Tucson Arizona - What’s New is Old at Old Tucson Studios

Ben Cartwright and Little Joe would have formed a posse had they been in town at the time.

A lynching would have been imminent. An outlaw, suspected of arson at the Old Tucson Studios, would have had no home on the range. If not a quick draw, he’d drop to a blaze of bullets from Adam’s six shooter. This was the way in the Wild West. But today, it’s half Hollywood, half history.

April 25, 1995 saw the end of an era when a fire engulfed fifty-six years of legendary locales and historic frontier film props at the Old Tucson Studios. Fortunately, the Arizona theme park, closed for nearly two years, resurrected from the ashes in January 1977. The “new” old studios have been rebuilt, refurbished and ready for lights, camera, action.

A few steps through the front gates and I find myself in 1860. As I kick up the dust in a cowboy canter, images of The Good The Bad and The Ugly come to mind, and I envision Clint at the other end of Main Street, brim pulled low, poncho tucked just so, revealing a ready pistol.

“He was here,” confirms public relations manager Jamie Eggold. Clint Eastwood starred in Joe Kidd in 1971, filmed here on location. Strange vibes this town corrals. I feel as though I’ve just missed him. The dirt, now settled on my boots, makes me feel like a well-traveled wrangler. The banner, strung over the soil-laden street, marks the entrance to the rebuilt Tucson Studios: “Welcome! We’re Brand Spankin’ Old!’

Spared from fire were very few structures, wardrobes of props. Among the survivors were the sweet shop and adobe buildings near the front entrance, the blacksmith shop, the school house, the brewery, and the Indian Trading Post.

“The wedding dress Melissa wore as Laura Ingalls was saved and visitors are thrilled to see it,” says Eggold. Other saved props include John Wayne and Frank Sinatra articles from Dirty Dingus Magee and items from the 1956 classic, Gun Fight at the OK Corral, with Burt Lancaster and Kirk Douglas.

Several new buildings grace the streets, such as the Mexican Mission, the Town Hall, Grand Palace Saloon and Hotel, and the subterranean Story Teller Theater, where a Native American shares a fable about a snake teaching people about diversity. “It’s a real warm and fuzzy story,” admits Eggold.

As I stroll the street of old Tucson, I am literally walking through time. From the front gate I progress from 1860 to 1920. I am enveloped in street scenes that guide me through pre-settlement times, the true Wild West, and pre-Victorian times.

Walking through these years I become witness to the Wild West in all its movie-making madness. The streets double as show venues where Tucson Studios actors perform “a day in the life of a western town.” The show draws visitors into the era with song, dance and action.

The Mission stunt show includes director Cecil D. DeVille filming an action scene from his epic western as a comedy of errors surrounds his set. Gunfighters, lawmen, stuntmen and saloon girls create a charade of commotion.

At the Cowboy Cafe I enjoy their hearty home-style barbecued chicken, an obvious house specialty. Wild west eateries throughout the town offer everything from charbroiled chow to frijoles. Rosa’s Cantina serves up seventy-five different kinds of tequila, “and makes an awesome margarita,” says Eggold.

There are plenty of rides and attractions for the kids, such as the Iron Door Mine Ride, the carousel, the C.P. Huntington train ride, the carnival games, the petting zoo and of course, the pony rides.

One of the most famous and historical attractions is The Reno. Appearing in over 300 television and film productions, this 1872 steam locomotive has a history that spans 125 years. It appeared in some of Hollywood’s most famous westerns including Annie Get Your Gun (1950) and television’s Rawhide and Gunsmoke.

“As for people who work here, perhaps the most devastating part of the fire was the loss of The Reno,” says Eggold.” We are hoping to refurbish it by the end of the year in time to honor its 125thanniversary.” The popularity of the park can easily be measured by past attendance figures. Yearly totals teeter on the half million mark, while park additions and attractions promise to draw even more visitors annually.

Hollywood dictates that “the show must go on,” and at Old Tucson Studios it certainly does.

If you go to Old Tucson Studios:

From the Valley:Take Interstate 10-South Take Speedway exit-West 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, AZ 85735 (520) 883-0100

Admission: Adult: $14.95Child: $9.45Child under 3: FreeFree admission for the next day after paymentif park closes due to poor weather conditions.

Hours: Open dailyClosed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day9 a.m. to 7 p.m. through mid April10 a.m. to 6 p.m. mid April through late December.

Tips :Arrive early to fit in all the scheduled performances.Allow 4-5 hrs. for a full park experience

For more information, see: www.oldtucson.com

Author: Tracey Rayson