310:
Sissy secretly spends time at Gilley's where Wes teaches her how to ride the mechanical bull. When Sissy successfully rides the bull, Bud is angry that she defied him. During Bud's ride, Wes intentionally swings the bull around hard, breaking Bud's arm. At home, Bud and Sissy argue. She claims that Bud is jealous because she rides the bull better than him. Bud slaps Sissy and throws her out of their mobile home. When Bud later sees Sissy at Gilley's, he gives her a friendly smile, but she ignores him. Bud retaliates by dancing with Pam, the beautiful daughter of a rich oilman. They leave together, with Bud making sure Sissy sees them. Sissy moves in with Wes, who lives in a run-down trailer behind Gilley's.
322:
cleaned the mobile home. She urges Bud to reconcile with Sissy. As Sissy waits in her car, Wes sneaks into the Gilley's main office to rob the entry money. Bud finds Sissy in the parking lot and says he loves her and apologizes for being stubborn and for hitting her. They embrace, but after seeing Sissy's bruised face, a furious Bud goes after Wes. A fight ensues outside the bar, with Bud getting the upper hand this time. Wes drops his gun, and the stolen entry money falls from his jacket. Wes is apprehended, and Bud and Sissy go home together.
314:
up and leaves Bud a note saying she hopes they will get back together. When Pam arrives at the mobile home and finds Sissy and later the note, she throws it away and leads Bud to believe that she cleaned the mobile home herself. Sissy arrives back at Wes's trailer and catches him with
Marshalene, a woman who works at Gilley's. After Marshalene leaves, an angry Sissy throws a carton of cigarettes at him and refuses to fix him a meal. In response, Wes physically abuses her.
719:
733:
451:
article centered on the romance between two Gilley's regulars named Dew
Westbrook and Betty Helmer. Westbrook and Helmer's relationship became the inspiration for the romance between John Travolta's and Debra Winger's characters "Bud" and "Sissy". The movie was directed by Bridges. Some film critics
313:
Bud, who is unable to work while his arm is in a cast, wants to compete in Gilley's upcoming mechanical bull riding rodeo contest for the $ 5,000 prize. While Bud is training with his uncle, a former rodeo champion, Sissy stops by the mobile home to collect her belongings. While there, she cleans it
309:
Wes
Hightower, a recently-paroled convict and prison rodeo champion, is hired to operate Gilley's mechanical bull. One evening, a drunken Bud becomes enraged when Wes flirtatiously tips his hat at Sissy, leading to a fight between Bud and Wes, with Wes gaining the upper hand. Wanting to impress Bud,
305:
Bud meets fellow nightclub patron, Sissy, at Gilley's. They fall in love, marry soon after and move into a brand-new mobile home. Although they love each other, Sissy is feisty and independent, while hot-tempered Bud believes in traditional gender roles, causing frequent quarrels. They settle into a
317:
Bob urges Bud to reconcile with Sissy, citing how his own formerly bad behavior nearly ruined his marriage. Shortly after, Bob is killed in a refinery explosion when a bolt of lightning strikes a tank during a thunderstorm, devastating Bud. Sissy attends the funeral and tells Bud that Wes was fired
572:
and other vocalists whose trademarks were mellow sounds of the sort heard in the movie. This sound became a trademark in country music from the early to mid '80s, in which record sales for the genre soared. The ingenious impactful weaving of highly accessible country music into the film's dramatic
321:
Bud initially plans to skip the contest, but he changes his mind after his Aunt Corene insists that Bob would have wanted him to go. Bud wins but is disappointed that Sissy is not present when he is awarded the prize. Pam then realizes that Bud still loves Sissy and admits that it was Sissy who
43:
663:. The film is said to have started the 1980s boom in pop-country music known as the "Urban Cowboy Movement", also known as Neo-Country or Hill Boogie. In December 2018, the soundtrack was certified triple platinum by the RIAA for sales of three million copies.
298:
for an oil refinery job where his uncle, Bob Davis, works. Bud wants to earn enough money to buy land in Spur. While staying with Bob and his family, Bud embraces the local nightlife, including
1024:
872:
1056:
687:
to write and direct the pilot, as well as to executive produce the whole series. Chris
Levinson was set as the showrunner and would also executive produce the series, along with
994:
1088:
840:
530:
wrote: "Director James
Bridges has ably captured the atmosphere of one of the most famous chip-kicker hangouts of all: Gilley's Club on the outskirts of Houston."
