OLD TUCSON- Arizona


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Remember the first scenes in Tombstone?^

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Old Tucson ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Information from
Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Edited and added to by ethanedwards

Old Tucson Studios is a movie studio and theme park just outside of Tucson, Arizona. Built in 1939 for the movie Arizona, the studio was opened to the public in 1960.

Early history

Old Tucson Studios was originally built in 1939 by Columbia Pictures on a Pima County-owned site as a replica of 1860's Tucson for the movie Arizona, starring William Holden and Jean Arthur. Workers built more than 50 buildings in 40 days. Many of those structures still stand today.

After Arizona completed filming, the location lay dormant for several years, until the filming of The Bells of St. Mary's (1945), starring Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman. Other early movies included The Last Round-Up (1947) with Gene Autry and Winchester '73 (1950) with Jimmy Stewart and The Last Outpost with Ronald Reagan. The 1950s saw the filming of Gunfight at the OK Corral (1956), The Lone Ranger and the Lost City of Gold (1957), and Cimarron (1959) Tombstone, and The Outlaw Josey Wales, among others.

In 1959, entrepreneur Robert Shelton leased the property from Pima County and began to restore the aging facility. Old Tucson Studios re-opened in 1960, as a both a film studio and a theme park. The park grew building by building with each movie filmed on its dusty streets. John Wayne starred in four movies at Old Tucson Studios and each production added buildings to the town. Rio Bravo (1959) added a saloon, bank building and doctor's office; McLintock! (1963) added the McLintock Hotel; El Dorado (1967) brought a renovation of the storefronts on Front Street; and with Rio Lobo (1970) came a cantina, a granite-lined creek, a jail and a ranch house.

In 1968, a 13,000 square foot soundstage was built to give Old Tucson Studios greater movie-making versatility. The first film to use the soundstage was Young Billy Young (1968), starring Robert Mitchum and Angie Dickinson.

Duke made, 4 Movies here,

Rio Bravo.(1959)
Mc Lintock.(1963)
El Dorado.(1967)
Rio Lobo.(1971)

The park also began adding tours, rides and shows for the entertainment of visitors, most notably gunfights staged in the "streets" by stunt performers.

Old Tucson served as an ideal location for shooting scenes for TV series like Little House on the Prairie, and later Father Murphy, featuring Merlin Olsen. Three Amigos was a popular comedy shot there in the 80s, utilizing the church set. The main street appears prominently in 1990s westerns like Tombstone and The Quick and the Dead.

Fire

On April 25, 1995, a fire destroyed much of Old Tucson Studios. Buildings, costumes and memorabilia were all lost in the blaze.

The origin of the fire is not known. However, several factors contributed to the degree of devastation. Fire control efforts were hampered by high winds. A 25,000 gallon water reserve was inaccessable and water had to be brought in from areas up to 40 miles away. Most of the buildings in the studio were classified as "Temporary Structures," meaning fire prevention devices such as sprinklers were not required. Liquid propane and gunpowder stored near the fire area demanded the attention of firefighters and much of the scarce water supply. So much water was used in the attempt to prevent an explosion that the surrounding areas became flooded, further impeding the firefighters as they attempted to wade through the mud.

When the fire began, 300 guests and employees were forced to evacuate the park. After approximately four hours, the flames were finally extinguished. Damages were estimated to be in excess of $10 million, with 25 buildings destroyed including the sound stage. Among the memorabilia destroyed was the wardrobe from Little House on the Prairie.

After 20 months of reconstruction, Old Tucson re-opened its doors on January 2, 1997. The sets that were lost were not recreated; instead, entirely new buildings were constructed, and the streets were widened. The soundstage was not rebuilt. In 2003, Old Tucson reduced its hours of operation, remaining open on a limited basis. Focusing on seasonal events, Old Tucson hosts the popular Nightfall event for Halloween.

Keith,
In the mid 1980s I was ask by William Hearst Jr. to do a series of seven one hours shows called "The Gunfighters" for Hearst A.B.C. Television and we did Many of the Scenes at Old Tucson. :D

When I get back to my other computer in the Verde Valley I will put up some of the Pictures that were taken from the Series that was done at Old Tucson. :)

Every time we needed to Kill- Off one of The Bad Guys like a Crooked Gambler or Outlaw I did the Fall, :dead: as we where on a Very Budget for the T.V. Series, and the Stuntmen wanted too Much Money, and we would have to Fly Them in from California. :fear:

What a Shame that this old Movie Town Burned Down, :cry2: but I am told that Much of it has been Rebuilt!!! :D

Bill :cowboy:

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Nov 9 2006, 01:24 PM

Fire

On April 25, 1995, a fire destroyed much of Old Tucson Studios. Buildings, costumes and memorabilia were all lost in the blaze.

