A full-fledged moving picture industry will be established in the Rogue River Valley this year, according to an announcement Saturday by Robert L. Lippert, producer and theater owner and operator. Speaking before a small group of Medford business and professional men at a luncheon gathering at the Hotel Medford, Lippert announced the plans of Screen Guild Productions to film the first of a series of outdoor pictures here early in August. "The Last of the Wild Horses" will be the initial production.
    Screen Guild Productions is a portion of the operations of Affiliated Theater Service company, embracing 61 theaters of the Redwood Circuit and Robert L. Lippert Theaters. Associated with Mr. Lippert in the expanded organization is George Mann, owner and operator of Redwood Theaters.
    With Lippert and Mann in the group here Saturday were J. Earl Henning, Charles J. Maestri, L. L. Lamb, T. F. Woods, James Chapman, Dan Pavich, Harry Spaulding, Joseph Manniachi, Dave Peterson and Harry Langman. Matt Freed, of this city, manager of the Oregon-California theaters which are part of the Affiliated Theater Service company, introduced Lippert and Mann at the Saturday luncheon.
     In his brief announcement of the company's decision to enter the Southern Oregon field for motion picture production, with Medford as the hub of operations, Lippert pointed out that 175 of the industry's annual output of 430 pictures were of outdoor type. Southern California scenery has been used so much for so many years that new locale is being sought, and this area offers fresh new background so eagerly sought by theatergoers. Other producers are expected to follow the lead of Screen Guild Productions in entering the Southern Oregon field.
    Projected plans of the Lippert-Mann interests will include the building of appropriate western "sets'' and sound stage near this city. Technicians and key members of casts will be flown to Medford from Hollywood, and extras will be recruited from residents of this valley. The economic importance of the new industry to this area and payrolls provided local citizens will be substantial.
    One important reason for entering this new area for picture production is the increasing activity of aircraft in Southern California, Mr. Lippert told the local group. Sensitive microphones quickly pick up the sound of planes and cause delays up to 20 percent in making pictures, an important financial factor when motion picture companies are on location.
    The importance of the new motion picture industry from the standpoint of Southern Oregon advertising was pointed out. Community assistance in securing materials and help needed in making pictures here was sought. The cooperation was assured by Medford representatives, recognizing the value of the new industry and the fact that other states are making a strong bid for recognition in Hollywood. Decentralization of the Southern California industry is also indicated as an economy move, necessitated by restricted foreign markets for picture output.
    George Mann, now associated with Lippert, resided in this city in 1910 and recalled his early days in this community. Combination of the Robert L. Lippert and Redwood Circuit theaters' 61 show houses offer advantages in buying power which will be reflected in finer service to theaters in all communities served by the new Affiliated Theater Service Company, Mann reminded the group attending the Saturday luncheon.
Medford Mail Tribune, July 11, 1948, page 1


    MEDFORD, July 13.--(Special)--Screen Guild Productions will establish a full-fledged moving picture industry in the Rogue River Valley this year, Robert L. Lippert, producer and owner and operator of the Lippert theater chain which operates four Medford theaters, said Saturday.
    Lippert, making the announcement to a group of business and professional men at a luncheon, stated the firm would film the first of a series of outdoor pictures here early in August. "The Last of the Wild Horses" will be the initial production.
    Screen Guild Productions is a part of Affiliated Theater Service Company, embracing 61 theaters of the Redwood Circuit and Robert L. Lippert theaters. George Mann, owner and operator of the Redwood Theaters, is associated with Lippert in the expanded enterprise.
    Medford will be the hub of the new operation. Lippert reported that 175 of the industry's annual output of 430 pictures were of outdoor type. Southern California scenery has been used predominantly for so many years that new locale is sought to offer fresh new background eagerly desired by movie-goers. He said other producers are expected to enter the Southern Oregon field.
    Plans of the Lippert-Mann interest include building of appropriate western sets and sound stage near Medford. Technicians and key members of casts will be flown here from Hollywood, and extras are to be     recruited from this area.
    Lippert told the group that increased activity of aircraft in Southern California is an important reason for bringing the outdoor picture production industry here. Sensitive microphones, he stated, quickly pick up the sound of planes, causing delays up to 20 percent in making films, an important financial factor when companies are on location.
    The economic importance of the new industry to this area and payrolls to local residents will be substantial, it was pointed out.
Oregonian, Portland, July 14, 1948, page 19


    The John Day, Walter Leverette and Jim Town ranches will provide settings for the filming of the motion picture "The Last of the Wild Horses," which will be done here by Crestwood Pictures. Announcement of plans for the forthcoming picture were made today by Willard Sheldon, assistant director, who has been working for several days with Matt Freed, local theater manager, lining up details.
    Cooperation of the Jackson County Mounted Sheriff's Posse, the Lions Club and residents of Jacksonville and the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce has been very gratifying, according to Sheldon, who said Jacksonville will also be used as location for some of the scenes.
    The Jacksonville Lions Club is sponsoring a queen contest in connection with the Gold Rush Jubilee to be held there on September 4, and the girl selected as queen will be given a screen test with the leading man of the "Last of the Wild Horses" cast. The test will be shown in local theaters as well as being sent to Hollywood for judging by studio officials.
    "The Last of the Wild Horses" is being filmed here as the possible first step in the previously announced plan of Robert L. Lippert and associates to establish permanent studios in the Medford vicinity, where outdoors-type pictures will be made in considerable number. The future plans are expected to hinge somewhat on success of the first effort.
    In addition to the "Wild Horse" film, the camera crew and technicians will make a short showing of the Jackson County Mounted Posse in drill formations and other activities.
    Local people will be used to some extent in the "horse" opus, and anyone interested in applying for roles may gain information at the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1948, page 1


    Jacksonville, Aug. 3.--In connection with the Jacksonville Jubilee celebration being sponsored by the Jacksonville Lions' Club, September 4, the club is also sponsoring a popularity contest for selection of a queen to preside over the day's festivities.
    Fred Edens, publicity chairman, states that the contestants will be judged on popularity only, to be determined by the number of votes received.
    Organizations, business houses, groups or individuals may sponsor a queen. Candidates will be furnished cards, which will soon be available, and the votes will be determined by the number of cards sold by the contestants, their sponsors or anyone selling for a particular contestant. Vote cards will be obtainable at the G. A. Kimball real estate office here. Announcement of their availability will be made soon, and candidates or their sponsors will be responsible for obtaining the vote cards as well as return of the votes to the Kimball office.
    Closing date of the contest will be August 21, and announcement of the Jubilee queen will be made as soon thereafter as tabulation of votes is made.
    There is no age limit for the contestants, and candidates may be married or single. Contestants need not be residents of Jacksonville.
    The winner will be given a screen test by the Crestwood Pictures of Screen Guild Productions from Hollywood. The test is expected to take place about August 23. The film will be flown to Hollywood for developing and returned in time for showing at one of the Medford theaters in time for the jubilee.
    The screen test will consist of a short skit, and the Jubilee queen will be leading lady. As yet selection of the leading man has not been made. Arrangements for the test were made through cooperation of Willard Sheldon, assistant director for Crestwood Pictures.
    Executives of the picture company state that filming of their production, "Last of the Wild Horses," which will be made in Jacksonville and other parts of this vicinity, will begin about August 23, when leading members of the cast and other principals of the company will arrive by plane. Local talent for short parts in the picture as well as extra work will be used.
    Anyone interested in entering the Jubilee queen contest may call G. A. Kimball, at Jacksonville 191.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 3, 1948, page 12


    MEDFORD, Aug. 5.--(Special)--John Day, Walter Leverette and Jim Town ranches in the Medford vicinity are to provide settings for Crestwood Pictures' filming of the movie, "The Last of the Wild Horses," according to Willard Sheldon, assistant director.
    The town of Jacksonville will also be location for some of the scenes.
    Filming of the picture is an initial step in previously announced plans of Robert L. Lippert and associates to establish permanent studios in the Medford area, where outdoor pictures will be made in considerable number. Future plans are expected to hinge on the success of the first effort, Sheldon indicated.
    Crestwood will also film a short of the Jackson County Sheriff's Mounted Posse. Local people will be used to some extent in "The Last of the Wild Horses." Persons interested are asked to inquire at the Jackson County chamber of commerce.
    Winner of a queen contest sponsored by the Jacksonville Lions Club in connection with its Gold Rush Jubilee on September 4 will be given a screen test. The popularity contest closes August 21. Crestwood is slated to begin work on its production about August 23, with the screen test to be given about that time, the Lions have been informed.
    Vote cards will be sold by contestants and their sponsors. There is no age limit. Candidates may be married or single and need not reside in Jacksonville.
    Crestwood Pictures is a subsidiary of Screen Guild Productions.
Oregonian, Portland, August 6, 1948, page 22


    The list of applicants for extra parts in the film "The Last of the Wild Horses" has been checked by officials of Crestwood Productions, and the company will contact those in whom they are interested, according to Willard Sheldon, assistant director.
    Riders in the picture will be furnished by the Jackson County Sheriff's Posse, Sheldon said. When the company is at work in Jacksonville, only Jacksonville residents will be used as extras. An announcement of the dates for shooting in Jacksonville will be made later for the benefit of those interested in volunteering their services as extras or riders. Anyone appearing in the picture will be required to wear period costumes, Sheldon said.
    Henry Fellers of Medford has been chosen to play the role of the judge in scenes taken in the old Jackson county courthouse in Jacksonville.
    Incomplete casting has placed James Ellison and Mary Beth Hughes in the leading roles for the picture. Miss Hughes is currently appearing in "The Return of Wildfire" at a local theater. The pair will be supported by Olin Howlin, William Haade, Rory Mallinson, Douglass Dumbrille and Grady Sutton, all of Hollywood.
    The company will arrive in Medford by air Monday and will start work on location Tuesday at the John Day ranch. They will also work at the Jim Town ranch, Walter Leverette's Table Top ranch and at Jacksonville. The Harry Furch ranch is also being considered as a possibility.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 13, 1948, page 5


