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City Slickers movie cover Movie Locations Guide

Where was City Slickers filmed?

1991

City Locations

New Mexico, California, New York (USA)

Location Types

Riverside, Film Studio, Ranch

Location Styles

Ranch Style, Rustic, Southwestern, Dilapidated/Neglected, Georgian/Southern

About City Slickers

A delightful adventure tailored for the middle-aged gentleman, City Slickers is a 1991 American comedy-drama directed by Ron Underwood, starring Billy Crystal, Jack Palance, Patricia Wettig, Daniel Stern, Bruno Kirby, and Noble Willingham. It follows three New York City friends who embark on a two-week cattle drive vacation out West, where they must face the realities of adulthood, struggling with mid-life crises.

In City Slickers, we meet Mitch (Billy Crystal), Phil (Daniel Stern), and Ed (Bruno Kirby) — three city dwellers who decide to join a cattle drive led by the no-nonsense cowboy Curly (Jack Palance). As the trio tries to adjust to the grueling demands of the drive, they also face personal issues that they must confront.

Fortunately, with Curly's guidance, they learn to embrace their struggles and find the inner strength to overcome their fears. By the movie's end, viewers will be inspired by these characters' transformative journeys, proving that sometimes significant challenges can lead to the greatest rewards.

Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times awarded it a rating of 3 1/2 stars out of 4, praising its exceptional quality. Ebert noted that the movie was hilarious and had a heartwarming quality that evoked laughter and tears. Overall, he found it to be a captivating and profound piece of cinema. The film achieved immense commercial success, grossing over $180 million at the box office.

City Slickers Locations

The movie City Slickers is an iconic classic set in various iconic locations. Most scenes came to life in the United States, with additional filming in Spain. The region's backdrop looks like an adventure-packed landscape, with a mix of breathtaking mountains, stunning red rock spires, and lush ranches.

From fleeting scenes of New York City's skyline to the sweeping vistas featured in Colorado's La Plata County, City Slickers creates a captivating atmosphere that beckons viewers to explore these locations first-hand. Indeed, a trip to the locations for City Slickers (1991) would be worthwhile. Starting with Fisher Towers, Utah, visitors can experience the same rugged terrain and breathtaking red rock spires featured prominently in the movie.

In La Plata County, Colorado, visitors can explore the lush meadows and rolling hills featured in the cattle-drive scenes. Finally, those feeling exceptionally adventurous can explore Pamplona, Spain, the birthplace of the film's protagonist, Mitch. It also provides a chance to explore the cobblestone streets and stunning architecture featured in the movie.

Overall, a trip to the locations of City Slickers would be a unique and rewarding experience. From the beautiful red rock spires of Utah to the urban bustle of New York City, visitors can set their eyes on various locations that contributed to the development of this cinematic classic.

Interesting Fact:

Jack Palance received the prestigious Best Supporting Actor award, captivating the audience with his iconic one-hand push-ups during his acceptance speech.

Mitch visits Career Day for his son's class scene in City Slickers

New York City, New York, USA

Mitch Robbins (Billy Crystal) is experiencing an early mid-life crisis as he navigates his mid-30s. Residing and working in New York, he meets with lackluster enthusiasm from children during his son's Career Day. This scene portrays his profound reflections on the evolving nature of his job and the inevitable passage of time, leaving him grappling with the challenges of getting older.

New York City provided the backdrop for the interior and exterior scenes of Mitch's work and his son's school. Being one of the world's most diverse destinations, visitors can explore the sights seen in the movie. One such location is the Roosevelt Island Tram, which also appeared in one of the scenes.

The Roosevelt Island Tramway provides the world's most advanced aerial tramway system, operating at frequent intervals of 10 minutes. It conveniently connects Second Avenue in Manhattan to Tramway Plaza on Roosevelt Island, offering a remarkable journey showcasing modern transportation's pinnacle.

Travelers have multiple options to reach the vibrant city of New York. They can fly into either John F. Kennedy International Airport or LaGuardia Airport. Alternatively, they can opt for a train, bus, or even drive into the city. Once in New York, visitors can immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of iconic landmarks, world-class museums, exquisite restaurants, and cultural attractions that have inspired countless movies and TV shows.

The cattle drive scene in City Slickers

Fisher Towers, Utah 84532, USA

A few days after the group set off to drive cattle across the plains, they encountered some unexpected obstacles. During the first leg of the trip, Mitch (Billy Crystal), Ed (Bruno Kirby), and Phil (Daniel Stern) discuss life and relationships. Unfortunately, the situation worsens when Mitch uses a battery-operated coffee grinder he had brought along. This sudden action startles the cattle, causing them to panic and scatter in a stampede.

