John Huston by Carlos Ramírez (1988) Cuale River Island
Summary
- The John Huston sculpture is a bronze statue located in the central part of Isla Rio Cuale in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.
- It was created by artist Carlos Ramirez in 1988 as a tribute to the famous American film director John Huston.
- The statue was commissioned by Humberto Esparza, the owner of Le Bistro, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the film “The Night of the Iguana,” which was filmed in Puerto Vallarta and starred Richard Burton.
- It is a popular attraction for visitors to Puerto Vallarta and serves as a reminder of the Hollywood connection that put the city on the map.
Introduction
John Huston was one of the best-known and most respected movie directors of Hollywood’s Golden Era. His life and work were from an early age linked to Mexico, and his effect on Puerto Vallarta, crucial.
Puerto Vallarta certainly knows who John Huston is, the newer generations may not have heard of him, but they should. This famous movie director put Vallarta on the map in the early 1960s with the movie “The Night of the Iguana” which brought all the jet-set and tabloid media down to this, at that time, unknown tropical paradise.
John Huston & Puerto Vallarta
John Huston on Isla Río Cuale, Puerto Vallarta
John Huston had visited Puerto Vallarta in the late 1920s but was just passing through.
In 1962, Ray Stark (Raymond Otto Stark), one of the most influential men in Hollywood’s film industry at the time, and one of John Huston’s great friends asked him if he was interested in making a movie adaptation of Williams’ short story “The Night of the Iguana”, already a great success on Broadway as a theatre play.
Stark considered him an obvious choice, Huston was at that time well known as a guru of all things Mexico – even being an honorary member of the Mexican cavalry – with a movie filmed on location, 1948 “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre”, one of Hollywood’s first movies shot outside the USA, in Durango and Tampico.
John Marcellus Huston
The presence of John Huston injected life and substance into the town, he was the booster of tourism and interest in the area, thanks to the shooting of the film “The Night of the Iguana”, that took place around Mismaloya’s Beach south of Puerto Vallarta. The main cast was immersed in a complex cobweb of relationships, such as the romance experienced by Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, the most persecuted couple by the media at the time. There was no going back to what was once a remote village in western Mexico.
About the statue
John Huston statue
John Huston’s friend, Humberto Esparza (owner of the Le Bistro restaurant), ordered a sculpture of John Huston on his director’s seat from Carlos Ramírez and it was part of an event held on the 25th anniversary of the shooting of the movie, in 1988.
25th Anniversary of The Night of the Iguana
Ray Stark, Producer
“… There was a feeling here – soulful, innocent, romantic – that time and the outside world doesn’t seem to diminish. An intangible that comes across onscreen. John Huston sensed it instinctively. That is why we first brought our cameras to Puerto Vallarta in 1964 and despite the village turning into a city, the same feeling was here for Revenge.” Ray Stark
Dedicated on February 3, 1990 during the premiere ceremonies of REVENGE.
by Dr. Efrén Calderón Arias, Municipal President, Puerto Vallarta
At the inauguration, several cast members of another movie being shot in Puerto Vallarta, directed by Tony Scott called “Revenge”, were present, including Kevin Costner and Anthony Quinn.
Another cool anecdote is that John Huston’s son, actor and director, Danny Huston got married by the statue in 2002.
John Huston statue plaque dedicated to Bogart
Location map
The statue is located on Isla Río Cuale by Le Bistro Restaurant, a few steps from the Cuale Cultural Center.
Author: M. A. Gallardo
FAQ
- What is the safest part of Puerto Vallarta to stay in?
The Marina and the Romantic Zone are considered some of the safest areas to stay in Puerto Vallarta. Both areas are popular among tourists and offer a variety of accommodations, restaurants, and attractions. The Marina is known for its upscale atmosphere, luxury resorts, and high-end shops and restaurants. It has a very secure, controlled environment with 24/7 security personnel. The Romantic Zone offers a more authentic Mexican experience with cobblestone streets, colorful colonial buildings, and a vibrant mix of galleries, cafes, and bars. As a central tourist area, it also has a strong police presence and is considered very safe.
- Where do locals go in Puerto Vallarta?
Locals in Puerto Vallarta enjoy spending time at the city’s beautiful beaches, scenic parks, and lively local markets. Popular beach spots include Playa de Oro, Playa Las Animas, and Playa Camarones for their soft sand and calm waters. Many locals visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens to enjoy the lush vegetation and hiking trails. They also frequent authentic local food venues like Birrieria las 3 Regiones taco stand, cafes like Cafecito Vallarta, and neighborhood bars like La Cerveceria Union. The downtown Lazaro Cardenas market is a favorite for produce, spices, crafts.
- Is Downtown Puerto Vallarta nice?
Yes, downtown Puerto Vallarta is an exceptionally nice and popular area, celebrated for its vibrant mix of historic Mexican charm and a lively beach town atmosphere. It features a picturesque historic center with cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, and the iconic Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe church. The downtown seamlessly blends into the scenic Malecón, a beautiful oceanfront boardwalk lined with fascinating sculptures, shops, and restaurants, making it perfect for strolling and enjoying the stunning ocean views.
The area offers an excellent variety of dining, from upscale restaurants to authentic street food, along with fantastic shopping in boutiques and art galleries. Adjacent to the main center is the popular Zona Romántica (Romantic Zone), known for its trendy vibe and energetic nightlife. The entire downtown is considered safe and is very walkable, allowing visitors to easily explore its captivating blend of culture, cuisine, and coastal beauty on foot.
Tip: For an unforgettable experience, head down to the Malecón or any beachfront spot about 30 minutes before the scheduled sundown to watch the spectacular sunset over the bay.
- What is considered old town in Puerto Vallarta?
Old Town, also known as the Romantic Zone or Zona Romántica, is considered the historic heart of Puerto Vallarta. It is characterized by its picturesque cobblestone streets, classic whitewashed buildings, red-tiled roofs, and a lively mix of shops, galleries, restaurants and bars. Nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and Banderas Bay, Old Town has a traditional Mexican village charm with its colonial architecture and slower pace compared to the rest of Puerto Vallarta. Its romantic ambience comes from the area’s natural beauty, outdoor cafes, and charming boutique hotels. Old Town offers visitors a taste of an authentic Mexican neighborhood.
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