| | | | Urban Cowboy
(1980) |
ou've gotta "Yipee ki yi yay" and saddle up if you wanna have fun, Partner! Any "Real Cowboy" knows that. The question is, are you a real cowboy? 'Cause that's all that matters in this film based on an "Esquire" magazine story written by Aaron Latham and directed by James Bridges. Only a real cowboy gets the prettiest girl in Texas and the respect of every two-stepper in Houston. Of course, you've gotta proove your "cowboyness", and let me tell you Partner, it aint as easy as it looks. Sometimes, you have to find out about life the hard way.
John Travolta plays the lead role in this honky-tonk classic. The film revolves around Bud (Travolta) and Sissy's (Debra Winger) tumultuous, rough-and-tumble country romance in Houston, Texas; where beer is better than wine and a Stetson is hipper than any Fedora.
All Bud wanted out of Houston was a job at his Uncle Bobs (Barry Corbin) oil refinery, but he ended up with a lot more. Easy women, good beer, dancing at Gilley's Night Club.... a wife. A beautiful little country bumpkin by the name of Sissy , who like most Texas girls, is lookin' for a real cowboy.
After a couple of dates in which they barely get to know one another, the two tie the knot "Country Western" style and start what initially seems to be the perfect small town marriage in a trailer all their own. However, it takes no more than a week for these two newlyweds young love to go awry.
Bud has a temper which clashes with Sissys stubborn demeanor, and the two decide to call it quits after making each other jealous with raven-haired cowgirls and rough-neck cowboys. Bud now has himself a beautiful up-town girl (Madolyn Smith) named Pam, who although is good looking is a bit shallow and falls short of the charasmatic Sissy. Sissy has lasooed herself a wild ex-con named Wes (Scott Glenn) who strikes up a rivalry with Bud and plans to rob Gilleys.
Throughout the film Bud and Sissy remain seperated, but secretly long to be back together. The two try to impress and outdo one another by becoming pros on the mechanical bull which has stirred up many a fight at Gilleys Night Club.
Though they thought breaking up was for the best, everything seems to go wrong. Buds beloved Uncle dies in an accident at the oil refinery and Sissys new cowboy Wes has become physically and emotionally abusive. It's up to Bud and Sissy to turn things around and make a better life for one another, which they eventually do, and the viewer is made very happy by the outcome of this Southern Drama.
I don't want to give too much of this film away, because personally I feel it is one of the best films made which incorporates a country western theme. Debra Winger as Sissy is spectacular, as always, and John Travoltas character Bud has a stubborn, immature way of handling himself in a romantic relationship which is similar to his role as "Danny" in "Grease".
Regardless if you're from the west coast, east coast, north or south, this film is relatable to everyone who can identify with being prideful, being in a complicated relationship, or just being drunk. This film is not just an 80's classic, it's a movie classic which shows country life and the gritty, competitive way that it can be.
 Don't forget that Urban Cowboy is now available to order on Widescreen DVD using our special 80s Retro Assistant...
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I had never seen this film until recently and I was really impressed. I'm not a real big country and western person, so I didn't think I would care for it, but my mom insisted I watch it and it was great. I love dramas and Debra Winger and I recommend this film for all you drama lovers out there. A must see.
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Gilley's closed on March 30, 1989 after Gilley and Sherwood (co-owners) went to court. The nightspot burned down later that year, supposedly from arson. The only buildings left standing are the recording studio, indoor rodeo building and shed. 
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There are cameos by famous country musicians including Johnny Lee, Bonnie Raitt, and The Charlie Daniels Band.
