The Making of a Western Classic

FIFTY YEARS AGO, THE CITY OF PRESCOTT WELCOMED A HOLLYWOOD FILM CREW & HELPED MAKE A Western Classic

BY STUART ROSEBROOK, SON OF JUNIOR BONNER SCREENWRITER JEB ROSEBROOK

“Junior Bonner,” written by the late screenwriter and Orme School graduate Jeb Rosebrook, is a deeply personal homage to family, historic Prescott, and the small towns and ranchlands of Yavapai County. One reason the film was successful — and remains a snapshot in time and history — was its location manager William Pierce, the local Arizo-na Film Commission representative, president of the Fair Association, and the Prescott Jaycees rodeo chairman. The local businessman was well connected, friend to all, and not intimidated by Sam Peckinpah or in awe of Steve McQueen. Pierce actually drove the leading man around on his motorcycle to get to locations during the parade sequence. Pierce’s local connections also helped secure a local track for McQueen and his son to race their dirt bikes. Pierce was successful in landing the production of “Junior Bonner” for Prescott and Yavapai County because he recognized the locales my father Jeb Rosebrook wrote about in the script and was able to open doors to secure all the film’s locations. Pierce’s contribution to making the film a reality was so appreciated by the production company, the film ends with a heartfelt message of special thanks to the people of Prescott and Pierce. This heartfelt thanks we should continue to express, for without Bill Pierce and the generosity of spirit of the people of Prescott and Yavapai County, we would not be celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1971 production and its subsequent release in 1972.