The majority of the scenes from Urban Cowboy were shot in Houston, Texas, which provided a unique backdrop for the film. The city's expansive skyline of downtown buildings juxtaposed with the lush countryside of nearby ranches gave a stunningly beautiful contrast that could be seen throughout the movie.

Where was Urban Cowboy filmed in Texas?

Yes, the movie was filmed in the Houston area, much of it at Gilley's, a honky-tonk that had room for 6,000 people — and one very popular mechanical bull. The entrance to the original Gilley's nightclub in Pasadena. It was named after co-owner and country music star Mickey Gilley.

Is Gilley's still open in Pasadena Texas?

Welcome to Gilley's

Though the club is no longer in operation there are three other Gilley's, in Las Vegas Nevada, Dallas Texas and Durant Oklahoma. The club was a phenomenon back in the day and spawned a movie called the Urban Cowboy featuring John Travolta and Debra Winger.

What bar is featured in Urban Cowboy?

Gilley's in Dallas opened in 2003 with 26,000 square feet of main show room and the original bull, El Toro, featured in "The Urban Cowboy".

How big was Gilley's in Houston?

Gilley's was a hardcore honky-tonk that happened to accommodate 6,000, large enough to feature all the popular country road acts. Billed as the world's largest honky-tonk at the time, the joint wasn't just big, it was audacious.

Urban Cowboy film locations in Pasadena Texas 2020

Which is bigger Gilley's or Billy Bob's?

After an extensive renovation, Billy Bob's opened on April Fools Day in 1981. This new entertainment venue was bigger than Gilley's and featured Real Bull Riding.

Why did Gilley's in Texas close?

Cryer had to give up much of his real estate to pay the debt. The club operated under Gilley briefly after the lawsuit, until the judge ordered it closed in 1989 due to loss of profits.

Who taught John Travolta to dance in Urban Cowboy?

Patsy Swayze, Patrick Swayze's mother, taught John Travolta how to do the two-step for the movie. John Travolta had a mechanical bull installed in his house two months before production began.

How old was John Travolta when he made Urban Cowboy?

In the summer of 1979, the Houston news and gossip circles were dominated by the presence of one John Travolta, who lived in the city while filming Urban Cowboy in nearby Pasadena. It was only the fourth leading role for the 25-year-old actor, but he was already arguably the world's biggest movie star.

Where was the trailer park in Urban Cowboy?

Scenes from Bud and Sissy's trailer home in “Urban Cowboy,” released in 1979, were shot at a Pico Rivera trailer park. A scene from the 1988 movie “Tequila Sunrise,” starring Mel Gibson, was shot in a riverbed in Pico Rivera. And a scene from “Collateral” in 2004 was shot in Pico Rivera.

Did they ever rebuild Gilleys?

But the mechanical bull tells visitors they're in the new version of Gilley's, the rowdy honky-tonk made famous by John Travolta's 1980 movie "Urban Cowboy" -- the saloon that made country cool. "People have never forgotten about Gilley's," said Doug Keller, the new club's general manager.

Who preached Mickey Gilley funeral?

The memorial service will begin at 1 p.m. Gilley's cousin and fellow music artist, Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, will be delivering the message at the service.

Was Urban Cowboy based on a true story?

The original Esquire article centered on the romance between two Gilley's regulars named Dew Westbrook and Betty Helmer. Westbrook and Helmer's real-life relationship became the inspiration for the on-screen romance between John Travolta's and Debra Winger's characters "Bud" and "Sissy".

What town was Urban Cowboy based on?

The movie was Urban Cowboy, based on the life and loves of Pasadena's own Dew Westbrook, whose fortunes have come full circle since Aaron Latham wrote the “Urban Cowboy” story for Esquire magazine in 1978 as well as the screenplay for the 1980 movie that featured the world's most famous mechanical bull.

Who auditioned for Urban Cowboy?

Michelle Pfeiffer auditioned for the part of Sissy before it went to Debra Winger, becoming her first starring role. Patsy Swayze, actor Patrick Swayze's mother, taught Travolta how to dance the Texas two-step for the movie.

Who does Bud end up with in Urban Cowboy?

At the club, Bud meets Sissy (Debra Winger), who asks if he is a real cowboy. They fall in love, and soon after Bud asks Sissy to marry him. Their wedding reception is held at Gilley's, and they immediately move into a brand new mobile home.

When did John Travolta wear a wig?

There's always been something a little ... off about John Travolta's do – and now we know why! It turns out the Grease superstar has been wearing a wig since the early 2000s, and over those years Travolta has turned out some truly interesting toupees.

What year truck did John Travolta drive in Urban Cowboy?

URBAN COWBOY | Bud's Ford F-250

The white Texas BUD License Plate is produced as seen in the back window of the black 1978 Ford F-250 driven by Bud Davis (played by John Travolta) in the 1980 romantic Western film directed by James Bridges, Urban Cowboy.

Is John Travolta considered a good dancer?

He was a trained dancer and intended to become a professional dancer but due to a knee injury he gave up on that path. He once said that he is actually a much better dancer than his character Johny Castle was in Dirty Dancing.

Did Sylvester Stallone teach John Travolta to dance?

Under Sylvester Stallone's supervision, John Travolta spent five months doing rigorous training to develop a dancer's physique for this film, losing 20 pounds in the process. This was the last non-"Rocky" film Sylvester Stallone directed until Rambo (2008).

Did John Travolta learn to dance for staying alive?

Under Stallone's supervision, Travolta spent five months doing rigorous training to develop a dancer's physique for the film, losing 20 pounds in the process.

What happened to Gilly's?

Gilley won the court case, and Cryer was ordered to pay Gilley $17 million. The dispute permanently closed Gilley's, ending an 18-year run that saw country music become mainstream in large part due to the club's widespread fame. On July 5, 1990, a fire quickly spread throughout the main building, destroying the club.

What caused Gilley's to burn down?

The hype ruined the club for Gilley's regulars and started a rift between Cryer and Gilley. The club closed after the two broke up their partnership and an arson fire later destroyed the huge structure in 1989.

Where is the mechanical bull from Urban Cowboy?

A major piece of movie memorabilia from the 1980 John Travolta film "Urban Cowboy" has found a home at a new club in Woodbury, the Woodbury Patch reports.