Shot in Oregon, over 700 movies and TV series consist of the history of film in the state. The first movie ever made in Oregon dates all the way back to 1909, over 100 years ago. Oregon is a more popular destination than one would think. A lot of the movies do not take place in Oregon. This does not change the fact that Oregon is the background of many famous classics.
The Fisherman’s Bride (1909)
The first scripted film made in Oregon is the silent short film, “The Fisherman’s Bride.” The filming took place in August 1909 in Astoria, Oregon which is a popular filming spot. Taking place near the mouth of the Columbia River, the film follows an old man named Skipper Stout and his daughter Jennie. Jennie is in love with a local fisherman, John Todd. Despite loving Todd, there is another man trying to arrange a different alliance for her. The historic film is a cornerstone of Oregon’s early film production history and commemorated locally with a mural in Downtown Astoria.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
The Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon was the set for ,“One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest.” This was an American psychological comedy-drama film. It follows Randle McMurphy, a rebellious man who fakes insanity to avoid prison labor and gets transferred to a psychiatric ward. The actual superintendent of Oregon State Hospital, Dr. Dean Brooks, authorized the filming and even played a role in the movie. Many real patients and staff members worked as extras or took on parts in the movie. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1976, and Jack Nicholson who played the main character, Randle McMurphy, won the Best Actor Award.
The Shining (1980)
The filming of psychological horror film based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel, “The Shining”, was primarily at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. There were constructions of Massive interior sets of the Overlook Hotel. The famous exterior image of the Overlook Hotel is actually the Timberline Lodge located in Mount Hood, Oregon. The film follows a struggling writer and recovering alcoholic who descends into madness. While he serving as the caretaker of an isolated hotel with his wife and psychic son. Inside the lodge, visitors can find a dedicated museum and history display.
Alongside exhibits detailing its New Deal construction history, the lodge displays a replica of the ax from the infamous “Here’s Johnny” scene from the movie. The lodge regularly hosts movie-centric events, including official 45th-anniversary screenings of “The Shining” on the property. This features photo ops, giveaways and hotel discounts for horror fans. The lodge gift shop sells themed merchandise catering directly to movie enthusiasts who travel to Mount Hood specifically to see the exterior.
The Goonies (1985)
The adventure comedy film, “The Goonies”, was filmed in Astoria, Oregon. Most of the town scenes and the characters’ neighborhood were filmed in Astoria. The film follows a tight-knit group of kids from the “Goon Docks” neighborhood in Astoria, Oregon. They embark on a frantic quest to find a legendary pirate treasure and save their homes from foreclosure. Starring many famous child actors of the 80’s, the movie has now become a classic. Astoria officially celebrates June 7th as Goonies Day, featuring special fan events, tours and screenings. Astoria also has an Oregon Film Museum Located in the old Clatsop County Jail featured in the movie’s opening scene. The museum showcases original props, jail cells and a green screen set where visitors can recreate scenes. Another popular filming location would be The Goonies House. Fans traveling to Astoria are free to drive to the house and look from afar.
Stand By Me (1986)
The coming of age drama film based on Stephen King’s 1982 novella, “The Body,” later renamed for the film, “Stand By Me”, was filmed in Brownsville, Oregon and other surrounding areas in the Willamette Valley. The film follows four 12 year old boys who hike through the Oregon woods in 1959 to find the dead body of a missing local child in fictional town Castle Rock, Oregon.
Brownsville proudly recognizes its fame as the primary filming location by hosting “Stand By Me” Day. Every year on the fourth Saturday in July, Brownsville hosts an official Stand by Me Day festival. The celebration features walking tours of iconic movie locations, classic car displays, 1950s themed music and a popular blueberry pie-eating contest inspired by the movie’s infamous “Lardass Hogan” storytelling scene. Thousands of fans from around the world travel to the small town of fewer than 2,000 residents for the anniversary events.
Kindergarten Cop (1990)
The American action-comedy film, “Kindergarten Cop”, is another popular one filmed in Astoria, Oregon. The film follows John Kimble, a detective, as he goes undercover as a kindergarten teacher in Oregon to find the ex-wife and son of a dangerous drug dealer. The school, located at 3550 Franklin Avenue, served as the exterior and interior backdrop for the fictional “Astoria Elementary School” where Kimble goes undercover at. Fans frequently visit Astoria Elementary and other local spots to take photos, recreate famous moments and tour neighborhoods featured in both “Kindergarten Cop” and “The Goonies”. When filming wrapped in 1990, the city’s then-police chief, Ron Louie, even playfully swore Arnold Schwarzenegger, who played Kimble, in as an honorary cop for a day. Local venues, such as the Liberty Theatre Astoria, occasionally host special screenings celebrating the film’s legacy.
Twilight (2008)
The romantic fantasy and drama film, “Twilight”, was primarily filmed in Oregon. Popular outdoor scenes were filmed around Silver Falls State Park and the famous Cullen House is located in Portland. The film follows Bella Swan, a teenager who moves to Forks, Washington, and falls in love with Edward Cullen, a 103 year old vampire. Many fans go to many of the filming locations in Oregon and recreate famous scenes from the movie. One popular scene that is popularly recreated is the Swan family diner scene. The interior for the diner scene was filmed in the Carver Cafe in Damascus, Oregon. Fans can still visit the cafe today. They are able to sit in the corner booth where the Swan family ate and sign the official Twilight guest book.
