Oregon-filmed ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ returns to theaters Wednesday for 50th anniversary

This has been a big year for

anniversaries of movies that filmed in Oregon

. In June, fans flocked

to Astoria

to celebrate the 40th anniversary of

“The Goonies,”

which filmed on location in Astoria and areas around the north coastal town.

Though less of a nostalgia magnet,

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

is marking an even bigger birthday. In honor of the 50th anniversary of the Oregon-filmed Oscar winner, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” is

returning to theaters for a special screening on Wednesday, July 16.

The release is part of Fathom Entertainment’s Big Screen Classics program, and the screening will feature comments from veteran film critic and historian Leonard Maltin.

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” filmed

many scenes on location at the Oregon State Hospital, in Salem.

In the movie, released in 1975, Jack Nicholson stars as Randle P. McMurphy, who has been convicted of statutory rape. In the hopes of serving time in a less severe setting, McMurphy fakes mental illness, and is transferred to a mental institution.

Once there, McMurphy inspires his fellow patients to follow his lead, but McMurphy’s rebellious nature puts him in conflict with the authoritarian Nurse Ratched (played by Louise Fletcher).

In addition to its Salem filming, “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”

also filmed a sequence in Depoe Bay

, as McMurphy figures out a way to lead an escape from the institution, and take his fellow patients on a fishing trip.

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” was adapted from longtime Oregon-based author Ken Kesey’s 1962 novel.

The film made history when it swept the top five Oscars in 1976, the first film to do so since 1934’s “It Happened One Night.”

“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” Oscar haul included best picture, best lead actor (Nicholson), best lead actress (Fletcher), best director (Milos Forman), and best adapted screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman).

That Oscar-dominating feat was later repeated by 1991’s “The Silence of the Lambs.”

For details about what time and on what screens the 50th anniversary edition of “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” will play on July 16, go to the Fathom Entertainment website:

fathomentertainment.com/releases/one-flew-over-the-cuckoos-nest-50th-anniversary/

Stories by

Kristi Turnquist

Oregon-connected creators Ian Karmel and Irene Taylor earn 2025 Emmy nominations

• Director Francis Ford Coppola to visit Portland for special screening, audience discussion

• Team from Ashland will compete in Food Network’s ‘The Great Food Truck Race’

• Which potato chip is Oregon’s favorite? Instacart crunched data to find out

• Oregon has the top resort in the Western U.S., which boasts ‘stunning oceanfront views’

• Jinkx Monsoon returns to Portland for ‘The Jinkx & DeLa Holiday Show’; tickets on sale this week

About The Author