Kanab, Utah

Wednesday, 15th September

We had not planned to stay at Kanab but arrived upon it by accident on our way to Zion National Park.

And what a place it is!  An oasis in the midst of rocky desert canyons of differing colours of sandstone.

Kanab has been given the title, deservedly, of 'Little Hollywood'.  Over 100 films have been produced here, mostly Westerns, utilising the beautiful and varied landscape to great effect.  Of course, the biggest stay had to be John Wayne.

                                           Pete outside John Wayne's room at Parry's

                                    Carole outside Dean Martins room (had to be done!)

We stayed at Parry's where all the stars were accommodated in the 50's and 60's.  Their names are still recorded over the rooms they have stayed in.  Perhaps the funniest, is room 134 - Ava Gardner wanted her mother to stay, so Frank Sinatra paid for a pool cupboard to be transformed into a room for her - the sign over the door, reads, Mother in Law.

Apparently, when Sammy Davis Jnr room was cleaned, the number of empty bottles of alcohol filled the bin!

Along the streets are the Halls of Fame -every star who has stayed in Kanab is featured on posters along the side walk.

                                      Maureen O'Hara's post on the sidewalk of Fame

Old sets from films are still contained within Johnsons Canyon and in the museum at Denny's Wigwam.  We saw sets from Clint Eastwood's film 'The outlaw Josie Wales'.  The doors were about 4'6" high to make the actors appear much larger on film.  One of the locals recalled that one night there was a knock on her restaurant door - it was Clint Eastwood.  He asked 'Are you open'.  The owner replied 'We are now!'

                                                         Pete on the set of 'Josie Wales'

Each year, at the end of August, Kanab hosts a week of entertainment to celebrate its movie history - stars from bygone Westerns come along to join in the revelry.  Clint Walker of Cheyenne fame is a local and attends each year.

Guess where we are thinking of going for our 35th wedding anniversary next August.................!