Happy, Texas (1999)

Director:

Mark Illsley

Writers:

Ed Stone (writer) &
Mark Illsley (writer) ...
(more)

Release Date:

3 December 1999 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Crime | Romance

Tagline:

Escaped convicts disguised as beauty pageant experts? This could get ugly.

Plot:

Two escaped convicts arrive in the town of Happy, Texas, where they are mistaken for a gay couple who...

Plot Keywords:

Beauty Pageant | Teacher | Banker | Gay | Texas

Awards:

6 wins & 6 nominations

Cast

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
Michael Hitchcock	...	Steven, Pagent Professional
Ed Stone	...	Alton
Rance Howard	...	Ely the Tractor Driver
Derek Montgomery	...	Bully Boy
Kiva Lawrence	...	Pageant Judge
Carley Fink	...	Little Light Girl (as Carly Fink)
David Shackelford	...	Varnel the Tire Collector
Kim Story	...	Guard
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Tim Cowgill	...	Local Cowboy (uncredited)
Guy J. Graves	...	Tow truck driver (uncredited)
Mark Illsley	...	Guard on Horse with Shotgun (uncredited)
Krista Lewis	...	Bank Teller (uncredited)
Keo Woolford	...	Cabana Boy Kimo (uncredited)

Directed by
Mark Illsley

Writing credits
Ed Stone		(writer) &
Mark Illsley		(writer) &
Phil Reeves		(writer)

Produced by
Norman Buckley	....	associate producer
Jason Clark	....	executive producer
Glenn S. Gainor	....	co-producer
Mark Illsley	....	producer
Rick Montgomery	....	producer
Ed Stone	....	producer

Original Music by
Peter Harris

Cinematography by
Bruce Douglas Johnson

Film Editing by
Norman Buckley

Casting by
Joe Garcia

Production Design by
Maurin L. Scarlata		(as Maurin Scarlata)

Art Direction by
Tobey Bays

Set Decoration by
Phoebe O'Connor

Costume Design by
Julia Schklair

Makeup Department
Carla M. Fabrizi	....	additional makeup artist (as Carla Fabrizi)
Tania Goddard	....	assistant hair stylist: additional photography
Tania Goddard	....	assistant makeup artist: additional photography
Kim Goodwin	....	hair stylist: Ms. Walker (additional photography)
Kim Goodwin	....	makeup artist: Ms. Walker (additional photography)
Anna Harasimiak	....	key makeup artist: additional photography (as Ania M. Harasimiak)
Suzan Kaminga	....	additional makeup artist
Phillip Pico	....	key hair stylist (as Pico)
Phillip Pico	....	key makeup artist (as Pico)
Karen Scherer	....	makeup artist
Solina Tabrizi	....	key hair stylist: additional photography

Production Management
J. Patrick Clark	....	unit production manager
Debra L. Gainor	....	production supervisor
Teresa Kelly	....	post-production supervisor
Kirk M. Morri	....	post-production supervisor: additional photography (as Kirk Morri)
Ron Schmidt	....	production supervisor: additional photography

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Fernando Altschul	....	first assistant director: additional photography
George Bamber	....	first assistant director
Shawn Hanley	....	first assistant director: second unit
José Clemente Hernandez	....	first assistant director: second unit
Robin Jorden	....	second assistant director
Kelly Kiernan	....	second assistant director: additional photography
Ricardo Méndez Matta	....	second unit director (as Ricardo Mendez Matta)
Jody Spilkoman	....	second second assistant director

Art Department
Wayne Acton	....	set dresser
Maxwell Britton	....	lead man: additional photography (as Maxwell Jean Britton)
Maxwell Britton	....	set dresser
David Buckband	....	set dresser
Fred D'Amico	....	set dresser: additional photography
James L. Eddy	....	property assistant: additional photography (as James Eddy)
James L. Eddy	....	set dresser
Camille Esposito	....	set decorating shopper: additional photography
Anthony Koslowski	....	set dresser
Raf Lydon	....	assistant property master
Peter Mathus	....	set dresser: additional photography
Susan Scarlata	....	art department assistant
Ed Servaites	....	on-set dresser
Michelle Spears	....	property master
Suzette Stotts	....	scenic artist
Don Stroud	....	on-set dresser: additional photography
Larry Thompson	....	set dresser: additional photography
Nick Worsfold	....	painter
Ricky Zamudio	....	set dresser
Robert Piser	....	scenic artist (uncredited)

