Happy, Texas (1999)

Two escaped convicts arrive in the town of Happy, Texas, where they are mistaken for a gay couple who is to host the town's Little Miss Fresh Squeezed beauty pageant. Enjoying the celebrity... See full summary »

Director:

Mark Illsley

Writers:

Ed Stone, Mark Illsley,

Stars:

Steve Zahn, Jeremy Northam, William H. Macy

6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Steve Zahn	...	Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr., aka David
Jeremy Northam	...	Harry Sawyer, aka Steven 'Steve'
William H. Macy	...	Sheriff Chappy Dent
Ally Walker	...	Josephine 'Joe' McClintock the Banker
Illeana Douglas	...	Doreen Schaefer
M.C. Gainey	...	Robert 'Bob' Allen Maslow
Ron Perlman	...	Marshal Nalhober
Mo Gaffney	...	Mrs. Bromley
Paul Dooley	...	The Judge
Jillian Berard	...	Madison 'Maddie'
Scarlett Pomers	...	Jency (Flaming Batons)
Melissa Arnold	...	Another Happy Girl
Cassie Silva	...	Another Happy Girl
Tiffany Takara	...	Another Happy Girl
Tim Bagley	...	David, Pagent Professional

Storyline

Two escaped convicts arrive in the town of Happy, Texas, where they are mistaken for a gay couple who is to host the town's Little Miss Fresh Squeezed beauty pageant. Enjoying the celebrity and using their skill as con-men, the two adopt their persona to take on the task. Of course, as the two are heterosexual, their interest in the involved ladies intensifies. Ally Walker is a banker, who is distrustful of men and has given up on love. Illeana Douglas plays the dowdy, badly dressed teacher.

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Plot Keywords:

beauty pageant | teacher | banker | gay | texas | 

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Taglines:

They need pros. They're getting cons.

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Genres:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for language, sexual content and some violence

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Happy Texas - iloiset veikot

Filming Locations:

Lancaster, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$72,056 (USA) (1 October 1999)

Gross:

$1,943,649 (USA) (17 December 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marked Entertainment, Miramax Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

William H. Macy's character has a discussion on the phone where he complains he cannot read a smudgy fax, and the message should be mailed, not faxed. This is exactly like a conversation his character has in Fargo.

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Goofs

There are no mountains or vineyards anywhere near Happy, Texas.

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Quotes

Sheriff Chappy Dent: Give me the meanest steak you got! Rare, and I mean rare! Just de-horn it, wipe its butt and send it in.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to the people in Happy, Texas... even though we shot entirely on location in Piru, California. Sorry.

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Connections

References Sanford and Son (1972)

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Soundtracks

"That Buckin' Song"
(Saddle Score Mix)
Performed by Robert Earl Keen
Written by Robert Earl Keen
Published by Bug Music / Keen Edge Music (BMI) (adm. by Bug Music)
Robert Earl Keen appears courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Cute Extended Sitcom

I saw this movie for free, and I enjoyed every minute of it, but if I had paid $10, I'm not so sure I would have enjoyed it, or even gone.

This is basically a generic romantic comedy with slightly better characters and slightly better actors. Ally Walker is very appealing without being constructed from the start for maximum adorability, like any number of women in bigger budget romantic comedies. Steve Zahn is amusing, but doesn't break any new ground. For some reason I always enjoy seeing Illeana Douglas. Jeremy Northam is fine, sounds American and all, but... why him for this? Why this for him? Sure, it's a step up from Mimic, but after Emma and The Winslow Boy?

The one reason to see this movie is William Macy. He was SO wonderful and open and vulnerable as the sheriff with a secret that I really felt for his plight as you would for a friend. He was really the most developed and likable of the characters here. And I think it's good that the audience (at least as I saw it) is much more concerned with whether he'll end up happy than anyone else.

There were a lot of annoying inconsistencies, like where the two convicts are getting their fabulous wardrobe from. And why Ally Walker seems to have gotten a perm for one scene and then taken it out for the next. But the movie is so slight that it is't worth caring about.

This is one of those Miramax movies that comes out and plays in smaller theaters even though it is every bit as slick, predictable and mainstream as anything else out there. I liked it, but I wouldn't pay to see it. It really is just a long sitcom.

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