    Members of the cast and officials of Screen Guild arrived from Hollywood yesterday and today by air to begin work on "The Last of the Wild Horses," a moving picture to be produced in the valley by Screen Guild Productions.
    Arriving yesterday were Robert L. Lippert, president of the company, and James Ellison and Mary Beth Hughes, who will play the leading roles in the picture. Also arriving were Carl Hittleman, director, J. Earl Henning, a Screen Guild official, and other cast members.
    The group is preparing for location work, which will start tomorrow on ranches in this area, including those of John Day, Jim Town and Walter Leverette.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 16, 1948, page 1


    Movie actress Mary Beth Hughes, who arrived in Medford from Hollywood Monday with officials and actors of the Screen Guild Productions, was confined to Sacred Heart Hospital this morning suffering from what her physician termed a hip contusion.
    Miss Hughes received the injury this morning when she fell from a horse while on location for the movie, "The Last of the Wild Horses," at the Furch ranch near Hilt, Calif., it was reported. She was accompanied to Medford by her husband, radio singer David Street, local movie officials reported.
    The actress will be incapacitated for one or two days, the physician said.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 18, 1948, page 1


    Developments of the moving picture activities of Screen Guild Productions now under way in the Rogue River Valley and a general discussion of the industry itself were presented at a luncheon meeting of the Medford Rotary club Tuesday by Matt Freed.
    The manager of the Lippert theaters in this area spoke at the Hotel Medford, pointing out the detailed preparations necessary for the actual "shooting" of a picture. Members of the Hollywood company are now at work on the John Day ranch, north of this city.
    Freed spoke of the popular conception of Hollywood, where many believe that everyone is fabulously wealthy, and the "intemperance of action" in that over-publicized city has affected the public relations of the motion picture business. There is actually much effort put forth by the Hollywood industry, and the normal, happy lives of the vast majority of those identified with pictures is not generally publicized, he said.
    The task of booking pictures on the part of exhibitors and the tremendous job of getting films to each one of the thousands of theaters and drive-in theaters throughout the United States on the right dates, so that audiences will not be disappointed, was outlined. In exchange for the 40-cent average theater ticket in the nation, those who attend theaters get an average of 3.4 hours of entertainment, he stated.
    This "bargain'' was compared with other entertainment and the advancing cost of many other commodities, Freed said. Of the box office dollar more than 26 percent goes to film rentals, 20 percent to taxes and the balance covers extra attractions, other taxes and insurance, lighting, heating, advertising, real estate depreciation, salaries, etc. That leaves a comparatively slim margin for the profit in picture exhibiting, Freed pointed out.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 18, 1948, page 5


    Robert L. Lippert's Screen Guild Productions company will make it possible for large numbers of qualified horsemen to appear in the film, "The Last of the Wild Horses," currently being filmed in the Medford area, according to an announcement today by Matt Freed, manager of the Lippert theaters in this vicinity.
    The climactic scene of the picture is to be filmed Sunday, Freed said, and this will furnish an opportunity for interested persons to crash the films. Two hundred men with their horses will be needed for the shots. They should be clad in Levi's and plaid shirts, typical ranch attire. Freed said that flashy western apparel would be out of period and should not be worn.
    Horsemen who are interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to appear in Medford's own picture are urged to call Miss Yolanda Molinari, casting director for the picture, between 10 a.m. and 12 noon Saturday at the Medford Hotel, 2151.
    Those who volunteer must be at the junction of Crater Lake Highway and the Gold Hill cutoff, 16 miles north of Medford, at 8 a.m. Sunday. Shooting will begin at 9 a.m.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 20, 1948, page 1


    Plans to film the principal scene of the movie "The Last of the Wild Horses" today have been changed, according to an announcement Saturday by officials of Screen Guild Productions.
    The scene would require the use of 200 horsemen, and the plans previously made for today conflicted with the Ashland horse show and rodeo.
    Present plans call for the filming of the big scene a week from today, August 29. Horsemen interested in performing in the movie are asked to call Miss Yolanda Molinari at the Hotel Medford, 2151.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 22, 1948, page 1


    The filming of the "Last of the Wild Horses" by Screen Guild Productions is proceeding according to schedule, officials announced Friday.
    Work on location at the Furch ranch near Hilt has been completed, as well as work on the John Day ranch. The company is now at work at the Vera Martin Sierra Manor ranch above Shady Cove.
    One of the leading ladies of the film, Mary Beth Hughes, who was injured Wednesday when her horse fell from under her, is expected to be back at work within a few days. Besides Miss Hughes, the leading roles in the film are being played by Jane Frazee and James Ellison. Among the local people who have been given parts are Jack James, Medford, and Fred Edens and G. A. Kimball, Jacksonville.
    Members of the company said they have been well pleased with the locations they have used here. They said the scenery and cloud effects that have been recorded on film thus far have attracted favorable attention in Hollywood.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 22, 1948, page 11


