John Wayne
Stays at the Cottonwood Hotel
|
|
John Wayne romanced Gail Russell right here at the historic Cottonwood Hotel during their filming of Angel and the Badman in 1946.
Even though this now classic movie was filmed in Sedona, Arizona, it was reviewed regularly during the making of the film at the old Rialto Theater, today's location of the Tavern Grille in Old Town Cottonwood, AZ.
Along with several other movies that were locally filmed in the Verde Valley, Sedona-Cottonwood area, the Rialto Theater was used as showing over a hundred "Rushes" (movies in the works). Producers, directors, movie stars and legends came to review and edit their filming in progress.
At the time of the filming of Angel and the Badman, John Wayne and Gail Russell had not so secret love affair. During their hot romance they walked from the Rialto Theater to the Cottonwood Hotel (just a few doors down) to get a room and spend the night on several occasions after a "rush".
|
 |
| John Wayne at the Cottonwood Hotel |
|
|
***Old timers Josephine Becchetti-See and Jean Hall-Redman shared their stories, recapturing the past. "My dad Joe Becchetti owed the Rialto Theater and worked directly with the movie studios directors and producers. Most locals did not know when a "Rush" was coming to town, and we weren't suppose to say anything, as they were private showings", Jo indulged in her memories. "Most didn't even know who John Wayne was back then, he was still young in his career", Jo continued.
"We sure knew who he was," Jean said. "I was working here at the hotel in Robinson's Western Wear Clothier. John bought western wear here".
"We saw John and Gail holding hands and smooching in the hotel corridor", Jo continued, as both Jean and Jo giggled. "I remember them kissing right there in the doorway", Jean pointed and giggles some more. "I remember when another doorway use to be here", Jean pointed to an area that use to have a doorway going upstairs to the hotel rooms. "I use to have to make sure when I closed the store to lock that door so that the hotel guests couldn't come back into the store after closing hours. They had to use the outside entrance".
Robinson's Western Clothier, where "the Duke" bought western wear, was below the hotel and is the hotel's office today.
For more Cottonwood Arizona history and locally filmed movies see more...
|
John Wayne Suite
We've dedicated our Suite #2 to John Wayne. We do not have a lot of memorabilia, just a photograph of John Wayne and Gail Russell hangs on the bedroom wall. The old classic (romantic western) video movie "Angel and the Badman" can be viewed and enjoyed when you stay here in this suite. see more
| |
Actor, Ermal Williamson, John Wayne impersonator stayed at the Cottonwood Hotel June 2-3, 2001. He performed at the Cottonwood River Walk Celebration, for National Trail's Day and Grand Opening of the Jail Trail, part of the Verde River Greenway Riparian Habitat.
Ermal Williamson, recognized internationally as the JOHN WAYNE look-alike, has been impersonating The Duke professionally for years. Ermal is the actor who has made five national Coors Light Beer commercials as John Wayne. He has riden several times in the Festival of Roses Parade, and has patriotically performed at the Pre-Bowl events.
He appeared as John Wayne with members of the Duke's family, actors, and stuntmen at the John Wayne Convention in Akron Ohio, June of 1994, paying tribute to Duke in honor of his passing away. see more
|
|
|
