Old Tucson Studios began filming movies back in the 1930's but never really picked up momentum until after 1948. It became a huge movie set with dozens of movies being filmed here including many westerns. John Wayne is quite famous here because of his many movies filmed in Old Tucson.
We spent most of the day on the set taking pictures and watching the filming of a new movie called "Hot Bath - Stiff Drink". It appeared to be a western movie with over 130 cast members on site, many of whom were dressed in western garb, complete with horses and wagons and lots of guns. I don't know who the main actors are.
Debby had a burger and fries for lunch while I went into Duke's BBQ for a pulled pork sandwich. The movie makers broke for lunch, as well. They reconvened about 2 miles away at a ranch for more filming. So, with them being "off set", Old Tucson tourism was business as usual. We joined a 1:30 walking tour of the old town, learning that an arson had set it on fire several years ago and many buildings were burned. Many were rebuilt, however, not all.
Mankato, Minnesota, where 12 or 15 episodes of "Little House on the Prairie" were filmed, is now an empty parking lot at the edge of town. The fire also destroyed most of the old Mission so the front facade was rebuilt to look like one. It was in front of the Mission where three stuntmen put on a very funny show for the audience.
We ended the day by going back to the SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK to take the 8 mile loop drive through a small portion of the mighty Saguaro Cacti. Although it was a dirt road, it was a great drive through rocky hills and acres of Cacti.
No comments:
Post a Comment