See where Elvis stood and had fun in Old Town, Cottonwood, Arizona during the 1967 filming of "Stay Away, Joe".
Cottonwood, Arizona... Elvis Presley historical facts.
"Special Location Radio Program. MGM's Stay Away, Joe on Location Sedona, Arizona Compliments of Elvis and the Colonel" (RCA Victor UNRM-9408). This 13 word title is sometimes more simply referred to the "Stay Away, Joe" album. Yet not included in the movie, this album was recorded during the time of the production of the 1968 movie that Elvis Presley filmed in Cottonwood and Sedona.
Photo to right is the old KVIO Radio Station in Cottonwood, AZ. Taken during an August 2010 Elvis Tour of "Stay Away, Joe" movie location and other locations that Elvis left his footprint!
Photo credit to Maria Augusta Mendez and her Elvis Fan Club from Brazil...
Maria Augusta Mendez ~ Elvis Fan Friends from Brazil, August 2010 Elvis Tour from the Cottonwood Hotel
RCA created this LP for a one-time broadcast by just one radio station: KVIO in Cottonwood, Arizona. There is only one copy to be known to exist.
Joe Adams the KVIO announcer at the time delivered the uninterrupted 30-minute program which featured nine of Elvis' gospel tunes, publicity for Elvis' two inspirational albums ("His Hand in Mine" and "How Great Thou Art") as well as promotion of the (Dec. 3, 1967) "Special Christmas Radio Program." Also in order was exceptional gratitude, thanking the community (Cottonwood & Sedona) for its hospitality shown the cast and crew during the filming of the "Stay Away, Joe" production.
Over 40 years later, Adams remembered the event well. He stated that he was given the script to simply read and record, with no ad-libbing. Other instructions provided with the disc stated: "For KVIO broadcast, Sunday, November 5, 1967. Property of All Star Shows. Return to Col. Parker's office after airing." Adam's had no idea how the tape would be used or what the finished program would be. And that his voice would be on todays most sought-after Elvis record in the world! The lone copy remained in Presley's personal collection for 22 years.
"Stay Away, Joe” is a 1967 musical comedy starring Elvis Presley who plays a Navajo half-breed Indian trying to get government aid for his tribe's reservation. He sings tunes as "Stay Away," "Lovely Mamie" and "All I Needed Was the Rain"! Burgess Meredith, Joan Blondell, Katy Jurado co-star.
Sedona received credits for film location, Cottonwood did not.
Different staging and filming took place in front of the Cottonwood Hotel.
Here Elvis sits behind the steering wheel of his red cadillac convertible in his Indian cowboy western attire. This was a scene taken in front of the Cottonwood Hotel's, Robinson Clothier Western Wear Store. You will see it in the movie.
Elvis bought western wear from Bob Robinson, the owner of the shop and hotel at that time.
Cottonwood, Arizona "Stay Away, Joe" movie photos/scenes below...
• Elvis trades a horse for a cadillac! This scene takes place in front of the old Larry Green Chevrolet, today's Habitat.(737 S Main Street)
• Old Town 1929 historic old jail scenes. (The jail at that time did not have the brick addition).(1101 N. Main Street)
• Scenes in front of the Cottonwood Hotel & Robinson's Clothier Western Wear Shop, where Elvis bought some western apparel. (930 N. Main Street)
It's fun to see what the small town of Cottonwood, Arizona looked liked back in the 1960's!
737 S. Main St., Cottonwood, AZ
Elvis barters for red cadillac
Elvis trades horse for cadillac
We Trade on Anything
Car Salesman Shistered by Elvis!
Old Town Cottonwood scene
Elvis driving up to the Cottonwood Hotel
Cottonwood Hotel-Elvis Presley
Cottonwood Hotel-Elvis Presley
Cottonwood Hotel-Elvis Presley
Cottonwood Hotel-Elvis Presley
Cottonwood Hotel Movie Scene (6)
The movie "Stay Away. Joe" starring Elvis Presley was also filmed in parts of Uptown Sedona.
Sedona Chamber & Cheers
A good portion of the movie took place on the Bradshaw Ranch. There were like 144 movies filmed on Bradshaw Ranch. The U. S. government has since taken the property over due to UFO sightings, orbs, and the secret military base in the Secret Mountain area. see more
The pictures below are recent pictures of the Bradshaw Ranch. They were the closest we could get.
