The Chechahcos facts for kids
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The Chechahcos is a 1924 American silent adventure film. It tells a story about the exciting gold rush days in the Klondike region. The word Chechahco (or cheechako) comes from a Native American language called Chinook Jargon. It means "newcomer." The movie is about a group of people hoping to find gold. They travel to Alaska to become prospectors, which means searching for gold. Lewis H. Moomaw directed the film. Austin E. Lathrop produced it. He had been a gold prospector himself! The movie was released by a company called Associated Exhibitors.
The Story of the Movie
The movie begins on a ship heading to the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s. Suddenly, the ship catches fire, and everyone must leave quickly. A passenger named Margaret Stanlaw loses her young daughter, Ruth, in the rush. A tricky gambler named Richard Steele tells Margaret that her daughter did not survive.
But Ruth is actually saved! Two gold prospectors, "Horseshoe" Riley and Bob Dexter, rescue her. This new, unplanned family arrives in Anchorage, Alaska. They quickly find gold.
Fifteen years later, Ruth is a young adult. She feels a strong connection to Bob Dexter, who helped raise her like a father. When Margaret and Richard arrive in town to run the local saloon, old secrets start to come out. The past is finally revealed. The movie also shows amazing views of the Alaskan wilderness, filmed for the first time.
Who's Who in the Movie
- William Dills as 'Horseshoe' Riley
- Albert Van Antwerp as Engineer Bob Dexter
- Eva Gordon as Mrs. Margaret Stanlaw
- Baby Margie as Baby Ruth Stanlaw
- Alexis B. Luce as Gambler Richard Steele
- Gladys Johnson as Ruth Stanlaw
- Guerney Hays as Pierre - Steele's Helper (not listed in credits)
- H. Mills as Engineer (not listed in credits)
- Howard Webster as Professor Stanlaw (not listed in credits)
Keeping the Movie Safe
A copy of The Chechahcos has been kept safe at the University of Alaska Fairbanks film archive. In 2003, the United States Library of Congress decided this film was very important. They called it "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant." This means it's a special part of American history and art. Because of this, the film was chosen to be preserved in the National Film Registry. This helps make sure the movie can be watched by people for many years to come.
More to Explore
- Treasures from American Film Archives
