In 1951, a group of high schoolers come of age in a bleak, isolated, atrophied North Texas town that is slowly dying, both culturally and economically.
298, West Cottonwood Street, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (high school)
200, South Walnut Street, Holliday, Archer County, Texas, 76366, United States of America
Scene: (Ruth Popper's house)
517, East Main Street, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (picture house)
Archer City Post Office, 500, North Center Street, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (pool room at 111 N Center St, now demolished)
East Main Street, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (town: Anarene, Texas)
InterBank, 307, West Main Street, Olney, Young County, Texas, 76374, United States of America
Scene: (Doctor's office where Sonny takes Mrs. Popper)
InterBank, 307, West Main Street, Olney, Young County, Texas, 76374, United States of America
Scene: (movie theater interiors at the West-Tex, now demolished)
1680, Huff Street, Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas, 76301, United States of America
517, East Main Street, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (diner)
427, West Main Street, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (Rig-Wam Drive Inn)
Archer City Sheriff's Office, 100, Law Enforcement Way, Archer City, Archer County, Texas, 76351, United States of America
Scene: (jail)
Olney Hamilton Hospital, 901, West Hamilton Street, Olney, Young County, Texas, 76374, United States of America
Scene: (hospital)
First Baptist Church of Olney, 201, West Main Street, Olney, Young County, Texas, 76374, United States of America
Scene: (doctor's office)
147, South Main Street, Holliday, Archer County, Texas, 76366, United States of America
Mills County, Texas, United States of America
Decatur County, Kansas, United States of America
Florida
Peter Bogdanovich’s elegiac portrait of a dying Texas town in the 1950s was filmed in the real place that inspired it – Archer City, Texas, the hometown of novelist Larry McMurtry, whose fading main street became the town of Anarene.
Where was The Last Picture Show filmed?
The Last Picture Show was filmed in Archer City, Texas – its main street, picture house and diner – with nearby Olney and Wichita Falls.
Every Last Picture Show location, explained
1
Anarene – Archer City
The dying town of Anarene is the real Archer City, Texas, hometown of novelist Larry McMurtry.
2
The picture house
The closing cinema used the real Royal Theater on Archer City’s main street.
3
The diner and pool hall
The town’s gathering spots used real buildings along Main Street, Archer City.
4
Olney and Wichita Falls
Additional scenes used nearby Olney and Wichita Falls, Texas.
Planning a visit
Archer City, Texas – the real Anarene and McMurtry’s hometown – is an accessible small town where the film’s spirit still lingers.
The Last Picture Show Fun Facts
1
Filmed in Archer City The town of Anarene is the real Archer City, Texas.
2
McMurtry's hometown It’s the hometown of novelist Larry McMurtry, who wrote the source book.
3
Shot in black and white Bogdanovich filmed it in stark black and white.
4
Two supporting Oscars Ben Johnson and Cloris Leachman both won Academy Awards.
5
A new-Hollywood landmark The film became a touchstone of 1970s American cinema.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where was The Last Picture Show filmed?
In Archer City, Texas – its main street, picture house and diner – with nearby Olney and Wichita Falls.
What town plays Anarene?
The real Archer City, Texas.
Can you visit the locations?
Yes – Archer City is an accessible small Texas town.
