A look back at movies filmed in Jackson Hole

From classic westerns to modern day Oscar winners, movies have been filmed in Jackson Hole for almost a century.

Moviemaking in Jackson Hole dates back to the 1920s with silent black-and-white films. In 1930, “The Big Trail” really set the tone, featuring a 23-year-old John Wayne making his debut as a lead actor. It’s rumored to be the first time the Duke rode a horse.

However, 1952 was arguably the biggest year in Jackson Hole’s movie history. Steve Roberts of the Jackson Hole Historical Society said “Shane” is likely the most well-known movie to be filmed in the valley. He said people still ask about the Academy Award-winning movie and all the filming locations.

“‘It’s my favorite movie,’ they will say,” Roberts said. “‘I’ve watched it hundreds of times.'”

The year 1952 also brought “The Big Sky,” featuring Kirk Douglas.

The 1960s brought a different genre, including a popular drama with beautiful Teton views called “Spencer’s Mountain.”

Another big year with even bigger names was 1980. “Any Which Way You Can,” featuring Clint Eastwood, included a huge fight scene filmed in town. Charlton Heston also starred in the fur-trapping movie “The Mountain Men.”

To the delight of locals, all of the movie stars needed a place to stay.

“The locals were certainly appreciative and impressed with them coming to town, because of course they stayed in Jackson,” Roberts said. “There wasn’t anywhere else to stay in the early days.”

But yo, Adrian, that’s not all: Rocky Balboa wasn’t training in Russia in “Rocky IV.” He was carrying logs and running across creeks in Jackson Hole, while Ivan Drago trained in his cozy gym.

Even more current is “Django Unchained.” Quentin Tarantino’s spaghetti western shows off the Teton range and even a scene with Jamie Foxx taking a soak in Kelly Warm Springs. Lori Iverson of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said the National Elk Refuge caught the famous director’s eye.

“Tarantino was driving back from the airport, went by the refuge, looked out the property and said ‘We have to film that,” Iverson said.

Iverson said the priority was to not disturb the elk and bison.

“A lot of work went into just a couple of shots, but it was thrilling,” Iverson said.