‘Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story’ – A Classic Love Letter to Cinema to Play at Bandon, Oregon Movie Night

The silver screen magic of classic Hollywood is coming to the southern Oregon coast. As part of the regular movie night program, the Sprague Community Theater will host a screening of the award-winning comedy biopic, “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story,” on Friday, June 19, at 7 p.m.

Written, directed, and narrated by versatile filmmaker, playwright, and songwriter Scott Fivelson, the 1-hour, 35-minute fictional mockumentary takes a humorous and heartwarming look at the life of a once revered, but now largely forgotten, cinematic “legend.”

“There’s so much in this film,” Fivelson said. “Comedy. Nostalgia. Lots of nostalgia. I think Stallone would say it has heart. If he saw it. It’s a Hollywood biopic, a tribute, a thank-you to what this town has been. This could be a glorious place again and it shouldn’t be anything else. By the end of the movie, Lawrence Pressman essentially says, ‘Let’s bring it back.’”

‘Spinal Tap’ Meets ‘Citizen Kane’

Described by its creator as “part ‘Spinal Tap,’ part ‘Sunset Blvd,’ and part ‘That’s Entertainment!,’” Near Myth retells the history of American cinema through chronicling the life of Oskar Knight — a fictional director who supposedly emigrated from Germany, like many of the early great directors, and embraced every era of Tinseltown.
To bring this meticulous time capsule to life, Fivelson spent years, between other projects, gathering locations, archival photos, and costumes spanning from 1900 to the present. Because it was an independent film, he notes, “It wasn’t a schedule. It was a lifestyle.”

The late, great chameleon actor Lenny Von Dohlen (“Twin Peaks,” “Tender Mercies,” “Electric Dreams”) stars as Oskar Knight. Von Dohlen was chosen both for his uncanny physical resemblance to the character concept and his rare gift for period portrayal. Especially notable in the latter regard was Von Dohlen’s performance in the American Playhouse episode, “Under the Biltmore Clock.”

“Working with Lenny Von Dohlen was a dream,” Fivelson shared. “None of us can wrap our minds around the fact that Lenny isn’t with us anymore, but he is living on through this film. He jumped right into it — he’d even send me emails written in a German accent.”

The film also features an eclectic “cavalcade of stars” from throughout the decades of Hollywood history who share their memories of the director. The ensemble cast includes Academy Award winner Margaret O’Brien, International Emmy winner David Suchet, Joaquim de Almeida, Julianna Guill, Rudolf Martin, Lawrence Pressman, Kristina Anapau, Maya Stange, Jon Provost (Timmy from the classic TV show “Lassie”), and Noel Neill (the original Lois Lane in “Superman”).

Observes Fivelson, “The huge cast made it feel like it was in the tradition of the great studio days. Plus, Oskar Knight was quite the popular gent in his day. He really got around.”

From Chicago to the Coast

So has Fivelson. Hailing from Chicago, “land of Michael Mann’s Thief, the Sox, and the Cubbies,” he ultimately came to California. His screenwriting credits include the music-biz dramedy “American Reel,” starring David Carradine as singer-songwriter James Lee Springer, British actor Michael Maloney (“Henry V,” “The Crown”), and Mariel Hemingway (“Personal Best,” “The Contender”).

“3 Holes and a Smoking Gun” earned Fivelson best screenwriter honors at the 2014 Downtown Film Festival Los Angeles. He is also a widely published satirist, novelist, and playwright with the novel “Tuxes,” new sci-fi novel “Author of the Week and the Strong,” and one-act mysteries “Dial L for Latch-Key,” “Leading the Witness,” and the scientific thriller “Phoenix,” which have debuted from London to the Hollywood Fringe Festival.

Currently, Fivelson is developing a slate of new film projects, including baseball movie “The Change-Up Kid” and the noir-ish action/thriller “Epitaph.” He is slated to collaborate with director David Barrett (“Fire with Fire,” “Blue Bloods,” “Mad Men”), producer Jason Loughridge, and casting director/producer Delaney Blanton.

Fivelson gives a special thanks to cinematographer, editor, and producer on “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story,” Dave Corwin Polcino, whose hyphenate dedication to the film made his efforts a standout. Additionally, says Fivelson, “I thank everybody on the movie. It was a moment in time.”

He would also like to thank Edward Norton, though Norton had nothing to do with the film. “Maybe he’ll reach out and ask why I’m thanking him,” smiles Fivelson. “Huge talent. I’d like to meet him.”

Those fascinated by Hollywood history and the days when movies were Movies can now watch “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story” streaming on Amazon Prime in the U.S., the U.K., the Republic of Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, courtesy of Bounty Films. Meanwhile, Near Myth continues to appear in theaters around the country, and Fivelson observes that a movie about the movies is just naturally made to be seen on cinema screens.

“Since the end of the pandemic, it keeps getting booked in theaters in the U.S. and Germany, so why not Oregon?” Fivelson says. “I’m excited about the Oregon showing. If I come to Bandon for the screening, I’ll probably chopper in like Tom Cruise – but not that much like Tom Cruise. I won’t be hanging from the chopper.”

Then, on a more serious note, Fivelson added, “A few more words of appreciation. I want to thank Stephanie Jones, the Sprague Community Theater, and Bandon Playhouse for bringing Oskar Knight to Bandon. Oskar would have liked it here.”

Event Details

Catch “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story” at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 19, at the Sprague Community Theater, 1202 11th St SW, Bandon. Admission is just $5, and concessions will be available for purchase.

“People are saying Near Myth is quite unique, a one-of-a-kind film. And I do think it’s true,” said Fivelson. “It was sort of a chance to do a time capsule about what I wanted to say about Hollywood’s history and the people who’ve come and gone.

“Every spring, I hold out hope that the Academy will finally, graciously, give Oskar Knight not an honorary Oscar, but a Late Oscar. It could happen,” Fivelson quipped.

As for whether Oskar Knight ever finally wins the elusive Oscar in “Near Myth: The Oskar Knight Story,” Fivelson keeps the mystery alive, musing, “It is as much of a cliffhanger to the audience, as it was to Oskar. Well, maybe more for Oskar.”

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Article by Amy Moss Strong. Images courtesy of Scott Fivelson. Check out the movie trailer on YouTube.