This week 72 years ago: "Timberjack” filmed in Polson, Pettit wins rodeo trophy, laundromat hosts grand opening

The Flathead Courier, September 16, 1954

"Timberjack” scenes taken around Polson

The cast and company of the Republic Pictures Corporation arrived in Polson from Missoula Monday morning and immediately started filming scenes for the motion picture "Timberjack," which the company is producing in Western Montana. 

Equipment and personnel arrived here in 20 units of trucks and buses, besides the private cars used by the staff. Many townspeople turned out to watch the shooting of the scenes, attracted by the numerous amount of equipment used in the settings.

Scenes were shot at the Polson Lumber Company plant Monday morning in the interior of the mill and the scene of the running team leaving the mill. The afternoon shots were made at the John Cline home, showing Sterling Hayden's arrival as the picture hero, who comes home after being notified his father had met with a serious accident while alone in the woods. Vera Ralston, star of the film, with Hayden, plays the part of beautiful, talented Lynne Tilton, owner of the Vermillion Belle saloon, who was in the scene to greet Tim Chipman (Hayden) home.

David Brian as the timber baron, Croft Brunner; Adolph Menjou, as Lynne's father, Swiftwater Tilton; and Hoagy Carmichael as Jingles the piano player, and Chill Wills are all in Polson for their parts in the production.

Joe Kane, associate producer-director, said that the company went to lower St. Mary's Lake Tuesday to film scenes for the climax of the picture — a gun fight between Hayden and Brian.

Yesterday morning the group moved to the Carey Lumber camp and the Hubbard dam area for lumber camp scenes. Kane said the schedule calls for them to film action scenes there through Saturday.

Sunday, the company will leave for Missoula, where they will board chartered planes for the return to Hollywood … 

Pettit wins top hand rodeo trophy

Lyle Pettit of Ronan was awarded the best all-around cowboy trophy at the third annual FFA rodeo, sponsored by the Polson Chapter of Future Farmers of America, Sunday.

A parade of contestants and FFA members started the program at 1:30 p.m., and the rodeo followed immediately afterward. Many rodeo prizes were donated to contestants by Polson merchants and other interested persons. The Polson Chamber of Commerce presented Pettit with a trophy for his award.

Event winners, with first, second and third in that order, were: Calf roping, Dwain Rennaker, Darby; Lyle Pettit, Ronan; Robin Toogood, Darby. 

Field steer race: Teddy Schall, Arlee; and Dale Rennaker, Darby. Steer riding: Pettit, Schall, and Kenneth Else, Darby. 

Cutting horse contest: Pettit, Twogood, Dwain Rennaker, Walt Vermadahl, Polson; Ed Priddy, Dixon, and Bob Noble, Polson; Dale Rennaker, Vermadahl and Bill Thompson, Polson.

Half-mile race: Priddy, Noble and Jim White, Polson.

Quarter-mile race for girls: Judy Black, Polson; Carrie Priddy, Darby; Sandra Tollefson, Polson.

Quarter-mile race for boys: Charles Forman, Polson; Pettit; and Gene Johnson, Polson … 

Laundromat to hold Sat. grand opening

Mr. and Mrs. Gene Hodge have invited everyone to the grand opening of their Polson Laundromat on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Coffee and doughnuts will be served from 1 to 5 p.m., and demonstrations will be given of the new equipment installed.

Equipment in the new business includes 10 new Westinghouse washers; three 20-pound Norge washers for large items; and commercial water extractors and dryers for speedy, safe drying. A new 56-inch mangle is available for all flat work.

The laundromat will be open five and one-half days a week, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday and on Saturday mornings. Laundry can be dropped off at the plant and receive one-day service for shirts, flatwork, baby clothes, rugs, slipcovers and large family washes.