Tucson was familiar surroundings for actor Glenn Ford, he was in several films that were shot in this area, including “3:10 to Yuma,” “The Last Challenge” and “Heaven with a Gun.” He also took part in a 1940 Kate Smith radio show which was broadcast from the UA auditorium.
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1956 Sheaffer photo
Glenn Ford en route to Benson to catch the “3:10 to Yuma.”
In 1956, when he came here to film “3:10 to Yuma,” he arrived by train and then headed for the Fulton Ranch near Benson. That film, which also starred Van Heflin, was shot in the Tucson-Willcox-Benson areas.
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1966 Star photo
Glenn Ford, right, and Chad Everett in Sabino Canyon.
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When Ford was here to film “Pistolero” in 1966, he and Chad Everett starred with Angie Dickinson. The movie was released under the title of “The Last Challenge.” While here, Ford fell in love with Sabino Canyon. He said of the area “You know, looking at those tall saguaros and high mountains makes a guy feel real humble.”
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1968 Star photo
Glenn Ford and his son Peter on the set of “Heaven with a Gun”
“Heaven with a Gun” was a father-son effort. In 1968, his son, Peter Ford, was the dialogue director on the film. The younger Ford was just about to graduate from USC with a degree in English. He had been excused from the last few days of class to join the filming. An English major, he hoped to be a writer and did not plan to follow in his father’s acting footsteps.
Glenn Ford died in 2006.
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