Sedona in Yavapai County, Arizona — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Elvis Plays Sedona

Historic Sedona

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 26, 2019

1. Historic Sedona Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

By the time MGM came to Sedona to film “Stay Away Joe” in 1967, audiences had fallen in love with the Elvis Presley movie formula. This contemporary western comedy spotlighted Elvis and other such distinguished co-stars as Burgess Meredith and Joan Blondell. Critics were not kind to this film, in which Presley played a half-Indian rodeo champ. The film boasts the magnificent scenery of Sedona, a local rodeo staged for the shooting, and many scenes filmed at the “Fire Creek” town set and a temporary set both just west of town. Local residents took the stars into their homes to provide lodging during the shooting and the crew was said to have frequented the local tavern. Sedona’s “Red Rock News” printed a 12-page special edition honoring the stars and crew with many advertisements of ‘thanks’ from both groups.

Erected by Sedona Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1967.

Location. 34° 52.048′ N, 111° 45.731′

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W. Marker is in Sedona, Arizona, in Yavapai County. Marker can be reached from N Hwy 89A. Located along the wall within an outdoor mall called The Shops at Hyatt Piñon. Next to El Dorado Jewelry Shop (C-15). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 101 N Hwy 89A, Sedona AZ 86336, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Movie Productions (a few steps from this marker); The First School (a few steps from this marker); Sedona Schnebly (a few steps from this marker); Heart of Sedona (a few steps from this marker); Cowboys (a few steps from this marker); The Artist of Sedona (within shouting distance of this marker); Jessie "Bear" Howard (within shouting distance of this marker); First Assembly of God (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sedona.

Photographed By Denise Boose, April 26, 2019

2. Historic Sedona Marker

Stay Away Joe poster image. Click for full size.

3. Stay Away Joe poster

1967

4. Elvis & Car

Credits. This page was last revised on May 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 6, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 960 times since then and 355 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 6, 2019, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.