    Elaborate preparations are being made in Jacksonville this week to accommodate the hosts of actors, directors, technicians, extras and spectators who will invade the town Thursday when Screen Guild Productions starts to film scenes there for the western movie, "The Last of the Wild Horses."
    Mayor Albert Hackert and other city officials announced that Jacksonville streets are being made ready for the cameramen.
    Screen Guild officials said today that anyone who is interested may take part in the scenes as extras. Men are asked to wear blue jeans and western-style hats and shirts. Women should be costumed in long, old-fashioned dresses.
    Anyone with horses and wagons is asked to bring them to Jacksonville for the shooting Thursday. The Jacksonville P.-T.A. announced that it is preparing to serve lunch in the school cafeteria to everyone participating in the picture.
    L. C. Taylor, Medford, has consented to play the part of the banker in the Jacksonville scenes, according to Miss Yolanda Molinari, casting director for the picture.
    The company is now on location at the Leverette ranch and Sunday plans call for the filming of the picture's climactic scene 16 miles north of Medford where the Crater Lake Highway meets the Gold Hill cutoff. Two hundred horsemen are needed for the shots, Miss Molinari announced, and she will accept volunteers who call her at the Medford Hotel, 2151.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 24, 1948, page 8


    MEDFORD, Aug. 24.--(Special)--Rogue Valley scenery and cloud effects filmed thus far during production of the motion picture "The Last of the Wild Horses" have attracted favorable attention in Hollywood, according to Screen Guild Production officials.
    Crestwood Pictures, filming the movie for distribution by Screen Guild, has finished work on the John Day ranch, it was reported. The company was at work last weekend at Sierra Manor ranch near Shady Cove.
    Mary Beth Hughes, one of the stars of the film, injured when her horse fell at Hilt, Cal., last week, is expected to be back at work in a few days. Jane Frazee and James Ellison are other leading cast members.
    The company has called for 200 horsemen of this vicinity to ride in a climactic scene to be filmed Sunday, August 29.
Oregonian, Portland, August 25, 1948, page 19




    From 100 to 150 men and women are needed for the court room scene at Jacksonville tomorrow morning, Crestwood Pictures of Hollywood, who are filming "Last of the Wild Horses" in that community, said today. Shooting will start about 8:30.
    Those who do not have the proper costume will be outfitted with clothing from the studio's wardrobe. Everyone appearing at the old court house (grange hall) probably will get in the court scene, it was stated here. Spectators and jury people are needed.
    Miss Yolanda Molinari, casting director, reminded qualified horsemen of this vicinity that 200 horses and men are needed for filming of the climactic scene Sunday. Those who volunteer must be at the junction of Crater Lake highway and the Gold Hill cutoff, 16 miles north of Medford, at 8 a.m. Sunday with their horses. They should be clad in levis and plaid shirts.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 27, 1948, page 1


    Eagle Point--Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Gibson and daughter Doreen were guests of James Ellison for dinner Thursday evening at Hotel Medford. Following dinner the group, with Mr. and Mrs. Sam Kiems, enjoyed "rushes" of the moving picture, "The Last of the Wild Horses," in which Mr. Ellison plays the starring role.
    Mr. Gibson and the movie star were associated in business in Southern California during the war.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 29, 1948, page 6


    Jubilee Queen Barbara Taylor received her screen test Saturday in the court room of the old Jackson County courthouse in Jacksonville. The old courtroom was the scene of a mock trial, reminiscent of its last real trial, that of the DeAutremont brothers 22 years ago.
    After the trial and jury scenes for the movie "Last of the Wild Horses," Miss Taylor appeared dressed in a pink eyelet gown from the movie wardrobe. Around her neck was the gold nugget necklace recently presented by the Bob Lee Radio and Electric store.
    Dave Sadler of Crestwood Pictures was makeup man. Dave said, "It's easy with a subject like Barbara." Miss Taylor was "shot" in a scene with Jimmie Ellison, leading man of the movie.
    Following this scene, an unrehearsed interview between Mr. Ellison and Miss Taylor was recorded by camera and microphone. Many of her friends witnessed the test, and private cameras clicked merrily with the movie camera.
    Miss Taylor was selected to receive this screen test from a field of five Jacksonville girls, in a popularity contest sponsored by the Jacksonville Lions Club in connection with the Gold Rush jubilee to take place September 4.
    Miss Taylor won out over Miss Myrna Heckert, Miss Wilma McIntyre, Mrs. Lois Ramsey and Miss Patty Harris. These four girls are Queen Barbara's princesses and will reign with the queen.
    Coronation ceremonies are to take place immediately after the parade, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
    The screen test was awarded and administered through the courtesy of Crestwood Pictures of Hollywood.
Oregonian, Portland, August 29, 1948, page 9


