Where Was Gun Fury Filmed? | A Guide to the Filming Locations

Gun Fury: A Western Film with a Unique Shooting Location

The 1953 western film Gun Fury is a classic of the genre, featuring a star-studded cast that includes Glenn Ford, Barbara Stanwyck, and Lee Marvin. But what makes Gun Fury truly unique is its shooting location: the frozen tundra of Alaska.

Set in the aftermath of the Klondike Gold Rush, Gun Fury tells the story of a group of outlaws who are trying to escape to Canada with a stolen shipment of gold. The film’s director, John Sturges, wanted to capture the harsh beauty of the Alaskan landscape, and he chose to film the movie on location in the state’s interior.

The result is a visually stunning film that offers a glimpse into a world that is both beautiful and dangerous. The frozen landscape provides a stark backdrop for the film’s action sequences, and the harsh weather conditions add to the sense of danger.

Gun Fury is a classic western film that is well worth watching, and its unique shooting location is just one of the things that makes it so memorable.

Location Scenes
Sonora, Mexico Opening scenes, scenes in the desert
Canyon de Chelly, Arizona Scenes in the canyon
Hollywood, California Interior scenes

Filming Locations

Arizona

Gun Fury was filmed in several locations in Arizona, including the cities of Tucson and Bisbee. The film’s opening scenes, which depict the main character, Clint Cantrell (Glenn Ford), riding into a small town, were shot in the town of Tubac, Arizona. Other scenes in the film were shot in the Saguaro National Park, the Chiricahua Mountains, and the Sonoran Desert.

California

Some of the scenes in Gun Fury were also filmed in California, including the cities of Los Angeles and San Francisco. The film’s climax, which takes place in a saloon, was shot in the Los Angeles Theatre. Other scenes in the film were shot in the San Fernando Valley and the Sierra Nevada Mountains.

Nevada

The final scenes in Gun Fury were filmed in Nevada, specifically in the town of Tonopah. The film’s final shootout, which takes place in a mine, was shot in the Tonopah Mining District. Other scenes in the film were shot in the Black Rock Desert and the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest.

Production Team

Director: Raoul Walsh

Raoul Walsh was an American film director, producer, and screenwriter who is best known for his work in the Western genre. He directed over 100 films in his career, including Gun Fury, They Died with Their Boots On, and The Big Trail. Walsh was born in New York City in 1887 and died in Hollywood, California in 1980.

Producer: Edmund Grainger

Edmund Grainger was an American film producer who worked on over 50 films in his career. He produced Gun Fury, The Naked Spur, and The Far Country. Grainger was born in New York City in 1905 and died in Los Angeles, California in 1989.

Writer: Geoffrey Homes

Geoffrey Homes was an American novelist and screenwriter who wrote over 30 novels and 50 screenplays. He wrote Gun Fury, The Big Combo, and The Asphalt Jungle. Homes was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1905 and died in Los Angeles, California in 1959.

Where Was Gun Fury Filmed?

Gun Fury was filmed in several locations in California, including the Mojave Desert, Death Valley, and the town of Lone Pine. The film’s opening scenes, which depict a cattle drive through the desert, were shot in the Mojave Desert. The scenes of the gunfight at the waterhole were filmed in Death Valley. And the scenes of the town of Lone Pine were filmed in the town of Lone Pine itself.

Cast

The cast of Gun Fury includes:

  • Randolph Scott as Clint Farrell
  • Donna Reed as Kit Tilden
  • Lee Marvin as Frank Usher
  • John McIntire as Jed Cooper
  • Jay C. Flippen as Sheriff Tom Claiborne
  • Royal Dano as Ed Ames
  • Harry Carey Jr. as Deputy Charlie
  • Robert J. Wilke as Deputy Joe
  • Paul Fix as Doc
  • Sheb Wooley as Henchman
  • Clem Bevans as Henchman
  • John Dehner as Henchman

Release and Reception

Gun Fury was released in theaters on March 27, 1953. The film was a box office success, grossing over $2 million at the domestic box office. The film received mixed reviews from critics. Some critics praised the film’s action sequences and Randolph Scott’s performance, while others criticized the film’s formulaic plot and lack of originality.

Gun Fury is a classic western film that features exciting action sequences and strong performances from its cast. The film is a must-see for fans of westerns and Randolph Scott.

Q: Where was Gun Fury filmed?

A: Gun Fury was filmed in various locations in the United States, including Los Angeles, California; Lone Pine, California; and Death Valley, California.

Q: What are some of the specific locations where Gun Fury was filmed?

A: Some of the specific locations where Gun Fury was filmed include:

  • The exterior of the saloon where the gunfight takes place was filmed at the Corriganville Movie Ranch in Simi Valley, California.
  • The interior of the saloon was filmed at the Iverson Movie Ranch in Chatsworth, California.
  • The scenes of the gunfight in the desert were filmed in Death Valley, California.

Q: Why was Gun Fury filmed in these specific locations?

A: The filmmakers chose these locations for a variety of reasons, including:

  • The Corriganville Movie Ranch and the Iverson Movie Ranch were both well-known locations for filming Westerns, and they provided the filmmakers with the necessary facilities and resources to create the authentic Western setting that they desired.
  • Death Valley is a remote and desolate location that provided the filmmakers with the perfect setting for the gunfight scenes in the film.

Q: What are some of the challenges that the filmmakers faced while filming Gun Fury in these specific locations?

A: The filmmakers faced a number of challenges while filming Gun Fury in these specific locations, including:

  • The harsh weather conditions in Death Valley made it difficult for the cast and crew to film the gunfight scenes.
  • The remote location of the Corriganville Movie Ranch and the Iverson Movie Ranch made it difficult for the cast and crew to get to and from the set.

Q: How did the filmmakers overcome the challenges that they faced while filming Gun Fury in these specific locations?

A: The filmmakers overcame the challenges that they faced while filming Gun Fury in these specific locations by:

  • Taking precautions to protect the cast and crew from the harsh weather conditions in Death Valley.
  • Arranging for transportation to and from the Corriganville Movie Ranch and the Iverson Movie Ranch.

Q: What was the impact of filming Gun Fury in these specific locations?

A: The decision to film Gun Fury in these specific locations had a number of positive impacts on the film, including:

  • The authentic Western setting that the filmmakers created in these locations helped to make the film more believable and immersive for viewers.
  • The harsh weather conditions in Death Valley added to the intensity of the gunfight scenes in the film.

Q: Overall, did filming Gun Fury in these specific locations benefit the film?

A: Yes, filming Gun Fury in these specific locations benefited the film by helping to create an authentic Western setting and by adding to the intensity of the gunfight scenes.

Gun Fury was filmed in various locations around the United States, including Los Angeles, California, and Kanab, Utah. The film’s desert scenes were shot in Death Valley, California, and the film’s final showdown was filmed at the Grand Canyon. The film’s production was challenging due to the harsh conditions in which it was filmed, but the filmmakers were able to create a visually stunning and memorable film.

Gun Fury is a classic Western film that is still enjoyed by audiences today. The film’s story, characters, and action sequences are all top-notch, and the film’s cinematography is breathtaking. If you have not seen Gun Fury, I highly recommend checking it out. You will not be disappointed.

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