W. Kansas town reminisces 50 years after being featured in ‘Paper Moon’

WILSON, Kan. (KWCH) – The city of Wilson is celebrating the fiftieth anniversary of the film “Paper Moon.” Areas within the Ellsworth County city served as settings for the film and a few locals are within the film as extras.

This Friday, Could 5, the Midland Lodge in Wilson is internet hosting the fiftieth anniversary celebration for the film starring actor Ryan O’Neil and his daughter, actress Tatum O’Neil.

“The Midland could be very fortunate in that we performed a serious position in what occurred within the movie, so we will have that right here,” stated Wilson Tourism Hub Director Melinda Merrill.

The resort was used for filming and far more.

“When the filming was being executed, Ryan and Tatum had the entire third flooring to themselves and the crew stayed on the second flooring,” Merrill stated.

Half a century after spots on the town had been used for filming, present and former Wilson residents are reminiscing.

“I grew up on Primary Road, so numerous the scenes had been occurring proper down the block from the place we grew up,” Roger Robinson stated.

Alice Motsie remembers standing throughout the road to look at the filming.

“The entire city would go down and watch them movie,” she stated.

Wilson resident Wilma Olds remembers assembly one of many film’s stars.

“I bought to take a seat in Ryan O’Neil’s chair, have my image taken. , massive deal,” Olds stated.

Fifty years later, Olds stated she’ll always remember that image of the reminiscence from that day.

“Oh my gosh. I imply, I used to be younger, and he was handsome, you already know,” she stated.

The celebration in Wilson begins Friday night on the Midland Lodge with an outside exhibiting of “Paper Moon.”

“Paper Moon” capturing places additionally included spots in Hay and Ellis County, and the small cities of Plainville, McCracken, White Cloud and Gorham in Kansas, in addition to St. Joseph, Missouri.

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