The Honkers (1972)

Interesting facts

The Honkers is a 1972 American comedy western film directed by Steve Ihnat and written by Steve Ihnat and Stephen Lodge. The film stars James Coburn, Lois Nettleton, Slim Pickens, Anne Archer, Richard Anderson and Joan Huntington. The film was shot in Carlsbad, New Mexico and released on May 17, 1972, by United Artists. The film was the film debut for Anne Archer.

Production

Writer-director Steve Ihnat was an experienced character actor who had just written and directed a self funded feature film Do Not Throw Cushions Into the Ring.

Costumer Stephen Lodge wrote his first script with his new writing partner, Dave Cass. Lodge knew Ihnat from working on various television shows; the latter read it and asked Lodge if he would collaborate on a script about a rodeo rider. Lodge said "Steve’s agent heard that rodeo movies were going to be the next big thing, and that’s why he wanted Steve to write one.

According to Lodge, the first draft took four weeks, after that they attended a rodeo for research and did original drafts. The script was originally entitled Home Town Boy then this was changed to The Honkers after a slang term used to describe a rough bull. The script sold to United Artists and Levy-Gardner-Laven became attached as producers.

Ihnat wanted to play the lead role but the studio insisted on a star.

Filming took place in Carlsbad, New Mexico. Harry Vold’s rodeo company was used to stage the rodeos. Lodge said "We had a wonderful ending, originally, with Jim riding the yellow bull. This was after the bull had killed Slim’s character, and Jim goes and rides the bull late at night in the empty arena, until they’re both worn out. He faced it down.

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