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SALT LAKE CITY — "The Covered Wagon," a Western depicting a journey across the West, is generally considered the origin of film in Utah.
The film, directed by an Ogden native and first released in 1923 before a wider U.S. release in 1924, features many shots in Utah. Historians say bison even chased the cast and crew while they filmed on Antelope Island.
It was a box-office success and remains one of the greatest movies from the silent era, according to the American Film Institute. "The Covered Wagon" also cemented Utah's tie to Tinseltown, which has only grown over the past century.
It's estimated that film production sparked $604 million in spending across Utah in 2022, supporting more than 36,000 jobs, according to the Utah Film Commission. It adds that the industry produces hundreds of millions of dollars in direct and indirect spending and supports thousands of jobs every year.
The annual Sundance Film Festival, which returns next week, accounted for $118 million in gross domestic product and nearly $13 million in state and local tax revenue alone last year, according to a report compiled by Y2 Analytics. The industry has also created many iconic scenes shot in Utah, which has helped inspire $6 billion in film tourism impact over the past decade.
"Our landscapes have sparked the imaginations of some of the greatest storytellers in the world and have also inspired many to see these places for themselves," said Utah Film Commission Director Virginia Pearce.
The commission is celebrating this year's anniversary with an exhibit that opened on the fourth floor of the state Capitol Thursday. The display, inspired by James V. D'Arc's book, "When Hollywood Came to Utah," features photos, information and artifacts from movies and TV shows filmed in Utah.
These include some of Ridley Scott's storyboard drawings of the famous police chase scene in "Thelma and Louise" and the signed Babe Ruth baseball from "The Sandlot," each filmed in Utah.
There are also photos taken at spots where famous film scenes were shot, many of which feature the state's scenery.
"Utah's splendor is undeniable, and its century-long journey in film is a testament to that. Unparalleled scenery, breathtaking landscapes, and a vibrant creative community are what drew me to this region, said Kevin Costner in a statement through the commission.
The display also celebrates the key Hollywood players, ranging from television inventor Philo Farnsworth, a celebrated Utahn, to Utah native actors like James Woods to Utah higher education graduates like Ken Jennings and current Utah residents like Ty Burrell. It'll remain on display for the remainder of this year.
But you don't have to visit the Capitol to check out cool pieces of Utah's film history this year. All sorts of other events are planned across the state all year long, including screenings of "The Covered Wagon" and many of the other major cinematic classics shot in the state since then. There's also a free traveling exhibit that will showcase this history at museums across the state, too.
"The 2024 celebration is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate not only the iconic film and television moments that were made in Utah but the people and places behind those moments," Pearce adds.
