Have heartthrob, will exhibit!

Few historians ever get the pleasure of meeting the subjects of their research.  Last week, Museum Pros shattered the norm.

As part of Museum Pros’ ongoing relationship with Superstition Mountain Museum in Apache Junction, AZ, we were asked to design, fabricate, and install an exhibit on one of the most fun topics yet – a Hollywood Movie Ranch.  Apacheland Movie Ranch was built in 1961. Today that area is the community of Gold Canyon.  Apacheland immediately became popular with producers and directors and for some years, western genre movies were made with the stunning backdrop of the Superstition Mountains.  See Elvis’s iconic walk here, with Red Mountain clearly in the background. 

I didn’t grow up watching old westerns, so I had research homework.  One of the first photos to catch my eye when studying up on Richard Boone’s Paladin, was this photo of the young crooner hired to compose and sing the show’s title song, Have Gun Will Travel, the Balland of Paladin.  Johnny Western was too good to be true!  His youth belied the voice that came back at me when I listened to the song for the first time. Wow! 

Richard Boone and Johnny Western

Last week, Apacheland Movie Ranch: The Exhibit sprang to life as we put the finishing touches on the graphics and mounted a huge faux camera in the gallery.  For inspiration, we played soundtracks from the old movies and hummed along.  (This practice backfired a bit, as now, we can’t get the tunes out of our heads!)

While putting the final touches on the exhibit, we heard a group of people outside the gallery reminiscing about Apacheland and the stars who acted there. One group in particular seemed to have specific stories, so I peeked out to find a family enjoying the photo wall of movie stars.  The woman in the group pointed at one of the photos and said, “this is him,” indicating her traveling companion.  Johnny Western! 

We invited the group in for a sneak peek of the exhibit and then – like gawky starstruck teenagers – took photos with the man who voiced Paladin.  So cool. 

Michelle and Johnny Western in the new Apacheland Exhibit

David and Johnny Western

The Apacheland exhibit is displayed in the old barn on the grounds of Superstition Mountain Museum on historic AZ Route 88.  Stop by if you have a chance, and on the way, pull up a recording of Have Gun, Will Travel by Johnny Western on your favorite streaming service.  Happy Trails to you!