Ruth Fielding at Golden Pass: Or, The Perils of an Artificial Avalanche

A young adult adventure novel written in the early 20th century. The story follows motion-picture pioneer Ruth Fielding as she premieres her latest hit and then leads her company west to film a new drama amid the peaks and canyons of Montana’s Golden Pass. Professional rivalries, a temperamental leading lady, and the dangers of mountain filmmaking—including a staged avalanche—put Ruth, her chum Helen, and business partner Tom to the test. The opening of the novel finds Ruth back in Cheslow for the triumphant premiere of her film “Snowblind,” where a sudden explosion and smoke cause a theater panic until Tom rescues her. Reunited with old Briarwood friends and buoyed by praise from studio head Mr. Hammond, Ruth commits to a new Western picture at Golden Pass. She signs rugged star Layton Boardman (to Tom’s unease about rival mogul Sol Bloomberg) and hires glamorous, volatile Viola Callahan despite the cost. After a warm house party at the Red Mill, the company heads west, and in Chicago Ruth spots Viola in furtive talk with Bloomberg’s agent, stirring suspicion yet not halting the trip. They reach Montana, take quarters at Headwaters Ranch, and as Boardman’s horsemanship wins over the cowboys, Ruth readies to scout locations for the perilous mountain scenes ahead.