A few of you will have read how my blog got its name, those who haven’t click here to find out. This year marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the (criminally limited) release of the movie Fandango. A few of the people I met on my trip to Texas two years ago, and a few who couldn’t make it then are going back to do it all again in just three weeks time. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it myself but it seemed like a good time to share some images from the movie along with my own photographs from 2008.
Kevin Costner overlooking the Rio Grande in the movie. Me on the same perch 25 years later.
A publicity shot and at the Chata Ortegas location and how it looks these days.
The Groovers ’59 Cadillac and my (rented) ’08 Cadillac, they didn’t have one in blue!
“Pecos Parachute School” aka Rattlesnake Air Force Base in Pyote. As seen in the movie and the remains as they were in 2008. It isn’t currently possible to get onto the base so I don’t know if this year’s groovers will make it there. I recently found out via Jeff who is organising this year’s trip that due to safety concerns what remains of the hanger will be demolished.
The Groovers after they have “dug up dom”. And some of the people who made the “pilgrimage” second from the left is Chuck Bush who played Dorman in the movie, second from the right is me. (Thanks to Jesper (the guy in the middle with the bottle of champagne) for helping me find the old photos used here today.
The Gas station from the movie and how is now.
The town square in San Elizario in the movie and how it is now. That’s Chuck again standing where he did for the wedding scene in the movie. The movie makes the town look like a small town in the wilds of West Texas (like many of the other sets) but is actually part of El Paso County near El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (Royal Highway) that ran from Mexico City to Santa Fe.
San Elizario Chapel or “La Capilla de San Elcear”. I couldn’t find a decent image of it from the movie but thought I would share my own photography anyway. If you watch the end of the movie the scene where Phil Hicks (Judd Nelson)and Dorman (Chuck Bush) say there farewells it is shot in front of the chapel.
We didn’t recreate this stunt but we did drink some Shiner beer.
Fandango Groovers Movie Blog 
Nice pictures and comparisons, I enjoy reading it. The 1st pictures are the best, the one with you acting like Kevin Costner 😉
Awesome experience Andy. Having just recently seen the movie for the first time I feel like I’m right there with you!
I’d like to make a pilgrimage to either of the Ghostbusters’ firehouse (exterior at NY or interior at CA) but then again I don’t love it enough to devote my site to it;)
Keep up the stellar work Andy, love reading your stuff!
Wonderfull!
One of mine favorite film!
Never i’ll see the real places, thank you for your pictures!
Andrea, fron Italy.
I have always wanted to go see the filming sites as they look today, My favorite movie, and Hands down the best movie of all time:) reminds me of my friends back home and puts me in a great mood everytime. Hey I have a ’59 cadillac sedan its not blue but it be cool to take it on a “farewell fandango.” I’ll just be sure to take some extra go juice.
Thanks for posting pics:)
your Groover fan Tony Huston
FWIW, I and two of my buddies painted the Cadillacs for Fandango. There were five of them. One for process shots with the front end cut off, one with the roof cut off, one with the front sheet metal removed for the International truck front clip and two running, complete cars. The color was picked, by the director, from the cap on a tube of lip balm. Really!!
Thanks for the info John.
I have copied it onto the Fandango forum as I’m sure a the other fans of the movie will be interested.
http://www.ultimatefandango.com/fans/forum.htm
I think the beer was Shiner Premium, not the more popular Shiner Bock. Anyone able to catch what the other book Dorman read besides Steppenwolf, Hulk and the Prophet? thanks. -Barrett. Austin TX
When we saw the movie (in college in 1985 in San Antonio, Texas!) we immediately went outside and tried the Shiner pick up bottle stunt and almost broke our hands. It is all about editing. Cannot do it if going faster than 5 mph as bottle bounces off your hand!
Thanks for stopping by and commenting. I don’t think I mention it here, but I did in a different post; While watching the film, Chuck Bush pointed out that the bottle they used in that shot was a stunt bottle made of rubber. Your probably right about the speed. I think he said it was a pickup shot they did after main filming, on a closed road at Edwards Air Force Base.
Thanks for that info. I will share with my fraternity brothers immediately! Thanks, Matt
where can i get info about a pilgrimage to the filming sites?
Thanks for stopping buy. Check the following links:
Website: http://www.ultimatefandango.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Ultimate-Fandango-2020-279443685747/
Forum: https://www.facebook.com/Ultimate-Fandango-2020-279443685747/
Talk to Fandangojeff, he is the guru of all things Fandango