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If you were a fan of singing cowboy Gene Autry, then the name "Melody Ranch" will raise fond memories of Gene and Smiley singing songs around the campfire. Gene's radio show was named "Melody Ranch," but a real Melody Ranch actually exists - a movie studio ranch in the hills north of L.A., where they shot most of Gene Autry's western adventures. And at least once a year, you can tour Melody Ranch, a colorful bit of Old Hollywood.
The studio began back in 1915. In 1939, its Old West town served as the location for the finale of the John Wayne classic, "Stagecoach." In 1952, Gary
Cooper shot it out with the bad guys in
the unforgettable "High Noon". Gene
Autry had shot many of his early Republic
westerns here, including his first film, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds."
When the original owner died
in 1952 and Monogram Studios went out of business,
Fortunately, the Western town has been saved by the new owners who bought the ranch in 1991 and restored to its former glory .
Melody Ranch is a privately
owned movie studio, and the public usually isn't admitted. But they have recently begun offering VIP tours. They have
recently opened a new Melody Ranch Motion Picture
Museum,
which is housed in the old Hacienda on Old West street, and a private
tour includes both the museum and the Western streets. Tours
require advance reservations. (At last word, it cost $40
per person.) To make a reservation, phone (661) 286-1188. Melody Ranch also now has its own website, at www.melodyranchstudio.com. There
is also another way to visit the historic ranch. On one weekend each year,
in late March (or early April), they hold the annual Cowboy Festival here
at Melody Ranch (and at the adjacent William
S. Hart estate). The festival includes trail rides, chuck wagon meals, cowboy shopping, and assorted shows by cowboy crooners from seven western states and Canada. (such as Don Edwards, Baxter Black and Riders in the Sky), staged at the Melody Ranch theater and the Hart mansion. In 2015, the 22nd annual
Festival will be held on April 15-19. Important:
For the first time, due to filming at Melody Ranch this year, the
Festival won't take place at Melody Ranch, and will instead take place
in Old Town Newhall and Hart Park. There is no on-site parking
at Melody Ranch. Shuttle buses take ticket holders from a parking area
off 13th Street to Melody Ranch. Admission is $20 for adult and
$10 for children (or $30 for a two-day pass). For more information
about the Festival, call (800) 305-0755
(for the hotline) or (661) 250-3735,
or go to www.cowboyfestival.org. [Also see the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum.]
[For
more information on the Cowboy Festival, you can access the official Santa
Clarita website at: [For more information on Melody
Ranch Studios, you can access their official website at:
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