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Old Tucson Movie Studios


On Thursday, January 5, 2006, after spending the night at 
a Holiday Inn Express in Tucson, we visited the studios.
We all had a great time here! These studios have been the
location for over 350 major motion pictures, well-known TV
series such as Gunsmoke and Little House on the Prarie, and
uncounted ads.

To access the Studio's web site, click here


Andrew stands in from the of Grand Palace Hotel & Saloon



Doing a skit, "Law in a Lawless Land", for the tourists complete
with gun fights! "Watch as an Arizona Territorial Ranger and his
friend Jeb Rinehart take on a lawless desperado."

To view a movie clip from this skit (3+ Megabytes), click here


Help! Help! I'm innocent!


Too many sasparillas!



Ugly barkeep and hairy waitress!


Ken reading about the set for High Chapperal.


Our tour guide introducing the Misson set with Golden Gate Peak
in the background.


Actors in front of the Mission set.


Kayla disposes of her kid brother, Ken poses, while our tour
guide knows when to get those hands up!


Ok, ok, so it's only Hollywood, Maria!
They made me do it! I was hired as a stand-in stunt man!


Of course we had to ride the old cars. Here Kayla rounds the corner.


Outside the Iron Door Mine Adventure (fun house)


Kayla in the stage coach.


Andrew stands in front of the famous locomotive, "Reno", built
in 1872. The 32-ton locomotive was the first American-type
4-4-0 locomotive built, and endures as one of only two in
existence.  Throughout its working days, the Reno hauled more
than $400 million in gold and silver; the Comstock lode.
The locomotive also carried several American icons including
President Ulysses S. Grant, President Theodore Roosevelt,
Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, and circus legend
P.T. Barnum.

Throughout its continuing career, the Reno appeared in more
than 100 movies. Memorable roles included appearances in
Rawhide, Posse, How the West Was Won, Twilight Zone: The Series,
Joe Kidd, and The Life and Times of Judge Roy Bean. It had the
feature roll in Cecil B. DeMille's 1939 epic film,
"Union Pacific".


Andrew at the Reno's coal car.


Kayla handles the controls of the Reno. Maybe a future engineer?


The "Three Sisters" peaks on left and the "Golden Gate Peak" on right
are the tell-tale mountains which indicate that any given movie
was filmed at the Old Tucson Studios!


Panning for gold is very addictive. Later, Ken and the kids
went to other activities while I panned for another half hour!
Yes, I do have some real gold to show for it!


The coyotes seem to know when it is closing time (4:00 pm)
and stand around the parking lot looking for handouts!

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