1439:
306:
routine of working during the day and socializing at Gilley's at night. Bud enjoys riding the mechanical bull, but when Sissy wants to try, Bud forbids it.
1119:
777:
1016:
1257:
1151:
458:. The film grossed almost $ 47 million in the United States alone and represented a temporary recovery for Travolta from 1978's poorly received
1469:
862:
1046:
1083:
984:
1419:
1078:
1449:
1293:
695:. In December, Fox cancelled the pilot. On February 1, 2022, it was announced that a television adaptation was in development at
1444:
1404:
1414:
830:
808:
1454:
901:
1399:
1434:
1173:
936:
764:
Theater Owners Blame Box Office Blues This Summer on Lower
Quality of Movies Wall Street Journal 8 July 1980: 15.
552:. The term "Urban Cowboy" was also used to describe the soft-core country music of the early 1980s epitomized by
1111:
926:
1429:
1371:
648:
624:
612:
318:
from Gilley's and that they plan to leave for Mexico after Wes wins the mechanical bull riding rodeo contest.
1464:
1424:
1409:
1286:
672:
1230:
1141:
620:
590:
688:
632:
90:
1459:
1323:
1279:
20:
1265:
1246:
958:
676:
545:'s career was revived after the film release, and the soundtrack started a music movement.
454:
8:
1394:
1363:
640:
608:
604:
561:
383:
141:
549:
267:
1339:
1331:
1178:
1146:
931:
526:
520:
169:
573:
soundtrack fabric was largely attributable to the skills of music industry impresario
1208:
1112:"Fox Developing 'Urban Cowboy' TV Remake with Craig Brewer, Paramount TV (Exclusive)"
867:
835:
596:
1355:
460:
271:
1271:
798:
1252:
1241:
897:
893:
652:
507:
479:
410:
395:
365:
295:
279:
27:
1235:
1315:
704:
700:
533:
The film gave
Pasadena and Houston a brief turn under the Hollywood spotlight.
299:
94:
1388:
1303:
1051:
989:
922:
803:
746:
660:
656:
616:
569:
565:
542:
515:
470:
440:
377:
350:
332:
259:
255:
123:
108:
56:
1224:
724:
684:
644:
578:
574:
557:
553:
495:
436:
389:
371:
356:
338:
263:
258:. The plot concerns the love-hate relationship between Buford "Bud" Davis (
251:
248:
128:
113:
86:
68:
514:
is not only most entertaining but also first-rate social criticism," said
738:
696:
636:
534:
344:
291:
159:
118:
1213:
1202:
985:"A Look Back at How Gilley's and Urban Cowboy Affected the Houston Area"
692:
647:. It also included songs that were hits from earlier years such as #1 "
628:
538:
483:
419:
275:
42:
1017:"Looking back on the Houston premiere "Urban Cowboy" 35 years later"
799:"Dew Westbrook: The original Urban Cowboy is still looking for love"
1219:
487:
510:, the film received a 70% "Fresh" rating based on 23 reviews. "
506:
The film received generally positive reviews from critics. On
1174:"'Urban Cowboy' Series Adaptation In The Works At Paramount+"
541:
and many other celebrities attended the premiere in
Houston.
1047:"Inside Country Music's Polarizing 'Urban Cowboy' Movement"
778:"Country Rocker and Fiddler Charlie Daniels Dies at Age 83"
595:
The film featured a hit soundtrack album spawning numerous
430:
464:, but the film was not nearly as successful as either
498:, which launched her career as a film choreographer.
