Showing of 'Giant' Marfa July 2005. (Houston, Fort Stockton: hotel, trailer, tickets)

[Jezer]

To mark the 50th anniversary of the making of 'Giant' an event was organised to show the film in the open air in Marfa outside the Paisano Hotel, where some of the stars and crew were staying at the time.

Were any of you there and if so please share your memories.

For me it was the most fantastic occasion, one I will never forget.

I'll post some shots from the event.

This is the Hotel.



The signing- that is Jane Withers, who played Vashti Smythe, and the Cowboy is the one who showed James Dean and Rock Hudson how to be a Texan.



Anticipation is building as we await darkness!



Film starts!

[case44]

That definitely had to be a must-see event. There's a lot of nostalgia at that place. Couldn't possibly make it there, though.

[Bowie]

I've never been to Marfa, but I've been to Alpine, which is similarly tiny.

I wondered at the time where out-of-towners stayed when they went to this event. Surely there weren't enough hotel rooms in Marfa to accommodate a big influx of tourists.

[case44]

Originally Posted by Bowie

I've never been to Marfa, but I've been to Alpine, which is similarly tiny.

I wondered at the time where out-of-towners stayed when they went to this event. Surely there weren't enough hotel rooms in Marfa to accommodate a big influx of tourists.

You could probably stay in either Fort Stockton or Van Horn, as they have several places. But you're right -- Marfa doesn't have a lot of accomodations, and there are only about 3,000 people there.

[Jezer]

There were only 500 tickets for the showing and each was given one of those chairs you see in the shot.

Mine is under lock and guard!

I drove from Houston to Fort Stockton the day before and stayed there.

The next day I went down via Fort Davis where a July 4th weekend event was nearly blown away.

Hung around Marfa during the afternoon during storms but it cleared up for the film.

After the film I drove up to the Davis Mountains and slept in the Jeep, and then drove/slept all the way back to Houston.

The trip was 1300 miles and totally worth it.

Here is a trailer for the film.


YouTube - Trailer for GIANT (1956)

[philipswanson]

Does anyone know if the Riata ruins are still standing? Can they be seen from Highway 90?

Thanks, Phil

[Cowboybootnut]

Originally Posted by philipswanson

Does anyone know if the Riata ruins are still standing? Can they be seen from Highway 90?

Thanks, Phil

I don't think so, I looked for them last year.