The Bee Gees played in Houston during the filming of "Urban Cowboy" and John Travolta joined them onstage. -Thanks to Jamie Sralla
The actual mechanical bull that has been in Gilley's bar all this time, the one that they rode in the movie, has been acquired for The Crazy Horse Saloon in Sallisaw Oklahoma. -Thanks to Monte Buttery
Like the film which made Travolta a star, "Saturday Night Fever," "Urban Cowboy" was also inspired by a magazine article and is just a variant on "Fever, by substituting a country and western establishment for a disco. Travolta and director Bridhes would later reteam for the 1985 release "Perfect" which was also inspired by Aaran Latham's journalistic efforts. Also like "Fever," "Cowboy" was adapted for the Broadway stage. -Thanks to Robert Baum
The 1967 Ford Mustang that Sissy drove in this movie now resides in Evans City, PA (near Pittsburgh). It is owned by two brothers and is often seen in local car shows. -Thanks to Bill Reilly
Sunday was family day at Gilley's, so children under 18 were allowed to enter the premises.
I visited Gilley's during the summer of 1980 when the ship I was working on was stuck in port for maintenance. Despite the fact that I was 15 years old (I guess I looked older), I spent a memorable three nights in this wild place. Only when I got back to Europe a few weeks later, did I realize how famous it had become. I can still picture the huge old-fashioned bath tubs which served as urinals! Or the parking lot full of pickup trucks. The music was great, the beer was fine (the Hurricanes better) and I would like to thank Sara-Lee from New Jersey for the two-stepping practice! Hmm, one of the Gilley's Band's texts went something like this "...say gas'll get cheaper?" [the crowd answered: "bulls**t!] - still topical, no?
John Travolta was originally offered the lead roll in "American Gigolo" played by Richard Gere, but turned it down in order to star in "Urban Cowboy"...
Mickey Gilley, Jerry Lee Lewis and the Reverend Jimmy Swaggert are cousins in real life.
My parents have lived in "Uncle Bob's" house for many years (actually 2213 Westside Drive in Deer Park), but I'm sad to report that there has not been a sign on the toilet describing it as the "Urban Cowboy's first throne" since they lived there. Your site is apparently read by many though, because we have had several people stop and ask about the sign. -Thanks to Valerie Ditta
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John Travolta was supposed to originally have a stunt double to do the riding on the mechnical bull for him, but two months before the movie began production, Travolta had a mechanical bull installed in his home and every afternoon he worked with a trainer to master the bull riding skills and he became so good at it that they scrapped the plans for Travolta having a stunt double.. he ended up doing all his own stunts! -Thanks to Angela
The scene where "Wes" chews up and swallows the worm after drinking the bottle of tequila was not scripted, but a joke done for the dailies.
Patrick Swayze's wife and mother (Lisa Niemi and Patsy Swayze) cheoreographed the dance sequences.
Extras were paid $30 a day to "sit around and do nothing".
The original script called for Sherwood (co-owner of Gilley's) to be the one robbed at the end of the movie in Gilley's back office. Sherwood said he wasn't about to be the one shown being robbed, claiming that when the movie was released, every cowboy in Houston would be trying his hand at robbing the place. Instead, he insisted the movie company have his real life wife be the one robbed in the scene... And thats how they did it! -Thanks to Scott
At the time, the trailer that "Sissy" and "Wes" stayed in was actually a back stage dressing room. Performers such as George Strait used it when performing at Gilley's.
When John Travolta came to Houston to film Urban Cowboy he didn't know how to "Kicker Dance". Quentin Wilson a local guy who hung out at Gilley's regularly was hired to teach Travolta to dance. In the dance contest scene, Quentin is shown dancing. -Thanks to John Ruth
Also, Travolta hung out at Gilley's quite a bit before the filming began to get his "Texas drawl" that he used in the movie... he had to get rid of his original New York/Brooklyn accent to sound more realistic. He also went there to learn how a cowboy moves so it would help him with his mannerisms as well. -Thanks to Angela
During filming, Paramount rented a big house for John Travolta in the ritzy Hunters Creek Village area of Houston. A good 45 minutes away from Pasadena. They set up a mechanical bull and some mattresses for him to practice on in the back yard. A friend of mine lived next door and we used to look over the fence and watch him practice. In the mornings John would jog through the neighborhood. He'd always wave to us kids as we waited for the school bus. We only knew him as Vinny Babarino at the time. But all the moms in the neighborhood knew him from Saturday Night Fever. As you can imagine, a lot of mothers took up jogging during his stay.
