Brave and Lonely

My obsession with all things Lonely Are the Brave and The Brave Cowboy consists of a poster, photo, VHS, book and memories of growing up in the locations featured in both the book and the movie.

The story is not just about anyplace. It is Duke City specific and Albuquerque is a character in the story no less than Gena Rowland's character or Whiskey's. The city represents the urban modern and it isn't always flattering.

Ten miles away and a thousand feet below, the gleaming river wound through the valley and through the dark ragged crawl of the city and beyond the city into the far haze of the south. The city steamed and glimmered faintly, smoky and alive and obscure, while a few airplanes droned in circles above it like flies over a poisonous dump.

A mere 8 years after the filming of the scene here in which Jack crosses Old Route 66 (Second Street NW) in Albuquerque's North Valley, I would ride my horse by that same cottonwood. It's still there in Alameda across from the Mule Barn - once site of the Big Chief Truck Stop.

Comments

[suz]

I saw it when it first came out. It made an impact. I cried. As a youngster I knew little about the background and had no idea it was made here. I carried that memory with me for years until I finally saw it again just a few years ago. Where were the mountain scenes filmed?

[NewMexiKen]

There should be an annual "Lonely Are the Brave" showing in some Albuquerque theater, especially while some of the cast are still living and might be persuaded to attend.

It was reputed to be Kirk Douglas's favorite role.

[Pat]

Suz: Those are the Sandia Mountains, along the La Luz Trail. Part of the chase scene was shot on the ridge below the Shield (the Movie Trail was built for the camera crew), but the scene when Kirk gets away from the sheriff is on or near the Sandia Crest.