863:"Patsy Swayze, mother of Patrick Swayze, dies at 86"
714:
494:
was the first motion picture to be choreographed by
452:
referred to the movie as a country music version of
1301:
270:. Much of the action revolves around activities at
266:). The film's success was credited for spurring a
1386:
666:
501:
1142:"'Urban Cowboy' Pilot Not Going Forward At Fox"
548:As a result of the film's success, there was a
19:For the Broadway musical of the same name, see
1440:Films based on newspaper and magazine articles
1103:
1287:
290:Buford "Bud" Davis leaves his family home in
703:serving as director and co-writer alongside
976:
1294:
1280:
1079:"RIAA – Searchable Database: Urban Cowboy"
416:Becky Conway as Gilley Background Vocalist
41:
1109:
1084:Recording Industry Association of America
1139:
302:, a popular Pasadena bar and nightclub.
1091:from the original on September 24, 2020
1014:
671:On May 28, 2015, it was announced that
478:, Travolta had a private corner at the
1387:
1140:Andreeva, Nellie (December 11, 2015).
1059:from the original on September 6, 2017
854:
1470:English-language romantic drama films
1275:
1171:
1008:
921:
860:
828:
780:. NBC. Associated Press. July 6, 2020
435:The film's screenplay was adapted by
1071:
1044:
982:
915:
822:
772:
770:
443:from an article by the same name in
431:Historical background and production
1110:Littleton, Cynthia (May 28, 2015).
939:from the original on April 30, 2021
861:Kelly, Devin (September 18, 2013).
550:mainstream revival of country music
268:mainstream revival of country music
13:
1045:Ross, Marissa R. (June 12, 2015).
683:into a television series, and set
14:
1481:
1196:
1172:White, Peter (February 1, 2022).
767:
731:
717:
577:, who co-produced the film with
447:written by Latham. The original
1420:Films directed by James Bridges
1165:
1154:from the original on 2017-09-06
1133:
1122:from the original on 2017-06-27
1038:
1027:from the original on 2017-08-10
1015:Hlavaty, Craig (May 20, 2015).
997:from the original on 2017-08-10
904:from the original on 2017-11-28
875:from the original on 2014-04-24
843:from the original on 2017-08-10
811:from the original on 2015-06-18
474:($ 188 million). While filming
362:Brooke Alderson as Corene Davis
1450:Films produced by Robert Evans
1262:Working in the Theatre Seminar
951:
886:
831:"Restaurateur Mama Ninfa dies"
791:
758:
649:The Devil Went Down to Georgia
1:
1445:Films about domestic violence
1405:American romantic drama films
927:"John Travolta, Urban Cowboy"
752:
667:Proposed TV series adaptation
584:
502:Critical reception and legacy
413:as Gilley Background Vocalist
1415:1980s English-language films
829:Huynh, Dai (June 18, 2001).
7:
1455:Films scored by Ralph Burns
983:Lane, Chris (May 8, 2015).
710:
673:20th Century Fox Television
625:Look What You've Done to Me
407:Connie Hanson as Marshalene
10:
1486:
1231:Internet Broadway Database
1226:Urban Cowboy
588:
25:
18:
16:1980 film by James Bridges
1400:1980 romantic drama films
1310:
591:Urban Cowboy (soundtrack)
425:Cyndy Hall as Sexy Sister
335:as Buford Uan "Bud" Davis
274:, a football-field-sized
232:
224:
216:
208:
198:
175:
165:
155:
147:
137:
101:
82:
74:
62:
52:
47:Theatrical release poster
40:
35:
1435:Paramount Pictures films
1258:Production: Urban Cowboy
404:Jessie La Rive as Jessie
26:Not to be confused with
1372:Bright Lights, Big City
633:Could I Have This Dance
325:
285:
959:"Review: Urban Cowboy"
184:June 6, 1980
21:Urban Cowboy (musical)
1430:Films shot in Houston
1266:American Theatre Wing
1465:1980s American films
1425:Films set in Houston
677:Paramount Television
653:Charlie Daniels Band
486:restaurant chain in
466:Saturday Night Fever
455:Saturday Night Fever
401:Ellen March as Becky
97:(executive producer)
1410:Country music films
965:. December 31, 1979
641:Love the World Away
247:is a 1980 American
142:Reynaldo Villalobos
1340:The China Syndrome
1332:September 30, 1955
1302:Films directed by
1179:Deadline Hollywood
1147:Deadline Hollywood
932:The New York Times
807:. September 2001.
521:The New York Times
468:($ 94 million) or
170:Paramount Pictures
1382:
1381:
1021:Houston Chronicle
925:(June 11, 1980).
868:Los Angeles Times
836:Houston Chronicle
240:
239:
1477:
1296:
1289:
1282:
1273:
1272:
1268:.org, April 2003
1191:
1190:
1188:
1186:
1169:
1163:
1162:
1160:
1159:
1137:
1131:
1130:
1128:
1127:
1107:
1101:
1100:
1098:
1096:
1075:
1069:
1068:
1066:
1064:
1042:
1036:
1035:
1033:
1032:
1012:
1006:
1005:
1003:
1002:
980:
974:
973:
971:
970:
955:
949:
948:
946:
944:
919:
913:
912:
910:
909:
890:
884:
883:
881:
880:
858:
852:
851:
849:
848:
826:
820:
819:
817:
816:
795:
789:
788:
786:
785:
774:
765:
762:
741:
736:
735:
734:
727:
722:
721:
720:
675:had teamed with
605:Lookin' for Love
482:location of the
461:Moment by Moment
374:as Steve Strange
347:as Wes Hightower
191:
189:
45:
33:
32:
1485:
1484:
1480:
1479:
1478:
1476:
1475:
1474:
1385:
1384:
1383:
1378:
1324:The Paper Chase
1306:
1300:
1253:Box Office Mojo
1242:Rotten Tomatoes
1199:
1194:
1184:
1182:
1170:
1166:
1157:
1155:
1138:
1134:
1125:
1123:
1108:
1104:
1094:
1092:
1077:
1076:
1072:
1062:
1060:
1043:
1039:
1030:
1028:
1013:
1009:
1000:
998:
981:
977:
968:
966:
957:
956:
952:
942:
940:
920:
916:
907:
905:
898:Rotten Tomatoes
892:
891:
887:
878:
876:
859:
855:
846:
844:
827:
823:
814:
812:
797:
796:
792:
783:
781:
776:
775:
768:
763:
759:
755:
737:
732:
730:
723:
718:
716:
713:
669:
601:Country Singles
593:
587:
508:Rotten Tomatoes
504:
480:Westheimer Road
433:
428:
411:Tamara Champlin
396:Charlie Daniels
366:Cooper Huckabee
328:
296:Pasadena, Texas
288:
280:Pasadena, Texas
201:
194:
187:
185:
178:
133:
93:
89:
67:
48:
31:
28:Midnight Cowboy
24:
17:
12:
11:
5:
1483:
1473:
1472:
1467:
1462:
1457:
1452:
1447:
1442:
1437:
1432:
1427:
1422:
1417:
1412:
1407:
1402:
1397:
1380:
1379:
1377:
1376:
1368:
1360:
1352:
1344:
1336:
1328:
1320:
1316:The Baby Maker
1311:
1308:
1307:
1299:
1298:
1291:
1284:
1276:
1270:
1269:
1255:
1244:
1233:
1222:
1211:
1198:
1197:External links
1195:
1193:
1192:
1164:
1132:
1102:
1070:
1037:
1007:
975:
950:
923:Canby, Vincent
914:
894:"Urban Cowboy"
885:
853:
839:. p. A1.
821:
790:
766:
756:
754:
751:
750:
749:
743:
742:
728:
712:
709:
705:Benjamin Percy
701:James Ponsoldt
668:
665:
603:, such as #1 "
589:Main article:
586:
583:
503:
500:
432:
429:
427:
426:
423:
422:as Sexy Sister
417:
414:
408:
405:
402:
399:
393:
387:
381:
375:
369:
363:
360:
354:
348:
342:
336:
329:
327:
324:
287:
284:
238:
237:
236:$ 53.3 million
234:
230:
229:
226:
222:
221:
218:
214:
213:
210:
206:
205:
202:
199:
196:
195:
193:
192:
181:
179:
176:
173:
172:
167:
166:Distributed by
163:
162:
157:
153:
152:
149:
145:
144:
139:
138:Cinematography
135:
134:
132:
131:
126:
121:
116:
111:
105:
103:
99:
98:
95:C. O. Erickson
84:
80:
79:
76:
72:
71:
64:
60:
59:
54:
50:
49:
46:
38:
37:
15:
9:
6:
4:
3:
2:
1482:
1471:
1468:
1466:
1463:
1461:
1460:Rodeo in film
1458:
1456:
1453:
1451:
1448:
1446:
1443:
1441:
1438:
1436:
1433:
1431:
1428:
1426:
1423:
1421:
1418:
1416:
1413:
1411:
1408:
1406:
1403:
1401:
1398:
1396:
1393:
1392:
1390:
1374:
1373:
1369:
1366:
1365:
1361:
1358:
1357:
1356:Mike's Murder
1353:
1350:
1349:
1345:
1342:
1341:
1337:
1334:
1333:
1329:
1326:
1325:
1321:
1318:
1317:
1313:
1312:
1309:
1305:
1304:James Bridges
1297:
1292:
1290:
1285:
1283:
1278:
1277:
1274:
1267:
1263:
1259:
1256:
1254:
1250:
1249:
1245:
1243:
1239:
1238:
1234:
1232:
1228:
1227:
1223:
1221:
1217:
1216:
1212:
1210:
1206:
1205:
1201:
1200:
1181:
1180:
1175:
1168:
1153:
1149:
1148:
1143:
1136:
1121:
1117:
1113:
1106:
1090:
1086:
1085:
1080:
1074:
1063:September 17,
1058:
1054:
1053:
1052:Rolling Stone
1048:
1041:
1026:
1022:
1018:
1011:
996:
992:
991:
990:Houston Press
986:
979:
964:
960:
954:
938:
934:
933:
928:
924:
918:
903:
899:
895:
889:
874:
870:
869:
864:
857:
842:
838:
837:
832:
825:
810:
806:
805:
804:Texas Monthly
800:
794:
779:
773:
771:
761:
757:
748:
747:Country music
745:
744:
740:
729:
726:
715:
708:
706:
702:
698:
694:
690:
686:
682:
678:
674:
664:
662:
658:
654:
650:
646:
642:
638:
634:
630:
626:
622:
618:
617:Mickey Gilley
614:
610:
606:
602:
600:
592:
582:
580:
576:
571:
570:Janie Frickie
567:
566:Mickey Gilley
563:
559:
555:
551:
546:
544:
543:Mickey Gilley
540:
536:
531:
529:
528:
523:
522:
517:
516:Vincent Canby
513:
509:
499:
497:
493:
489:
485:
481:
477:
473:
472:
467:
463:
462:
457:
456:
450:
446:
442:
441:James Bridges
438:
424:
421:
418:
415:
412:
409:
406:
403:
400:
397:
394:
391:
388:
385:
382:
379:
378:Mickey Gilley
376:
373:
370:
367:
364:
361:
358:
355:
352:
351:Madolyn Smith
349:
346:
343:
340:
337:
334:
333:John Travolta
331:
330:
323:
319:
315:
311:
307:
303:
301:
297:
294:and moves to
293:
283:
281:
277:
273:
272:Gilley's Club
269:
265:
262:) and Sissy (
261:
260:John Travolta
257:
256:James Bridges
253:
250:
246:
245:
235:
231:
227:
223:
219:
215:
212:United States
211:
207:
203:
197:
183:
182:
180:
174:
171:
168:
164:
161:
158:
154:
151:David Rawlins
150:
146:
143:
140:
136:
130:
127:
125:
124:Madolyn Smith
122:
120:
117:
115:
112:
110:
109:John Travolta
107:
106:
104:
100:
96:
92:
88:
85:
81:
77:
73:
70:
66:James Bridges
65:
63:Screenplay by
61:
58:
57:James Bridges
55:
51:
44:
39:
34:
29:
22:
1370:
1362:
1354:
1348:Urban Cowboy
1347:
1346:
1338:
1330:
1322:
1314:
1261:
1248:Urban Cowboy
