More Films and Our Own "Silent" Movie Star In the
decade that followed, Old Tucson Studios experienced tremendous growth. In 1970-'71 alone, the studio hosted 15 film productions including Dirty Dingus Magee (1970) with Frank Sinatra and Joe Kidd
(1971) starring Clint Eastwood, who later returned to Mescal for The Outlaw-Josey Wales (1976). Paul Newman visited Mescal as well, and returned to Old Tucson, for The Life and Times of Judge
Roy Bean (1972). Other films during this period include Death Wish (1974) starring Charles Bronson; The Last Hard Men (1975) with Charleton Heston and James Coburn; The Villain
(1978) which starred Kirk Douglas and Ann Margaret and The Frisco Kid (1979) starring Gene Wilder and Harrison Ford, fresh from his stint as Han Solo in Star Wars. From 1970 to 1980 Old Tucson Studios
and its Mescal property hosted 77 film and television productions. Little House on the Prairie (1977-1983) starring Michael Landon, Melissa Gilbert and Karen Grassel, was among the memorable
television productions that called Old
Tucson and Mescal home, including Gunsmoke (1972-74) with James Arness; The Mark of Zorro (1974) featuring Ricardo Montalban; The New Maverick
(1978) with James Garner, and The Gambler (1979), a made-for-TV movie starring Kenny Rogers and Bruce Boxleitner.
Park expansion included the Silverlake Park area, complete with antique carousel, a new train depot and narrow-gauge train, the C.P. Huntington, and antique car rides. Perhaps the most exciting acquisition
during this time was the 1872 steam locomotive The Reno. Bob Shelton purchased the authentic train from MGM and brought it to Old Tucson
Studios in 1970. The Reno has since been featured in hundreds of films and television shows, becoming our very own "silent" movie star. |
|
