Where was Blazing Saddles filmed?
1974
City Locations
Los Angeles, Burbank, Rosamond, California (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, Unusual
Location Styles
Desert, Building Dated/Retro, Dated/50's-60's-70's, Southwestern, Ranch style, Southern, Rustic
About Blazing Saddles
This audaciously funny parody of Westerns, with its bold racial humor and crude jests, has been co-created by Richard Pryor and solidified its place as a timeless Western comedy. The film is a product of the legendary director Mel Brooks, with an impressive cast, including Cleavon Little, Gene Wilder, Harvey Korman, Slim Pickens, and Madeline Kahn, who masterfully portrays a chanteuse inspired by the iconic Marlene Dietrich. Despite its vulgarity, the film's humor remains undeniably captivating.
Set in the American West of the 1800s, Blazing Saddles follows the story of Bart (Cleavon Little), the first black sheriff of Rock Ridge, a small town marked for demolition for the construction of a railroad. With his trusty sidekick Jim (Gene Wilder), Bart must use wit and cunning to protect Rock Ridge.
Blazing Saddles was an instant hit upon its release in 1974, becoming one of the most successful comedies of its time. In addition to its commercial success, the film earned immense critical acclaim. It received three Academy Awards nominations, including Best Supporting Actress (Madeline Khan), Best Film Editing, and Best Song. It was voted number six on Bravo's 100 Funniest Movies list in 2004 and number five on AFI's 100 Funniest Movies list in 2000.
Blazing Saddles Locations
The Blazing Saddles production team chose the most iconic regions in California as the backdrop for the film. From the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank to Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, from Grauman's Chinese Theater to Rosamond, these locations provided stunning visuals for the fight scene at Warner Bros., as well as the opening credits at Rosamund which led to the first scene with the railroad construction.
The high desert landscape of Mojave-Tropico Road provided a perfect backdrop for some memorable scenes. Vasquez Rocks is an iconic place known for its unique rock formations, and it has also had features in many Western films, including Blazing Saddles. The producers also used Grauman's Chinese Theater (now known as TLC Chinese Theatre) for some interior shots.
Taking a trip to the Blazing Saddles film locations allows visitors to set their eyes on the regions that transformed into cinematic experiences and gives you a chance to explore some true gems of California’s vast movie history.
Imagine standing on those classic rock formations at Vasquez Rocks or being a part of that epic fight scene shot on the Warner Bros. lot! Undoubtedly, such an experience would be worthwhile and will stay with you forever!
Interesting Fact:
The movie is rife with intentional chronological inaccuracies, such as the Count Basie Orchestra performing "April in Paris" amidst a Wild West setting and Pickens's character referencing the Wide World of Sports.
Hedley Lamarr sends a gang of thugs scene in Blazing Saddles
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area, 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91390, USA
Set in the Old West of 1874, a captivating 1974 American Western comedy unravels. The storyline centers around a significant moment when the construction of a new railroad, under the leadership of Lyle (Burton Gilliam), encounters the treacherous obstacle of quicksand.
Devious State Attorney General Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman) aims to inexpensively acquire the land along the new railroad route by intimidating the townspeople. For this purpose, he dispatches a group of ruffians, headed by his lackey assistant Taggart (Slim Pickens), to frighten them away. It incites the townsfolk to insist that Governor William J. Le Petomane (Mel Brooks) assign a new sheriff.
The climax, featuring Hedley Lamarr commanding loyalty from his diverse gang of villains, was shot at the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park. Located at 10700 West Escondido Canyon Road, near Agua Dulce Springs in southern California, this remarkable formation has appeared in numerous other films, including Star Trek (2009), The Flintstones, Werewolf Of London, and Apache.
The Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is open to the public and accessible from Los Angeles via CA-14 N.
Bart gathers the town to construct a fake town scene in Blazing Saddles
Beaudette and Mojave-Tropico Road, Rosamond, California, USA
Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) convinces the town and the railroad workers to construct a decoy town 3 miles east of Rock Ridge as a diversionary tactic against Hedley Lamarr's (Harvey Korman) villains. As the night stretches on, they toil relentlessly. At dawn, a flawless replica of their town emerges, capturing even the minutest details, like the distinct orange roof of Howard Johnson's outhouse.
However, Bart soon realizes the empty town will not fool the villains. He orders the townspeople to create "exact replicas of themselves," then departs with Jim (Gene Wilder) and Mongo (Alex Karras) to put into action a plan designed to slow the villains "to a crawl."