I was an extra in Urban Cowboy for a week when I was in middle school. My mother was an extra for the entire filming at Gilley's. I have many interesting memories from that time. The wrap party was at a farm house. It was an all day/all night affair. I remember everyone dancing and having a crazy good time in the backyard....and Debra dancing with a chicken and John Travolta playing cards in the kitchen with Johnny Lee. I had a lot of fun. Unfortunately I broke my arm the next day...but when I went to the hospital..my doctor was the one who put the cast on John's arm for the movie...what a coincidence! They were all very nice to the extras. They really seemed to enjoy their time in Houston. -Thanks to Jodi C.
I was recruited by Patsy Swayze (Mother of Patrick) & James Bridges Director, to help with coordination of the mechanical bull riding scenes including the student clowns. I was a "Gilley Regular" and knew Norman Tucker, David "Killer" Olge, "Gator," "Tanker," "Big Pam," Marsha Lee, Joe Ladd w/KIKK & Arch Yancey w/KNUZ, Pam Ivey/KIKK & Hal McClain & "Buffalo Bill" Bailey both w/ KENR. Richard Wolf w/ American Hats then downtown on Louisiana Street furnished 75 of the hats that were worn in the movie, and Don Murphy aka Dons' Western Wear porvided many of the wardrobes for local movie extras. Gilley's truly was the place to be during that time and any given night, scheduled or not there would be an entertainer appear and join stage with, Kenny Dale, Johnny Lee, Mickey Gilley and/or the Bayou City Beats. There wasn't a car that ever left the parking lot of Gilleys that didn't have a bumper sticker on it! Back in those days, DWI's were not a issue, people took care of each other and the Pasadena Police truly displayed "To Protect & Serve". John T was a down to earth friendly personal guy & Debra Winger was truly everyone's "Little Sister". Yes it was a real era in time: Country began Urban and Urban went Country and we were all: "Looking for Love, in all the wrong places. Smiles across the miles & May God Bless. Yours truly Jim BOBO Richardson, 1981 Champion Rodeo Clown -Thanks to Jim BOBO Richardson
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|  |  |  | | Urban Cowboy
Locations |
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The house in which "Uncle Bob" and "Aunt Corrine" lived was located at 231 West Side Drive in Deer Park. There is a toilet in the owners restroom that declares that it is "The Official Throne of Urban Cowboy".
Gilley's use to be known as Shelly's; also a bar with music and dancing.I lived in Pasadena, TX as a child and remember the place as Shelly's, long before the movie was filmed. [Thanks to Bill Carnal]
Gilley's Night Club actually existed at 4500 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, TX. Scenes were also shot at 2200 South Main and 2016 South Main in Houston, TX.
