Hollywood Studio Magazine (March 1967)

sonal appearances at rodeos, the stage, and television on business - traveling all over the world, espec¬ ially New York where he costumed the Jimmy Dean show. He also cos¬ tumed the cast of Grand Ole Opry and many others. For the studios, Nudie recalls hav¬ ing made a pair of saddles for Debby and Eddy during the filming of Uni¬ versal’s “Tammie Out of Time;” Dale Robertson’s “Iron Horse;” Doug McClure’s “Virginian;” Ward Bond, Terry Wilson, and Frank Mc¬ Grath’s “Wagon Train;” Neville Brand, Bill Smith, Peter Brown’s “Laredo” series; also all of Audie Murphy’s outfits; Tyrone Power in “Mississippi Gambler;” for Marlon Brando special black boots with zippers; and for the picture “Epic of Josie” starring Doris Day and Peter Graves special spurs. Nudie also made costumes for the enter¬ tainers and stunt men of the Univer¬ sal tours : Jimmy Cook, Hank Cali, Jim Banner, Richard Shane, Arnold Roberts. Some of Nudie’s best cus¬ tomers too are Texas ranchers and oilmen. Nudie is a picturesque figure dressed in his western outfit riding in his special car at rodeos and pa¬ rades. His wife Bobbie is also a de¬ signer, having designed western clothes for many women of the west¬ ern world, movies, and TV personal¬ ities. She is well known for her or¬ iginals. Imagine a boot-length eve¬ ning dress of 14-karat gold lame with gold boots and rhinestone studded heels. She and their daughter Bar¬ bara take an active interest in the business. Barbara’s husband, Manuel Cuevas, a designer is in charge of this work shop. Nudie says one day Manuel will have complete responsbility of this fabulous work shop. Barbara and her husband have daughter Jamie who is at home in is at home in western clothes. Nudie also finds time for civic duties. In 1958 he was the originator and San Fernando Valley chairman for national emergency’s “Don’t Wait Week” — a first-aid safety pro¬ gram to cut down accident rate. He said over 20,000 accidents occur in and around homes in the Valley an¬ nually — many fatalities — from lack of first aid treatment. At that time Mayor Norris Poulson designated the week of October 10-18 as “Emer¬ gency Week” which is still in exist¬ ence. Nudie’s 1967 Pontiac is also well known. It is an off-white convertible equipped with all the western gear known to every cowboy. The bucket seats are covered with white leather adorned by appliqued bulls and Nudie with Elvis Presley in his famous 24- karat gold lame suit A group of westerners. Reading from left to right: Tex Williams, Gene Autry, Nudie, Roy Rogers, and Rex Allen calves of genuine unborn leather. The upholstery was made in Nudie’s shop. Ten horse heads in chrome decorate the dash board and doors. Each head serves a purpose; lighter, choke, lights, window gadgets, etc. Fancy spurs act as door openers and goat horns serve as arm rests. Im¬ ported Australian goat fur is used as carpeting. A hand-tooled leather saddle were also made in Nudie’s shop. Even the sun shade is covered with unborn calf. The bucket seats in the back are divided by the figure of a cowboy cutting a calf. Pearl handle six-shooters serve as gear shift and as outside door openers- pull the trigger and instead of a blast, the door opens. Rifles dec¬ orate the sides of the car. A huge set of horns in the front end blast like the sound of a bull charging. This 1967 Pontiac mount features an out¬ line of a corral fence with a cowboy riding a bucking bronc. The white leather boot is autographed by fam¬ ous personalities who wear Nudie’s creations. This car, when not at a rodeo or at the studios, is parked at the rear of his western establish¬ ment. The price of this creation — only $11,000. Nudie and Bobbie live in Arleta. They have two horses which they enjoy riding. For recreation Nudie enjoys listening to western music'on his stereo and playing the mandolin. Western music? — what else. n