PIPE SPRING Cultures at a Crossroads: An Administrative History

Movies and Other Filming

From October 18-22, 1976, Golden West Motion Pictures of Salt Lake City filmed the production, "Brigham Young," at Pipe Spring National Monument. The company was very cooperative during their stay and constant supervision of the film and acting crews was maintained. The movie premiered in Salt Lake City in December 1977, receiving excellent reviews from local newspapers. [2237]

In February 1977, the motion picture production specialist for the Utah State Board of Education requested to film portions of a movie on the life of Jacob Hamblin at Pipe Spring. The Board of Education planned to use it as an audio-visual aid in teaching Utah history in its schools, primarily to seventh graders. They expected filming would take about a day and one-half and asked to use a room that would be representative of old Fort Kanab. [2238] The filming was completed in early May.

In August 1977, Schick-Sunn Classic Productions, Inc. of Salt Lake City used the fort in a filming for part of a production for television, "The Last of the Mohicans." The film was shown on a television special that aired on Thanksgiving 1977. The company returned on April 19-20, 1978, to film portions of the "The Donner Party." The film company posted bond of $10,000, which was returned in full on May 4.

While no problems arose during the 1976-1978 filming activity, Superintendent Heyder raised a number of concerns in his Annual Report for 1978:

We feel that this is an area in which training should be provided concerning the do's and don'ts. It is not easy for a small staff to maintain the degree of control required to protect the historic fabric of the historic structures. These companies have large crews; 50 or more is not uncommon. It is extremely difficult for the staff to maintain the degree of supervision required. The Service needs operating guidelines for the actual filming process. [2239]

138. Filming of "Brigham Young" in November 1976
(Photograph by Dale Scheier, Pipe Spring National Monument).

139. Filming of "The Last of the Mohicans" in September 1977
(Photograph by Dale Scheier, Pipe Spring National Monument).