Thank you Guest Speaker Author Stuart Rosebrook: The Making of "Junior Bonner" the Movie

Written by Chelsea Sederstrom. Edited by Lisa DeLeo. Bio Quoted from stuartrosebrook.com.

It has been 50 years since the book Junior Bonner: The Making of a Classic with Steve McQueen and Sam Peckinpah in the Summer of 1971 was published.

Stuart's father Jeb Rosebrook wrote the screenplay for "Junior Bonner" the movie which is considered a western Masterpiece.  In 1972, it provided director Sam Peckinpah with a unique opportunity to return to his roots and deliver a portrayal of the modern American West.

Stuart Rosebrook is an acclaimed editor, writer, and historian relating to media and the American West. He is currently the editor of True West magazine.  As senior editor he managed Western Travel and Western Books, roles he continues as editor of the venerable magazine.

He has been a featured writer for Arizona Highways, Ranch and Reata, American Cowboy and Camera & Darkroom.  He was also a commentator for the John Wayne 100th Birthday DVD Edition of True Grit.

Stuart has a B.A. in history from Wake Forest University and a M.A. and Ph.D. in history from Arizona State University, with areas of expertise in Public History, the American West and 20th Century American popular culture and media.

He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western History Association, National Council of Public History and the Arizona Historical Society. He is currently serving as vice-president of the Coordinating Committee for History in Arizona, and as a board member of the Arizona History Convention. 

Service above self has been an important value of his life. During college he was a member of Phoenix Rotary 100. 

Stuart appreciates how Prescott community embraces possibility and outsiders. He grew up in North Hollywood, California, but spent most of the summers of his youth at the Orme’s Quarter Circle V-Bar Ranch Camp in northern Arizona. Those years on the wide open vistas of Orme’s 26,000 acre spread formed Stuart Rosebrook’s writing style, and interest in Western history and culture.  Bill Pearce got him involved with the Western Heritage Center and board of Sharlott Hall. 

Stuart shared a wonderful photos and stories of his Dad rich history of father Jeb Rosebrook, the local cast, the stars and the Prescott locations. 

85% of the cast is local Prescott people. They had three weeks to make this film and the community really came together to make it happen. Many places around town have history from the movie.

Bill Pearce was on the government motion picture development board at the time when the producers of Junior Bonner were looking for a location to film. Click here for an interview with Bill learn more here.

Haven't watched the movie? Go watch it! The Phippen Museum has it playing in the basement on a reel.

We are the filmmaking capital of the state of Arizona, go Prescott!  

For more information on hiring Stuart Rosebrook for writing, editing, book or television production, or historical research please send your query using the form to the left. For public speaking please contact his Literary Agent: Krista Rolfzen Soukup, Blue Cottage Agency, 218-828-4717.