Lafitte Lives Again in Old Bayou Haunts for Movie

Dewey Wrigley, at the right of camera, directs his crew in shooting action of Jean Lafitte’s “pirates” at the Paramount location in a Catahoula bayou near New Iberia. Director Arthur Rosson and Associate Producer Bill Pine were in charge of operations as scenes for “The Buccaneer” were made.

by Ken Gormin
This article appeared in The Sunday Item-Tribune, New Orleans on August 1, 1937

Jean Lafitte rolled over in his grave at least a dozen times during the past two weeks.

We’re sure of that for two reasons. The first is that he must have turned over at least three times in envy of the crew of cutthroats that piled along the bayous of the Catahoula while movie men sweated to erect floating camera-rafts and shot close-ups for Paramount’s “The Buccaneer.”

And the second reason is that “his” second visit to the heart of the Teche country was costing $65,000. Jean Lafitte paying 65 grand to play in the country where he once ruled as chief of the roughest bunch of pirates of America?

Bill Pine, associate producer of the picture, which will be directed by Cecil B. DeMille, chortled over that point.

“We’re spending about $65,000 around New Iberia, and we’re using nearly all local ‘pirates’.”

That speech was at 3 a.m. in the Frederic hotel at New Iberia, headquarters for the movie men. Three hours later the crew was headed towards Catahoula and location.

Boss Oversleeps

All except Pine, who overslept, but then he was the boss. When he did get up, he hastened to explain reasons for his oversleeping. Reasons for the moon shining in Potosi Center and why pork is so high in Peru.

Then Pine and Bill Hells, Jr., had a little difficulty. “Chiggers” or redbugs had left their indelible marks all over their bodies, so that finally served as an excuse for being late.

From St. Martinville to location mail wagons were visible along the road, each bearing a blue arrow on which were three white stars—the symbol of Paramount on location whether they should be seen in New Iberia, New Foundland or Switzerland.

There was a large crowd of curious people gathered near old man Talley's store at Catahoula. A shed with a rope arrangement in front to keep the sightseers away served as dressing room and makeup tent. The roof had a beer sign on it. There was no beer.

But Frank Thayer was there. Frank's makeup artist for Paramount. He can change a Mexican into a French privateer at the blink of the eye—almost.

One fellow tossed a handful of rags at us, said smilingly, “That's your costume.”

Pine looked up, grinned, “Go ahead. Be a pirate for a day.”

In the back end of the tent we stripped, put on the pirate rags, and did we look ferocious.

Then back again, this time to give Frank Thayer a chance to wrap our faces into proper tropical sneers. Looked in the mirror when he had finished sticking hair all over us.

“Wow, the change was terrific. Thank our stars, the homefolks will never see us like this…”

Ken Gormin, conductor of The Spotlight column, who was transformed into a pirate by the company’s makeup man, Frank Thayer, during a visit to location.