 In an early cut of this film prior to its release, director  James Cruze (qv) appeared in a brief cameo heavily disguised as an  Indian. Screenwriter Jack Cunningham (I) (qv) wrote him a memo  saying that, even if viewers didnt recognize him from his days as  an actor, he looked too "white" alongside the genuine Indians who  appeared in the film. Cunningham prevailed, and the scene was  deleted.