Urban Cowboy is the story of how a mechanical bull can make or break a relationship. It follows the on-again-off-again romance between Bud—who had just moved to Houston in search of work—and Sissy, who meet and fall in love at a honky tonk called Gilley's.
After moving to Pasadena, Texas, country boy Bud Davis (John Travolta) starts hanging around a bar called Gilley's, where he falls in love with Sissy (Debra Winger), a cowgirl who believes the sexes are equal. They eventually marry, but their relationship is turbulent due to Bud's traditional view of gender roles.
Did John Travolta really ride the bull in Urban Cowboy?
John Travolta had a mechanical bull installed in his house two months before production began. He became so good that he was allowed to dismiss the stunt double and do the takes himself.
Urban Cowboy follows the ups and downs of the whirlwind romance of out-of town dreamer Bud and the unlucky-in-love local Sissy. The couple instantly hit it off and marry, but when a little bit of jealousy and a lot of hubris mix in, the newlyweds find their (mobile) home is not as strong as expected.
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.
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.
Wes is the main antagonist of the 1980 movie, Urban Cowboy. He was played by veteran actor Scott Glenn who played Roger in Training Day, John "Axe" Adcox in Backdraft, and J.P. Stiles in Tall Tale.
The fight causes Wes to drop his gun, and the stolen money falls from his jacket. Bud overpowers Wes and after punching him several times, pins him down on the floor. Gilley's staff, having discovered the robbery, apprehend Wes. Bud and Sissy, reconciled, go home together.
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.
Noun. Urban Cowboy (plural Urban Cowboys) A person living in the city who dresses in clothes that suggest a film of the western genre. (music, uncountable) Pop-styled country music which became popular during the early 1980s, following the release of the movie Urban Cowboy (1980).
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".
The white Texas BUD and SISSY License Plates are produced as seen in the back window of the black 1978 F-250 driven by Bud Davis (played by John Travolta) in the 1980 romantic Western film directed by James Bridges, Urban Cowboy.
What happened to 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. The mechanical bull -- which was one of the centerpieces of "Urban Cowboy" -- has been acquired by Cowboy Jacks.
Attractive actress who has played Sadat's wife and Gloria Swanson in the TV miniseries' "Sadat" (1983) and "The Kennedys of Massachusetts" (1990) respectively. Smith's feature career began auspiciously with the role of John Travolta's rich girlfriend in "Urban Cowboy" (1980).
What happened to the actress that played Pam in Urban Cowboy?
Her last TV appearance was in a 1994 episode of Due South, after which she formally retired. Smith later provided some narration in the 2010 documentary film Louis Sullivan: The Struggle for American Architecture.
Bud likes to ride the mechanical bull at Gilley's. Released convict and rodeo bullrider Wes Hightower (Scott Glenn) impresses Sissy with his skills. He teaches her after Bud forbids her to ride. It's hard to like Bud especially at the beginning.
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.
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.
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.
Paramount Plus revealed Tuesday it is moving forward on developing TV series remakes of classic '80s movies “Urban Cowboy” and “Flashdance,” bringing on “Dear White People” creator Justin Simien to write and direct the latter project.
After this movie, dressing as cowboys and cowgirls and bull riding became very popular. As the film is really a good 1980s film. A classic to say the least.
Career. Glenn spent eight years in Los Angeles, California, acting in small roles in films and doing TV stints, including a TV movie Gargoyles. In 1978, Glenn left Los Angeles with his family for Ketchum, Idaho, and worked as a barman, huntsman, and mountain ranger, occasionally acting in Seattle stage productions.
When Sissy first flirts with Wes there's a sign in the background that says her husbands name “Bud”. Who she ends up cheating on with the man she's talking to.
She famously quit Hollywood, after feuding with Richard Gere and Shirley MacLaine, and currently plays Ruth, the mother of an LA teacher in “Mr. Corman” on Apple TV+.
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.
