Tillamook Treasure
Encyclopedia
Tillamook Treasure, also known as The Legend of Tillamook's Gold, is a 2006 U.S. independent family film
set in the city of Manzanita
, Oregon
. Based on a Native American legend about a treasure buried on Neahkahnie Mountain
by Spanish sailors in the 1590s, a 14 year old girl discovers what is important in life.
on March 28, 2008 as a theatrical test by Maitland Primrose Group, publishers of Moving Pictures magazine, in conjunction with film festival producers Kids First! The movie premiered in Tillamook, Oregon
in July 2007. The film was shot almost exclusively in Tillamook County
.
Julie (Suzanne Marie Doyon), a lonely fourteen-year-old girl, and her family move from California to an Oregon seaside town as a last resort after her father loses his job. Her family has trouble adjusting to their new life and Julie is forgotten and ignored, as the family adjusts to living in uncle Jimmy's (Brian Thompson
) seaside home.
Julie has a dramatic mystical encounter with a Roosevelt elk
on the beach. The elk's fur has black hand prints on its neck. Its hooves uncover an old Spanish gold coin in the sand. The elk becomes Julie's silent, watchful guide and protector as she becomes drawn to the legend of Tillamook's gold.
She seeks the wisdom and guidance of her grandfather (Max Gail
) and his good friend, Standing Elk (Floyd Red Crow Westerman
). The men tell Julie the legend of the Spanish treasure and also of an elk, saved from drowning by the slave who, before his death, had grasped the exhausted animal as it swam near the Spanish launch. Julie is confused because 400 years later, she is convinced that "her elk" is the same elk. Julie's desire to solve the treasure mystery becomes a passion that leads to further mystery and self-discovery. When she experiences visions of Indians, she is frightened. When she tells Grandpa and Standing Elk, the elders realize that she is having a magical experience. Grandpa and Standing Elk suspect that Julie has been chosen to find the treasure and to release the spirit of the slave. They watch and guide her on her quest.
Family film
A family film is a film genre that is designed to appeal to a variety of age groups and, thus, families.In December 2005, Steven Spielberg's 1982 film E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial came first in a poll of the 100 Greatest Family Films. The genre today generates billions of dollars per annum.Family...
set in the city of Manzanita
Manzanita, Oregon
Manzanita is a coastal city in Tillamook County, Oregon, United States. It is located on U.S. Route 101 about 25 miles south of Seaside and 25 miles north of Tillamook. The population was 564 as of the 2000 census.-History:...
, Oregon
Oregon
Oregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
. Based on a Native American legend about a treasure buried on Neahkahnie Mountain
Neahkahnie Mountain
Neahkahnie Mountain is a mountain on the Oregon Coast, north of Manzanita in Oswald West State Park overlooking U.S. Route 101. The peak is part of the Northern Oregon Coast Range, which is part of the Oregon Coast Range...
by Spanish sailors in the 1590s, a 14 year old girl discovers what is important in life.
Production and distribution
Tillamook Treasure played the film festival circuit in 2006 and 2007, and was released theatrically in 2008 as The Legend of Tillamook's Gold. The film opened in one theater in Mesa, ArizonaMesa, Arizona
According to the 2010 Census, the racial composition of Mesa was as follows:* White: 77.1% * Hispanic or Latino : 26.54%* Black or African American: 3.5%* Two or more races: 3.4%* Native American: 2.4%...
on March 28, 2008 as a theatrical test by Maitland Primrose Group, publishers of Moving Pictures magazine, in conjunction with film festival producers Kids First! The movie premiered in Tillamook, Oregon
Tillamook, Oregon
The city of Tillamook is the county seat of Tillamook County, Oregon, United States. The city is located on the southeast end of Tillamook Bay on the Pacific Ocean. The population was 4,352 at the 2000 census...
in July 2007. The film was shot almost exclusively in Tillamook County
Tillamook County, Oregon
Tillamook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Oregon. The county is named for the Tillamook, a Native American tribe who were living in the area in the early 19th century at the time of European American settlement. In 2010, the county's population was 25,250...
.
Plot
Sixteenth century Spanish sailors beach their launch on the Manzanita beach. They carry a treasure chest up Neahkahnie Mountain, leading a manacled African slave. The treasure is buried and the slave is killed and laid on top of the ground to "guard" the treasure and frighten away the local Indians.Julie (Suzanne Marie Doyon), a lonely fourteen-year-old girl, and her family move from California to an Oregon seaside town as a last resort after her father loses his job. Her family has trouble adjusting to their new life and Julie is forgotten and ignored, as the family adjusts to living in uncle Jimmy's (Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson (actor)
Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
) seaside home.
