Death Valley Appeal
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One unmentioned factor in the European interest in Death Valley (“A Hot Spot for Vacationers,” Aug. 29) was the 1970 film, “Zabriskie Point,” by Michelangelo Antonioni. Gorgeously photographed, the film was about youth rebellion.
Another Death Valley connection is the Frank Norris naturalistic novel, “McTeague,” written in 1899. Erich von Stroheim’s film adaptation, “Greed,” was made in 1924. The finale of the novel takes place in Death Valley, so Von Stroheim took his actors Gibson Gowland and Jean Hersholt there for filming under the blazing sun. Hersholt recalled the experience as the most grueling of his career. “Greed” is now recognized as one of the greatest and most uncompromising films of all time.
The TV series “Death Valley Days” played for decades beginning in 1952. It originated as a radio program in 1930. The TV series included nearly 600 episodes, all based on fact. Ronald Reagan was one of the hosts.
JOHN JENSEN
Downey
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