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Reflecting on 50 years since ‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ filmed in Oklahoma

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Reflecting on 50 years since ‘Where the Red Fern Grows’ filmed in Oklahoma


This June marks 50 years since the classic film, “Where the Red Fern Grows,” made its debut in theaters in 1974.

Based on the 1961 novel by Oklahoma author Wilson Rawls, this heartwarming coming-of-age story is about a young boy and his adventures to save his money to purchase two red-bone hound hunting dogs in Tahlequah.

With scenes and sets shot across Oklahoma, including Vian, Tahlequah and Natural Falls State Park, this movie put our state on the big screen and started us on a path toward building an industry that is now flourishing.

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Our diverse landscapes, talented workforce and supportive infrastructure have attracted numerous films over the years, leading to a burgeoning industry that contributes significantly to our local economy.

More: Keep it rolling: Oklahoma’s growing film and TV industry tries to maintain ‘upward trajectory’

In the 2021 fiscal year alone, Oklahoma saw 34 projects filmed in-state, which spent a collective $170 million in local state expenditures, supporting a total of 11,004 hires and wages over $100 million. This impact does not include the over 150 productions outside the state’s incentive program, including commercial projects, music videos and more.

The presence of a vibrant film sector not only creates jobs and stimulates economic growth, but also elevates Oklahoma’s profile as a cultural and artistic tourist hub, drawing in visitors to see the places where their favorite movies and shows were filmed. Visitors to film sites further drive economic impact in local communities by exploring the towns and areas nearby.

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More: Guest: With worst times behind it, Fairfax, Oklahoma, is ready for its best of times

To commemorate the landmark 50th anniversary of “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and celebrate the role of film in the state’s tourism industry, our team at the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department will be hosting an event June 22 at Natural Falls State Park, one of the filming sites.

Visitors will have the opportunity to step into the world of the movie, exploring the exact trails where Billy and his dogs, Little Ann and Old Dan, roamed. The event will feature guided hikes to one of the filming locations, a movie at the Reunion Center and a variety of activities that celebrate both the film and Natural Falls.

The health of our tourism sector is intertwined with the success of our film industry. By continuing to showcase Oklahoma’s scenic locations and fostering a welcoming environment for filmmakers and tourists alike, we ensure that our state remains a vibrant and dynamic place to live, work and visit.

I hope you’ll join us at Natural Falls on June 22 to reflect on the legacy of films like “Where the Red Fern Grows,” and ensure its impact endures for generations to come, inspiring new audiences and showcasing the best of what our state has to offer.

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Shelley Zumwalt is the executive director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.



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Sooners win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at McCasland Field House

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Sooners win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff at McCasland Field House


NORMAN, Okla. –

The Oklahoma men’s basketball team returned to form Tuesday night, cruising to a 95-69 win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in front of a packed student crowd at historic McCasland Field House.

After head coach Porter Moser challenged his team to be more aggressive on the glass following last week’s loss, the Sooners responded with one of their most physical performances in recent memory. Forward Tae Davis delivered his first double-double as a Sooner, posting 13 points and a career-high 15 rebounds, including 11 on the offensive end the most by an OU player since at least the 1995-96 season.

Guard Nijel Pack knocked down five 3-pointers on 5-for-7 shooting from deep to finish with 15 points, helping Oklahoma build a double-digit lead in the first half. Xzayvier Brown led all scorers with 19 points, adding four steals and three assists while shooting a perfect 5-for-5 at the free-throw line.

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The Sooners (2-1) dominated the glass with a 13-rebound advantage and outscored the Golden Lions (0-4) 25-12 in second-chance points. Sophomore guard Dayton Forsythe added 15 points off the bench, while forward Derrion Reid chipped in 12 on efficient 5-for-8 shooting.

Oklahoma turned a one-point deficit midway through the first half into a 42-31 halftime lead behind a 10-0 run sparked by Davis and Pack. Arkansas-Pine Bluff made a brief push early in the second half, trimming the margin to eight, but the Sooners answered with another surge to put the game out of reach.

Next up, the Sooners travel to Sioux Falls, South Dakota, for a neutral-site matchup against Nebraska on Saturday in the “Battle of the Big Reds.”



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Three Takeaways from Oklahoma’s Loss to UCLA

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Three Takeaways from Oklahoma’s Loss to UCLA


Despite two of its best players struggling with foul trouble, Oklahoma was right there with UCLA well into the third quarter.

But the No. 3-ranked Bruins took over from there, pulling away for a 73-59 win over the No. 6 Sooners in an early season showdown between two of women’s college basketball’s top teams in Sacramento, CA.

Starting in that decisive third quarter, UCLA ripped off a 16-3 run to stretch a one-point lead into a 59-45 advantage.

OU never got closer than seven the rest of the way.

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Payton Verhulst led the Sooners with 16 points while Zya Vann added 13, playing a big role early when Aaliyah Chavez went to the bench with foul trouble. Raegan Beers also found foul trouble early.

Vann scored seven of her points in the first quarter, including hitting a 3-pointer in the closing seconds.

Oklahoma shot just 30.7 percent from the field.

Gianna Kneepkens led the Bruins with 20 points, while Angela Dugalic added 16 points and 15 rebounds.

The Sooners (1-1) return to action against Kansas City at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Lloyd Noble Center.

