Where was Rawhide filmed?
1951
City Locations
Olancha (USA), Lone Pine (USA), Alabama Hills (USA)
Location Types
Ranch, Unique, Unusual
Location Styles
Old Hollywood, Retro, Ranch Style, Desert
About Rawhide
The exciting Western movie Rawhide, released in 1951, is set in the Wild West. The story, directed by Henry Hathaway and created by Twentieth Century Fox, still thrills people decades after it was released.
Tyrone Power plays the lead role in the movie, and his job is at an Arizona stagecoach stop. Things go crazy when four wanted criminals, led by Hugh Marlowe, show up at this rural station out of the blue. The plan is clear: they want to steal from a gold box due the next day.
These desperate thieves control both Power's character and Susan Hayward's character, a lost tourist. As the two deal with this dangerous situation, the story keeps people glued to their places.
Rawhide is different from other Westerns of the time because it's not about adventure with a cowboy. Instead, it's about stress and drama in people's lives. Philip French called the movie a "chamber western" in The Guardian because of its new look, which makes it stand out in its genre.
One interesting thing about the movie is that Rawhide was Hathaway's first Western in 15 years. Rawhide is a classic movie that everyone will always remember because of how well it was directed and how well the key actors played their parts.
Rawhide Locations
The Western movie Rawhide, which came out in 1951, was filmed in California, which has some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. Several interesting places were used to film this interesting movie, and each one made the story seem more real and interesting.
The Alabama Hills and Lone Pine in California are beautiful places where most of the shots were taken. They are known for their rough rock forms and huge deserts, which complement the dramatic plot. Along the way, nearby places like Olancha and Whitney Portal Road helped make the movie scene more real.
The well-known Old Tucson Studios, Big Sky Movie Ranch, and Bronson Canyon in Griffith Park were also used to film other scenes. The movie looked better because these places were both beautiful and important in history.
Visiting these filming locations would be enjoyable for lovers of Rawhide and Western films. Visitors can explore the stunning vistas of Lone Pine and Alabama Hills, follow in Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward's footsteps, and marvel at what locals affectionately refer to as "The Bowling Alley," a circular rock of enormous cultural significance. The excursion would allow you to recreate the excitement and drama of Rawhide, all while enjoying the beautiful grandeur of these historic monuments.
The desert scene in Rawhide
Olancha, CA
The stagecoach makes its way through the expansive desert, leaving behind a trail of dust. The sun beats down mercilessly on the arid land, casting long shadows on the horses and their carriage. The only sounds are the rhythmic clopping of horse hooves and the creaking of the coach, punctuating the eerie silence of the desert. Suddenly, the tranquility is shattered by a group of outlaws intent on robbing the incoming gold shipment.
Olancha, an unincorporated community within the Owens Valley, is on the eastern slope of California's Sierra Nevada mountain range. Known for its diverse landscape, Olancha boasts natural spring water sources and offers off-highway vehicle recreation at the Olancha Dunes OHV Area. The region's rich history can be explored through ghost towns, old mines, and abandoned ranches. With a climate ideal for outdoor activities, Olancha is an intriguing destination for adventure and relaxation.
Olancha, California, is easily accessible via U.S. Route 395. For travelers flying in, the nearest major airport is in Reno, Nevada, approximately 225 miles north, which offers various car rental options. From there, a scenic drive south on Route 395 leads directly to Olancha. Alternatively, visitors from Los Angeles can expect a roughly 3-hour drive north, making Olancha an excellent getaway for those looking to explore the great outdoors.
The stagecoach runs in the snow scene in Rawhide
Whitney Portal Rd., Lone Pine, CA
The stagecoach appears on the huge, white horizon. Snowflakes flurry, covering the horses and coach in ice. The crunch of hooves on frozen soil breaks the winter's silence. Inside, travelers gather for warmth, their breath clouding the windows. Outlaws emerge from the snowstorm, disrupting the tranquil atmosphere. The resulting confrontation is unpleasant, accentuated by the harshness of winter. The snow, once beautiful, now impedes, giving drama and suspense.
Whitney Portal Road is a 12-mile scenic road near Lone Pine, California. It leads to the beautiful Whitney Portal area and the Inyo National Forest. Storms damaged it in 2023, but many still walk it because it is tough and has beautiful views of high granite cliffs and gorges full of plants.
Getting to Whitney Portal Rd. is easy. To reach Lancaster from Los Angeles, take I-5 N and turn left onto CA-14 N. Keep going to US-395 N and drive through some beautiful scenery. From the middle of town in Lone Pine, go west on Whitney Portal Rd. This beautiful drive will take you to your destination, where you can enjoy this famous filming site's stunning views and historic charm.
Conclusion
The famous Rawhide has a story set in many different places. At the movie's beginning, no other people are around at a stagecoach stop in the middle of the desert.
Well-known shots were filmed in the Alabama Hills, close to Lone Pine, California. Rocks have been weathered into unique shapes that create a beautiful and dramatic scene. Rawhide does a great job of using a variety of shooting locations to create a dark visual story that complements the interesting plot. This makes the movie even more of a Western classic.