"Jackson Hole Welcomes Nation's Press"

"Wyoming Dedicates Spencer's Mountain; Warners Hosts Junket"

Jackson Wyoming - Entertainment world celebrities and some 250 representatives of the U.S. and Canadian press, radio and television corps descended here for the four-day Decoration Day weekend celebration of the dedication of nearby Spencer’s Mountain, which overlooks the town of Jackson and Grand Teton National Park, one of our country’s most beautiful and scenic areas.

Filmdom notables present included the stars of Warner Bros.’ Spencer’s Mountain, which inspired the dedication. In addition to Henry Fonda, James MacArthur, Mimsy Farmer, Maureen O’Hara, and the latter’s daughter, Bronwyn Fitzsimons, who has a bit role in the film, on hand were the picture’s producer-director, Delmer Daves, and his wife; Arthur Godfrey; Art Linkletter and his wife; MacArthur’s wife, TV actress Joyce Bulifont; Gretchen Stainbrook, Miss Wyoming, plus Wyoming Governor Clifford Hansen and U.S. Senator Gale McKee, who officiated at the dedication.

Hosts for the celebrities were the Jackson Chamber of Commerce, the State of Wyoming Travel Commission, Warner Bros., and the Grand Teton Lodge Co. (which provided lodging and other facilities for the visitors), in cooperation with the National Park Service of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which administers Grand Teton National Park.

The visitors to Jackson Hole were greeted on arrival by a reception committee headed by Jackson Mayor Henry Clissold, officials of the park and Grand Teton Lodge, and the Jackson High School band. That night, the press, celebrities and officials mingled at a get-together cocktail reception and buffet dinner at Grand Teton Lodge.

The next day, borne aloft by a chair-lift, the press witnessed the dedication of Spencer’s Mountain, emceed by Godfrey. They were then treated to Jackson’s famous “Clover the Killer” show, staged in the town square, in which an Old West hold-up, shoot-out and hanging were humorously re enacted. Spencer’s Mountain was then premiered at the Teton Theatre. A post-premiere square dancing party, sponsored by Technicolor, was staged at the Cowboy Bar.

Activities on the third day culminated in an outdoor barbecue held at the Triangle-X Dude Ranch, and an evening of entertainment emceed by Linkletter. Earlier, an interview with Daves and the picture’s stars was held at the Grand Teton Lodge. During the time allotted for outdoor events, the visitors toured Yellowstone National Park and Jackson and Jenny Lakes in Grand Teton National Park, went horseback riding around Colter Bay, and rode rubber rafts down the Snake River. The more adventurous among the guests went on nature walks.