Real-life Native Americans aren’t what you expect to see when encountering publicity for a new Hollywood movie. However, it was a whole different story back when this photo was taken in 1925. These Sioux Indians appeared in “The Iron Horse” directed by John Ford, one of five movies he directed that year. It was about the post-Civil War building of the transcontinental railway, hence the name. I assume that’s the locomotive used in the movie because this photo was taken in the (long) forecourt of Sid Grauman’s Egyptian Theater on Hollywood Blvd. (I found this photo on the Los Angeles Theatres blog, which says the photo appears in a new book called “Hollywood’s Trains and Trolleys” which sounds like a must-have.”)
Advertisement for “The Iron Horse” playing at Grauman’s Egyptian Theater 6712 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, 1925
180 boys from the YMCA on their way to the 1924 opening of “The Iron Horse” at Grauman’s Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. (AFI lists the New York opening as 28 August 1924, and its general release date as 4 October 1925)
Thanks for mentioning that book, Martin, I was not aware of it!
It came out in January 2019 and is co-authored by Marc Wanamaker so you know it’s good!
As a rail fan, I’m interested in the logistics of the locomotive, who owns it, how was it transported, where is it now.
You might find that info in the book I mentioned.
Southern Pacific #1 (ex Central Pacific #3) preserved and here’s the wikiwiki on it: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._P._Huntington
Might not cover the specifics of this event. But SP controlled PERy and a track ran right out front, so a flat car transport might have been possible back then. (Trucks are often employed today.) Then a lifting crane to swing it into place.