    Shooting of the climax action of the movie "The Last of the Wild Horses" will go on as scheduled today on location 16 miles north of Medford on the Crater Lake Highway, Miss Yolanda Molinari, casting director, announced yesterday.
    The Jackson County Sheriff's Posse, the Eagle Point mounties and the Ashland riders have indicated they will furnish horses and riders for the scenes. About 200 horsemen are expected to participate.
    Jacksonville scenes for the picture were completed last night, and company officials stated they were well pleased with the results. Screen tests for Miss Barbara Taylor, winner of the Jacksonville queen contest, were made with the picture's leading man, James Ellison, late Saturday afternoon.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 29, 1948, page 11


    Briefcase Lost--David Street, radio singer and actor and husband of Mary Beth Hughes, who is starring in the film now being photographed here, reported to police Saturday the loss of a briefcase containing important papers. Mr. Street, who is staying at the Medford Hotel, has offered a reward for return of the case and contents.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 29, 1948, page 14


    Crestwood Pictures company will work in Jacksonville again Tuesday, it was announced today. The crew making the film "Last of the Wild Horses" will require a number of local people in costume, it was said, the sequence being much the same as that filmed last Saturday.
    A large crowd watched operations Sunday at the Leverette ranch in Sams Valley, and the work is continuing at that site today. It is now believed that the film will be completed Thursday.
    Costuming of the Jacksonville Jubilee queen and her court for picture test purposes drew words of approval from the jubilee committee today. The costumes were selected by Al Berke, head of the film company's wardrobe department, and the pictures will be sent to Hollywood for the test.
Medford Mail Tribune, August 30, 1948, page 7


    Jacksonville. Sept. 1.--G. A. "Bud" Kimball reports seeing the "rushes" of movie shots taken in Jacksonville last week, by Crestwood Pictures, in connection with the production of the picture "Last of the Wild Horses" Monday evening. Says he saw himself many times, including the shot where he ducked into the Jacksonville Saloon as the street fight developed. Bud says he thinks he's photogenic, photographic, and likes trouble when it's a long ways off. Said there were so many local people there he thought it was election.
    Crestwood Pictures, Willard Sheldon, assistant director, reports, completed their Jacksonville shooting yesterday. E. D. "Ernie" McIntyre states we've enjoyed having the movie people with us and enjoyed working with them and to extend his thanks, as Lions Club president, to the company, and especially to Mr. Lippert, Mr. Hittleman, Mr. Sheldon, Dave Sadler and Al Berke for their part in connection with the screen test for Jubilee Queen, Miss Barbara Taylor.
    Queen Barbara expressed thanks to Jimmie Ellison for his contribution to the test. Cal, the mailman, quoted "Don't forget the cameras, the sound men, props, lights and David Street, who needed a loudspeaker to compete with Charlie [Charles S. Gould], the walking amplifier, and the many others whose efforts we witnessed with the greatest of appreciation."
Medford Mail Tribune, September 1, 1948, page 5


    Getting back to animals, the last of the wild horses couldn't disappear soon enough for the troupe of Lippert Production's "Last of the Wild Horses" while on location in Southern Oregon. On the third day of lensing, Mary Beth Hughes had a bad fall from an equine, forcing a shooting schedule revision. On the fifth day, dialogue coach Stanley Price was kicked by a steed when one of the horses overcharged into the camera crew. With two days to go before winding, William Haade, the picture's villain, received a kick on the knee while mounting.
"Studio Roundup," Showmen's Trade Review, September 11, 1948, page 32


    R. O. "SLATS" WILSON, one of the best known men in film distribution circles here, has bought an interest in the Oregon and Washington franchise of Screen Guild Productions, boasting it's the "biggest little company in the motion picture industry." He and Mort Bramson will operate the Portland and Seattle offices.
    Wilson has been active in film distribution in the Portland territory for 19 years, the last 10 years as Universal's branch manager. He has also been an exhibitor.
    Screen Guild is a new company, about 2½ years old. The president, Robert L. Lippert, owns a chain of theaters in Southern Oregon and Northern California and recently branched into the production end of the business with the filming of "The Last of the Wild Horses" in the vicinity of Medford and Jacksonville. The company has 28 distribution branch offices throughout the country.
Harold Hunt, "Walk a Crooked Mile," Oregon Journal, Portland, October 11, 1948, page 21


    World premiere of the film "Last of the Wild Horses," which was filmed in the Rogue Valley near Medford and Jacksonville, will be held simultaneously this Thursday at the Holly and Esquire theaters here, and at the Lithia Theater in Ashland, it was announced today.
    Many Medford and Jacksonville citizens appeared in bit parts and as extras when the picture was filmed here in August.
    The picture is the story of a young cowboy who, in his efforts to settle disputes among a group of ranchers, becomes so involved that he eventually is charged with murder. Excitement of the capture of wild horses, the drama of a man on trial for his life and the struggle of two beautiful women for the hero's attentions, feature the plot. James Ellison, Jane Frazee and Mary Beth Hughes are starred.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 1, 1948, page 12