***If you come to the Cottonwood Hotel and stay and would like a tour out there we can arrange that.
Bradshaw Ranch Feb. 2010
Bradshaw Ranch confiscated by the U.S. government
Elvis Movie Staging at Cottonwood Hotel
Elvis Throws a Hi-5!
The station wagon on the left is the car that Elvis drove back and forth from Sedona to Cottonwood during the filming of Stay Away, Joe. Colonial Parker thought that the car would be less conspiculous for fans tracking Elvis down. Everyone still recognized the car as his admirers would toot and wave and yell his name. Elvis would always throw them a HI-FIVE!
Where Did Elvis Stay During His Filming of "Stay Away, Joe"??
Elvis rented a house up on Back O' Beyond in the Sedona area during the filming. The house he rented had large exposed window panels from ceiling to floor on the back side, including a large open shower that overlooked Oak Creek. In fear of being seen naked to any peeking toms, Elvis had Colonel Parker go to a local business to have custom shower curtains made. Later when the business owner went to install the curtains he was asked to stay for a good southern home cooked luncheon prepared by a black woman who traveled with Elvis.
True story told by Roger Curry of Sedona, as it was his dad that hung the curtains... Thank you Roger for the info!
Elvis Tours Old Town Streets
Elvis loved filming in the small town community of Cottonwood.
I met "Stay Away, Joe" movie director Peter Tewksbury, a few years back, as he stopped by the Cottonwood Hotel visitor center/gift shop a few years back. He stated that this filming location was one of Elvis's favorite and most fun. Elvis walked around the neighborhood back streets in Old Town Cottonwood autographing for fans right in front of their homes. Photo at right was taken by Jo Becchetti See in front of their old home, which today is a vacant lot 925 Cactus Street behind the Cottonwood Hotel, next to the hotel's parking lot.
Elvis Autographs for fans
Elvis Takes A Break
Captured here on camera at the former Old Town Cottonwood Shep's liquor store, Elvis was buying a cola and magazine, as the fan snapped his picture.
Today this is the location of: The Ledbetter Law Firm, P.L.C., 1003 North Main Street, Cottonwood, Arizona
DATES:
January 8th, 1935 Elvis Presley, Date of Birth
Filming began in Sedona and Cottonwood, Arizona on October 9, 1967. Location filming continued until November 22, 1967 when the production company moved back to the studio to finish the production. The movie wrapped on November 27, 1967 with a lunch Elvis had catered for the cast and crew. Elvis entourage members Joe Esposito and Charlie Hodge each had small roles. After Elvis was released from the movie, Joe, Charlie and fellow entourage member Marvin 'Gee Gee' Gambill went to Las Vegas to vacation before returning to Memphis.
December 3rd, 1967
Elvis Recording at KVIO in Cottonwood
Stay Away Joe Release date March 8, 1968
A couple of days after Elvis and the crew left Cottonwood...
What Happened
December 12-20 1967...A huge snow storm paralyzes northern Arizona...and brings snow to much of the state. In reality, it is two storms, with the second following closely on the heels of the first. However, most perceive it to be one storm. During these nine days...86.0 inches of snow falls at Flagstaff. At Winslow...where average annual snowfall is 11.2 inches...39.6 inches of snow is reported. On December 14, a state record 38.0 inches falls in 24 hours at the Heber Ranger Station. Snowfall totals over the rim country include 102.7 inches at Hawley Lake, 99 inches at Greer, 91.5 inches at the Heber Ranger Station, 87.3 inches at Crown King, 77.0 inches at Payson, 46.0 inches at Prescott, 35.2 inches at Sedona, approx. 4 feet in Cottonwood, and 31.0 inches at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. The Navajo nation is extremely hard hit...as two to three feet of snow falls across the reservation. Window Rock measures 33.5 inches. People on the reservation are instructed to use ashes from their stoves and fireplaces to write distress signals in the snow...that could be spotted from the air. Eight people die of exposure.
The KING Shows Up at the Cottonwood Hotel May 2009
Back tracking some of Elvis's footprints, King who actually knew Elvis, today continues to pay special tribute to Elvis, with memories, music & more and is a real Elvis look-a-like, shows up at the Cottonwood Hotel. Impressing the guests on the hotel balcony, he sings a love song. Elvis "the King"...No Aaron King is his name. And he's available for hire...Contact: Judy Conley in Tucson at 520-790-0906 or cell# (520) 405-6392.