1247:
1237:Urban Cowboy
1236:
1225:
1215:Urban Cowboy
1214:
1204:Urban Cowboy
1203:
1183:. Retrieved
1177:
1167:
1156:. Retrieved
1145:
1135:
1124:. Retrieved
1115:
1105:
1093:. Retrieved
1082:
1073:
1061:. Retrieved
1050:
1040:
1029:. Retrieved
1020:
1010:
999:. Retrieved
988:
978:
967:. Retrieved
962:
953:
941:. Retrieved
930:
917:
906:. Retrieved
888:
877:. Retrieved
866:
856:
845:. Retrieved
834:
824:
813:. Retrieved
802:
793:
782:. Retrieved
760:
725:Texas portal
689:Robert Evans
685:Craig Brewer
681:Urban Cowboy
680:
670:
645:Kenny Rogers
598:
594:
579:Robert Evans
575:Irving Azoff
558:Dolly Parton
554:Kenny Rogers
547:
532:
525:
519:
512:Urban Cowboy
511:
505:
496:Patsy Swayze
492:Urban Cowboy
491:
476:Urban Cowboy
475:
469:
465:
459:
453:
448:
444:
437:Aaron Latham
434:
390:Bonnie Raitt
372:James Gammon
359:as Bob Davis
357:Barry Corbin
339:Debra Winger
320:
316:
312:
308:
304:
289:
264:Debra Winger
254:directed by
252:Western film
244:Urban Cowboy
243:
242:
241:
228:$ 10 million
200:Running time
177:Release date
129:Barry Corbin
114:Debra Winger
91:Robert Evans
87:Irving Azoff
78:Aaron Latham
69:Aaron Latham
36:Urban Cowboy
1185:February 1,
739:Film portal
637:Anne Murray
613:Stand by Me
535:Andy Warhol
368:as Marshall
345:Scott Glenn
292:Spur, Texas
204:135 minutes
160:Ralph Burns
119:Scott Glenn
83:Produced by
53:Directed by
1395:1980 films
1389:Categories
1158:2017-08-09
1126:2017-08-09
1095:January 9,
1031:2017-08-09
1001:2017-08-09
969:2017-08-09
908:2022-08-12
879:2017-08-09
847:2017-08-09
815:2017-08-09
784:2022-12-17
753:References
697:Paramount+
693:Sue Naegle
657:Lyin' Eyes
629:Boz Scaggs
609:Johnny Lee
585:Soundtrack
562:Johnny Lee
539:Jerry Hall
420:Jerry Hall
398:as himself
392:as herself
386:as himself
384:Johnny Lee
380:as himself
276:honky tonk
233:Box office
188:1980-06-06
1264:video at
679:to adapt
659:" by the
651:" by the
599:Billboard
148:Edited by
1220:AllMovie
1152:Archived
1120:Archived
1089:Archived
1057:Archived
1025:Archived
995:Archived
937:Archived
902:Archived
873:Archived
841:Archived
809:Archived
711:See also
639:and #4 "
621:AC chart
341:as Sissy
300:Gilley's
249:romantic
217:Language
156:Music by
102:Starring
75:Story by
1364:Perfect
1229:at the
1116:Variety
963:Variety
943:May 29,
699:, with
597:Top 10
527:Variety
488:Houston
484:Ninfa's
449:Esquire
445:Esquire
220:English
209:Country
186: (
1375:(1988)
1367:(1985)
1359:(1984)
1351:(1980)
1343:(1979)
1335:(1977)
1327:(1973)
1319:(1970)
661:Eagles
631:, #1 "
619:, #3 (
611:, #1 "
471:Grease
353:as Pam
225:Budget
655:and "
643:" by
635:" by
627:" by
615:" by
607:" by
1209:IMDb
1187:2022
1097:2019
1065:2017
945:2012
691:and
439:and
326:Cast
286:Plot
1251:at
1240:at
1218:at
1207:at
623:) "
524:.
518:of
278:in
1391::
1260:–
1176:.
1150:.
1144:.
1118:.
1114:.
1087:.
1081:.
1055:.
1049:.
1023:.
1019:.
993:.
987:.
961:.
935:.
929:.
900:.
896:.
871:.
865:.
833:.
801:.
769:^
707:.
581:.
568:,
564:,
560:,
556:,
537:,
490:.
282:.
1295:e
1288:t
1281:v
1189:.
1161:.
1129:.
1099:.
1067:.
1034:.
1004:.
972:.
947:.
911:.
882:.
850:.
818:.
787:.
190:)
30:.
23:.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.