The Movie

The movie “Timberjack” is a little-known 1950’s Western film that was captured near Bonner, Polson, and Glacier National Park, Montana in 1954. The Big Blackfoot River is the backdrop of Bonner, Montana and one of several Montana sites used to tell the story of the 1954 film, “Timberjack.” Hollywood’s Republic Studios came to this remote area of western Montana to make the film based on a book written by a University of Montana graduate, Dan Cushman. Though Cushman set his original story in Canada, the theme of timber harvesting archrivals competing to control the local spur railroad made this variant western Montana location perfect. This historical photo shows a Bonner man, Arne Karkanan, with a long pole trying to dislodge logs that will prevent his upstream boat from negotiating the river.  Early on, the Blackfoot river was the best means of transporting logs downstream. There were originally two main logging camps above the Anaconda mill in Bonner. The photo of the man on the bateau in the river is Arne Karkanen and he is trying to clear debris from above the Bonner (mill) dam during the flood of 1948. This site is the setting for the struggles of the timberman amplified in the movie, “Timberjack.” 

Arne Karkanen dislodging debris at the Bonner Dam, May, 1948

Photograph shows man standing alone in bateau in the middle of the Blackfoot River, using a pole to dislodge debris downriver of his boat. A pile of lumber is visible on the opposite bank of the river. Photo caption reads: Arne Karkanen trying to dislodge debris at the Bonner Dam, May of 1948.

The Scene - Blackfoot River, Bonner, and Milltown

Details explaining the location and how it fits the movie script and the impact of the movie on the local economy (last image).

Bonner, early 1950s (1950-1955). This view shows the river teeming with logs. 

Bonner, early 1950s

Photograph looking down into Bonner and the Blackfoot River. The photograph shows the road along the river, train tracks, and a trestle. The mill can be seen in the photograph as well as town buildings. Mountains can be seen in the background. Logs are floating in the river. Photo caption reads: Bonner in the early 1950's.

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Bonner Mill (Unknown). An aerial view of the Bonner Mill at the center of the film. 

Bonner Mill

Photo taken from an oblique angle view into the valley, looking upriver to the northeast. Photo shows teepee burner, a large portion of the log yard, and the river in the background. Photo caption reads: Bonner Mill.

The Western lumber mill (1910-1928).  This would have been the time period portrayed in the movie.

The Western lumber mill

Photograph of a large, multistory building with conveyor angling down from front of the building; Four smokestacks rise from the roof of an adjoining building. Railroad tracks are visible in the foreground. Photo caption reads: The Western Lumber Mill.

Western Lumber Company dinkey

Western Lumber Company dinkey no. 1 with four men on board and cut logs in foreground. Photo caption reads: 4 men: Western Lumber Company dinkey. It hauled logs along the streetcar tracks to the landing upriver from the highway bridge, and on the west bank of the Blackfoot River. At left, Paul Cyr. Standing at the right, left to right, Jack Motley, brakeman; __; Baptiste Godbout, engineer.

The stage that ran from Bonner to Missoula. There were several horse and buggy scenes in the movie that could have been close to this picture. The Vermillion Belle was often filmed chasing through the Montana countryside in her buggy with Hoagy Carmichael at her side. 

The stage that ran from Bonner to Missoula

Photograph of the stage that ran from Bonner to Missoula. In the photograph the stage is loaded with many items and shows the driver, known as Friday, holds the reins of the team and a boy sits to the right of the driver. A label affixed to the upper left corner of the photo reads "182." Photo caption reads: The stage that ran from Bonner to Missoula. The driver was called Friday.

Bonner Depot appears many times in the film “Timberjack.” 

Bonner Depot

Two men stand of the platform in front of the depot. The name "Bonner" is on the side of the building. Train tracks run past the depot and into the distance. The depot was located west of the overpass to Blackfoot Railroad tracks. Mount Jumbo can be seen in background. A vertical fold runs through middle of photo. Photo caption reads: Northern Pacific Bonner Depot just east of Milltown.

George Buckhouse ran George's Cafe in Bonner and his wife indicated that they served some of the crew of “Timberjack”. 