Sound Department
Pembrooke Andrews	....	assistant dialogue editor
Wayne Artman	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Wayne Wayne Wayne Artman Sr.)
Kevin Bassinson	....	sound consultant: midi
Levon Broussalian	....	sound services manager
Jeff K. Brunello	....	sound effects editor
Eric Corley	....	sound effects assistant
Paul Curtis	....	adr editor
Paul Curtis	....	dialogue editor
Andrew DeCristofaro	....	additional adr supervisor
James Dehr	....	sound mixer: second unit
Elisabeth Flaum	....	sound effects editor
Wayne Gordon	....	sound services manager
Clifford 'Kip' Gynn	....	sound mixer: second unit
Robert L. Harman	....	sound re-recording mixer (as Robert Harman)
Eric Justen	....	sound re-recording assistant
Laura Kamper	....	sound effects editor
Laura Kamper	....	sound re-recording assistant (as Laura Pratt)
Michael Kamper	....	sound effects editor
Shawn Kennelly	....	adr recordist
Dan Lipe	....	boom operator
Greg Louden	....	foley recordist
Kevin Maloney	....	boom operator: additional photography
Greg Mauer	....	foley recordist
Michael Payne	....	supervising sound editor
Juan Peralta	....	mix assistant
Susan Pusateri	....	foley recordist
Ann Scibelli	....	supervising sound effects editor
Dan Scolnik	....	assistant dialogue editor
Frederick H. Stahly	....	dialogue editor
Chris Staszak	....	adr recording assistant
John C. Stuver	....	dialogue editor
Eric Thompson	....	adr mixer
Tom Van Otteren	....	boom operator: Barber Boom
Jeffrey R. Whitcher	....	sound effects editor (as Jeff Whitcher)
Ed White	....	production sound mixer
James Wright	....	stereo sound consultant: Dolby
Liz Sroka	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)
Ken Teaney	....	sound re-recording mixer (uncredited)

Special Effects by
Greg Landerer	....	pyrotechnician
Lee McConnell	....	pyrotechnics assistant

Visual Effects by
Michael Adkisson	....	2D compositor: THDX
Inaki Imaz	....	3D animator: THDX
Christopher Dusendschon	....	in-show optical process and effects compositor: THDX (uncredited)
Christopher Dusendschon	....	motion control end credit sequence optical compositor: THDX (uncredited)

Stunts
David Edward Garber	....	stunts (as David E. Garber)
David Hugghins	....	stunts (as David Huggins)
Bobby C. King	....	stunt coordinator
April Littlejohn	....	stunts
Manny Perry	....	stunt coordinator: additional photography
Dick Ziker	....	utility stunts: additional photography (as Dick Zicker)
Garner Clark	....	stunts (uncredited)
Christopher J. Tuck	....	stunt double (uncredited)

Camera and Electrical Department
Gavin Ames	....	Steadicam operator: additional photography
Joe Backes	....	best boy grip: additional photography
Clint Borden	....	grip
Kevin Cadwallader	....	electrician: additional photography
Marcelo Colacilli	....	gaffer (as Marcelo L. Colacilli)
Chacho Dominguez	....	security gaffer
Tom Feucht	....	grip
Richard Foreman Jr.	....	additional still photographer (as Richard Foreman)
Steve Francis	....	company grip: additional photography
Isaac Friedman	....	film loader (as Isaac Freidman)
Harry Gradzhyan	....	electrician (as Harry H. Gradzhyan)
Ákos Gulyás	....	camera loader: additional photography (as Akos Gulyas)
Shane Harness	....	crane operator: jib arm
Orlando Hernandez	....	best boy electric
Bengt Jonsson	....	director of photography: second unit (as Bengt Jan Jonsson)
Ted Kennedy	....	grip
Dina S. Khouri	....	still photographer
Geoffrey D. Knoller	....	dolly grip
Nick Liampetchakul	....	company grip: additional photography
Joshua Liberman	....	electrician: additional photography (as Josh Lieberman)
Greg McCurley	....	electrician
Vladimir Melnik	....	electrician
Ryan Meyer	....	grip
Zoran Milosavljevic	....	electrician: second unit (as Zoran Milosavlievic)
Jennifer Newell	....	company grip: additional photography
Euripides Núñez	....	electrician (as Willie Nunez)
Richard Oliver	....	best boy grip
Richard Oliver	....	electrician: additional photography
Michael Ortiz	....	first assistant camera: second unit
Christopher C. Pearson	....	first assistant camera
Rell Putt	....	grip: second unit (as Rell L. Putt)
Paul Reyes	....	dolly grip: additional photography
Ruben Russ	....	camera intern
Doug Rymes	....	electrician
David A. Santos	....	key grip: additional photography (as David Santos)
Mike Schwabenland	....	electrician
Calvin Starnes	....	grip (as Calvin R. Starnes)
Robert Stillman	....	grip (as Bob Stillman)
David Tang	....	film loader
Allan Telias	....	second assistant camera (as Allan A. Telias)
Rick Tiedeman	....	Steadicam operator (as Rick Tiedemann)
Somsy Vejsiri	....	electrician: additional photography
Jon Weiner	....	electrician: additional photography (as Jonathan Weiner)
Kurt Wolfe	....	key grip
Shane Buttle	....	set lighting technician (uncredited)
James R. Powell	....	assistant camera (uncredited)

Casting Department
Dave Castro	....	extras casting
Joseph Hicks	....	extras casting
Michael G. Miller	....	casting assistant
J.P. Shields	....	casting assistant

