Urban Cowboy (1980)

Bud is a young man from the country who learns about life and love in a Houston bar.

Director:

James Bridges

Writers:

Aaron Latham (story "The Ballad of the Urban Cowboy"), James Bridges (screenplay)

Stars:

John Travolta, Debra Winger, Scott Glenn

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
John Travolta	...	Bud
Debra Winger	...	Sissy
Scott Glenn	...	Wes
Madolyn Smith Osborne	...	Pam (as Madolyn Smith)
Barry Corbin	...	Uncle Bob
Brooke Alderson	...	Aunt Corene
Cooper Huckabee	...	Marshall
James Gammon	...	Steve Strange
Mickey Gilley	...	Mickey Gilley
Johnny Lee	...	Johnny Lee
Bonnie Raitt	...	Bonnie Raitt
The Charlie Daniels Band	...	The Charlie Daniels Band
Betty Murphy	...	Bud's Mom
Ed Geldart	...	Bud's Dad
Leah Geldart	...	Bud's Sister

Storyline

Bud Davis is a country boy who moves to the city to visit his uncle and his family. He starts hanging out at Gilley's, the popular nightclub owned by Mickey Gilley himself. He takes a job at the oil refinery where his uncle works, hoping to save enough money to buy some land. He also meets a cowgirl named Sissy, they dance together, fall in love and suddenly get married. And then their marriage is shattered when Bud sees Sissy allegedly seeing con man Wes, who teaches her how to ride the mechanical bull... and plans to rob Gilley's. When a bull-riding contest at Gilley's is announced, Bud decides to sign up. Can he win the contest and save his marriage to Sissy?

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Plot Keywords:

nightclub | bar fight | cowboy | country music | domestic violence | 

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Taglines:

Hard hat days and honky-tonk nights.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Spanish

Release Date:

6 June 1980 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Urban Cowboy

Filming Locations:

2213 Westside Drive, Deer Park, Texas, USA

Box Office

Gross USA:

$53,300,000

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Robert Evans Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The soundtrack album was a major hit. It sold several million copies and featured the hit tunes "Looking for Love", "Can I Have This Dance?" and "All Night Long".

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Goofs

The terrain of Houston/Pasadena Texas is very flat, yet as Bud and other characters are seen driving down his street in the trailer park, a significant range of hills is easily noticed in the background. (These scenes were filmed in a trailer park in a suburb of Los Angeles called Pico Rivera, California, and the hills are the San Gabriel Mountains.)

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Quotes

Bud: [to Wes] HEY TATTOO! You see this here? That there's a weddin' ring. That means we're married! She's MINE, okay?

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Alternate Versions

The conversation that Bud has with Uncle Bob right before Bud shaves off his beard was cut for the VHS release.

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Connections

Referenced in Barbie: The Pearl Princess (2014)

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Soundtracks

Texas
Written by Charlie Daniels
Performed by The Charlie Daniels Band

User Reviews

An entertaining period piece. Travolta shines.

This film is a classic compared to the Latham/Bridges/Travolta misfire called PERFECT which came out in 1985.

This film showcases the Houston lifestyle of the oil boom in the early 1980s. We get an insider's view of their jobs, hangouts, and relationships as Travolta and the gang live out their daily lives.

There are some excellent supporting performances here, but make no mistake: THIS IS TRAVOLTA'S SHOW! Who would have thought at the time he'd make such a credible Texan? You almost have to remind yourself this guy was one of the Sweathogs from Welcome Back Kotter. We get to see him dance, fight, ride a mechanical bull, and score with a number of hot women. What more could you ask for? I think this is his best performance to date.

The soundtrack is one of the best I've heard. You won't hear any of this crappy pop-country that is en vogue today. It's just good old fashioned music you can dance or make love to.

This film displays the downfalls of couples who get married too quickly in a very realistic manner. Bud and Sissy resemble a lot of young couples without big bank accounts who have trouble getting along.

Scott Glenn makes a terrific villain, too.

Do yourself a favor and see this one. Or see it again if it's been a while. Travolta could use a hit movie like this one right about now in his career.

9 of 10 stars

So sayeth the Hound.