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:

Two escaped convicts roll into the town of Happy, Texas where they pose as gay couple to elude the local sheriff who has a few sexual secrets of his own.

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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

During the climax, Sheriff Chappy shoots nine shots out of his revolver without reloading.

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Quotes

Josephine McClintock: [while climbing out of the cab while towing the RV] What are you DOING?
Harry Sawyer: [while climbing out of the RV onto the towline] I'm trying to save you!
Josephine McClintock: Well, knock it off! I'm trying to save YOU!

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Crazy Credits

Gary Lucas - hot head technician

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Connections

References A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

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Soundtracks

"After a Kiss"
Performed by Pam Tillis
Written by Steven Dale Jones, Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Published by EMI April Music, Inc. / Sound Island Publishing (ASCAP)
(All rights for Sound Island Publishing
Controlled and administered by EMI April Music Inc.) /
Windswept Music / April Blue Music / Blakemore Avenue Music
(All rights obo April Blue Music / Blakemore Avenue Music
Administered by Windswept Music)
Pam Tillis appears courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.

User Reviews

A satisfying, feel-good film with great "just plain folk"

Whether you're a good guy or a bad guy, in Happy, Texas you've got heart. Though the plot gets wacky, the "just plain folk" element keeps the craziness in check. It's really refreshing to finally see a film with gay characters that aren't in drag or snapping their fingers. It IS possible to have a funny gay character without being flamboyant. Sure, there is a lesson to be learned as in most films, but we care about these characters as they get deeper and deeper into trouble. I had a big smile on my face after watching this film, and it stays with you a while. How many other films give you a gift like that?