    Movie-going residents of the Rogue River Valley gained a new perspective of the valley when they packed the Holly and Esquire theaters in Medford and the Lithia Theater in Ashland last night for the world premiere of "The Last of the Wild Horses."
    The action-packed story of a dispute among ranchers over a herd of wild horses displays the scenic beauty of Southern Oregon as viewed by sportsmen and ranchers off the main-traveled highways and byways. It reemphasizes the colorful past of historic Jacksonville and its old buildings.
    Familiar landmarks, Table Rock and Rogue River, loom on the screen, enhanced by sepiatone. Real wild horses, which still roam the hills of this valley, form a "thundering" herd and contribute to the notable authenticity of the Screen Guild Production's film.
    Of special note are the interesting characterizations by local talent. Fred Edens as Jacksonville postmaster, G. A. Kimball as jury foreman, Matt Freed as a witness at the trial and Henry Feller as the judge had speaking roles. [The trial scene starts about 59 minutes into the film.] Jack James pushed the wheelchair of the crippled rancher.
    Members of the Jackson County Sheriff's Posse were in many of the action scenes with Captain Stan Morgan doing riding. Charles McBeth had a villain role and Mrs. Lyall Fidler doubled for star Mary Beth Hughes in some scenes. [See correction below.]
    Many other residents of Medford and Jacksonville had bit parts. The Walter Leverette barn at the foot of Table Rock and the Vera Martin house on Rogue River figure prominently in the story.
    Freed, manager of Robert L. Lippert theaters in Southern Oregon, reported a bigger turnout for the premiere than for the showing of "Canyon Passage." The film will play in Medford for one week, he said. Stars of the production are James Ellison, Miss Hughes and Jane Frazee.
Medford Mail Tribune, November 5, 1948, page 9


    Correction--Mrs. Jack Harper doubled for actress Mary Beth Hughes for "The Last of the Wild Horses" movie scenes instead of as previously reported, it was stated yesterday.
"Local and Personal," Medford Mail Tribune, November 7, 1948, page 15


LAST OF THE WILD HORSES
(Screen Guild-Lippert)
DIRECTOR: Robert L. Lippert. ASSOC. PRODUCER: Carl K. Hittleman. PLAYERS: James Ellison, Jane Frazee, Mary Beth Hughes, Reed Hadley, Douglass Dumbrille, James Millican.
    WESTERN: Ellison, cowboy, is arrested on suspicion of being a masked rider who's been spotting stagecoaches for holdup purposes, but is freed on assurance by Miss Hughes, who pretends she is her ranch hand. He finds ranch owner Dumbrille is at difference with neighboring ranchers about raids upon a herd of wild horses, and determines to help him. But the real villains in the piece strangle Dumbrille with Ellison's bandanna and he is convicted of the killing but escapes, hiding out until the time is ripe to clear himself by unearthing the killers and turning them in.
Motion Picture Herald, November 13, 1948, page 4383


    Screen Guild release of Carl K. Hittleman production. Stars James Ellison, Mary Beth Hughes, Jane Frazee; features Douglass Dumbrille, James Millican, Reed Hadley, Olin Howlin. Directed by Robert L. Lippert. Original screenplay, Jack Harvey; camera, Benjamin Cline; editor, Paul Landres. Previewed Dec. 9.
'48. Running time, 84 mins.
Duke Barnum………James Ellison
Terry Williams………Mary Beth Hughes
Jane Cooper………Jane Frazee
Charlie Cooper………Douglass Dumbrille
Sheriff Harrison………James Millican
Riley………Reed Hadley
Remedy Williams………Olin Howlin
Curly………Grady Sutton
Rocky Rockford………William Haade
Hank………Rory Mallison
Ferguson………Stanley Andrews
    "Last of the Wild Horses" takes a bit too much footage to tell its story, but otherwise measures up as a good western for the action market. Further trimming of its 84 minutes would give it more zip and make it fit easier for twin bills.
    Film has strong scenic values. Footage was lensed in sepiatone in the Rogue River Valley of Southern Oregon, and the backgrounds lend sturdy support. Story is more or less standard but handling helps smooth the more obvious points.
    There's a touch of novelty in displaying film credits against shots of the finale fight, helping to establish action early before story flashes back to explain what the fisticuffs are all about. Plot deals with feud between a large rancher and his small neighbors, instigated by the big spread's crooked foreman. Trouble is over ranch's continual raids on a wild horse herd, with smaller outfits fearing herd will be depleted.
    Into that setup comes James Ellison, who teams with the small ranchers against Douglass Dumbrille. Latter is murdered when he discovers the foreman's dirty work and Ellison is blamed. There's a trial, Ellison escapes and hunts down Reed Hadley, the heavy. They come together in a good rough and tumble brawl in a hayloft, making for a punchy finale. Ellison shows up well as the hero, and Hadley is a slick villain. Femme interest is capably carried by Mary Beth Hughes and Jane Frazee, while considerable comedy values are injected by Olin Howlin. James Millican is a believable sheriff. Others fill their parts well.
    Robert L. Lippert functioned as executive producer and director of the Carl K. Hittleman production. He keeps the story on the move and, with the exception of overlength, has delivered acceptable western fare. Benjamin Cline did the excellent lensing.
Variety, December 15, 1948, page 6


