50th Anniversary of "The Rare Breed" Celebrated at LBJ Ranch in Popular Movies Under the Stars Series

Date: July 2, 2016
Contact: Brian Vickers, 830-868-7128 ext. 233 or 244

JOHNSON CITY, TEXAS -- Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park continues its popular outdoor summer movie series on Saturday, July 16, at the LBJ Ranch near Stonewall with the showing of the movie, "The Rare Breed," starring Jimmy Stewart, Maureen O'Hara, and Brian Keith. The film starts at dusk and will be presented on a large outdoor screen. Access to the ranch begins at 7:00 pm. A movie trivia contest will precede the film. Prizes will be given to lucky contest winners. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets, refreshments, and mosquito repellent. The program is free of charge. Entry to the LBJ Ranch is conveniently located off US Highway 290 onto Ranch Road 1. Parking is available on the airstrip taxiway (Davis Road) adjacent to the movie site.

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the February 1966 release of "The Rare Breed," during Lyndon Johnson's presidency. "The Rare Breed" is a winner of the Parents' Magazine Family Award Medal. The film takes place during the 1880s. Martha Price (Maureen O'Hara), widow of a cattle breeder, travels from England to St. Louis with her daughter, Hilary (Juliet Mills) to sell their prize Hereford bull, Vindicator. A cattle broker buys the Hereford bull and hires Sam Burnett (James Stewart) to transport the bull to Texas to a longhorn rancher, Alexander Bowen (Brian Keith). Skeptical of Burnett's intentions, Martha and Hilary accompany Burnett on the trip. The trail to Texas is fraught with danger from greedy criminals and a competing rancher. When Bowen doubts the survival potential of the Hereford bull in Texas, Burnett sets out to win Martha’s affection by proving this “rare breed” can successfully cross-breed with longhorn cattle.

The Johnsons enjoyed inviting guests to their ranch to show some of the biggest blockbusters of the 1960s. For modern visitors, the "Movie Under the Stars" series is a great way to enjoy timeless classics while experiencing a fun-filled night of family fun on the LBJ Ranch—just like friends of the Johnsons experienced in the 1960s and 1970s. During this event, movie goers can also visit the historic Hangar building at the LBJ Ranch, where President Johnson hosted his movie nights, turning the all-purpose hangar room into a movie theater. Exhibits inside the Hangar visitor include original artifacts and rare film clips, and will be available during the night of the movie event.

The 2016 "Movies Under the Stars" series will conclude on September 10 with the 1956 film "Around the World in 80 Days" starring David Niven, Cantinflas, and Shirley MacLaine.

Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park is open seven days a week from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more information call 830-868-7128 ext. 231 or 244, or visit www.nps.gov/lyjo and www.facebook.com/LBJohnsonNPS.

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