Julie has a dramatic mystical encounter with a Roosevelt elk
Roosevelt elk
The Roosevelt elk , also known as Olympic elk, is the largest of the four surviving subspecies of elk in North America...
on the beach. The elk's fur has black hand prints on its neck. Its hooves uncover an old Spanish gold coin in the sand. The elk becomes Julie's silent, watchful guide and protector as she becomes drawn to the legend of Tillamook's gold.
She seeks the wisdom and guidance of her grandfather (Max Gail
Max Gail
Maxwell Trowbridge "Max" Gail, Jr. is an American actor who has starred in stage, television, and film roles. He most notably portrayed the role of Detective Stan "Wojo" Wojciehowicz on the television sitcom Barney Miller....
) and his good friend, Standing Elk (Floyd Red Crow Westerman
Floyd Red Crow Westerman
Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman, also known as Kanghi Duta was a Sioux musician, political activist and actor. After establishing a career as a country music singer, later in his life, he became a leading actor depicting Native Americans in American films and television. He is sometimes credited simply...
). The men tell Julie the legend of the Spanish treasure and also of an elk, saved from drowning by the slave who, before his death, had grasped the exhausted animal as it swam near the Spanish launch. Julie is confused because 400 years later, she is convinced that "her elk" is the same elk. Julie's desire to solve the treasure mystery becomes a passion that leads to further mystery and self-discovery. When she experiences visions of Indians, she is frightened. When she tells Grandpa and Standing Elk, the elders realize that she is having a magical experience. Grandpa and Standing Elk suspect that Julie has been chosen to find the treasure and to release the spirit of the slave. They watch and guide her on her quest.
Cast
- Julia CampbellJulia CampbellJulia Campbell , is an American actress, who is best known for her role as the "mean girl," Christie Masters-Christianson in the feature film Romy and Michele's High School Reunion.-Career:...
– Kathryn Kimbell - Janine Doyon – Susan Kimbell
- Richard A. Doyon – Clyde Savage
- Suzanne Marie Doyon – Julie Kimbell
- Max GailMax GailMaxwell Trowbridge "Max" Gail, Jr. is an American actor who has starred in stage, television, and film roles. He most notably portrayed the role of Detective Stan "Wojo" Wojciehowicz on the television sitcom Barney Miller....
– Grandpa Jack Kimbell - Escher Holloway – Eddy
- Phillip Huber – Puppeteer
- Jan Michael Looking Wolf ReibachJan Michael Looking WolfJan Michael Looking Wolf is a Kalapuya Native American flute player from Grand Ronde, Oregon. With 42 National Award recognitions, Looking Wolf performs across the country sharing flute songs, tribal stories, and the message of One Heart. Jan Michael's latest projects showcase his vocals and song...
– Looking Wolf - Brian McNamaraBrian McNamaraBrian McNamara is an American actor, known for his portrayal of Dean Karny in the TV Movie Billionaire Boys Club for which he was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a supporting role.-Biography:...
– Robert Kimbell - Zale ParryZale ParryZale Parry is an American pioneer scuba diver, underwater photographer and actress. She lives in Tillamook, Oregon.Zale started diving in the 1940s as a young girl. She was raised on a Wisconsin lake and learned to swim and love the water at an early age. As a young woman, she became involved in...
– Hardware Store Owner - Mary SteinMary Stein-Early life:Mary was born in Marquette, Michigan, and grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She began an acting career performing in plays.-Acting career:...
– Billie Stahl - Bradley StrykerBradley StrykerBradley Stryker is an American actor, who performed the character Trey Atwood on the FOX series The O.C.....
– Tom - Brian ThompsonBrian Thompson (actor)Brian Thompson is an American actor. His distinctive square-jaw profile, powerful voice, and imposing stature has led him to be typecast as a villain in many action films and TV series, and a some comedies: Joe Dirt, The Three Amigos, Weird Science, Key West, and Life Stinks.-Career:Thompson has...
– Jimmy Kimbell - Floyd Red Crow WestermanFloyd Red Crow WestermanFloyd "Red Crow" Westerman, also known as Kanghi Duta was a Sioux musician, political activist and actor. After establishing a career as a country music singer, later in his life, he became a leading actor depicting Native Americans in American films and television. He is sometimes credited simply...
– Standing Elk
Awards
- 2006 Achievement Award for Best Family Feature, Newport Beach Film FestivalNewport Beach Film FestivalThe Newport Beach Film Festival is a film festival in the United States held in Newport Beach, California, that showcases more than 350 films to more than 30,000 attendees annually....
- 2006 Festival Prize for Best Family Film at the Toronto Fantasy Worldwide Film Festival
- 2007 Golden Reel Award for Best Children's Film at the Tiburon International Film Festival
- 2007 Best Indie Feature Age 5-12, Kids First! Film Festival
External links
- The Legend of Tillamook's Gold (official website)