Hollywood in Western Nebraska in 1968

On their way to becoming Hollywood icons, filmmakers Francis Ford Coppola and George Lucas and actors Robert Duvall, James Caan, and Shirley Knight made a road movie. The cast and crew found themselves in Ogallala, NE, filming the movie that would open the door to some of the most iconic films in cinema history. Chris Goforth talks with author and journalist Leo Adam Biga about the film, The Rain People, how two actors made life-long bonds with local ranchers, and why Nebraska appeals to filmmakers as a location for their features. The article "When Hollywood Came to Western Nebraska in 1968" can be found in the Winter 2023 issue of the Nebraska History Magazine.