Rare Looks Behind-The-Scenes of “Paint Your Wagon” In 1968

Thank you to the Oregon Historical Society‘s KOIN Collection, and specifically to the Archivist for Photography and Moving Images, Matthew Cowan, and based on research done by Kickass Oregon History, we have some very rare and interesting footage to share about a film which found itself in the wilderness outside of Baker City in 1968.

Last week we were lucky enough to screen the film to a packed house at The Hollywood Theatre in Portland and we were excited to see so many people who had a direct connection to the actual shooting of the film. In particular, one gentleman who played a baby in the film, and one of the helicopter pilots who shuttled the cast and crew onto the Eagle Cap Wilderness set from Baker City some 30+ miles away.

We now have some great shots from that intrepid helicopter pilot, Ron Wilkins, of his daughter, Etta Wilkins-Foster, and the cast on the locations of the production of “Paint Your Wagon” in 1968 that are shared for the first time below. These photos will be part of a newly updated exhibition on the production of the movie outside of Baker City coming to the Baker Heritage Museum next year. (On a related note, the screening of PYW last week raised nearly $1400 for BHM, funds that will help ensure it remains a thriving historical force in Eastern Oregon.)

You can also check out Kickass Oregon History’s podcast about PYW which features footage from this KOIN report.

And if that isn’t historically exciting enough – here are the great photos we were sent from Etta taken by her Dad, Ron, on the set around or near her father’s helicopter during the shoot itself: