A major motion picture, which debuts June 5, stars Ocean Beach. Paramount Pictures is releasing its first movie since the beginning of the pandemic titled “Mighty Oak,” a musical movie drama that was filmed in San Diego, with Ocean Beach as the primary backdrop throughout the picture. Walk-In theaters, for the most part, have yet to open, so Paramount, which just recently purchased the movie, will first market the film to drive-in theaters. “Mighty Oak” will make its San Diego debut at 8:30 p.m. Friday, June 5 at the South Bay Drive-In at 2170 Coronado Ave. in Imperial Beach.
“Mighty Oak” was the mastermind of Frank and Amy Ragen of La Jolla. Their son, Tommy Ragen, 11 years old at the time of filming, is one of the major stars of the film. He plays the part of Oak Scoggins. The Ragen’s daughter, Emma, also has a small part in the film.
The grandmother’s role is played by Linda Smith Wendfeldt. She is the grandmother of Tommy and Emma, Amy Ragen’s mother, and daughter of the late, and beloved Joan Krock. Tommy Ragen is an amazing part of all this latest success. Now, at 12, he presents himself as a professional actor. Tommy was already an accomplished guitar player, singer, and songwriter before the film. At 6 years old, he started playing the guitar and by age 8 was performing gigs all over San Diego. At 9, he was on the road touring the country for a one-year production of Broadway’s “School of Rock.” After returning home to a setting of family, school, and friends, Tommy still found the time to star in a major motion picture film.
“Mighty Oak” is about a rock band manager Gina Jackson (played by Janel Parrish), who loses her brother Vaughn (Levi Dylan, grandson of Bob Dylan), who was the band’s lead singer, in a fatal car accident. Ten years later Gina meets a 10-year-old musician Oak Scoggins (Tommy Ragen), who displays exactly the same characteristics and musical talent as her deceased brother. Gina soon becomes convinced that Oak is her late brother, Vaughn, reincarnated. “Mighty Oak” was primarily filmed in Ocean Beach. The OB Pier was the set for the surfing along with shots up and down Newport Avenue. OB Elementary School was the location for Oak’s opportunity to sing and interact with other children. The OB Playhouse and OB Town Council were also included in the film.
The movie “Almost Famous,” which was released in 2000, filmed some scenes in San Diego and Ocean Beach. The movie opens with shots of the OB Pier and surfers, and then follows the main character William Miller (Patrick Fugit) as he walks down Newport Avenue with his mother Elaine Miller (Frances McDormand). The opening venue, where Miller gets to meet Stillwater for the first time, was filmed at the San Diego Sports Arena.