    Use of sepia tone, the natural beauties of the Southern Oregon locale where the film was shot and adroit utilization of stirring stock shots are among the factors which elevate this fast-moving western several notches above run-o'-mill gallopers in its budget bracket. The picture is given further praiseworthy substance through a thoughtfully contrived story which bypasses sagebrush cliches without sacrificing the action ingredients, of which there are more than enough to sate the appetites of western devotees. The offering is equipped--productionwise and in running time--to head up the dual bills in all but the plush situations; and in those it can serve as highly satisfactory supporting material. In either event the cast is dotted with enough established names--and performances, under able direction, are splendid--to make a box office asset. Directed by Robert L. Lippert.
Boxoffice, December 18, 1948, page 996


Motion Picture Daily, December 23, 1948, page 5


    Ranking with the best of the pictures from series Westerns, "Last of Wild Horses" is a colorful, intelligent study of the old West presented in a format and style which should appeal to adult audiences as well as juvenile. Unlike many Western series these pictures from Lippert Productions break away from the routine in which this type of fare is usually presented. There is a competent cast headed by James Ellison, Mary Beth Hughes and Jane Frazee; there is beautiful outdoor photography in sepiatone taken in Oregon, and there is an interesting, swiftly paced original screenplay by Jack Harvey.
    Basically, the story is concerned with Ellison's attempts to disprove his guilt of a murder and at the same time uncover and expose the gang leader who is swindling local ranchers of their property. Miss Hughes as Ellison's supporter, and Miss Frazee as the daughter of a murdered rancher, provide the romantic interest by competing for the affections of the star.
    Douglass Dumbrille as the rancher eventually murdered; Reed Hadley as the gang leader; James Millican as the sheriff, and Olin Howlin, aiding in the fight for justice and also lending the comedy support, all perform capably.
    Direction by Robert L. Lippert, who was also executive producer, is of the best. Carl K. Hittleman was producer and Benjamin Cline directed the photography.
    Reviewed in a New York projection room. Reviewer's rating: Good.--G.H.S.
    Release date November 12, 1948. Running time, 82 minutes, PCA No. 13469. General audience classification.
Duke Barnum………James Ellison
Terry Williams………Mary Beth Hughes
Jane Cooper………Jane Frazee
Douglas Dumbrille, James Millican, Reed Hadley, Olin Howlin, Grady Sutton, William Haade, Rory Mallinson, Stanley Andrews
Motion Picture Herald, December 25, 1948, page 4434


    AUDIENCE SLANT: (Family) Rip-roaring, slam-bang outdoor drama that sustains audience interest throughout. Distinguished by splendid photography.
    BOX-OFFICE SLANT: Should do good business, especially at the action houses, and receive excellent word-of-mouth.
    Cast: James Ellison, Mary Beth Hughes, Jane Frazee, Douglass Dumbrille, James Millican, Reed Hadley, Olin Howlin, Grady Sutton, William Haade, Rory Mallinson, Stanley Andrews. Credits: Executive producer and director, Robert L. Lippert. Producer, Carl K. Hittleman. Original screenplay, Jack Harvey. Photography, Benjamin Cline.
    Plot: A wandering cowhand gets into the middle of a fight between an obstinate old rancher, dominated by unscrupulous aides, and small ranchers. The issue is wild horses, and the crooks are out to swallow up the small ranchers. The hero finally stops them.
    Comment: This is a rip-roaring, slam-bang outdoor drama that sustains interest throughout. It is distinguished by Benjamin Cline's splendid photography; some of the shots are truly visual poetry. Bob Lippert deserves much credit for serving as executive producer and for keeping the action at top speed in his director's chore. Jack Harvey's original screenplay is smartly tailored to meet the needs of this type of picture. The cast is uniformly excellent, with Reed Hadley worthy of recognition for his super-smooth characterization of the heavy. Producer Carl Hittleman gives the film fine production values all the way around; the Oregon backgrounds are particularly suitable. "Last of the Wild Horses" should do good business, especially at action houses, and receive excellent word-of-mouth.
Showmen's Trade Review, December 25, 1948, page 20


