John Wayne’s “The Shootist” film locations

[Wyatt Burp]

This weekend we visited family who live at the foot of the Sierras just a couple miles down the road south of historic Genoa, Nevada. As we drove towards the town I pointed out the giant meadow on the left and said the intro to “The Shootist” was filmed right around here. That’s where “J .B. Books”gut shot a robber with his derringer. Then I found this video from a guy I watch all the time who points out the exact location. But it’s really more about Lauren Bacall’s boarding house in the film.

John Wayne filmed "The Shootist" at Carson City House - YouTube

 

[jkallner]

Thanks for the post - one of the best movies ever!

 

[jag312]

I live about halfway between Carson City and Minden, Nevada. Genoa is about 5 miles from me. Did you visit the saloon in Genoa? The filming locations for both The Shootist and the Walther Matthau movie Charlie Varrick are almost in my backyard.

 

[rockquarry]

I'm not much of a John Wayne fan, but have seen almost all of his films that were made after the early '40s. Many of them were good movies, even if he just played the typical John Wayne role - John Wayne as John Wayne.

Playing the role of a sickly, old gunfighter in "The Shootist" was a bit out of character for John Wayne. It was one of very few films (can't think of another at the moment, but there may have been one or two) where he did some acting and wasn't just John Wayne.

Indeed, a very good movie, probably among his two or three best films.

 

[Wyatt Burp]

I live about halfway between Carson City and Minden, Nevada. Genoa is about 5 miles from me. Did you visit the saloon in Genoa? The filming locations for both The Shootist and the Walther Matthau movie Charlie Varrick are almost in my backyard.

I’ve been there before a couple times but long ago. Driving past the bar this time it was packed and the little town is more built up but looks great. I loved that saloon when I was there. I think my cousin mentioned “Sheridan” where they live on 206. What a great back yard, or maybe front yard you must have like they do with the mountains towering over you. Next time I’ll try to match the mountains behind John Wayne to find that exact spot from the movie intro. By Walley’s resort it says in the vid.

 

[Nevada Ed]

That buggy ride into the white sand was shot at the South East area of
Washoe Lake.

I remember it, because it is my old catfishing area.

Trying to cut out the freeways, car traffic, telphone poles and fences, is
an art in shooting those movies and they did very well, making it look like the olden days.

Good movie,

 

[Old 44 Guy]

I have visited Genoa many times. Great place. And "The Shootist " is my favorite western movie. Many Thanks.

 

[6518John]

I'm not much of a John Wayne fan, but have seen almost all of his films that were made after the early '40s. Many of them were good movies, even if just played the typical John Wayne role - John Wayne as John Wayne.

Playing the role of a sickly, old gunfighter in "The Shootist" was a bit out of character for John Wayne. It was one of very few films (can't think of another at the moment, but there may have been one or two) where he did some acting and wasn't just John Wayne.

Indeed, a very good movie, probably among his two or three best films.

I am a huge John Wayne fan but you are dead on, he always plays himself/cowboy. I watched The Longest Day yesterday and it was John Wayne the cowboy in WWII. And The Green Berets it is John Wayne the Cowboy in Viet Nam. And Brannigan it is John Wayne the Cowboy in London.

I still love his movies from best to worst. I wonder if he had started as say a song and dance man and appeared in a bunch of musicals, if we would see him in a western and say “how did they get that singer and dancer to play a cowboy!?”

 

[transit]

An interesting bit of trivia: as a very young man, John Wayne knew Wyatt Earp. In his final years Earp used to hang around the movie studio the younger man worked at (as a stage-hand type.)

It has been speculated that John Wayne's "cowboy persona" the way he walked, the cadence of his speech, etc. is actually his take on the real western legend Wyatt Earp.

 

[6518John]

Wyatt Earp was a pretty good example to follow!

 

[jdh]

Playing the role of a sickly, old gunfighter in "The Shootist" was a bit out of character for John Wayne. It was one of very few films (can't think of another at the moment, but there may have been one or two) where he did some acting and wasn't just John Wayne.

Except for the small fact that he was being treated for stomach cancer (which eventually killed him) during the filming. He missed many days on set being to ill to work.

 

[Nevada Ed]

Yes, it was his last movie but it was a great way to ride out into the sunset.

Lots of great actors to bid their fair well to a man that stood high in the saddle.

 

[Rolex28]

"Don't say it's a fine morning or I'll have to shoot ya".... John Wayne from Mclintock.

 

[625-7]

It in my understanding that Wayne enjoyed playing Rooster Cogburn because he got to play himself instead of what he was normally contracted to play.

 

[ancient-one]

Anything John Wayne I like. We just need several million like him alive today.

 

[CH4]

Huge JW fan. The Shootist is my favorite with Rooster Cogburn a close second. Living in Carson City/Reno area I visited the filming sites many times.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I saw the shootist in the theater on January 29. J.B.Woods and my birthday!

Ivan

 

[mattallamerican]

great movie it was star studded to say the least thanks for shareing

 

[jag312]

I’ve been there before a couple times but long ago. Driving past the bar this time it was packed and the little town is more built up but looks great. I loved that saloon when I was there. I think my cousin mentioned “Sheridan” where they live on 206. What a great back yard, or maybe front yard you must have like they do with the mountains towering over you. Next time I’ll try to match the mountains behind John Wayne to find that exact spot from the movie intro. By Walley’s resort it says in the vid.

My house after it snows, and the view from my house in the Spring before all the snow melts. It seems that almost every day someone from California calls me to buy my house. Not now, not ever, and I want to be buried in my back acreage where the coyotes can keep me company.

Edit: I should add that Genoa is right at the foot of those mountains.

 

[mdf9183]

Two of my favorite John Wayne movies are Island in the Sky and The High and The Mighty. Island in the Sky took place at Presque Isle AFB Me., I spent some time there when I was stationed at Loring AFB Me. It was shut down but most of the buildings and the runway was still there.
Little known fact Presque Isle AFB was the first AFB to have intercontinental missiles The Snark missile which were aimed at USSR.