More than 75 years before Astoria became widely known for The Goonies, Short Circuit, and Free Willy, it was already the site of an important early motion picture: The Fisherman’s Bride (1909), directed by Francis Boggs for the Selig Polyscope Company.
On September 23, I premiered a short trailer inspired by that lost silent film, timed to coincide with the ribbon-cutting for Astoria’s new Duane Street Film Mural. That pairing felt especially fitting, since the mural honors Oregon’s screen history, including The Fisherman’s Bride. Continue reading... ““The Fisherman’s Bride”: Reconstructing an Oregon Film Lost to Time”
Last week The Astorian reported on OFM’s new look and expanded size and mission.
The Clatsop County Historical Society has detailed plans to expand the Oregon Film Museum, an estimated $10.1 million project that would involve the construction of a new, two-story, 13,000-square-foot building.
The addition is proposed at Seventh and Duane streets on the site of the former Morris Glass building, a property the historical society acquired several years ago.
Plans for the new building include a 50-seat theater, a projection room, classroom space, an expanded gift shop and several new exhibits. Continue reading... “Oregon Film Museum Details Expansion Project in Astoria”
The Oregon Film Museum and the Astoria International Film Festival present an evening of Vampira on Friday, October 27 at the Liberty Theater in Astoria. It is a free event beginning at 7:00 pm, doors open at 6:00 pm.
Actress Maila Nurmi—better known as her alter-ego, TV’s original horror host Vampira—lived in Astoria from 1939-1941, graduating from high school here and working to save enough money to try her hand at Hollywood fame. Before starring in her character’s eponymously-named Vampira Show or in director Ed Wood’s cult-classic Plan 9 from Outer Space, Maila passed her days in Astoria dancing the jitterbug and driving the local bookmobile. Continue reading... “Vampira: Glamour Ghoul”
The Oregon Film Museum seeks to inspire the next generation of storytellers in Oregon. We are excited to announce the “Oregon Film Museum Selig Award” that will be presented annually to a young Oregonian involved in the local film industry.
Partnering with “Outside the Frame” we have identified the first recipient: Fevan “Rose” Solomon.
Solomon will receive the award and a small stipend on November 10 at the Liberty Theater in Astoria at 7:00 pm. Solomon’s documentary film “Stories I’ve Told the Stars” will be screened followed by a Q & A with the filmmaker. Continue reading... “Oregon Film Museum to Present “Selig Award””