The Gilley's sign has been refurbished and can be seen at a Tex-Mex restaurant called "Cowboy Ranch", located on Spencer Highway In Deer Park, Texas. The sign can be seen from the road. [Thanks to Donald Abbott and Wanda Clifton]
During the opening montage, John Travolta is driving down Memorial Drive, and the former Jeff Davis Hospital, Allen Parkway Village, and Downtown Houston are seen. Sadly, Jeff Davis Hospital, which is seen in the opening sequence, was demolished in June 1999 and the land sold to the Federal Reserve for $23 million. Allen Parkway Village was demolished in 1996 (except for the 286 units preserved), and has been redeveloped into the Historic Oaks at Allen Parkway Village. There are several background shots of the Sam Houston Colleseum (demolished in 1999 and redeveloped into the Hobby Center, which opened in June 2002) and City Hall (901 Bagby) when the subsequent scenes take place on Interstate 45. [Thanks to TheEmissary]
During a night scene, the Montgomery Ward sign is visible, which is located at the corner of Spencer Highway and South Shaver in Pasadena, TX. The restaurant was bulldozed sometime in the mid-1980s. [Thanks to TheEmissary]
Bud and Sissy's Trailer home was filmed in Pico Rivera, CA. about 15 miles east of Los Angeles. The scenes were filmed in October of 1979 but the Street still pretty much looks the same as you drive up. [Thanks to Jack]
The oil refinery that was used in the filming of Urban Cowboy was then the Charter International Oil Company's refinery in Pasadena, Texas. It's now owned by the largest independent refiner in the nation, Valero Refining Co. [Thanks to Burt Donaldson]
The trailer park that Sissy & Wes lived in is located on Paramount Blvd in Pico Rivera, Ca (adjacent to Whittier, CA). It is still there. [Thanks to Ray R]
Where 'bus' is practicing his moves for the bull, is on howard dr and winkler southeast houst houston [Thanks to ozzy]
The property that Gilley's was located on is now owned by the Pasadena Independent School District. It was aquired in a tax lien (I beleive). They have been trying to sell it for years, but since it is off a main street, Spencer Highway, it is not a desirable property. There has been talk of the school district using the land for a new elementary school or possibly a new natatorium for the school district. The school I coach and teach at, Sam Rayburn High School, is about 1 mile from the old Gilley's property. In fact Mickey Gilley's children went to Sam Rayburn, however they were long gone before I arrived in 1990. There is now a resturant named "Gilley's" on Fairmont Parkway in Pasadena, and yes, it is owned by Mickey Gilley. Sherwood Cryer now owns G's Icehouse in the Pasadena area. [Thanks to Robert Kelly]
At one time the 'Guinness Book of World Records' listed Gilley's as the largest indoor club in the world. I have the book somewhere but cannot find it so i can't tell you the year it was printed but i know it was and also included a picture. I now live right down the road from the original location and the montgomery ward's is no longer there it is now a flea market. You can only see the old parking lot, the outline of the club as it was burned down, and you can tell it was really huge. Gilley now runs a restaurant, and rumour has it he wants to open up a "new" gilley's but in Dallas. Not where the original was. They are rare but original gilley's T-shirts found, I have a friend who owns a pink one and someone offered her four hundred dollars for it as they do fetch quite a penny for an original. Ironically, they can pop up from time to time in the weirdest of places. I found a tattered worn one...in all places a thrift store here in Pasadena go figure. [Thanks to Joey V.]
Can you help? Do you know any of the Texas (or any other) filming locations used for Urban Cowboy? [Please send them in]
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Comments: Due 10/08/2002 |
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Excellent c.d. for country music lovers. Every song featured was a country music hit. The original score was composed by Ralph Burns.
1. Hello Texas - Jimmt Buffett
2. All Nighy Long - Joe Walsh
3. Times like These - Dan Fogelberg
4. Nine Tonight - Bob Seger And The Siver Bullet Band
5. Stand By Me - Mickey Gilley
6. Cherokee Fiddle - Johnny Lee
7. Could I Have This Dance - Anne Murray
8. Lyin Eyes - The Eagles
9. Lookin For Love - Johnny Lee
10. Don't It Make Ya Wanna Dance - Bonnie Raitt
11. The Devil Went Down To Georgia - The Charlie Daniels Band
12. Here Comes The Hurt Again - Mickey Gilley
13. Orange Blossom Special/ Hoedown - Gilley's 'Urban Cowboy' Band
14. Love The World Away - Kenny Rogers
15. Falling In Love For the Night - The Charlie Daniels Band
16. Darlin - Bonnie Raitt
17. Look What You've Done to Me - Boz Scaggs
18. Hearta Against the Wind - Linda Ronstadt
The Urban Cowboy Soundtrack was the first movie soundtrack to appear at the top of both the Billboard Top 40 and Country charts at the same time. -Thanks to Andy Wright
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