Where was Maverick filmed?

Maverick notices Annabelle playing cards at a table with a group of men. He walks across the saloon to the table and asks to join the game. Annabelle smiles at him as he takes a seat at the table. The following dialogue takes place.

Maverick: Is this seat taken?

Annabelle: It is now. My name is Annabelle Bransford. What do they call you?

Maverick: I’m Bret Maverick, Ma’am, and I’m pleased to meet you.

Angel: I like the game the way it is.

Maverick: Well, now I bring all sorts of pleasants to the table. I hardly ever bluff, and I never, ever cheat.

Angel: I don’t believe it.

Card Player #1: Neither do I.

Angel: I like the game just the way it is.

Card Player #1: What good is an empty chair?

Maverick: Indeed. Now I’ll bet I can change your mind. I promise that I will lose for at least an hour.

Filmed on a set constructed specifically for this scene, you will find this site in Washburn Point in Yosemite National Park. To reach this Maverick film set, you can take an Amtrak train or a Greyhound bus, transferring to the YARTS system for the final leg of the journey.

After winning a substantial pot from Angel at the poker game, the men are visibly angry with Maverick. They rise to their feet and pull guns on him. He tells the men in one of the funniest scenes in Maverick.

“Whoa, whoa. Slow down there. Where’s the fire, son? Slow down, don’t shoot me, okay? I’m just trying to expound. I was just saying I don’t see what’s so great about being brave. I mean, I’m a card player. Now I play cards, and you call me a gambler, and I want to become an old gambler. You, on the other hand, are a gunfighter, and an exceptional one at that from what I hear. So, if I decided to go up against you, I mean; what chance would I have had? Answer? ZERO.”

He produces a gun, and the crowd issues a shocked sound. The men stare at him in silence. He returns the gun to his holster and plays with this gun while the men look on fearfully. He gives them the option of playing poker or watching someone get killed, and they all agree playing poker is the best plan.

Also filmed in Yosemite National Park, you can enjoy wandering around the grounds here taking in some of the incredible scenery that is prominently featured in the film. Access to the property is found via Amtrak train or Greyhound bus and a final journey on the YARTs system.

Maverick and Joseph sit at his campsite, pretending Maverick is Joseph’s hostage. Maverick queries Joseph about his current circumstances in the following conversation.

Maverick: What’s with the drums, and the war paint, and the horses? Whattaya doing here?

Joseph: Ah, we had kind of a lousy year. Not much left to hunt, so when this Russian Archduke, that’s where I got the bike, he came along and wanted to see the real West, so I said okay. Oh, he pays well. We get all dressed up in warpaint and go whooping around like idiots. He wants me to speak like they say in the books, “Whoo, how, white man.” Those people are such *ssholes. And of course, he’s got to hear the war drums all the time. Starting to get on my nerves.

This beautiful site is a true wonder to behold, adding character and charm to the footage in Maverick. To reach this former film set, take I-5 towards the 14 Freeway towards Palmdale. When you pass Lancaster, you can then pick up US 395 which will take you directly to Lone Pine. You can expect the drive to take approximately three hours from Los Angeles.

the bottom of the deck, essentially cheating. He brings this to the attention of everyone in the room in the following conversation.

Dealer: Mr. Maverick

Maverick: I’ll take one card, but not from you. Put the deck down. I’d like a new deck, a new cut, and a new shuffle.

Cooper: I’m sorry, Mr. Maverick, but that isn’t permitted in the rules. You can have a new dealer; that’s it.

Maverick: Well, in that case, I’d like you to deal (gesturing to Angel).

Angel: Me? Just one from the top will be sufficient.

Angel laughs and says, “I like that. It shows trust.” He pushes the top card toward Maverick who takes it and stares Angel in the eye.

Cooper whispers in Annabelle’s ear. “The Commodore has four of a kind, Angel has a small straight flush, and I don’t have the least idea what Maverick has.”

To visit this former Maverick film location, you will need to travel from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, taking Highway 89A and then Highway 67. You will find the entrance to the park and ferry grounds in Marble Canyon. Follow the paved road for five miles to reach the Ferry region.

In this scene, a masked man enters the saloon with a gun in his hand and asks the men to empty their pockets. This conversation takes place.

Robber: Empty your pockets, old man. Come on!

Saloon owner: I got a silver dollar.

Robber: Silver dollar, you better do better than that. My trigger finger’s getting mighty itchy.

Saloon owner: All right, all right. Don’t shoot, don’t shoot! Urrggh…take it, take it.

He hands over his billfold.

Robber: Well, I’ll be. Jesus.

Maverick is shocked to notice the billfold is full of hundred-dollar bills.

Maverick: You told me you were broke!

Saloon owner: Well, I am now. He’s got it.

To access this filming location, take US Highway 395 near Adelanto to Chamberlaine Way (formerly following west to Koala Road. Make a right-hand turn onto Koala Road and follow the signs toward El Mirage. At El Mirage Road, make a left. Follow Mountain View Road north to enter the El Mirage recreational area.

In the final Maverick scene, Maverick, Angel, and the Commodore are still battling it out at the poker table aboard the steamboat. The Commodore is asked to reveal his hand, and this conversation ensues.

Cooper: Cards have been called, Commodore. Please show your cards.

Commodore: I have two small pairs….8s and 8s.

The crowd applauds and rises to their feet.

Angel (speaking to Maverick): You’re not gonna look at your card? Well, how you gonna know if you can beat my straight flush?

Maverick lays down his cards one at a time, revealing he has a possible royal flush. He turns over his final card, unveiling the card he needs to complete the set, making him the winner.

One of only a few Maverick production locations that are found on a film studio’s soundstage, you can easily access this former film set by taking public transit. Among the options available to you are bus lines 155, 222, 501, or Pink, or subway line B (Red.)