Go West old man!: Tucson 6, Old Tucson

Old Tucson, the movie set outside Tucson city, was our fun for the day today. It was originally built in 1939 and has been used in many more movies than than I can relate here. 4 major John Wayne westerns in the ‘60s, some Clint Eastwood features, some TV series like High Chaparral etc. etc.

We got there a little early as they have two daily opening times depending on the day’s activity. So we went over to a picnic spot near the Desert Museum. There in the middle of the driveway was a coyote. He may have been considering a social call to his coyote friends in the museum. He went off the road but stopped just into the brush, where I could still get a photo.

At Old Tucson we went in full cowboy dress and got a 2 for 1 entry price. We got to talk to many of the actors for doing that, they’d come up and say hello just to meet guests who dress the part. One of those is a Tucson native who used to come to Johnson State College to a summer ballet program. He is now playing the part of Billy the Kid. And another good conversation with the blacksmith, originally from MA who spent time in VT.

We saw a street show of the James-Younger Gang robbing a bank, unsuccessfully. Took a ride on a stagecoach to the back lot where the High Chaparral house is. The outdoor scenes of the ranch house were done here. Inside filming was on a sound stage elsewhere. The last time we were here we could walk over and go inside, where I thought it was very small. Now I know why.

We also had a ride on the narrow gauge train around the town and out back. That showed us some places you can’t see on foot. They have a bunch of different props stored out there.

And finally a walking tour with a guy who obviously has been there quite a while. He knew a lot about which movies were made there and which buildings were used in each one. And which buildings were changed for various films. And some used the front of one building while the next film used the back of that building. Or each film gets to rebuild whatever they want to suit their purposes. That and a fire in 1995 means that many scenes in older movies that were filmed there are no longer visible. He and I had a good chat about old guns & shooting. He doesn’t do CAS but has everything except time to do it.

Then home to Skye for some walk and play time. Her turn comes tomorrow with some dog-friendly trails.