Greaser’s Palace ---BONUS Underground Movie “Double Feature” --- 1972. Cinema 5 Distributing, Image Entertainment/Scorpion Releasing, Color, Aspect Ratio 1.85 : 1, 91 minutes, Rated R Release Date: July 31, 1972 Greaser’s Palace is available at Amazon.com on DVD and VHS. Movie Synopsis: Offbeat Jesus Christ parody set in the Old West, in which a drifter discovering his true identity heals sick cowboys. As an underground and/or cult film, that enthusiasts have described as “strange,” “amazing in how it affects people,” and “you have to see it to believe it!” ...this one is probably not for everybody. Cast: Allan Arbus, Albert Henderson, Luana Anders, Toni Basil, Hervé Villechaize, George Morgan, Larry Moyer, Michael Sullivan, James Antonio, Ron Nealy Director: Robert Downey. Thoughts on the Movie: Because this is one of those early 1970s underground films, I haven’t seen it. I don’t even remember this from back then, and I was 21 when it came out. I might have missed it because at that precise time, I was selling off a lot of my stuff and getting ready to relocate to Los Angeles. This movie was made when the whole film industry was really changing, and it was hip and cool to be over the top with subject matter that a lot of people were going to find offensive. But when I put the first manuscript of “Movie Locations of the Great Southwest” together back in the 1990s, this was included. The chosen location for this movie, which is Camel Rock, is one of my favorite landmarks. It is just so cool. But to be completely fair, I will get a hold of a copy of this movie and watch it. Then I’ll revise this “Thoughts on the Movie” segment. ~Jean Location Site: Camel Rock, Tesuque Pueblo, New Mexico (see Map) Camel Rock was the setting for the movie’s “sermon on the mount.” This naturally eroded, extremely charming sandstone formation has been a landmark in the area for centuries. Located about 10 miles north of Santa Fe on US 64/84/285, Camel Rock is on the west side of the highway, clearly visible and impossible to miss. Right: The Camel Rock formation is the main landmark of the Tesuque Pueblo in Northern New Mexico, just miles north of Santa Fe. About Tesuque Pueblo, New Mexico: Tesuque Pueblo (population 909; elevation 6,759 feet; 35° 44’ 46” N, 105° 55’ 20” W) is located about 10 miles north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, on US 64/84/285. The Pueblo’s Indian name is Te-Tsu-Geh, meaning “cottonwood tree place.” The Pueblo offers dances and ceremonies, and pottery, sculpture, and paintings can be purchased at the Pueblo Plaza. Inquire at the Tribal Administration Building about Tesuque Pueblo artisans. The Pueblo also hosts the biggest Flea Market in the Santa Fe area during the spring, summer and early fall seasons. Below Right: A truly magestic scene from the film, “Greaser’s Palace,” which was shot on the Tesuque Pueblo in Northern New Mexico. About Santa Fe, New Mexico: Santa Fe, New Mexico (population 75,764, elevation 7,000 feet; 35° 40’ 2” N, 105° 57’ 52” W) is located approximately 60 miles north of Albuquerque on I-25. The Santa Fe area, currently one of the top tourist destinations in the world, offers a wide variety of outdoor activities, skiing, river rafting, hiking, camping, cycling, and horseback riding, just to name a few. This is “high desert” country, with four distinct seasons showing off the beauty of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and the clear, blue New Mexican sky. The “City Different” is also the third largest art market in the U.S., after New York and Los Angeles, boasting hundreds of galleries, with the majority located on picturesque Canyon Road, one of the areas largest tourist attractions. To learn a lot more about Santa Fe, New Mexico, see our Santa Fe Information page. Lodging & Dining: For Recommended Hotels, Motels and Lodges in Santa Fe, see: Santa Fe Lodging Filming Info: Greaser’s Palace was filmed in 11 days with a budget of $50,000. Scenes for the film were also shot in Madrid and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Right: A scene from the 1972 underground film, “Greaser’s Palace.” Movie Trivia: • The film takes place in the Old West sometime after 1870. However, it features a German MG42 machine gun. The MG42 was put into service by the German army in 1942 during WWII. It’s one of those “time-bending” ideas. • Director Robert Downey is, of course, actor Robert Downey, Jr.’s father. • Actress, Luana Anders (a favorite of the Jack Nicholson-Peter Fonda crowd) has also appeared in the “underground” films Easy Rider (1969) and The Trip (1967), along with appearances in mainstream movies, such as The Missouri Breaks (1976), The Last Detail (1973), and Shampoo (1975). • Robert Downey, Jr. has a small role in the film (at the time he was a child actor). Character Quote: “I’m on my way to Jerusalem to be an actor-singer.” ~Jessy (Allan Arbus)