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Here are three takeaways from the Sooners’ loss:

Less than four minutes into the game, Oklahoma freshman point guard Aaliyah Chavez was already heading to the bench.

The 5-star phenom picked up a pair of fouls less than 40 seconds apart to limit her time on the floor in the first quarter.

The Sooners were up 9-7 when Chavez headed to the bench, and UCLA took advantage without her on the floor, outscoring OU 17-7 during that span.

Whether it was due to Jennie Baranczyk’s trust in her, or necessity with the game in danger of slipping away early, Chavez didn’t stay on the bench long.

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She re-entered the game with 1:25 remaining in the first quarter and remained in the game for all but a few seconds of the second quarter.

Chavez never did pick up a third foul.

But though she was able to fight through the foul trouble, Chavez struggled with her shot against the Bruins.

She finished 4-of-16 from the floor, though she didn’t have a turnover in 32 minutes. Chavez had 11 points and three assists.

Chavez still flashed the skill that made her the top player in the 2025 class.

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In the closing seconds of the first quarter, Chavez drove baseline, flipping it to Sahara Williams through traffic for a midrange jumper.

Williams’ shot, though, was released just after time expired, giving UCLA a 24-22 lead after one.

The matchup between former middle school teammates and high school competitors Raegan Beers of OU and Lauren Betts of UCLA was front and center going into the game.

Both had their moments, but ultimately Betts won out, as the reigning national defensive player of the year finished with nine points and 10 rebounds.

She also blocked four shots, though also finished with a career-high seven turnovers.

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Early in the fourth quarter, there was a scary moment when Beers crumpled to the floor with an apparent non-contact knee injury.

But after being checked out on the bench, Beers was back less than two minutes later.

Beers finished with seven points and 14 rebounds on 2-of-7 shooting with two steals.

While OU’s offense has been a strength under Baranczyk, the Sooners have often struggled to limit turnovers in their free-wheeling offensive system.

But with Chavez helping direct the offense Monday, OU finished with just nine turnovers while forcing 16. The Sooners outscored UCLA 16-9 off turnovers.

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The turnover numbers were OU’s lowest since late January 2024.

The Sooners turned the ball over 18 times in their season-opening 84-67 win over Belmont.



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Oklahoma will give Alabama offense toughest test yet. What to know about the Sooners

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Oklahoma will give Alabama offense toughest test yet. What to know about the Sooners


There have been few defenses in the country better than Oklahoma.

The Sooners have allowed only 14.1 points per game this season, which leads the SEC and ranks seventh in the nation. Oklahoma also ranks first in the SEC in fewest yards allowed per game at 264.22. That also ranks seventh nationally.

A season ago, the Sooners held Alabama to three points on the road. Now, with a much different offense and a new offensive coordinator and quarterback, the No. 4 Crimson Tide (8-1, 6-0 SEC) will aim to have much more offensive success against No. 11 Oklahoma on Saturday (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

Here’s what you need to know about the Sooners (7-2, 3-2 SEC).

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Oklahoma’s resume so far

The Sooners started the season on a five-game winning streak but have lost two of their last four games.

The first loss of the season occurred against then-unranked Texas, now ranked No. 10. The second loss was two weeks later against No. 6 Ole Miss, who was then ranked eighth.

Oklahoma’s best win this season has been against No. 18 Michigan. The Sooners also went on the road before an open week and beat No. 21 Tennessee.

According to ESPN, the Sooners have the No. 12 strength of record. Their strength of schedule ranks 16th.

The Oklahoma offense

The Sooners have an offense that sits in the bottom half of the conference in points per game, ranked 11th scoring 28.89 points per game.

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Only Kentucky, Auburn, LSU, Florida and South Carolina have worse offenses in the SEC.

The Sooners also rank 11th in rushing offense and defense in the conference in yards per game.

Washington State transfer quarterback John Mateer has been the primary quarterback running the offense, but he hasn’t been near as effective since returning from a hand injury.

Before the hand injury, Mateer threw for six touchdowns and rushed for five more over the first four games of the season.

In the four games since, Mateer has thrown for two touchdowns and rushed for one. Those four games since the hand injury have all been against SEC competition whereas the first four included two overmatched, unranked teams.

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Isaiah Sategna III has been his top target. The receiver has caught 40 passes for 692 yards and five touchdowns. He ranks fifth in the conference with 76.89 yards per game. Deion Burks has also been a top weapon, catching 42 passes for 435 yards and two scores.

Tory Blaylock has been the top rusher, taking 94 carries for 401 yards and four scores.

The Sooner defense

Oklahoma doesn’t give up many points or yards, but the Sooners also don’t get many takeaways.

They rank 117th in the country in takeaways per game at 0.8. For comparison, Alabama ranks 18th, gaining 1.8 takeaways per game.

Defensive lineman Taylor Wein is one of the SEC’s top players at securing tackles for loss. He averages 1.22 per game. Defensive lineman R Mason Thomas is another, averaging 1.06 per game. They rank tied for fourth and seventh in the conference, respectively.

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Thomas is also one of the top pass rushers in the conference. He has tallied 6.5 sacks, which ranks tied for fifth.

As a whole, Oklahoma has been effective at getting to the quarterback. The Sooners have tallied 33 sacks, which ranks fourth in the country behind only UConn (35), Texas A&M (34) and Texas (34).

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