The movie “Hawmps!” is a family comedy from 1976 that is set in 1854, Texas. The film tells a story about a U.S. Cavalry using camels instead of horses as a method of transportation. Directed by Joe Camp with James Hampton, Christopher Connelly, and Slim Pickens as the leading actors, this film offers viewers an interesting look into the filming process and backstage details.
Where it Filmed?
The filming of “Hawmps!” took place in various locations across Arizona, USA. These locations include Quartzsite, Old Tucson, Yuma, Mojave Desert, and Sonoran Desert. The filming began on November 24, 1975, and ended on February 18, 1976.
Cast Details
| Cast Name | Role |
|---|---|
| James Hampton | Howard Clemmons |
| Christopher Connelly | Uriah Tibbs |
| Slim Pickens | Sergeant Naman Tucker |
| Denver Pyle | Col. Seymour Hawkins |
| Mimi Maynard | Jennifer Hawkins |
| Lee de Broux | Fitzgerald |
| Herb Vigran | Smitty |
| Jesse Davis | Mariachi Singer |
| Frank Inn | Cook |
| Larry Swartz | Cpl. LeRoy |
| Mike Travis | Logan |
| Tiny Wells | Higgins |
| Dick Drake | Drake |
| Henry Kendrick | Col. Zachary |
| Don Starr | Major Maney |
| Cynthia Smith | Granddaughter |
| Roy Gunsberg | Old Man |
| Rex Janssen | Grandson |
| Catherine Hearne | Zelda |
| James Weir | Private |
| Alvin Wright | Crazy Feathers |
| Lee Tiplitsky | Drunk |
| Perry Martin | Frontiersman |
| Valentine | She-baby Camel |
| Richard Lundin | Stage Driver |
| Charles Starkey | Man |
| Benjoe | Benji |
| Steven Craig Brown | Bad Guy |
| Jack Elam | Bad Jack Cutter |
| Tiffany | White dog |
| Steven C. Brown | Bad Guy 1 (uncredited) |
Trivia and Facts
- The film’s concept is loosely based on real-life events. In the late 1850s, the U.S. Army experimented with using camels in the southwestern territories, which comprised the modern-day states of Arizona and New Mexico.
- The role of Hi Jolly, a Syrian camel expert hired to help the U.S. Army with their camel experiment, is played by Gino Conforti in the film. In reality, Hi Jolly eventually became a U.S. citizen and lived out the rest of his days in Arizona.
- The film grossed over $1,700,000, whereas the filming locations were various desert terrains in Arizona, which added authenticity to the film’s storyline.
Geo Location Details
- Location Name: Quartzsite, Arizona, USA
- Latitude: 33.6639137
- Longitude: -114.2299486
- Place ID: ChIJfXLdFmRZ0YARMgvdi2SYeZA
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Quartzsite, AZ 85346, USA
- Timezone: America/Phoenix
- Location Name: Old Tucson – 201 S. Kinney Road, Tucson, Arizona, USA
- Latitude: 32.2183137
- Longitude: -111.1289275
- Place ID: ChIJi_GkusLY1YYRVuw2LNTg7WY
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: 201 Kinney Rd, Tucson, AZ 85735, USA
- Timezone: America/Phoenix
- Location Name: Yuma, Arizona, USA
- Latitude: 32.6926512
- Longitude: -114.6276916
- Place ID: ChIJ2a1NIYdi1oARWEKe9Qc6qc8
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Yuma, AZ, USA
- Timezone: America/Phoenix
- Location Name: Mojave Desert, Arizona, USA
- Latitude: 34.0489281
- Longitude: -111.0937311
- Place ID: ChIJaxhMy-sIK4cRcc3Bf7EnOUI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Arizona, USA
- Timezone: America/Phoenix
- Location Name: Sonoran Desert, Arizona, USA
- Latitude: 32.2480009
- Longitude: -112.9161399
- Place ID: ChIJsyd_lvqjKoERf3hWoH20AzI
- Map Link: Google Map
- Place Address: Sonoran Desert, Arizona 85321, USA
- Timezone: America/Phoenix
