The Oregon Film Trail, known for its markers at iconic Oregon film locations, will unveil its newest sign on the north exterior wall of the historic Geiser Grand Hotel. The new Trail marker commemorates the film version of the Broadway musical comedy, “Paint Your Wagon”, a beloved production that featured Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, and Jean Seberg. The public was invited to attend and some attendees shared their filming stories from their time working on”Paint Your Wagon”. Many local Baker County residents were hired to work as crew and background actors, and some provided pictures and anecdotes at the event of their time working on the show. Continue reading... “New Sign Unveiled in Baker City, Enhancing the “Eastern Loop” of the Oregon Film Trail”
Oregon is featured in more than 500 films, and a project by the state film office is marking movie locations with informational signs.
Baker County has three signs, all dedicated to the 1969 musical “Paint Your Wagon,” which was filmed here in 1968.
The markers can be found outside Baker Heritage Museum, 2480 Grove St., inside the lodge at Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, and outside the city hall in Richland, once the ground thaws (this one will eventually be placed at Richland’s future playground).
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.
As the story goes – Gov. McCall appointed Warren Merrill, Oregon Film’s first director, in 1968 specifically to ensure that the permitting and transportation process for the Paramount feature shooting in Baker County went as smoothly as possible. This means as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the production of the film, we also celebrate 50 years of the Oregon Film Office. Continue reading... ““Paint Your Wagon” and Its Place in Oregon’s Cinematic History”
As Oregon Film starts to think about turning that wily age of 50 we are reflecting on some of the history that brought us to this point in our lifespan – and why not start at the beginning?
The story goes – after he made the beaches available to the public – Gov. Tom McCall needed just that little bit more to cement his legacy, so he assigned staffer Warren Merrill to help out a large Hollywood production creating No Name City at the confluence of two rivers in Baker County and, Lo and Behold, the beginnings of Oregon Film were born and so was…
“Paint Your Wagon” shot outside of Baker City, filming between May and October, 1968 – a western musical film starring Lee Marvin, Clint Eastwood, and Jean Seberg, adapted by Paddy Chayefsky from the 1951 stage musical by Lerner and Loewe. “Wagon”was set in a mining camp in Gold Rush-era California, although the actual location of the main set was close to Baker City, and the Eagle Cap Mountains along East Eagle and Jack Creek.
The Baker Heritage Museum is starting to plan for the 50th Anniversary of “Paint Your Wagon” exhibit, and will be on display at the museum 2018-19.
