MovieChat Forums > Urban Cowboy (1980) Discussion > Urban Cowboy Diaries

Urban Cowboy Diaries

posted 16 years ago by dana5570
19 replies | jump to latest

I don't know if this has been posted in another thread on this board but there is a fantastic website that will give you all the behind-the-scenes story of Urban Cowboy. The writer of the movie kept a diary for almost a year during the casting and filming of the movie. The webiste is www.aaronlatham.com. Click on Urban Cowboy Diaries. It will make you look at the movie and the stars in a whole new (and sometimes disturbing!) light. I couldn't wait to go back and watch the movie because I read about what was happening the day they filmed a scene or what happened the night before. Very interesting read for anyone who likes this movie.

[–] AndSheWasNot 16 years ago

Thanks for posting this! I read through the entire diary yesterday and lots of it was quite shocking. Definitely made me want to watch the film again.

[–] dana5570 16 years ago

Wow, you read it in one day? It took me two weeks (in between work and kids!). I was shocked at Debra Winger's behavior on and off the set. Basically, all of their behaviors were pretty out there. I've always loved Debra Winger and John Travolta though so I'll let it all slide :)

[–] hollywoodsaint 16 years ago

Wow... First of all, to the original poster: Thanks for posting this.. Everyone who is a fan of UC should check it out.. It is a long read, though-- i've spent parts of several days, off and on, reading through it and am not even to the part where they start filming the movie yet.. There are some interesting revelations-- for instance, i never knew that the guy who was the real-life inspiration for 'Bud' actually wound up with the 'Pam' character, and divorced 'Sissy'... I guess thhey wanted a more acceptable Hollywood ending, so they had him go back to Sissy in the movie... Good stuff.

[–] dana5570 16 years ago

No problem. Glad you found it and are reading it. It is kind of boring until they begin casting and filming. And I did get tired of reading about all their lunches and dinners! Just wait until you get to the filming--it will shock you!

[–] hollywoodsaint 16 years ago

yeah, i'm almost done now and it's a must-read for anyone who's a fan of the movie-- but i'm really surprised that Latham has some of that stuff out in public on the net.. Like the fact that he names names of some of the cast/crew who were cheating on their wives and doing drugs, and discusses the various people that Debra Winger slept with (including Scott Glenn.) Just seems like he's opening himself up to a lot of lawsuits, even 30 years later... I guess he just thinks his website is really under-the-radar?? :shrug:

BTW i live in Houston and just out of pure coincidence today passed the cemetary where the Uncle Bob funeral takes place... It's pretty far out of the city, but i happened to be going out that way for work and as i was on Telephone Rd. i remembered reading in the 'Diaries' that that's where the cemetery was in the movie, kept my eyes peeled and saw it(!) Neat moment...

[–] cathrin_o 16 years ago

And mr Latham has spelt Cooper Huckabee's name wrong...
He's written Cooper Huckleby...
(Didn't think his surname was that difficult to spell ?

[–] cleoew 13 years ago

The entire diary is riddled with misspellings & typos for some reason.

[–] MNDollface 16 years ago

Thank you to whoever referenced the Urban Cowboys Diaries -I read it (took me a couple of days) & found it fascinating! This is one of my all time favorite movies & reading the "back story" was a treat. Man, that Debra Winger was kinda slutty, eh? LOL And those John Travolta rumors that have been floating around for quite some time (that he was gay or bi) made sense after reading the diaries....I get the feeling he actually did fool around on that set, with both women & men....

[–] pyahnitsa 16 years ago

Well that was interesting. It sounds like Debra Winger was a slutty lunatic back then. After reading that I think Aaron Latham is a disgusting person, he was married with a child but he was always making out with Debra and hanging around her while she was naked. I bet they *beep* how despicable.

[–] ridgerunner72160 16 years ago

I've always heard how "odd" most show business people are, but if Debra Winger is anything like she was in Aaron Latham's diary, then she's as looney as a bedbug. I'm surprised she wasn't put in a mental institution a long time ago. Latham doesn't talk too much about any of the actors like Barry Corbin or Brooke Alderson. But he talks a lot about the main four....Travolta, Winger, Scott Glenn, and Madolynn Smith. I think Madolynn Smith is the only one who can be classified as being normal.

[–] dana5570 16 years ago

I'm glad everyone enjoyed it as much as I did. I don't even know how I happened upon it.
I have read snippets where Shirley Mclaine said during the filming of "Terms of Endearment," Debra Winger was horrible to work with. She said something like she herself is out there but even Debra was too much for her! I love Debra Winger so I hated to read all the behind-the-scenes drama she caused. I also LOVE John Travolta and really, really hated to read about all the stuff he was up to :(
I also thought it was strange that Aaron Latham just put out there the fact that he kissed DW and whoever else while he was married. Just like it was no big deal. I guess Hollywood is a whole differnt world....

[–] bwelch33 16 years ago

Worst movie ever, doubtlessly.

[–] henfruit 15 years ago

Haven't read it yet, but I am going there now.

Another tidbit about Debra Winger - She and Richard Gere had a hard time finishing "An Officer and a Gentlemen" - they hated each other.

[–] cleoew 13 years ago

WOW!!! I can't believe what I just read. UC is one of my all time favorite movies. I know it so well that I know practically every line. I read the diaries & was so, so shocked at what went on behind the scenes. Extremely shocked at Winger's behavior. Shocked about so many things. It was also very fun to read the behind-the-scenes machinations about making the movie, lighting, setting up scenes, how scenes were shot, etc. It was a fascinating read. Thank you for posting about it. It was a WILD ride!

[–] 13 years ago

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[–] Michell311 11 years ago

I can't find it either. :(

[–] dana5570 11 years ago

Oh no, it appears to be gone! I'll keep looking around and if I find a new URL for it, I'll post it. I really hope it's not gone forever because it is a fantastic read :(

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fbueller-2 10 years ago

Oh, no! Has it been removed?