In the opening scene introducing the characters at the train station, the tall Indian who walks through is Jim Thorpe in an uncredited role. He was famous for winning two Olympic gold medals (in decathlon and classic pentathlon) as well as a versatile team athlete (collegiate and professional American football, professional baseball and basketball).
In 1913, the Olympic Committee had stripped Thorpe of his medals for having earned some meager pay as a professional athlete, against their rules.
(From Wikipedia) By the time he appeared in Sweepings, he had fallen on hard times, taking a number of menial jobs, including as a movie extra, to support his family. Burt Lancaster played the athlete in Jim Thorpe - All-American (1951), the year after Thorpe sought treatment for cancer as a charity case. Thorpe's medals were restored to him in 1982, nearly 30 years after his death at the age of 64.
In 1913, the Olympic Committee had stripped Thorpe of his medals for having earned some meager pay as a professional athlete, against their rules.
(From Wikipedia) By the time he appeared in Sweepings, he had fallen on hard times, taking a number of menial jobs, including as a movie extra, to support his family. Burt Lancaster played the athlete in Jim Thorpe - All-American (1951), the year after Thorpe sought treatment for cancer as a charity case. Thorpe's medals were restored to him in 1982, nearly 30 years after his death at the age of 64.
William Gargan, who plays the oldest brother Gene here, would play Uncle Thane Pardway in the remake entitled Three Sons (1939).