Glenn Ford in “Heaven With a Barbed Wire Fence” (1939) | Click image for info

The City of Santa Clarita will induct Western legends Joel Cox and Glenn Ford into the Walk of Western Stars this year as part of the 19th Annual Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival.  The induction ceremony is open to the public and will take place on Thursday, April 19, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. as part of the City’s Wild, Wild, West SENSES event on Main Street.

Joel Cox

Academy Award winning film editor Joel Cox, who lives in the Santa Clarita Valley with wife Judy,  is best known for his more than 30 collaborations with Clint Eastwood.  He took home Oscar gold in 1992 for his editing of the Unforgiven and most recently worked with Eastwood on J. Edgar, Invictus, Gran Torino, and Million Dollar Baby.  Actor Glenn Ford will be honored posthumously for his illustrious career, which spanned seven decades and included such notable films as: 3:10 to Yuma, Advance to the Rear, Cimarron, Cowboy, Heaven with a Gun, The Fastest Gun Alive, and The Desperadoes, among others.  In 1978 Ford was inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City and his son, Peter Ford, will accept the honor in Santa Clarita on behalf of this father.

“The City of Santa Clarita takes great pride in its Western roots, from historic points of interest to cinematic milestones,” said Mayor Laurie Ender.  “Our Cowboy Festival and famed Walk of Western Stars are just two ways we pay tribute to our past. This year we could not be more pleased to honor Joel Cox, who is legendary for his work behind the camera, and Glenn Ford, whose work in front of the camera spans seven decades.  This year’s induction ceremony will be exciting and memorable and we hope the community joins us as we pay tribute to these great men.”

The City of Santa Clarita will host several events as part of the 2012 Walk of Western Stars, including:

An Evening with Joel Cox, Oscar Winning Editor of The Unforgiven

Saturday, April 14, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ~ $25/ticket (includes wine reception)

Hasley Hall Theatre, College of the Canyons

Join Joel Cox, 2012 Walk of Western Stars honoree and editor of western classics The Outlaw Josey Wales, Pale Rider, and The Wild Bunch, for an interactive discussion of his film industry career working with Clint Eastwood and Sam Peckinpah.  A wine reception will precede the event, and proceeds will benefit The College of the Canyon’s Cinema Program and the International Film Festival at College of the Canyons.

Senses – Wild, Wild, West (FREE Admission)

Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. (Walk of Western Stars at 7:30 p.m.)

Old Town Newhall on Main Street

Join the party on Main Street as SENSES celebrates the Wild, Wild, West with music, dancing, food trucks, Western vendors, and the unveiling of Joel Cox and Glenn Ford’s two new Walk of Western Stars plaques on Main Street in Old Town Newhall.

Glenn Ford – His life and Movies with Peter Ford

Friday, April 20, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. ~ $15/ticket

Repertory East Playhouse at 24266 Main Street in Old Town Newhall

Join Peter Ford, son of legendary actor Glenn Ford, for a viewing of Glenn’s movie, The Rounders, and a discussion afterwards of his father’s life and movie career.

Melody Ranch Movie Night

Friday, April 20, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. ~ $60/ticket (includes dinner, movie & commemorative gift)

Enjoy an intimate Western style dinner under the stars and exclusive shopping on Melody Ranch’s Main Street and experience a once in a lifetime viewing of the classic film 3:10 to Yuma on Melody Ranch’s Main Street.

The evening is in celebration of legendary actor, Glenn Ford, who will be inducted into the Walk of Western Stars as part of the 2012 Cowboy Festival.  Seating is limited and only ticket holders will be admitted to Melody Ranch at this time.

For more information about the 19th Annual Cowboy Festival and events, please visit CowboyFestival.org.

About the Walk of Western Stars

The Walk of Western Stars pays homage to the City of Santa Clarita’s Western roots and rich film culture.  Similar in style to the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Walk of Western Stars honors actors, directors and film professionals for their contributions to the Western heritage of America.  Sponsored by the City of Santa Clarita and the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, the Walk was established in 1981 and continues today as stars are immortalized in bronze and terrazzo tile stamped into the streets of Old Town Newhall.

For more information on the Walk of Western Stars, please contact Andree Walper, economic development associate for the City of Santa Clarita, at (661) 286-4166.