It may not come as a surprise that the hilarious cult classic “Raising Arizona” was actually filmed, yes, in Arizona.
The film follows Nicolas Cage’s character H.I. McDonnough, an amateur convenience store robber who struggles to balance his thirst for crime and his desires for a family. Once Ed, H.I.’s wife who is played by Holly Hunter, finds out she’s unable to carry a child the couple devises a plan to steal a quintuplet from a local furniture salesman. However, the aftermath quickly becomes more complicated than anticipated.
The fast-paced dark comedy/action film moves swiftly across the valley, stopping at several different locations throughout Arizona.
What Arizonans thought of ‘Raising Arizona’
The movie has become a beloved Coen brothers film, with many Arizonans taking pride in something so renowned, but at the time it was filmed and release a lot of locals weren’t happy with its depiction of its residents.
In 1987, Gail Tabor, an Arizona Republic Reporter, covered the Scottsdale premier of the film, interviewing then-Scottsdale Mayor Herb Drinkwater. Drinkwater told Tabor the movie had “no redeeming social value” and that he was particularly disturbed by the lizard and rabbit being blown up by a hand grenade. Other Arizonans at the time voiced similar concerns of being depicted as rednecks and hillbillies.
None the less, the film grossed $36,240 opening weekend, which would equate to $102,921 in 2025. “Raising Arizona” has now grossed $29,180,280 worldwide, according to IMDb.
Arizonans featured in ‘Raising Arizona’
Local Arizonans were even featured throughout the film, including the baby himself! TJ Kuhn, the child actor who played little Nathan Jr. is an Arizona native who now works as a Phoenix real estate agent. However, the child star’s acting career ended shortly after “Raising Arizona,” though he did appear in the documentary “Arizona Raised” 30 years later.
Apache Junction resident John O’Donnal was also featured in the film, saying the iconic line “Son, you got panties on your head” in the middle of Cage’s legendary chase scene.
Iconic Arizona film locations from ‘Raising Arizona’
Ed and H.I.’s trailer home is now a housing development just south of 136th Street and Del Timbre Drive in Scottsdale.
The Short Stop convenience store commonly robbed by H.I. has since been turned into a Circle K, located at 2311 W. Deer Valley Road in Phoenix.
The muddied area where Evelle and Gale escape from prison is right outside the 24th Street Water Treatment Plant at 6202 N. 24th St. in Phoenix.
The Arizona’s family house is now a part of the Phoenician resort in Scottsdale. Guests are not allowed to stay in the building, but it is still a part of the property.
The Bluebird Groceries and Provisions where Evelle and Gale left Nathan Jr. is actually Bluebird Mine Gift Shop, and still maintains many of the qualities from the movie. It is located at 5405 E. Apache Trail in Apache Junction.
Farmers and Mechanics Bank of La Grange, the bank that Evelle and Gale robbed, and more importantly, where H.I. and antagonist Leonard Smalls had their final face-off, is located at Alma School Parkway and Pinnacle Vista Drive in Scottsdale. The bank has been demolished, but the building and water tower that sits directly across is seen in several shots and still looks as it did in 1987.
Marilyn Monroe: Her first Golden Globe nomination was for this movie filmed in Phoenix
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Love ‘Raising Arizona’? Here’s where the iconic movie was filmed
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