Origin of Urban-cowboy The term is borrowed from the title of a popular 1980 movie starring John Travolta and Debra Winger and featuring several country music performances.

What does Urban Cowboy mean slang?

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).

What is the story behind Urban Cowboy?

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".

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.

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.

CMT Docs - Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley's - Trailer

Is Gilley's in Houston still open?

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.

How old was John Travolta in the movie 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.

What bar was Urban Cowboy filmed in?

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.

What was John Travolta's job in Urban Cowboy?

Synopsis. Bud Davis (John Travolta) moves to Houston for a job in the city's oil refinery industry. He hopes to save enough money to move back to his hometown of Spur, Texas and buy some land. Bud stays with his Uncle Bob (Barry Corbin) and his family, with whom Bud is close.

Who auditioned for Sissy in Urban Cowboy?

Travolta turned down another movie, American Gigolo, to work on Urban Cowboy. (The Gigolo role went to Richard Gere.) Michelle Pfeiffer auditioned for the part of Sissy before it went to Debra Winger, becoming her first starring role.

Where is Uncle Bob's house in the movie Urban Cowboy?

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.

Who was the rich girl in Urban Cowboy?

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 Gilley's bar?

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 do you call a cowboy but a girl?

A cowgirl is the female equivalent of a cowboy.

Is Urban Cowboy a good movie?

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.

Is it rude to call someone a cowboy?

So what's wrong with being a cowboy? Nothing, if you're a real cowboy, but the term is being used in a derogatory sense to describe someone who is violent, impulsive, or behaves in a hot-headed and rash manner.

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.

Who inspired Urban Cowboy?

NEW YORK (AP) — Country star Mickey Gilley, whose namesake Texas honky-tonk inspired the 1980 film “Urban Cowboy” and a nationwide wave of Western-themed nightspots, has died. He was 86. Gilley died Saturday in Branson, Missouri, where he helped run the Mickey Gilley Grand Shanghai Theatre.

Who was John Travolta's uncle in Urban Cowboy?

She liked his writing but loved his acting, and she got him an audition, which led to his first big-screen role: Uncle Bob in Urban Cowboy. Corbin, the 39-year-old film rookie, looked completely at ease with star John Travolta, smiling, smoking a pipe, dispensing country wisdom.

Who owns Gilley's in Las Vegas?

Gilley's Saloon, Dancehall and Bar-B-Que is a restaurant, bar and dance hall in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States. It serves barbecue and has a Western theme. It's owned by and located at Treasure Island Hotel and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip.

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.

What year was Bud's truck in Urban Cowboy?

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.

Who was the bad guy in Urban Cowboy?

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.

Who was the bouncer in Urban Cowboy?

Mickey Gilley, left, with "Killer" David Ogle, Gilley's Club bouncer who was featured in the movie "Urban Cowboy".