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7 Shocking Secrets Behind 'How The West Was Fun': Mary-Kate & Ashley's Movie That Launched A Marvel Star

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Released in 1994, How the West Was Fun is often remembered as a quintessential piece of '90s family entertainment, cementing Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen's status as straight-to-video queens. However, nearly three decades later, this made-for-television contemporary western film has gained a surprising new layer of fascination, especially for modern audiences who are revisiting the Olsen twins' extensive catalog through the lens of nostalgia and recent streaming availability. As of late 2025, the film is experiencing a fresh wave of re-evaluation, not just for its cheesy plot and charming performances, but for a hidden cameo that connects it directly to one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood today.

The film, which premiered on ABC, tells the classic tale of twins Susie and Jessica Martin working to save their grandmother's beloved dude ranch from a greedy developer. While the movie itself is a delightful time capsule of the era, the most compelling reason to rewatch it today is the subtle, blink-and-you'll-miss-it appearance of a future A-list actress. The legacy of How the West Was Fun is far more complex and star-studded than its modest 1994 debut suggested, making it a must-see for fans of '90s pop culture and the Marvel Cinematic Universe alike.

The Complete Biography and Star-Studded Cast of How The West Was Fun

The film's modest production belied a cast and crew with significant television and film pedigree. The director, a two-time Emmy winner, and the supporting cast were well-known faces, but the biggest curiosity today lies in the uncredited appearance of a future global superstar.

  • Mary-Kate Olsen (Susie Martin): One half of the iconic twin duo. At the time of filming, she was 8 years old and already a household name from *Full House*. She later co-founded the fashion empire Dualstar and the luxury brand The Row.
  • Ashley Olsen (Jessica Martin): The other half of the twin duo, playing Susie's sister. Like Mary-Kate, she retired from acting to focus on her career in the fashion industry.
  • Elizabeth Olsen (Girl in a Car - Uncredited): The younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley. This film marks her very first acting credit, albeit a tiny, uncredited role. She is now world-famous for playing Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) films and the Disney+ series *WandaVision*.
  • Stuart Margolin (Director): A prolific American actor and director, best known for his two-time Emmy-winning role as Evelyn "Angel" Martin in *The Rockford Files*. He directed several Olsen twins projects. Margolin passed away on December 12, 2022, adding a layer of poignancy to his creative legacy in this film.
  • Martin Mull (Bart): A seasoned actor and comedian who played the film's main antagonist, Bart, the greedy developer trying to buy the ranch. He is known for roles in *Roseanne* and *Clue*.
  • Michele Greene (Laura Martin): Played the twins' widowed mother, Laura Martin. She is widely recognized for her role as Abby Perkins on the drama series *L.A. Law*.
  • Peg Phillips (Natty): Played Natty, the twins' feisty grandmother whose dude ranch is the center of the plot. She was a familiar face on the series *Northern Exposure*.
  • Patrick Cassidy (Stephen Martin): Played the twins' father, Stephen Martin. He comes from the famous Cassidy family of entertainers.
  • Jurgen Wolff (Screenplay): Wrote the screenplay for the film.
  • Richard Bellis (Composer): Composed the music for the film.

The Elizabeth Olsen Connection: A Secret Marvel Debut

The most compelling piece of trivia driving the film's resurgence in late 2025 is the fact that it features the first-ever screen appearance of Elizabeth Olsen. While Mary-Kate and Ashley were the stars, their younger sister, now an MCU icon, had a minuscule, uncredited role.

In a scene where the twins are driving, a very young Elizabeth Olsen can be seen briefly in a car. This small moment is significant as it represents the official start of a career that would eventually lead her to global fame as Scarlet Witch. The film's status as her "first acting credit" is a fun fact that connects the lighthearted, '90s-era Dualstar empire with the gritty, high-stakes world of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This connection has prompted many Gen Z and millennial fans, driven by '90s nostalgia, to re-examine the Olsen twins' filmography with fresh eyes, searching for the future Avenger.

Behind the Scenes: Production Secrets and Filming Locations

Contrary to the typical Hollywood western, *How the West Was Fun* was not filmed in the American Southwest. The film's stunning, expansive backdrops were actually found north of the border, giving the movie a unique visual flavor that stands out in the Olsen twins' catalog.

  • Canadian Rockies Backdrop: The primary filming location was the majestic Canadian Rockies, specifically around Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
  • Rafter Six Ranch Resort: The iconic dude ranch at the heart of the movie was Rafter Six Ranch Resort, located in Exshaw, Alberta. The resort offered the authentic Western aesthetic needed for the story, set against the dramatic scenery of the mountains.
  • A Contemporary Western: The film is classified as a "contemporary western," meaning it uses the themes and setting of the Western genre—cowboys, ranches, land disputes—but places them in a modern (1990s) setting. This subgenre allowed the Olsen twins to engage in classic Western tropes while keeping the story accessible to a young, modern audience.
  • The Dualstar Empire: The film was produced under the Dualstar banner, the production company founded by the twins' then-manager and their father. This company was the driving force behind the twins' massive media empire throughout the '90s and early 2000s, making *How the West Was Fun* an important early piece of that legacy.

The Enduring Nostalgia and Re-Evaluation in 2025

In the current pop culture landscape, where '90s and early 2000s media is being heavily revisited, *How the West Was Fun* has found a new audience. The film, along with other Olsen twins classics like *Passport to Paris* and *It Takes Two*, is now viewed as a comforting piece of cultural history.

The film's plot, which centers on the importance of family and preserving a way of life against corporate greed, resonates with the current generation's appreciation for simple, feel-good family movies. While some critics in the past might have dismissed it as typical straight-to-video fare, the current re-evaluation focuses on its charm, the engaging performance of the young Olsen twins, and its status as a delightful Western comedy. The film's availability on major streaming platforms has ensured that this 1994 gem remains relevant and accessible, allowing a whole new generation to discover the cinematic debut of a future superhero.

The passing of director Stuart Margolin in 2022 also prompted many retrospectives on his career, bringing renewed attention to his work behind the camera on family films like this one. This collective nostalgia, combined with the fun fact of Elizabeth Olsen's uncredited debut, has transformed *How the West Was Fun* from a simple family movie into a fascinating cultural artifact worthy of a fresh look in 2025.

how the west was fun
how the west was fun

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