Beaudette and Mojave-Tropico Road in Rosamond, California, provided the setting for the scene. While the exact set decorations from the film are no longer present, the location retains its isolated and hot atmosphere, which fans of the film may find reminiscent of the scene. Additionally, fans can explore the nearby city of Willow Springs, which offers many parks and charming cafes.
You can reach Beaudette and Mojave-Tropico Road from Los Angeles by taking Interstate 5 North and then CA-14 N. Additionally, fans can visit two filming locations in one trip since Beaudette and Mojave-Tropico Road are just 45 miles from the Vasquez Rocks Natural Area.
The townsfolk and Lamarr's army break the "fourth wall" scene in Blazing Saddles
Warner Bros. Studios, 3400 Warner Blvd, Burbank, CA 91505, USA
A pivotal scene takes place that literally breaks the fourth wall. A violent altercation erupts between the townsfolk and a group of thugs led by State Attorney General Hedley Lamarr (Harvey Korman). The chaos spills over from the Warner Bros. film lot into an adjacent musical set, presided over by the eccentric Buddy Bizarre (Dom DeLuise).
The chaos does not stop there; it continues into the studio commissary, leading to an epic pie fight. Taggart (Slim Pickens) gets knocked unconscious when Mongo (Alex Karras) slams his head onto a cash register. The battle spills onto the neighboring streets, particularly Olive Avenue in Burbank, as tensions escalate.
The true star of this expansive fight scene is the Warner Bros. backlot. The Laramie Street Western set, which you might recognize from the original 1973 film Westworld, served as the setting for the scene. However, due to a decrease in the popularity of Westerns and a lack of space, the set was sadly demolished in 2003.
However, the Warner Bros. VIP Studio Tour allows visitors to explore the rest of the lot. Located at 3400 West Riverside Drive, Burbank, the tour gives visitors an intimate look behind the scenes of one of Hollywood's most legendary studios. It takes just 20 minutes to drive from downtown Los Angeles to the north via US-101 by car.
“Drive me off this picture!” scene in Blazing Saddles
TCL Chinese Theatre, 6925 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028, USA
The citizens of Rock Ridge, in an attempt to reclaim their town, chase the villains back. However, the cunning antagonist Lamarr (Harvey Korman) escapes the chaos by hailing a taxi and commands, "Drive me off this picture!" Afterward, he goes to Grauman's Chinese Theatre to witness the grand "premiere" of the iconic film Blazing Saddles.
Much to his surprise, he sees Sheriff Bart (Cleavon Little) outside the theatre on the movie screen. Bart ends up shooting Lamarr in the groin, effectively killing him. Afterward, Bart and Jim (Gene Wilder) enter the theater to watch the film's end.
The famous Grauman's Chinese Theatre, at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood, provided the backdrop for the scene. Once known as Mann's Theatre for many years, this establishment has returned to its original 1927 name and goes by the TLC Chinese Theatre.
This renowned cinema palace is celebrated globally for its exceptional forecourt of the stars. The forecourt showcases the handprints and footprints of iconic movie stars from the past to the present, forever immortalizing their legacy.
To visit this location, take part in the TCL Chinese Theatres tour, the only tour in Hollywood that gives you a comprehensive history of this cinema palace from inside and out. The theater is near the Walk of Fame and offers convenient accessibility even from neighboring cities. Its prime location ensures easy access for all.
Conclusion
The Mel Brooks classic Blazing Saddles is an iconic comedy that has stood the test of time. Mel Brooks himself wrote the script, full of witty and memorable lines that audiences have come to love.
The filmmakers chose some of the most iconic regions in California for their backdrop while filming Blazing Saddles. From Warner Bros. lot in Burbank to Vasquez Rocks in Agua Dulce, from Grauman's Chinese Theater to Rosamond, every location had its unique touch that made this movie special. The performances were also top-notch; Madeline Kahn received a nomination for an Academy Award due to her portrayal of Lili Von Shtupp.
Blazing Saddles has become one of the most enduring films since its release 45 years ago; not only does it provide valuable insight into racism and other social issues during its time, but it also serves as a satire on Western popular films. Its influence goes beyond film culture, too - it spawned signature catchphrases.
The wide range of locations used throughout Blazing Saddles provides a captivating look into how different parts of California appear onscreen; from sunny cityscapes to sprawling desert lands, each landscape works together to create a unique atmosphere that makes this film unforgettable.
Overall, Blazing Saddles transcends age barriers - whether you watch this movie now or 45 years ago after its initial release date, you guarantee an enjoyable experience like no other!