"Even though they only ordered a coke or coffee, we were all quite happy to have them come into our place.” - Mrs. George Buckhouse.

George Buckhouse in front of George's Cafe

George standing in from of George's Cafe. He wears an apron and a white baker's hat. Photo caption reads: George Buckhouse.

The Willamette Locomotive # 7

After logging for nearly 20 years along the Big Blackfoot, in the early 1900s, the Blackfoot Milling Company had mostly cut all the timber close to the river and had moved further up in the Blackfoot. At that point, most of the timber was cut and hauled to the river to be floated down to Bonner. There were then three logging camps at Potomac where over 300 horses hauled those logs out during the winter months. Something was needed to get the more remote timber to the mill.  

Potomac logging camp

Photo shows Shay engine pulling caboose and flatcar, taken at an angle from the rear of the train. Three men are on the flatcar: two seated and one standing. Kenneth Ross is one of the men on the flatcar. Another man is standing on the ground next to the flatcar. A fifth man is standing next to cut logs, which are on the ground. Other cut logs can be seen beyond the flatcar. Photo caption reads: Early day logging in the Blackfoot. Shay engine. Timekeeper at a Potomac logging camp in early days.

This #7 Willamette engine was filmed in 1954 for “Timberjack’s” version of lumbering life along the Big Blackfoot - It’s now at home at the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula in Missoula, Montana. Anaconda Company’s Willamette  #7 was primarily used for logging on spurs that connected to a line that hauled logs from the woods to the flatcars of the Milwaukee Road and then on to the mill in Bonner. Most of those logs were finally bound for the mine shafts in Butte, Montana where they held up the earth. The Shay first worked in the 9 Mile Creek area in Mineral County, Montana from 1924 to 1927.Then it worked until 1934 in Greenough and Elk Creek and in the Woodworth and Cotton Creek area from 1934-1948. By 1948, trucks had become dependable enough to haul logs, so Anaconda Company stopped all their railroad transport in the timber. # 7 was retired to Mill property at Bonner. In 1954, the movie “Timberjack” came to town. As the only Willamette locomotive that used coal and only one of two that had a Radley Hunter Stack that was the premier version of spark arresters, #7 was one of the featured stars of the film.

Filming of the movie Timberjack at Bonner and in the Blackfoot in the early 1950s

Blurry color photograph taken outdoors shows a Shay locomotive, with steam and smoke. Crowds of people are around it. High weeds in the foreground. Some house roofs are visible behind engine. The motion picture was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Filming of the movie Timberjack at Bonner and in the Blackfoot in the early 1950s.

This old Willamette engine was used during the filming of the movie Timberjack (1950-1955). This locomotive, some would say, plays a leading role in the movie, Timberjack. It was resurrected from earlier service on the Blackfoot logging spur to appear in the film.

Old Shay engine used during filming of movie Timberjack

Color photograph of Engine no. 7, smoke coming from stack. The engine was moved to the Fort Missoula Historical Museum in the 1990s. The film was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Old Shay engine used during filming of movie Timberjack. The engine now rests on Champion ground where the Margaret Hotel once stood.

According to the local Bonner storyteller, Glen Smith aka “Houligan,” Smith was 12 years old when “Timberjack” was filmed. The following is taken from the oral history of Glen Smith recorded by Bonner Milltown History Center. He states:

“As the engineers of the Willamette Shay #7 Dan Ryan & Highholt made a big part of the adventure film happen. Dan Ryan was the last engineer to work on Old #7 before his retirement. Dan had developed an interest in logging locomotives when he was a small child and worked with a fireman engineer named Baldy Crane. “When Baldy retired, Dan stepped up as engineer. Dan loved time with his family but didn’t want to spend his life in a sawmill so during the week he worked in the logging camps in the Blackfoot Valley and came home to Missoula on the weekends.  Dan was "Old School" in his beliefs that all men should give an honest day's work for an honest day's pay, so when he received his paycheck, he liked to celebrate with a little snort of whiskey. Sometimes he over-celebrated, so when he returned to work, the train crew would hook up an extra log car. Normally Dan hauled 16 log cars back to camp, where he positioned them on the landing by simply looking out the cab of old #7 and align the locomotive up on a familiar object. Sporting a huge hangover as well as the additional 17th car as a prank meant Dan would position the cars as he always did, which would shove the extra car past the barricades and onto the ground. This caused the crews on the landing to roll in gales of laughter as they accused Dan of being a "Company Man '' for trying to increase production.

When Dan reached his retirement, he walked into the office of Don Mackenzie, laid his double bitted ax on Don's desk and stated, "That's it. I'm going to retire."

Dan's fireman "Highholt'' also walked into Don's office and also stated that he was ready to retire. Highholt was born in Sweden and only had one name. This and the fact that he didn't know his birthday complicated his plans for retirement. The Anaconda Company sent to Sweden for this information and discovered that Highholt did in fact have only one name. They were rather amused to discover that Highholt was 10 years older than he thought. He was 75 years old at his time of retirement When Republic Pictures asked Highholt and Dan to come out of retirement. Dan was ecstatic and enjoyed every minute of his acting career. Highholt also agreed, but wanted one favor for his involvement He insisted on a picture of himself so that if he ever saw himself, he would know who he was. After the movie was finished, Highholt returned to his home at Sperry Grade, by the Blackfoot River where he spent his final days.

Dan Ryan loved everything about his movie career except for one detail. His acting character was required to wear a mustache and Dan refused. His favorite movie memories were about the limousine rides from his home to the various filming sights. Whenever the limousine arrived to pick him up, he made sure that all his neighbors were on hand to witness the fact that he was an important celebrity, as he swaggered out of his house, and climbed into his awaiting limousine.” 

The Cast

Hoagy Carmichael, who wrote and performed the music and starred as the piano player in this film, had once lived in Missoula as a small child during his grade school years. Here in this photo, he is shown when he returns to Montana later in life-to make the film. He’s chatting with a Bonner teenaged, Donna Madsen, who told a Missoulian reporter in 2010 that her father Melvin Madsen captured this photo with his camera during the filming of “Timberjack.” Hoagy and Donna are chatting during a break during filming near the company homes in Bonner. Donna’s home at that time was the famous Margaret Hotel in Bonner. Hoagy composed many musical standards over his career, including “Skylark” and “Georgia (On My Mind)”. He created several musical numbers for this film, and some even call this production a musical. Credit is often given to Hoagy for the “theme song” but the song should be credited to Victor Young and Ned Washington. Regardless, we are left with a familiar song that will forever warm the hearts and memories of those who love the Milltown at the junction of the Clark Fork and Blackfoot River. 

“Hurry Back, Timberjack”
When you’re all done choppin’ down the poplar and pine, hurry back, hurry back, Timberjack.

There’s a black-haired gal whose lips are sweeter than wine, hurry back, hurry back, Timberjack.

She’s got the ring, she’s got the gown, she owns an acre

It will break her little heart should you forsake her …

Drop that crosscut saw and put your ax in the rack.

Hurry back, hurry back, Timberjack. 

Hoagy Carmichael and Donna Madsen during filming of Timberjack

Color photograph of Hoagy Carmichael and Donna Madsen standing side by side outdoors. The film was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Hoage Carmichael and Donna Madsen during filming of Timberjack.

“Timberjack” photograph shown here of Vera Ralston, the leading lady and Adolphe Menjou, her father, standing on the back porch of a railroad boxcar near Bonner. The film was released in 1955. Her love relationships get tangled up when two of her suitors try to gain control of all the timber of the Blackfoot area - and as well, gain control of Miss Tilton’s heart. In this film Menjou was the endearing father of cabaret singer, “Vermillion Belle,” (Vera Ralston) known as Lynn Tilton. Menjou (Swifty) Sweetwater Tilton, was also cast here as a lawyer for the villain in the film. Earlier in his career, he starred in silent films and talkies beginning in 1921 and worked in the movie business until his death in 1960. “Pollyanna” was his last film. Note that he was nominated for an Academy Award in 1931 for the movie, “Front Page”.

Vera Ralston and Adolphe Menjou during filming of movie Timberjack

Color photograph of Vera Ralston and Adolphe Menjou, standing on back porch of railroad boxcar. Ralston has one hand on handbrake and the other on Menjou's shoulder. The film was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Vera Ralston and Adolf Menjou during filming of movie Timberjack.

This photo is from a remote shooting of the movie “Timberjack,” filmed in 1954 near Bonner, Polson, and Glacier Park Montana. This picture showed the flatcar pulled by the Willamette engine #7 and the group of actors, led by Adolphe Menjou, “Swifty,” who plays father to the heroine of the film, Vera Ralston. Menjou is also the attorney for the villain in the film, Croft Brunner, played by David Brian. 

Filming of the movie Timberjack in the Blackfoot during the early 1950's

Color photo of seven unidentified men standing in brush below railroad track. There is one flatcar visible on the track. The film was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Filming of the movie Timberjack in the Blackfoot during the early 1950's.

This photo features leading man Sterling Hayden standing 6-foot 5 inches behind five local teen ladies who had gathered to watch the filming of “Timberjack” (1950-1955). Hayden posed so that Donna Anderson Hansen’s father, Melvin Hansen, could snap a memory of this meeting. Donna Anderson is in the front center of this photo, and she told a Missoulian reporter in 2010 that Sterling Hayden has a lit cigarette behind his back. Donna says, “we thought of it as pretty interesting and exciting.” Before Hollywood, Hayden was a sailor, a Marine in the OSS in WWII and a noted model. He starred in westerns and film noir throughout the 50s and 60s. He played Captain McCluskey in “The Godfather” (1972) and The Long Goodbye (1973). He was an unforgettable presence at 6 foot 5 inches and never was truly comfortable being part of the Hollywood lifestyle, always trying to keep his distance from Hollywood crowds, he lived out his life in Sausalito, California.

Sterling Hayden and local "extras" from Timberjack

Color photo taken outdoors near the railroad tracks behind Kelly Pine Field. Photo shows actor Sterling Hayden standing behind five young women in blouses and jeans. The film was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Sterling Hayden, main actor in the movie Timberjack, standing in back: Left to Right: 1. Betty Jo Akerson. 2. Donna Madsen. 3. Janet Thibodeau. 4. Marie DeWit 5. Geraldine Olson. (Photo taken near Railroad tracks behind Kelly Pine Field).

Sterling Hayden is pictured here with his leg on a sidecar, apparently about to board the contraption. Hayden is the hero of the film “Timberjack” and in this scene he has just arrived home after a 10-year absence to reclaim his father’s logging rights and reputation from the nemesis Brenner, played by actor David Brian. This was filmed near Bonner Montana in 1954.

Sterling Hayden during filming of the movie Timberjack

Color photograph showing Sterling Hayden, in costume, standing behind railroad handcar. One foot is on the handcar, and one hand on handle. Sign on shed behind him reads 'Vermilion Siding.' The film was released in 1955. Photo caption reads: Sterling Hayden and filming of the Movie Timberjack.

Chill Wills plays the rough and tumble foreman Steve Ricka at Clay Chipman’s Blackfoot logging camp in the movie, “Timberjack”.  Here he’s pictured signing autographs in the midst of a Premiere Parade celebration on Higgins Avenue in Missoula Montana on February 9, 1955.  Ricka has great affection for Clay Chipman and his loyalty remains when Tim Chipman takes over after his father’s death. Wills was a renowned character actor of American westerns. As a musician in his youth, he was a performer from the age of 12, starring in vaudeville, tent shows and stock companies. He started the group Chill Wills and His Avalon Boys. They were spotted while performing in Hollywood and began to appear in low budget western films. He played Beekeeper in the film “The Alamo,” and won a nomination for best supporting actor in 1960. He did not win but continued to play “good ole boy” roles until he died in 1978. His voice is with us still as the voice of Francis the Talking Mule.

Chill Wills

Actor, Chill Wills, signs autographs in front of the Florence Hotel during the parade in celebration of the Timberjack world premiere at the Fox Theater, Missoula, Montana. Operations; Dedications and Celebrations. No WO#.

Dan Cushman the author of the book, “Timberjack,” and Vera Ralston, the female lead in the movie ride in an open-air convertible on a chilly February day in the “Timberjack” Parade on Higgins Ave.in 1955. Cushman was University of Montana graduate and a New York Times book critic who wrote dozens of books including “Timberjack” and "Stay Away, Joe," (That book’s view of Indians stirred controversy in Montana, and as a result, Indian novelist James Welch vetoed including in "The Last Best Place," a Montana anthology.) Cushman received the H.G. Merriam Award for Distinguished Contributions to Montana Literature. The author was born in Marion, Mich. but as a small child moved to Box Elder, Montana near the Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation. His other books are set in the South Pacific, the American West, the Congo and the Yukon. He worked as a cowboy, printer, prospector, geologist's assistant, advertising writer and radio announcer. Few even knew his connection to the movie, “Timberjack.” He lived most of his life in Great Falls, Montana and died in 2001.

Dan Cushman and Vera Ralston

Vera Ralston, waves to the crowd, and author Dan Cushman ride in a convertible during the parade to celebrate the Timberjack world premiere at the Fox Theater, Missoula, Montana. Operations; Dedications and Celebrations. No WO#.

The Premiere

The Republic Studios movie “Timberjack” was first filmed in 1954 near Bonner, Polson and Glacier Park Montana. Nearly a year later, the stars, producers and key players of the film returned to Missoula in February of 1955. Along with the entire film crew, the Missoula community pulled out all stops to celebrate not only the premier of the movie but also the 50th anniversary celebration of the U.S. Forest Service.

Missoula was Region One of the U.S. Forest Service; the organization was actually launched in Missoula. As a result, a huge celebratory parade was planned for February 5, 1955, and not only movie entries participated but many arms of the U.S. The Forest Service entered floats and tributes in the parade. Numerous community organizations that were affiliated with the timber industry entered floats and displays in the parade. Thousands of western Montanans came to celebrate the premiere of the movie.

They gathered on that cold February Day in 1955 to witness the history of “Timberjack” along the Higgins Avenue parade route. There was a beard-growing contest, sponsored by the Foresters Club at Montana State University (now the University of Montana) and judged by the star, Vera Ralston. Most of the film’s stars mingled with the crowd, signing autographs and hamming it up for the parade goers.  

Governor J. Hugo Aaronson paid tribute to both Republic Studios and the U.S. Forest Service at a star-studded evening dinner reception for 600, which was held at the Florence Hotel.  After the momentous 61st annual Chamber of Commerce banquet, the movie crowd journeyed a few blocks from the Florence, to premiere the film at the Fox Theatre. Overhead, a blue searchlight circled in the night sky and the Polson High School band played. At the conclusion of the first premier showing of the evening, the crowd moved on to the Roxy Theatre, only a few blocks away and the second showing of “Timberjack” shuttered the momentous evening. 

See More Timberjack World Premiere Images

Exhibit Author: Cheryl Hughes

Bibliography

Associated Press. “Dan Cushman, 92, Writer Whose Booke Was a Presley Move,” New York Times, Oct. 2, 2001. June 5, 2024. https://www.nytimes.com/2001/10/02/arts/dan-cushman-92-writer-whose-book-was-a-presley-movie.html 

Bonner Milltown History Center. “Old #7 Survives,” Bonner Milltown History Center and Museum. June 5, 2024. https://www.bonnermilltownhistory.org/old-7-survives 

Bonner Milltown History Center. “History Center - Origin,” Bonner Milltown History Center and Museum. June 5, 2024. https://www.bonnermilltownhistory.org/old-7-survives 

Briggeman, Kim. “Bonner to Reminisce on “Timberjack” through Stories,” Missoulian, Jan. 16, 2010. June 5, 2024. https://missoulian.com/news/state-and-regional/bonner-to-reminisce-on-timberjack-through-stories-film-clips/article_d54f0f4c-0256-11df-a818-001cc4c002e0.html 

Wikipedia. “Timberjack” (film). June 5, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timberjack_(film) 

Wikipedia. “Vera Ralston.” June 5, 2024. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vera_Ralston 

Photo Credits

University of Montana Mansfield Library