cc: MILHST  --CMSNAMES
 
From: Anita Cohen-Williams
Subject: Historic movie making site lost to fire
  On Monday, over 40% of Old Tucson burned to the ground. This movie location
and theme park has been the backdrop for a great many movies past and present.
  About 300 westerns and other films have been shot at the site over the past
50 years, including GUNFIGHT AT THE OK CORRAL, RIO LOBO, and THE LAST OUTPOST
(with Ronald Reagan). Seven feature films were shot there just last year
including THE QUICK AND THE DEAD, and TERMINAL VELOCITY.
  Much of the main street was destroyed by a fire that should have been minor,
but strong winds, dry wood, and a delay in getting water contributed to the
blaze. The adobe mission that was built originally for the 1940 movie ARIZONA
was lost, the Gold Dust Theater from the Clint Eastwood film JOE KIDD is gone,
the Red Dog Saloon from the TV series HIGH CHAPARRAL, the Wells Fargo Bank, a
kachina museum, and the entire soundstage were destroyed. The wardrobe and
props building that contained memorabilia from hundreds of movies was lost as
well. The sheriff's office from RIO LOBO that was reused in many different
westerns over the years was lost. Fortunately, the Reno, the oldest operating
steam locomotive in the U.S. was not damaged beyond repair.
  Only two minor injuries were reported, luckily.
 
Anita Cohen-Williams; Reference Services; Hayden Library
Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ  85287-1006
PHONE: (602) 965-4579              FAX: (602) 965-9169
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