SALEM, Ore. -- Public tours of Oregon's largest psychiatric hospital surprisingly became a hot ticket this week and a certain Academy Award-winning movie may be the reason.

Hospital officials said they've already had more than 200 people register for Saturday's tour of the Oregon State Hospital, which served as the main filming location for "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975.

Hospital officials said they never expected the public to have so much interest in the psychiatric hospital.

This weekend, hospital officials will lead visitors on a guided tour through obsolete sections of the 125-year-old J building. They'll visit an underground tunnel system and get a glimpse into patient bathrooms and bedrooms.

Parts of the J Building will soon be demolished to make way for a new $250 million psychiatric facility. Construction is scheduled to start next spring.

The more distinctive parts of the J building will be preserved. Officials plan to remodel portions of it and turn it into a museum.

While there is already a waiting list, the hospital is considering future tours and accepting registration on its Web site.

In 1976, "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest" won five Academy awards, including Best Actor for Jack Nicholson and Best Actress for Louise Fletcher. It also picked up awards in the Best Director (Milos Forman), Best Picture and Best Writing categories.

Oregon State Hospital Tour Becomes Hot Ticket

Related:
J Building Tour Registration