Three on a Rope

Three on a Rope is a 1938 American short film produced by MGM, written and directed by Willard Van der Veer and narrated by Pete Smith.[1]

Three on a Rope
Directed byWillard Van der Veer
Written byWillard Van der Veer
Narrated byPete Smith
Production
company
Release date
  • February 19, 1938 (1938-02-19)
CountryUnited States

Synopsis
Tahquitz-rock2

This MGM short explains the equipment and techniques of rock climbing in the 1930s in southern California and dramatizes some of the dangers of the sport. It presents “a unique window into the history of the sport of climbing”.[2] The film follows two teams of climbers, one expert team (Johnson, Rice and Smith) and one inexperienced and comedic team (Daniels, Brinton and Koster), who feign great difficulties in completing the climb. “The best scene is Bill Rice realistically dodging rocks. The unintentional falls are also well worth seeing”, reported fellow climber Glen Dawson.[3]

The film ends with “Herman” (Brinton) balking at the idea of rappelling down the mountain. He jumps off the mountain, with a parachute hidden in his pack deploying. This might be seen as the first BASE jump,[4] although it was obviously staged.

The film begins at Harwood Lodge[5] at the base of Mt. San Antonio (“Mt. Baldy”) in the San Gabriel Mountains. Following a scene at San Antonio Falls, most of the shooting takes place at Tahquitz Peak in Idyllwild and Stoney Point in Los Angeles.[3]

Stoney Point California

The director was “very slow in coming across with promised honorariums”[3] for the cast and it is reported that the climbers were never paid.[6]

Present-day climbers will likely be “grateful for modern technology” [7] and advanced climbing techniques when they see the equipment used, including non-skid sneakers and street clothes with buttons and belts, and a butterfly knot on the middle man, used to “prevent sudden and violent strangulation of the diaphragm”.[7]

Cast
  • Robert Brinton as “Herman from the Bronx” (uncredited)
  • LaVere Daniels as “the girl” (uncredited)[8][9]
  • Arthur Johnson as himself
  • Howard Koster (uncredited)
  • William Rice as himself
  • James Smith as himself[10]

References
  1. Internet Movie Database
  2. “Rock Climbing” (2020). Idyllwild Town Crier
  3. Oliver, Bill (2008).“A Tribute to the Honorary Members of the Sierra Peaks Section: Norman Clyde, Glen Dawson & Jules Eichorn”. Part VI “Passing the Torch”. Sierra Echo 52(2): 2
  4. “Three on a Rope FIRST DOCUMENTED BASEJUMP!” (2016). Climber’s Forum. Supertopo
  5. Harwood Lodge, Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter.
  6. Japenga, Ann (2011). “ ‘Nothing held us back’ The legendary stonemasters conquered grueling climbs at Tahquitz and Suicide rocks”. Palm Springs Life.
  7. “1930s climbing: ‘Up to their adams apple in dangerous situations’” (2016). Teton Gravity Research
  8. Mendenhall, Ruth Dyer (1997/1998). “Women on the Rocks: The Early Years of the SMS & RCS”, Mugelnoos
  9. Obituary, LaVere Aulie (2012). The Bulletin, January 4.
  10. “Early Rock Climbing Section (RCS) Timeline”(2011). News, Sierra Club, Los Angeles Chapter.
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