The Fisher Towers, close to Moab, Utah, was a prominent backdrop for filming the cattle drive scenes. This breathtaking collection of red rock spires resides within the Canyon Rims Recreation Area, managed by the Bureau of Land Management, between Moab and Monticello.

Fisher Towers rises from the 2,000-foot-high south wall of Professor Valley, with Titan, at 900 feet, being the tallest of the towers. If you're up for a hike, a 2-mile-long trail that follows the base of the towers will take you to an overlook of Onion Creek, where you can even have a picnic.

To reach this destination, take a 3-mile, well-maintained dirt road that starts on Colorado River Scenic Byway 128, approximately 21 miles northeast of US 191. So, if you're a fan of City Slickers and want to experience the stunning scenery where some of the movie's most memorable scenes came to life, Fisher Towers is worth checking out!

The trio practices roping cattle and horse riding scene in City Slickers

Ghost Ranch, 280 Private Drive 1708 Highway, US-84, Abiquiu, NM 87510, USA

The trio dons their ranch attire and hones their cattle roping and horseback riding skills, diligently preparing for their imminent cattle drive expedition. Regrettably, the situation takes a turn for the worse when they find themselves entangled in a conflict with two ranch hands, T.R. (Dean Hallo) and Jeff (Kyle Secor), who make unwelcome advances towards Bonnie (Helen Slater). In an attempt to reason with the ranchers, Mitch (Billy Crystal) intervenes, and after resolving the issue, the group resumes their journey uninterrupted.

Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu, New Mexico, a 21,000-acre retreat center once the home of noted artist Georgia O'Keeffe, provided the backdrop for the scene. The staff at Ghost Ranch liked the cabin built for the film so much that they asked the producers to let it remain after filming finished. Today, visitors can see this cabin and other locations used in the movie while enjoying the spectacular landscapes, plants, and skies that inspired O'Keeffe's work.

To get to Ghost Ranch, fly into Albuquerque International Sunport and drive about 120 miles north to Abiquiu. Alternatively, Santa Fe Municipal Airport is about 50 miles away from Abiquiu. Once there, you can explore the ranch's trails and take in the beautiful scenery that served as the backdrop for some of Hollywood's most iconic Western movies.

The boys finish herding the cattle scene in City Slickers

Durango, La Plata County, Colorado, USA

The boys complete their cattle drive and are excited to hear the ranch owner has agreed to refund their money for the experience. However, when they inquire about herding the cows back to the other ranch, they are saddened to learn about their fate. Mitch (Billy Crystal) feels guilty, believing they betrayed the cows' trust, but Ed (Bruno Kirby) dismisses his guilt.

A beautiful ranch in Colorado’s La Plata County provided the setting for these scenes. Though there aren't many mentions about the exact location, movie fans can visit the city of Durango to experience the atmosphere, as it is only a few kilometers west of this beautiful ranch. With 2 million acres of wild national forest at its doorstep, Durango has been chosen as the set for movies and films more than 30 times.

Durango has served as the backdrop for numerous films, dating back to its early days in the industry. Movies like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid and A Ticket to Tomahawk have immortalized the charm of this location on the silver screen.

To get to Durango, fly into Durango-La Plata County Airport or drive from Albuquerque or Denver. A private car is also an option to get there from Santa Fe; it's a 4-hour drive via US-84 W and US-160 W. Once there, you can explore the historic downtown district, visit the art galleries, museums, and restaurants, and take in the beautiful landscape that served as the backdrop for some of Hollywood's most Western movies.

Conclusion

City Slickers (1991) is a slapstick comedy that is surprisingly deep and meaningful. The dialogue, penned by Lowell Ganz and Babaloo Mandel, is witty and engaging. The performances are excellent and help to bring the story home. Most scenes came to life in the United States, with additional filming in Spain, allowing the movie to have diverse locations.

The movie succeeds in making its audience laugh and think. The story is full of heart, and the characters are believable and likable. The film's combination of humor and deeper truths make it an entertaining and rewarding viewing experience, and its success instilled a renewed confidence in the capabilities of comedies as a genre.

In terms of its contributions to the movie industry, City Slickers firmly established itself as a comedy classic. It provided a template for future comedies, and its success inspired Hollywood to take more risks in the genre. Over the years, it has also become a cult classic, with many people citing it as one of their favorite movies.

City Slickers is a must-watch movie. It's a funny, heartfelt comedy with much truth and wisdom. Everything works together, from the performances to the script to the locations used in the movie, to create an exceptional viewing experience. Whether you're a fan of comedies or not, City Slickers 1991 is worth watching, and you can draw inspiration from the vast sceneries to embark on a filming locations tour.