Ever wondered who handed young Indiana Jones his legendary fedora, sparking the iconic look that defines one of cinema's most beloved adventurers? It's a moment that kicks off a whirlwind of excitement in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, and it's full of twists you might not expect. But here's where it gets controversial—because naming this mysterious character has turned into a real puzzle for fans. Let's dive in and unravel this fascinating backstory, step by step, so even newcomers to the Indiana Jones saga can follow along easily.
Picture this: It's 1912, and we're introduced to a teenage Indy, brilliantly portrayed by the late River Phoenix, on a thrilling horseback adventure with his Boy Scout pals in the rugged wilderness of Moab, Utah. While poking around some caves, Indy and a buddy stumble upon a group of shady treasure hunters who've just dug up a glittering golden artifact. Indy, with his keen eye for history, instantly recognizes it as the Cross of Coronado—a necklace steeped in real-world significance that rightfully belongs in a museum, not in the hands of looters. In a daring move, he tries to snatch it and make a getaway, but he's spotted. What follows is an epic, heart-pounding chase sequence involving galloping horses, roaring jeeps, and even a circus train, all filmed with Steven Spielberg's signature flair for action that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
The pursuit culminates when Indy slips back to his home, outsmarting his pursuers. Eager to show off his prize to his dad—played by the legendary Sean Connery—he's met with indifference as his father is engrossed in scholarly work. But things escalate when the local sheriff arrives, and Indy tries to explain how he 'rescued' the Cross from those unethical hunters. The sheriff lays down the law: legally, the artifact belongs to them, not Indy. That's when the leader of the treasure hunters steps forward—a charismatic, handsome adventurer sporting a stylish fedora, brought to life by actor Richard Young. He delivers a memorable line, telling Indy he lost fair and square, but he doesn't have to like it. Then, in a symbolic gesture, he plops his fedora onto Indy's head, a moment that visually links the two characters and hints at Indy's future as a daring explorer.
Now, here's the part most people miss: In the film's credits and original script, this character isn't given a proper name at all. He's simply listed as 'Fedora,' a moniker straight from the hat he wears. And for good reason—fedoras were ahead of their time in 1912 fashion. Invented in the 1890s and named after the Italian play Fédora by Victorien Sardou, this wide-brimmed hat was popularized by actress Sarah Bernhardt, who famously cross-dressed and championed women's rights. It became a symbol of liberation, which is intriguing for Indiana Jones, the epitome of rugged masculinity, to sport such a 'feminist' accessory. Fedoras only hit mainstream popularity in America a decade later, around the 1920s, so wearing one made this treasure hunter seem sophisticated and forward-thinking.
At first, the character remained nameless beyond 'Fedora,' but over time, in expanded stories and fan materials outside the main films, he got a new identity: Garth. This shift was accidental, stemming from a 2008 novelization by Ryder Windham that mistakenly referenced an earlier, unofficial script transcription. That fake script dubbed him Garth, and the name stuck in some books and even subtitles on official Blu-ray releases. But here's where the real debate ignites—Lucasfilm itself has shot this down. On their official website, in a section dedicated to the Indiana Jones universe, they explicitly state that the character was always meant to be 'Fedora,' a placeholder name tied to the hat he gives Indy. They note that 'Garth' appears in 'a handful of other sources,' but it's not official, dismissing it as spurious despite its presence in licensed products.
To add another layer to this name game, there's even a rarer, unofficial moniker from a German novel titled Indiana Jones und das Verschwundene Volk (or Indiana Jones and the Lost People) by Wolfgang Hohlbein. In it, Indy reminisces about that youthful encounter and says his rival introduced himself as 'Jake.' Yet, this is just as fringe as 'Garth,' appearing only once and not endorsed anywhere else.
And this is the part that sparks endless fan arguments: Is 'Garth' a legitimate part of Indiana Jones lore, or should we stick strictly to 'Fedora' as the character's true essence? Some fans argue that the novelizations and subtitles make 'Garth' feel official, while others see it as a canon error that dilutes the original intent. What do you think—does this accidental naming add depth to Indy's backstory, or is it just confusing clutter? Should Lucasfilm embrace 'Garth' to unify the expanded universe, or protect the purity of the films? Share your opinions in the comments below; I'd love to hear whether you side with 'Fedora' or think 'Garth' deserves a spot in the spotlight!
If you're a fan of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, don't miss our in-depth oral history of the film's unforgettable climax, which revisits those legendary trials Indy faces. It’s a great companion piece to this exploration of his origins.
