Steve Martin remembers filming in Nelson in 1987

collage of the cover of steve martins 'roxanne' on a backdrop of nelson city hall
Nelson became the set for 1987 cult classic film "Roxanne" featuring Steve Martin. Photo by John Rune/KCR/Montage.
John Rune - CJLY - KootenayBC | 22-11-2022
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A cult classic shot in Nelson is getting renewed attention after Steve Martin, lead role in the 1987 rom-com Roxanne, recently recounts some experiences he had during his summer in the West Kootenays.

Still ranked highly on movie sites like Rotten Tomatoes, Roxanne is a modern take on the tale of Cyrano, a man cursed with an abnormally large nose who is trying to find love. Several iconic locations are featured in the movie, like former Wait's News and the site of the current Nelson Museum. But it was during filming breaks when his make-up wouldn't come off that Martin remembers walking around Nelson, hearing the comments from locals.

“I had to put this big long nose on every morning, and it’s a small town we’re working in, so I would walk around, and we’d be shooting, and there’s be citizens there looking, going ‘Nice nose,’ Martin said on ABC’s The View this week.

In a new graphic novel about Martin’s career on the big screen, the comedian recounts walking into a bar during a set-break, when two biker-looking patrons began staring at the long-nosed Martin.

“I can feel the guy looking at me,” Martin said, wondering what his adversary is going to say.

“And he goes ‘Why the long face?”

The book, Number One is Walking, by Steve Martin and Harry Bliss is now for sale with a number of online retailers.

"Why the long face?' Steve Martin recounts filming Roxanne in Nelson - Listen to the CJLY story below: