In this epic Western, Wade Hatton, a wagon master turned sheriff, tames a cow town at the end of a railroad line. | dG1femFHVnI0UnpPRUU
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Short filmTranscript
00:00 [music]
00:08 Hailed as the most spectacular world premiere ever given of motion picture,
00:12 was the opening of Dodge City in the very town on which the film is based, Dodge City, Kansas.
00:17 From Warner Brothers Studios in Hollywood, over 200 stars, studio executives, and newspaper men,
00:23 headed by Errol Flynn, boarded the 14-car Santa Fe Dodge City Special en route for the premiere celebration.
00:30 From New York, Chicago, and other key cities, news correspondents were dispatched to Dodge City
00:35 to cover the premiere. And Dodge City, a town of 10,000 people, was for the day the focal point
00:41 of the entire Middle West. Starting two days in advance of the premiere, crowds began pouring
00:47 into the city until an estimated 150,000 were on hand to welcome the stars. And when the Dodge City
00:53 Special pulled in, it was the signal for the start of the most gala holiday the state of Kansas has
00:58 ever known. Thousands jammed the Dodge City station to greet the stars, and an official welcome was
01:04 broadcast from coast to coast, the first of five nationwide broadcasts of the festivities.
01:08 [applause]
01:11 The crowd rose its welcome as Errol Flynn stepped to the microphone.
01:14 Following this, a mile-long parade with thousands lining the streets to get a glimpse of their
01:20 favorite stars. Heading the parade was the Dodge City band, followed by the governors of three
01:25 states, Governor Payne H. Ratner of Kansas, Governor John Miles of New Mexico, and Governor Ralph Carr
01:31 of Colorado. Close behind, mounted on horseback, was Errol Flynn, dashing star of the picture.
01:37 Also in the saddle were Ann Sheridan, with Governor Ratner's son in the rumble seat,
01:42 and Hoot Gibson. Here on an old-time western buckboard are Rosemary and Priscilla Lane.
01:48 Behind them on horse is Alan Jones. Humphrey Bogart is next in line, followed by Buck Jones,
01:54 Wayne Morris, Gene Parker, and Gloria Dixon. Following the parade, the stars helped dedicate
02:00 the new Dodge City Stadium, where they participated in a thrilling rodeo, as well as attended a public
02:05 wedding. Errol Flynn acted as best man, while lovely Ann Sheridan was made of honor. And in
02:11 the evening, the main event, the actual world premiere of Warner Brothers' new Technicolor
02:16 triumph, Dodge City. So great was the demand for tickets, that the picture had to be premiered
02:22 simultaneously in three theaters, with thousands and thousands of cheering spectators awaiting
02:27 the theater appearance of the stars. And here they come! Errol Flynn, Ann Sheridan, Slapsy Maxie
02:34 Rosenblum, Wayne Morris, Jane Wyman, Gloria Dixon, Hoot Gibson, Alan Hale, Rosemary Lane, Frank McHugh,
02:43 and Alan Jones. Yes indeed, it was a most notable event for Dodge City,
02:49 and an equally notable occasion for all those from Hollywood who made the trip.
02:54 [music]
02:56 [music]