After 20 months of reconstruction, Old Tucson re-opened its doors on January 2, 1997. The sets that were lost were not recreated; instead, entirely new buildings were constructed, and the streets were widened. The soundstage was not rebuilt. In 2003, Old Tucson reduced its hours of operation, remaining open on a limited basis. Focusing on seasonal events, Old Tucson hosts the popular Nightfall event for Halloween.


Hi Bill,

Thanks for adding to these posts,
and your contribution is welcome.
It seems from above,
that they have re-built most of it,
perhaps you can give us, some first hand knowledge?

Keith;

Here is a little Picture Story out of the T.V. Series "The Gunfighters" that we did in the 1980s and these Film Clips were done at Old Tucson in the Sound Stage that Burned Down. :cry2:

I will put up another Small Picture Story on Film Clips taken on the outside at Sedona Soon. Also Pictures of two of the Old Movie Towns that were once there. :angry:

The Gunfighters ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Bill :cowboy:

All Duke fans are pretty familiar with the Old Tucson set--at least how it appeared in Rio Bravo, El Dorado, and Rio Lobo. I just found that on [Only registered and activated users can see links] you can visit the Old Tucson set via arial photos. From that website, scroll over to Tucson, and then zoom in, and the navigate west from downdown Tucson until you come to Kinney road. Then after you zoom in over the Old Tucson site, click the button for Bird's Eye view, and be treated to excellent color photos that can be re-oriented from each angle (north/south/east/west). From these shots, you can easily see the old church facade that was featured in El Dorado, as well as the rocky ruins from where Stumpy threw the dynamite at the Burdette warehouse. If you have never visited Old Tucson in person, this appears to be the next best option.

Sadly, I could not make out the old Jail, which means it may have been destroyed. I would have loved to visit that jail and walk up to it and holler "Stumpy, I'm coming in."

Can anyone else identify any specific buildings in these photos that are still roughly the same as they were years ago?

GSP

Thanks GSP. I had alittle trouble finding the place so I will add to your directions. Old Tuscon is located where South Kinney RD and West Gates Pass(Speedway BLVD). It is located just to the south where those 2 roads meet.

Is it the place that looks like an amusement park from the air? The place I'm looking at is the southeast corn of the intersection of S Kinney Rd and West Gates Pass.

Yes, that's it. It won't look like much unless you click the "Bird's Eye View" button. The standard view is just the picture from space directly overhead. But the Bird's Eye is from an angle, and close enough to easily see tourists standing around.

Hi Keith

Thanks for link.

Looking out on a dark rainy day it wish I was in Old Tucson!!!


Mike

Here are some more photos and a link,

12941296

12971298

Another photo tour here,
click on

Old Tucson Studios
([Only registered and activated users can see links])

When I was running the "Street Entertainment" at Apacheland Movie Ranch south of Apache Junction, AZ, I was told that Batjac had used Apacheland for a few short scenes. I was never able to confirm that, though. But some of the customers thought he (JW) worked there, because I would do the announcements over the PA while doing my impression of him. Everybody loved it!

I would like to know for sure if he actually ever did any work out there.

Since the fire has the location been used for any films or is it primarily a theme park now?


Mike

I thought I heard, not to awful long ago, that somebody was doing some filming down there. I know it has been used for filming since the fire.

Buck,

First of all, WELCOME to the John Wayne Message Board! A friendlier, more knowledgeable bunch you won't find anywhere!

As to your question, a little digging around over at IMDb netted this link, which is a list of films that used Apacheland Movie Ranch as a filming location -

[Only registered and activated users can see links] 0Arizona,%20USA&&heading=18;with+locations+including;Apacheland%20M ovie%20Ranch%20-%2015371%20S.%20Ojo%20Road,%20Apache%20Junction,%2 0Arizona,%20USA

And here's the link for films that used Apache Junction, AZ, as a location (obviously some duplication between the lists) -

[Only registered and activated users can see links] ion,%20Arizona,%20USA

Again, welcome!

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Just to follow up on this one,
and thanks to Chester for his information

[Only registered and activated users can see links]


Click on here for more details,

Apacheland ([Only registered and activated users can see links])

Chester,
The two men in the Gunfight above were at the Ranch when You were there, and is the one that Spun Duke's Rifle just like Duke !
Chilibill
:cowboy: