Tombstone Arizona Helldorado Days Home Movie Ok Corral Gunfight Gm 15194 (1934)

Synopsis

This silent home movie from the collection of George Mihal has portions that appear to date to 1934-35, and some parts that appear to be from as early as 1929 (dates based on Kodak edge codes) and was shot by someone named "PJ" who chronicled his trip Out West. The film begins with images of an Indian cliff dwelling, likely at Tonto National Monument in Arizona near Payson. At:35 the film moves to Tombstone, Arizona, where the annual "Helldorado Days" festivities are underway. According to George Mihal, who rescued and preserved this film, it features several important personalities. First is John Philip Clum, the first mayor of Tombstone and founder of The Tombstone Epitaph newspaper. Also present is William Billy Breckenridge who served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff John Behan. Various members of the San Carlos Apache tribe are also visible. At 1:13, early Kodachrome color footage shows other members of the tribe including one in close up (1:22). At 1:26 the Crystal Palace in Tombstone is shown as a parade winds along Fremont Street. A stagecoach, Civil War soldiers and cowboys on horseback are shown along with a parade of covered wagons. At 3:05 a re-enactor draws his gun while at 3:06 crowds thrill to a mock stagecoach hold-up. At 3:44 a banner proclaims "Helldorado". This is followed by a gunfight at 3:50 which appears to be a re-enactment of the famous OK Corral gun battle. At 4;22 the Birdcage Theater is shown. At 4:40 are sweeping vistas of Southern Arizona desert…

Uploader's description on archive.org

Details

Running time

9 minutes

Collection

Ephemeral Films

Subjects on the Internet Archive

• Stock Footage