The 1956 movie epic "GIANT" won 4 Oscars and 12 nominations. It
was based on the novel by Edna Ferber which covered the family
life of a Texas cattle rancher and their conflicts. Stars of
the movie were Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson, James Dean (final
film role), Chill Wills, and Dennis Hopper. One of the many
filming locations was outside of Marfa, TX.
At the time of the filming, I was a young teenager in school. My
family and I took a vacation trip to the Big Bend National Park
in West Texas. On the way and a short distant out of Marfa, we
stopped to watch the movie being filmed. As we stood with other
tourists by the roadside in complete silence, Leslie Benedict
(Elizabeth Taylor) and Jett Rink (James Dean) were doing a filming
scene over and over. She was getting out of her car to visit him
at his ranch, Little Reata. Later we were allowed to walk around
to take pictures where the cast and crew were taking a break.
James Dean was killed in an auto collision near Cholame, CA,
shortly after the movie was made. (Photos below by Webmaster)
Little Reata movie set in 1955
Elizabeth Taylor & then husband, Michael Wilding
posing for pictures.
Filming of "GIANT" near Marfa with Elizabeth Taylor
by the car.
Rock Hudson & Elizabeth Taylor
on the set of "GIANT"
Elizabeth Taylor (Facebook pic)
Elizabeth Taylor & Rock Hudson (Facebook pic)
James Dean (Facebook pic)
Facade of mansion Reata built near Marfa for the
movie being torn down (Facebook)
James Dean & Elizabeth Taylor taking a break
from GIANT (Facebook)
The movie "GIANT" with Rock Hudson & Elizabeth
Taylor (Facebook)
Elizabeth Taylor & Rock Hudson taking a break
on the set (Facebook)
Revisited movie set:
In 2006 after 50 years of the movie release, I returned to Marfa
with my wife. We first visited The Hotel Paisano (1930) in Marfa
where cast and crew members stayed during the filming. James Dean
stayed in Room 223 which has remained the same. But the rooms for
Rock Hudson (#211) and Elizabeth Taylor (#212) have been expanded.
In the hotel is a special memorabilia room devoted to the movie.
Across the street from the hotel is the now closed Palace movie
theater where the filming was reviewed each day after shooting.
We then drove out Highway 90W looking for remains of the movie set.
After a few miles, "there on the right!" I shouted. The old windmill
still stands at the place of Jett Rink's ranch and was the only
visible remains of the movie set. On our way back to Marfa, we
looked for the remains of Reata (home of "Bick" Benedict) but didn't
find it. Heard that the house facade is in ruins and located on
private property. Pictures taken by Webmaster.
Remains of GIANT movie set near Marfa, TX
Palace Theater in downtown Marfa where film was
reviewed everyday after shooting of GIANT.
The Hotel Paisano in downtown Marfa where cast
members stayed
Patio at The Hotel Paisano
The movie "GIANT" is continuously being played at
the hotel in a memorabilia room.
GIANT memorabilia room at The Hotel Paisano
On our 40th wedding anniversary in 2007, we returned to
San Antonio where we had spent our honeymoon at the
historic 1859 Menger Hotel. Hanging in the lobby of
the hotel is a painting used in the movie "GIANT".
Painting "Venting Cattle on the Frisco System"
by F.L. Van Ness used in the movie "GIANT".
1859 Menger Hotel in San Antonio, TX
Last Revisit:
Fast-forward to 2024 and I am 82. My wife has died of cancer.
Decided to to do one last Marfa trip to find the location of
the movie filming. There are now signs & beautiful murals at
the filming location. On this trip I wanted to stay at the
Hotel Paisano in Marfa where the movie cast stayed. Ended
up in the James Dean room which was kind of small but nice.
The hotel still has the "Giant" memorial room & the movie is
playing during the day. A number of pictures from the filming
of the movie are hanging in the hotel. That night I drove
out to the the Marfa Lights viewing area. Just before leaving,
I saw two of the Marfa Lights.
Old movie set near Marfa
James Dean room at Hotel Paisano
James Dean room
Painted mural at movie set
Painted mural at movie set
Painted mural at movie set
Painted mural at movie set
MEMORIAL TO THE CAST
JAMES DEAN, 24, died on Sept. 30, 1955 in a car crash
in California. He was born on Feb. 8, 1931 in Marion,
Indiana. He starred as a troubled teenager Jim Stark
in "Rebel Without a Cause" (1955). After a role in
"East of Eden", he was the ranch hand Jett Rink in
"Giant" (1956). Dean's fame rest on his performances
in only three films.
DENNIS HOPPER, 74, died of cancer in Venice, CA, on
May 29, 2010. He was born on May 17, 1936, and began
his career with roles in movies like "Rebel Without a
Cause." He appeared with his friend, James Dean, in the
movie "Giant" as Jordan Benedict III, son of Bick Benedict.
His greatest success on screen was "Easy Rider." He was
also a director & respected photographer. He was married
five times.
ROCK HUDSON, 59, died in 1985 at Beverly Hills, CA.
of AIDS. He was born Roy Harold Scherer, Jr. in Winnetka,
IL. During WWII, he served as a Navy airplane mechanic.
His first movie was "Fighter Squadron" (1948). In 1956,
he received an Oscar nomination for the movie "Giant" in
his role of wealthy Texas rancher Bick Benedict. He starred
in many comedies with Doris Day & had a TV series "McMillan
& Wife" (1971).
ELIZABETH TAYLOR, 79, died on March 23, 2011 in Los Angeles,
CA from congestive heart failure with interment in Forest
Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, CA. She was born Feb. 27,
1932 in London, England. The family relocated to Los Angeles
in the late 30s. Elizabeth first appearance in a film was in
1942 at the age ten. In 1955 she appeared in the hit movie
"Giant" (1956) as the wife of Bick Benedict. She became a
major actress starring in numerous hit movies winning an
Oscar for "Butterfield 8." Her multiple marriages & divorces
included actor Richard Burton.
CHILL WILLS, 76, died Dec. 15, 1978 in Encino, CA of cancer.
He was born July 18, 1902 in Seagoville, TX. At an early age,
he performed in vaudeville and formed a musical group. Later
they appeared in several low-budget Westerns. He married ballet
dancer Betty Chappelle and they had two children. She died in
1971 and he remarried. Chill played Bick's Uncle Bawley in the
movie "Giant."
Making of the movie "GIANT":Revisited