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Phoenix Magazine Looks At Impact Of 'Raising Arizona'

By Steve Goldstein
Published: Monday, April 17, 2017 - 4:13pm
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(Photo via amazon.com)

Arizona has a long history with moviemaking — from Monument Valley to Old Tucson studios.

But a huge percentage of the films made here are directly connected to the Southwest and the Old West. One that doesn’t exactly fit that description turns 30 years old this month: it’s the Coen Brothers’ second movie, "Raising Arizona."

The film starred Nicolas Cage and Holly Hunter as a couple desperately in search of a baby of their own. That leads to a kidnapping of a baby named Nathan Arizona Jr., and a lot of odd characters and behavior.

Phoenix Magazine recently tracked down some of the movie’s lesser-known performers and looked back at the film’s impact.

We spoke with Phoenix Magazine’s Editor Craig Outhier.

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