February 2019 8 Setting the Stage The city of Apache Junction is located near the Superstition Mountains at the junction of historic Apache Trail and U.S. 60. Back in the old days, it was a stage stop, but even by the 1950s, it was still not much more than a glorified watering hole and gasoline stop on the way up the mountain to the lakes and Tortilla Flat. Even so, there were a few men and women with exciting visions for the future that would move Apache Junction into the future with a vengeance. The unspoiled beauty of the pristine desert and western atmosphere had drawn many Hollywood movie-makers to the area for years. Long summer days with high, clear blue skies, were all pluses for filming. Besides that, many high-profile celebrities were visiting the area just to get away from it all. Unfortunately, they were checking into the Valley Ho Hotel up in Scottsdale. After all the Valley Ho had air conditioning—be still my heart. People like James Cagney, Rudy Vallee, Bette Davis, Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Janet Leigh. It’s said that Jimmy Durante loved to sit and play the piano in the lounge just for fun. Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner were married at the hotel in 1957 . . . what a big deal that must have been! There was obviously a market that needed to be tapped, both celebrity-wise and movie-industry-wise. The whole idea of creating a movie set to attract the Hollywood mainstream to come play in our sandbox had already progressed well past the dream stage. William W. Creighton was the man behind the dream and had been since the late 1950s. Superstition Mountain Enterprises, Inc. was formed—stocks were sold and land was procured. By February 12, 1960, construction was underway of a western filming street at Apacheland. A large soundstage was also constructed on the far western end of the lot. It was the largest sound stage in the entire state of Arizona . . . did I mention it was the only sound stage in the state of Arizona? The official ground-breaking ceremony for the town was held on March 19, 1960. Will Rogers Jr. was the Guest By Hank Sheffer, “The Old Storyteller” of Honor. Shortly thereafter, the first film project, an “industrial film” for SRP was shot at the new facility, even though the movie set was primarily constructed for Dick Powell’s Death Valley Days starring Robert Taylor. Lots of folks believed Ronald Reagan was the first Death Valley Days emcee but that just wasn’t true. Ronald Reagan was busy campaigning for the office of Governor of California at that time. By 1962, Apacheland was holding its own in the film business and with the extra funds generated by the many visitors paying to come see and rub elbows with celebs who visited the ranch. Apacheland was a truly a contributing force to the economy of the fledgling town of Apache Junction. Investing On More Ideas Moreover, there were many professional athletes visiting the area, especially baseball celebs. It was because of them coming to town, the idea of building a spring training stadium was born. Forging ahead, Geronimo Park was built and became home to the Houston Colt 45s. It was designed by Chet Murphy, an executive with Western Racing, Inc., which operated the Greyhound Racing in AJ. The Park was located in the 300 block of 16th Avenue where the Moose Lodge is today. Also in the wind was yet another project--the acquisition of Doby Doc’s (Edward Claudill) Last Frontier Village in Las Vegas. This was literally a town unto itself with stores and antique cars, western carriages and wagons and trains with rolling stock. And there were gun collections . . . all told roughly $3 million dollars worth of goodies. It was to be taken down and reconstructed in Apache Junction behind where the old Bayless Plaza stands. That transaction did take place; however, it was never built as planned. Several of the gun collections were displayed at Apacheland, but, unfortunately, were lost during the first fire. It was believed that these projects were essentially funded by the sales of Apacheland stock because of the projected growth and successes generated at the movie ranch. Those projects, in turn, would lead to even greater progress for Apache Junction and the surrounding areas. Brief Success All that said, Apacheland Movie Ranch and sound stage studios did enjoy some good times but they also suffered some not-so-good times. She even survived a receivership sheriff’s sale in 1964, which, in turn, caused Superstition Mountain Enterprises, Inc., to fold. But, through it all, no matter what controversies may have existed at the time, the Queen and Her Court still managed to hold on. There were quite a few films produced at the ranch in the following years. There were many familiar names who worked at the movie ranch who had not yet achieved their superstar celebrity. No blockbuster films as we call them today. However, several movies of merit were filmed there. The Arizona Raiders, with Audie Murphy, Elvis Presley’s Charro and Sam Peckinpah’s classic, The Ballad of Cable Hoag. It was said of Jason Robards Jr. that no one could have pulled off the part better than he did . . . and of pretty Stella Stevens— Director Henry Hathaway said, “Stella Stevens was born to be in movies . . . and to drive men crazy!” But then came that fateful night, May 25-26, 1969. Contrary to common belief, the town did not burn after Charro but, rather, after The Ballad of Cable Hoag had wrapped and the town was supposed to be quiet for a short rest . . . that “short rest” was not destined to happen. Details about the Fire Jack McGill, foreman at the ranch, and Ron Hunt were returning from dinner when they spotted fire near the Red Dog Saloon at 10:30 pm. Don’s daughter, Claudia, was told to call in the alarm. Livestock became a priority as the fire was spreading quickly. Then McGill sent a man to Sand Tanks, one of the sets used during the filming of Then Came Bronson, a few miles away to call in the alarm again. All the phone and power lines were already destroyed by that time. While Apacheland did have its own tanker fire truck, once it had used up all its water it could not be refilled because there was no power to run the water pumps. Apache Junction Fire department trucks arrived after midnight. There was some controversy as to when the alarm actually came in. Deputy Chief Howard Jones maintained that he took the call at 12:15. Chief Engineer, Cliff Russell agreed the call came in at 12:15 and that the truck was at the fire location within 15 minutes—Norman Teason’s wife corroborated the timeframe, but said she heard a woman’s voice, not a man’s. All of these people had extensions in their homes to receive incoming fire alarm calls. Dale Keller, the manager at Apacheland and Miss Hunt both insisted the call was made at 10:30 pm. But, rather than Claudia, it had been Jack McGill who actually made the call. Jones always maintained that no specific call came in about Apacheland. However, he acknowledged he had received two other calls: one that said “there is a big fire happening out by the mountain” and another that simply questioned, “what was it?” It was a confusing matter at best . . . and costly. Two Seagraves pumpers with a total capacity of 1350 gallons of water in their tanks were dispatched to the fire and a third with 1250 gallons shortly thereafter. At the fire location, Chief Jones said the fire was so hot the THE OLD STORYTELLER Apacheland Movie Ranch The building of Geronimo Park Spring Training Stadium was born from the many professional athletes, especially baseball celebs, coming to town. The loss of 8 buildings on the north side of Main Street was estimated at $600,000.