—alive—and then a panic haste to reach her before it was too late.}}
}}
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1:10:59
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"I'll look after her{{Bar|2}}you attend to Steele—"}}
}}
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1:11:57
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}} short cut to the dangerous glacier trail.}}
}}
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1:15:12
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"Me an' my pardner have talked it all over."}}
}}
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1:15:37
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"So you've come back to thank me, eh?"}}
}}
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1:15:43
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Font outline|{{Xxxx-larger|FIRE}}|color=lightgrey}}}}
}}
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1:15:46
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|A}}nd nothing to fight it with but snow!}}
}}
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1:16:08
{{ft/d|
{{Center|"By the time you're well toasted, I'll be out on the Dyea trail."}}
}}
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1:16:41
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|F}}ear hastens Steele's get-away.}}
}}
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1:17:03
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|D}}exter rushes for his dogs.}}
}}
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1:17:18
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|T}}he first flush of Dawn found Dexter hanging grimly to Steele's trail, determined to bring him to justice.}}
}}
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1:18:35
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|L}}ost{{Bar|2}}dazed{{Bar|2}}unaware of the danger in venturing onto the glacier.}}
}}
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1:22:07
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|S}}teele makes for the glacier edge where he believes Dexter will fear to follow.}}
}}
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1:23:30
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Largeinitial|C}}rashing, crumpling, roaring—an ever moving mass of ice.}}
}}
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1:26:50
{{ft/s|
{{Center|{{Xxx-larger|''The End''}}<br />
{{Fine|Alaska Moving Pictures Corporation}}<br />
{{Smaller|Anchorage, Alaska}}}}
}}
