The Chechahcos | 1924 | Adventure Drama

Title: The Chechahcos | 1924 | Adventure Drama Director: Lewis H. Moomaw Studio: Alaska Moving Pictures Corporation Starring: William Dills, Albert Van Antwerp, Eva Gordon, Alexis B. Luce, Gladys Johnson, Baby Margie Based on: Original screenplay by Lewis H. Moomaw Release Date: 1924 Runtime: Approximately 86 minutes Format: Silent black and white, 35mm Country: United States Language: Silent with English intertitles Genres: Adventure Drama --- Chapters: 00:00:00 Voyage toward the Klondike 00:15:00 Ship catches fire, passengers abandon ship 00:30:00 Young Ruth rescued by prospectors 00:45:00 Arrival in Alaska and striking gold 01:00:00 Ruth grows to adulthood and romance arises 01:15:00 Past secrets revealed --- Summary: The Chechahcos is a 1924 American silent adventure drama centered on the Klondike Gold Rush, following a group of prospectors bound for Alaska. When a fire breaks out aboard their ship, a mother loses her daughter in the chaos, and the child is rescued and raised by two seasoned prospectors. Years later, the now-grown Ruth faces life’s challenges in the rugged Alaskan frontier, including love, danger, and the reappearance of figures from her past. The film blends melodrama and romance within expansive natural scenery, emphasizing the harsh beauty of the northern wilderness and the human stories intertwined with the pursuit of fortune. --- Background: Directed by Lewis H. Moomaw and produced by the Alaska Moving Pictures Corporation, The Chechahcos was the first feature-length narrative film shot entirely on location in Alaska. The production highlights authentic Alaskan landscapes and local extras, reflecting regional filmmaking outside the Hollywood system. --- Trivia: The title comes from a Chinook Jargon word meaning “newcomer” or “tenderfoot.” The Chechahcos was added to the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2003 for being culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. It was the first narrative feature shot entirely in Alaska, with many scenes featuring Alaska’s natural terrain. Original prints were preserved by the Alaska Film Archives at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. --- Public Domain / Rights: Original Release: 1924 Original Studio / Distributor: Alaska Moving Pictures Corporation / Associated Exhibitors Copyright Status: Public Domain Renewal: Unknown --- Hashtags: #TheChechahcos #1924Film #SilentFilm #Alaska #AdventureDrama #NationalFilmRegistry #PublicDomain