Glacier County Chief

Shirley's New Leading Man

Shirley Temple's new leading man is Martin Goodrider, age 13, of Browning, a full blood Montana Blackfeet Indian. The young American redskin, fresh from his tribe's reservation, 40 miles from Glacier Park Station, plays the male hero with Shirley in "Susannah of the Mountains."

Martin is a protegee of Father Egan Mellman, a Jesuit priest. Besides acting, the young Indian warbles Irish ditties with a Cork accent, and does Scotch dances.

Shirley met her new leading man for the first time last week. They exchanged confidences, Shirley putting Martin wise to film technique, and Martin telling Shirley a lot about scouting and mountain lore.
C. Bland Jamison, technical adviser, Duke Goux, business manager and Mr. Campbell, publicity man for the 20th Century-Fox arrived in Browning Tuesday, to choose a score of Blackfeet Indians for Shirley Temple's next picture, "Susannah of the Mounties."

The tribesmen will be taken to Hollywood where they will be quartered on the 20th Century-Fox lot. To insure that they will not be asked to appear in anything detrimental to the dignity of their tribe, race or themselves, personally, the studio posted a $25,000 bond with the bureau of Indian affairs.

They will be chosen on the basis of distinct facial characteristics and knowledge of their ceremonial dances which they will teach to Shirley. Curiously, the actor chosen to portray their chief is Maurice Moskovitz, native of Russia.

Already in Hollywood is 13-year old Martin Goodrider, Blackfeet, who will provide a serio-comic heart interest for the child star. Shirley will be seen as an orphaned pioneer youngster adopted by Constable Randolph Scott of the Royal Canadian mounted police. The story revolves around construction of the Canadian Pacific railroad.

Mr. Jamison has been in Hollywood over a decade, acting as technical adviser in most Indian films since "The Covered Wagon."

He started collecting information about the tribesmen as a hobby and finally converted it into his job. He has a private collection of 24 Charles Russell paintings, inspired by those gracing the walls of Sid Willis' establishment in Great Falls.