The film starred John Travolta, Debra Winger, and — well, let's be honest — Gilley's bar and country dance hall in Pasadena. 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.
Gilley's Club. Cryer settled in Pasadena, where his large tent-style honky tonk concept developed into what became Gilley's in 1971, located on a sprawling parcel of land at 4500 Spencer Highway, Pasadena, Texas 77504. It was named after country music artist Mickey Gilley.
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.
Gilley requested that the club be remodeled. They soon became partners and the place was renamed Gilley's starting in 1971. Later in 1989, Gilley and Cryer had a falling out, and Gilley's closed down. On July 5, 1990 an Arson fire attack destroyed the main building.
Uncle Bob and Aunt Corene's house scene in Urban Cowboy
The house used for the film is found on Westside Drive in Deer Park, southeastern Houston. This area boasts beautiful views, gorgeous sunsets, quiet streets, and peaceful suburban surroundings. The easiest way to reach 2213 Westside Drive is by car.
CMT Docs - Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's - Trailer
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.
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.
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.
It became known as “The World's Largest Honky Tonk”, where more than 6,000 fun loving folks of all ages could enjoy entertainment every day and night. For over 42 years, Billy Bob's has hosted the biggest stars in country music and classic rock from Alabama to ZZ Top.
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.
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.
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 film was even adapted into a Broadway musical in 2003. While Gilley's experienced a surge of patronage after the film's release, the nightclub eventually closed its doors in 1989. The building later fell victim to arson in 1990.
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.
The Woodlands is now home to the longest bar in Texas. Kirby Ice House opened the doors to its third Houston-area location on Sept. 27, blasting past the state record (previously held by its own Memorial location) with a bar spanning 141 feet.
Located inside the famous Menger Hotel in San Antonio, the Menger Bar is the longest continuously-operating saloon in the state… and it has plenty of stories to show for it. Voted one of the top 10 historic bars in Texas, the Menger Bar was established in 1859.
The original Gilley's is featured in the 80's movie Urban Cowboy as the place where John Travolta's character Bud struggles to win and keep the heart of Sissy (played by Debra Winger).
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.
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.
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.
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.