    It all started as a gag, this business of referring to the president of Screen Guild Productions as "Orson Lippert." But the ever-expanding activities of that gentleman--whose first name is Robert, as is well known by anyone who reads film trade papers--are rapidly divorcing the nickname from the category of ribs.
    Lippert can now lay claim to more designations and accomplishments than were boasted by Orson Welles at the peak of that wonderboy's mercurial career; witness: exhibitor, distribution executive, distribution franchise holder, producer, director and promoter.
    Enough has been printed, here and elsewhere, about Lippert's impressive operations in the first four of those classifications, their genesis and their co-relationship, to make further comment unnecessary. It is with the latter pair that these paragraphs concern themselves.
    "Last of the Wild Horses," a current SGP release, demonstrates the company head's ability to apply the same versatility and effectiveness to those facets of the film business as he already had manifested in his other varied chores.
    The picture was filmed almost in its entirety on location in the Rogue River Valley outside of Medford, Ore., in which northern municipality Lippert owns and operates all of the motion picture theaters. And it was there that he established his status as a promoter par excellence. Medford, like most of the West's communities, has and is proud of its sheriff's posse, a riding organization made up of local business and professional men who own their own horses. Producer Lippert enlisted the services--and for free--of this group of horsemen as riding extras in the picture. Day after day, they brought their own horses, their own equipment and themselves to the outdoor location to ride thataway with the heavies or in pursuit thereof.
    But that was only the beginning. Near Medford is a smaller community, Jacksonville, once a thriving center of Oregon's gold mining and cattle-raising country but now virtually a ghost town. Through generous publicity in the local newspapers, Lippert interested the citizens of Jacksonville in digging into their attics and trunks for clothes of the period portrayed by the film and then appearing in street and courtroom scenes as atmosphere extras. Hundreds of them turned out and made a holiday of the shooting of those sequences, which were filmed in and on the quaint buildings and streets of Jacksonville, which have changed but little since their heyday in the '70s and '80s.
    Resultantly, the picture is endowed with production values which transcend by countless thousands of dollars its budgetry classification.
    Not being satisfied with having promoted a setup which any producer and/or director would have cherished as a Utopia for top film-making at comparatively limited cost, Lippert elected to direct the picture himself--he was also its executive producer--his first try at that tricky and important assignment. Here, too, he chalked up a credit of which any of Hollywood's more experienced megaphonists could and would be justifiably proud.
    What is to be concluded from this enumeration of Lippert's apparently limitless accomplishments and versatility is rather self-evident. His work on "Wild Horses," the trade paper critical acclaim accorded the offering and the profitable bookings it is fulfilling establish that with ingenuity and level-headed business tactics, it is still possible to turn out sound, acceptable film entertainment at reasonable costs. With most film-makers and production companies frightened to near-hysteria by rising costs and faltering grosses, that's a demonstration from which the entire industry can borrow courage as concerns the future of motion pictures.
"Spearheads by Ivan Spear," Boxoffice, December 25, 1948, page 53


    Very good for a double bill. Although the title leads one to believe that the wild horses play a prominent part, they play only a secondary part. But it holds one's interest well, for the action is fast and the plot has many ramifications. As a matter of fact, the story is more substantial than either of the other two wild horse stories that Robert L. Lippert has produced. In the characterization of James Ellison, the hero, however, there is in the beginning a fault that is hard to explain; he is shown putting on a black mask while watching a stage coach from afar. This leads the spectator to believe that he was about to hold up the stage, but he does nothing of the kind. The photography is good and the sepia tone makes the picture easy on the eyes--
    Watching from afar, Ellison sees three riders pursuing a lone rider. He halts the pursuit by threatening to shoot. Looking for a place to have his horse shod, Ellison comes upon Mary Beth Hughes, the lone rider who was pursued, and learns from her that the Double C Ranch was not far away. At the Double C, Ellison makes himself known to Douglass Dumbrille, the owner, and Jane Frazee, his daughter. Reed Hadley, the Double C's foreman, arrives and informs Dumbrille that Ellison had threatened to shoot two ranch hands and him while carrying out their wild horse activities. Thus Ellison learns that there was a war on between the other ranchers and Dumbrille, engineered by Rory Mallinson and Hadley, his stooge, who were stealing most of the wild horses and selling them to their own advantage. At that moment Sheriff James Millican arrives and places Ellison under arrest because he fitted the description of the masked rider reported spying on stage coach movements. He leads him to town, where Mary and Olin Howlin, her guardian, alibi that Ellison is their new ranch hand and obtain his release. Meanwhile Jane objects to her father's persistence in raiding mares from a herd of wild horses against the wishes of the other ranchers, who had agreed to let them alone for a year so that they might multiply. Ellison persuades the Sheriff to induce Dumbrille to stop the raids, but foreman Hadley continues the raids and throws suspicion on the Double C Ranch. Ellison quiets the infuriated ranchers by promising to handle Dumbrille himself. The two men quarrel and, after Ellison leaves, Mallinson and Hadley kill Dumbrille under circumstances that bring about Ellison's arrest. He is tried and convicted to hang, but he escapes with the aid of Mary and Howlin. Eventually, through a letter sent to Hadley by Mallinson, Ellison learns of their guilt and brings about their arrest. By this time Jane and Ellison are in love.
    Robert L. Lippert directed it and acted as executive producer. Carl K. Hittleman produced it. Jack Harvey wrote the original screenplay. Good entertainment for the masses.
Harrison's Reports, January 8, 1949, page 6
Last revised December 29, 2024