The 1974 movie “The Wrestler” is an exciting story about justice in the world of professional wrestling. The main character, Frank Bass, is played by Ed Asner, with supporting roles by Elaine Giftos and Verne Gagne. This article will guide you through where the movie was filmed, who was involved, and share some cool behind-the-scenes facts about the movie.
Where it Filmed?
“The Wrestler” was filmed in a few different locations within the Midwest region of the United States. Some scenes were shot in the bustling city of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Landmark Center at 75 West 5th Street in St. Paul, Minnesota also served as a backdrop for the movie. The Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport in Minneapolis, Minnesota was another setting used in the movie.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Edward Asner | Frank Bass |
| Elaine Giftos | Debbie |
| Verne Gagne | Mike Bullard |
| Billy Robinson | Billy Taylor |
| Jerry Wade | Self |
| Lord James Blears | Self |
| Joe Scarpello | Self |
| Dan Gable | Self |
| Vincent McMahon | Self |
| Dusty Rhodes | Self |
| Mel Jass | Self |
| Marty O’Neil | Self |
| Joe Dusek | Self |
| Nick Bockwinkel | Self |
| Jay Hyon | Self |
| Sarah Miller | Betty Bullard |
| Ray Stevens | Self |
| Lawrence Batson | Self |
| Dick Murdoch | Self |
| Greg Gagne | Self |
| Eddie Graham | Self |
| Harold Sakata | Odd Job |
| Larry Hennig | Self |
| Wilbur Snyder | Self |
| Rodger Kent | Self |
| Bobby Cox | Self |
| Ken Patera | Self |
| James Klobuchar | Self |
| Wally Karbo | Self |
| Rod Trongard | Self |
| Dennis Hilgart | Self |
| Horst Hoffman | Self |
| Fred Marxen | Self |
| Dave Goldson | Self |
| Jack Cornall | Self |
| Jack ‘Wildman’ Armstrong | Self |
| Dory Funk Jr. | Self |
| Pedro Morales | Self |
Trivia and Facts
- The movie is 95 minutes long and fits into the action and crime genres.
- It was written by Eugene Gump and directed by James A. Westman.
- Aside from Edward Asner, Elaine Giftos, and Verne Gagne, the cast also includes Jerry Wade, Don Muraco, and Lord James Blears.
- The movie’s storyline centers around promoting professional wrestling, with Frank Bass (Edward Asner) standing up to gamblers, mobsters, and corrupt individuals in the industry.
- The bulk of the movie’s cast is made up of wrestlers from the American Wrestling Association based in Minneapolis. This association was owned by Verne Gagne, the film’s producer.
- Lastly, professional wrestling legend Ric Flair is listed in the movie credits as “Rick Flair”. This is notable as the movie was made during the early years of Flair’s career and he was trained by the film’s star/producer, Verne Gagne.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Latitude: 44.977753
- Longitude: -93.2650108
- Place ID: ChIJvbt3k5Azs1IRB-56L4TJn5M
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
- Location Name: Landmark Center – 75 W 5th St, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
- Latitude: 44.9459645
- Longitude: -93.0971395
- Place ID: ChIJRS3hvkzV94cRprJLLoJVMoI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 75 W 5th St, St Paul, MN 55102, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
- Location Name: Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Latitude: 44.8850593
- Longitude: -93.2144354
- Place ID: ChIJB2rAhSov9ocRkTV4eHzT0ys
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport (MSP), 4300 Glumack Dr, St Paul, MN 55111, USA
- Timezone: America/Chicago
