John Ford and John Wayne movies made Monument Valley “the place where God put the West”

by Janet Wilcox
Contributing writer
John Wayne is credited as saying, “Monument Valley is the place where God put the West.” 
Romanticized images of those rugged buttes, and dramatic monoliths still weave their charm today, enticing both tourists and movie makers into Navajo Country.
Dozens of movies, documentaries, and TV shows have been made in San Juan County’s iconic monolithic paradise. However, when movies were first made in San Juan, it was seen as an economic opportunity for locals, not as a creative adventure.
Many movies have been filmed in the area since the 1930’s and 40’s; however, locals claim Monument Valley belongs to only one Hollywood actor, John Wayne.
The “Duke” made five movies here in his lifetime, “Stagecoach” (1939), “Fort Apache” (1948), “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” (1949), “Rio Grande” (1950), and “The Searchers” (1956).
Credit for this economic coup goes to Harry and Leone “Mike” Goulding, who helped to popularize Monument Valley as a destination for both tourists and film making. 
In 1938, Harry was able to convince Director John Ford to “go East” to Utah, to film the real West.
Ford struck gold when he matched up fledging new actor John Wayne in a series of western hits all set in Monument Valley.
In the process, he provided jobs for Native and Anglo residents alike as extras on the set.
The Great Depression hit many parts of rural America hard, and San Juan County and Monument Valley were no exception.
Good paying jobs were hard to come by. However, as a movie extra they could earn anywhere from $5 - $20 a day, which was great money in those days of poverty. 
Robert McPherson’s article on “Navajos and the Film Industry in Monument Valley, 1930-64, provides insight into the impact of this new industry in SE Utah.  
John Ford was liked by the Navajos, as he treated them well, and relied on their skills, and horsemanship. 
Anglo and Navajo extras alike soon fell into a friendly comradery at the movie camps.
In the evening people gathered around the worker’s tents. They sang songs in English and Navajo, played cards, and ate together. 
Gambling was also a prominent pastime, and the men’s prowess in feats of strength and skill were always a welcomed addition. 
The role of Navajo Medicine Man, Hosteen Tso was especially important on the movie site, as he was believed to have special powers, and even control over the elements. Ford relied on him often.
Navajo and Anglo alike had direct interaction with John Wayne.  Lucy Harris, a beloved, Blanding performer, worked as an extra along with her sister Josephine Bayles. 
One evening they challenged the professional actors to a “competition” of sorts – an impromptu talent show with both local and Hollywood groups performing. 
Lucy and Jo composed a special number for John Ford and John Wayne.  Then Lucy gave a hilarious reading called “Herbeda” which was a hit of the evening. 
The Gouldings not only promoted filmmaking, but also saw the importance of preserving the history of the area.  Goulding’s Trading Post Museum continues to feature films and memorabilia from southern San Juan County.  
Paul J. Black was in the movie, “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.” Deb Allen added, “Grandpa Black shared a steak with John Wayne at dinner one night. He didn’t want it, so ‘The Duke’ reached over and speared it off his plate!”  
Valarie Turk’s grandmother, Nellie Jane Johnson Harvey, was also an extra in it, as was Jean Laws Pehrson’s dad, Wilbur Laws.
Other extras in John Wayne’s movie include Dee Black, Dick Butt, Richard Nielson, Buster Nielson, and Teek Lyman
Paul Brown was able to find a journal entry his father Aroe wrote in the fall of 1948: “I got on as a Cavalryman in a show they were filming in Monument Valley. We stayed in Army tents with butane heaters. They warmed the tents about as good as a pilot light in a refrigerator! 
“It snowed about six inches and got very cold. We finished filming the movie on November 12th.”  
Clint Palmer and his sister Becky recalled that their grandfather, Ervin Palmer, had a cameo of sorts in “She wore a Yellow Ribbon” when he was called by name in a scene at the burned-out fort. 
Ron Eberling confirms that the blond girl in the movie is LaRue Helquist Barton Kirkham.
Sallee Shumway remembered her father DeVar was also in that movie.  Kirk Nielson, along with Milt Nielson, John Rogers and Dick Butt, were featured in one of the photos accompanying a Deseret News story from 1949. 
“She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” called for the talents of many San Juan residents: Phillip Palmer, Lloyd Bayles, Laverne Tate, Marilyn Lyman, and others. 
LaVerne recalled that she earned $20.25 for her work as an extra, “which was pretty good wages for an 8-year-old at that time.” 
Later movies involved Clea Johnson, who was Piper Laurie’s “second” in the river scene in Smoke Signal. Rusty Musselman provided many of the props as well as livestock for the movies. The list of locals participating could go on and on.
Perhaps one reason for the large number of Blanding residents participating as extras was that Bishop Ervin Palmer was a sort of a middle man soliciting extras for John Ford.
He announced in Sacrament meeting one Sunday, “John Ford asked me to express his appreciation to all who signed the paper this morning indicating interest in participating in ‘My Darling Clementine.’  He said to tell you, that you are all hired.  You are to be a Goulding’s Trading Post next Saturday.”
At the time of the filming of Kit Carson, Dave Guymon recalled that Harry Goulding owned a really pretty, but mean horse named Old Leo that they wanted to use in the movie.
“He told me if I could break that horse, he would give me my pick of a set of Indian Jewelry.” Dave accepted the challenge saying, “That is where I got Freeda’s first squash blossom necklace and a matching bracelet and ring.
“In addition to that, I received room and board and $5 a day working at the movie.”
By the time the movie finished, Dave considered they were squared up, money wise. 
Dave also had the opportunity to be in the movie “Billy the Kid.”  He also worked in Monument Valley with the San Juan County road equipment when they filmed the movies “Sergeant Rutledge” and “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon” starring Linda Darnell.
Over 260 miles of road were either constructed or improved during this time, a great deal of which was done by local laborers. Movies had a powerful economic impact in many ways.
Issue #39 of Blue Mountain Shadows has over a dozen well researched articles describing events, movies, and personalities involved in those early film days.
Copies are available at the San Juan Record or Thrift shop in Blanding.