Meanwhile back at the ranch -- Buster Keaton's Bathtub

Meanwhile back at the ranch is a continuing series about "rock stars" (landscape features) on the old Iverson Movie Location Ranch in Chatsworth, California.  For more information see: http://a-drifting-cowboy.blogspot.com/2011/10/iverson-movie-location-ranch-chatsworth.html

Buster Keaton's bathtub was certainly not one of the more often-filmed features on the Iverson Ranch, but it was one of the most fun rock formations ever filmed.  I read that a movie historian spent years searching for it after spotting it in one of Buster Keaton's movies--Three Ages (1923).

The challenge for you will be to find it.

If you find it during the summer (after the annual winter fill-up has evaporated), it will look like this (above).

To help you locate Keaton's bathtub you'll need to have your back toward the Garden of the Gods formations.  Then look for Cleft Rock (above right) behind the Lone Ranger (However, don't expect him to be there!)

From Cleft Rock, look to your left.  Under the oak tree, you'll find Saddle Rock.  Use it to climb up onto Keaton's bathtub.

In this still (above) from Escort West (1958) (starring Victor Mature and Elaine Stewart), all three rock features are visible: (left to right) Saddle Rock, Keaton's Bathtub and Cleft Rock.

In the screenshot above from Don Daredevil Rides Again (1951) (starring Ken Curtis, Aline Towne and Roy Barcroft) Ken Curtis climbs from Saddle Rock to Keaton's Bathtub.

In the screenshot (above) from The Miracle Rider (1935) (starring Tom Mix, Charles Middleton and Joan Gale) all three rock formations are behind Tom Mix and Joan Gale.

Finally, here's a close up screenshot of Tom Mix, "the idol of every boy in the world," according to the movie posters for The Miracle Rider (1935) :-)