{{Infobox film | name = Three on a Rope | image = | alt = | caption = | native_name = <!-- {{Infobox name module|language|title}} or {{Infobox name module|title}} --> | director = Willard Van der Veer | producer = Jack Chertok | writer = Willard Van der Veer | screenplay = | story = | starring = | narrator = Pete Smith | music = | cinematography = Willard Van der Veer | editing = | studio = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | distributor = Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | released = {{film date|1938|02|19}} | runtime = 10 minutes | country = United States | language = English | budget = | gross = }}
'''''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.<ref>[https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0344457/fullcredits Internet Movie Database]</ref>
== Synopsis == thumb|left|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”.<ref>“Rock Climbing” (2020). ''[https://idyllwildtowncrier.com/rock-climbing/ Idyllwild Town Crier]''</ref> 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.<ref name="Oliver">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”. [https://www.sierraclub.org/sites/www.sierraclub.org/files/sce/sierra-peaks-section/history/Tribute%20VI%20%2B%20bonus%20pix.pdf Sierra Echo 52(2): 2]</ref>
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,<ref>“Three on a Rope FIRST DOCUMENTED BASEJUMP!” (2016). Climber’s Forum. [http://www.supertopo.com/climbers-forum/2864433/Three-on-a-Rope-FIRST-DOCUMENTED-BASEJUMP Supertopo]</ref> although it was obviously staged.
The film begins at Harwood Lodge<ref>[https://angeles.sierraclub.org/harwood_lodge Harwood Lodge], Sierra Club, Angeles Chapter.</ref> 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.<ref name="Oliver"/>
thumb|right|Stoney Point California The director was “very slow in coming across with promised honorariums”<ref name="Oliver"/> for the cast and it is reported that the climbers were never paid.<ref>Japenga, Ann (2011). “ ‘Nothing held us back’ The legendary stonemasters conquered grueling climbs at Tahquitz and Suicide rocks”. [http://www.annjapenga.com/Images/articles/Stonemasters-Tahquitz-Suicide-Rocks '' Palm Springs Life''].</ref>
== Cast == * Robert Brinton as “Herman from the Bronx” (uncredited) * LaVere Daniels as “the girl” (uncredited)<ref>Mendenhall, Ruth Dyer (1997/1998). “Women on the Rocks: The Early Years of the SMS & RCS”, ''{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20170501175156/http://skimountaineerssectionlachaptersc.org/text/basecamp.htm Mugelnoos]}}''</ref><ref>Obituary, LaVere Aulie (2012). ''[https://www.bendbulletin.com/localstate/lavere-aulie/article_ece5eb52-fe6c-594c-b961-82141734a4f2.html The Bulletin]'', January 4.</ref> * Arthur Johnson as himself * Howard Koster (uncredited) * William Rice as himself * James Smith as himself<ref>“[https://angeles.sierraclub.org/news/blog/2011/05/early_rock_climbing_section_rcs_timeline Early Rock Climbing Section (RCS) Timeline”(2011)]. News, Sierra Club, Los Angeles Chapter.</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{IMDb title|0344457}} * {{tcmdb title|400726}} * ''[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z6eCrciPuw8 Three on a Rope]'' on Youtube
Category:1938 short documentary films Category:1938 films Category:American short documentary films Category:Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer short films Category:Documentary films about climbing Category:American black-and-white films