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Denise Brandon	....	set costumer: additional photography
Denise Caplan	....	set costumer
Anthony Franco	....	assistant costume designer
Jessica Hastings	....	set costumer
Mandi Line	....	costume supervisor
Palmer Todd	....	costumer: additional photography
Sherif Zaki	....	set costumer

Editorial Department
Bob Fredrickson	....	color timer
Armand Garabidian	....	post-production coordinator
Mato	....	color timer
Jeff McEvoy	....	associate editor
Harry B. Miller III	....	post-production consultant (as Harry Miller)
Paul Millspaugh	....	assistant editor
Douglas Salkin	....	post-production coordinator (as Doug Sulkin)

Music Department
Scott Cochran	....	scoring mixer
Audrey DeRoche	....	music coordinator (as Audrey deRoche)
David Feinman	....	composer: additional music
David Feinman	....	score producer
Ron Finn	....	music editor
M.B. Gordy	....	musician: percussion
Peter Harris	....	score producer
Simon James	....	orchestra contractor
Emily Kaye	....	music supervisor
Brian Kirk	....	music editor
Alexandra Patsavas	....	music supervisor (as Alex Patsavas)
James Stemple	....	composer: additional music
Alan Williams	....	conductor

Transportation Department
Beth Blanks	....	cast driver: additional photography
Richard Burch	....	driver: additional photography (as Richard L. Burch)
Deborah J. Chesebro	....	cast driver: additional photography
Billy Colbert	....	transportation co-coordinator
Mac 'Buck' Cook	....	driver
John De Troia	....	transportation coordinator (as John V. DeTroia)
Nick Duron	....	driver: additional photography
Dave Earl	....	driver: additional photography
Troy Gould	....	driver
Guy J. Graves	....	transportation captain
Duane Hale	....	driver
Eric Lazar	....	driver: additional photography
Mike Mancini	....	driver (as Michael Mancini)
Dale Moser	....	driver: additional photography
Ted Moser	....	transportation coordinator: additional photography
Don Riesau	....	driver (as Donald L. Riesau)
Shaun Ryan	....	driver: additional photography
Valerie Bleth Sharp	....	cast driver: additional photography (as Valerie Ann Bleth)
Ray Stuart	....	driver
Joseph Taggert	....	driver: additional photography (as Joe Taggert)
Gene Ward	....	transportation captain: additional photography

Other crew
Newell Alexander	....	adr voice
Sarah Anthony	....	office production assistant
Jose Avitia	....	graphic artist: titles
Pascal Besse	....	chef
Walter Bishop	....	guard
Steve Bulen	....	adr voice
Joseph Burke	....	location manager (as Joe 'The Turk' Burke)
Blake Busby	....	graphic artist: titles
Michael Buster	....	dialogue consultant
Mitch Carter	....	adr voice
Amiee Clark	....	set production assistant: additional photography
Garner Clark	....	safety rigger
David Cowgill	....	adr voice
Roxa Crow	....	studio teacher
Mike Cunliffe	....	safety rigger
Warren Davis II	....	assistant: Jason Clark (as Warren Davis)
Nawana Davis	....	production secretary: additional photography
Kelly Devine	....	choreographer
Guillermo Etcheberry	....	location scout (as Guillermo O. Etcheberry)
Ken Forsgren	....	safety rigger
Elizabeth Forsyth	....	production assistant
Brendan Garst	....	production coordinator
Michael Goldberg	....	production accountant
Jackie Gonneau	....	adr voice
Frank Gunn	....	assistant chef
Kent Hamilton	....	production insurance
Robb Hastigan	....	production accountant: additional photography
Matthew Hirsch	....	production office assistant: additional photography (as Matt Hirsch)
Samantha C. Kirkeby	....	script supervisor (as Samantha Kirkeby)
Zoya Korper	....	production office assistant: additional photography
Joyce Kurtz	....	adr voice
Melissa Larsen	....	craft service: additional photography
Mike Leahy	....	producer: additional photography
Ronald J. Levin	....	production legal
Gary Lucas	....	technician: HotHead, additional photography
Ramiro López	....	caterer: additional photography (as Ramiro Lopez)
Joan Marks	....	studio teacher
Paul Mayersohn	....	production legal (as Paul F. Mayersohn)
Robert Mesa	....	guard
Edie Mirman	....	adr voice
Gracie Moore	....	adr voice
Jason Mundy	....	assistant production coordinator: additional photography
Ronan P. Nagle	....	assistant location manager: additional photography (as Ronin P. Nagle)
James V. Navarro II	....	guard
James V. Navarro	....	guard
Robert Ohlandt	....	key set production assistant: additional photography (as Robert 'Robio' Ohlandt)
Michael Paolillo	....	location manager: additional photography (as Michael Gene Paolillo)
Robert Peralta	....	set production assistant (as Rob Peralta)
Guy Pringle	....	set production assistant: additional photography
Raymond Prososki	....	production office assistant: additional photography
Jennifer Rae Smith	....	graphic artist: titles
Ron Resch	....	medic: additional photography
Christina Richard	....	craft service
Jayme Roy	....	operator: Barber Boom
Rick Saloomey	....	office production assistant
Mary Beth Shewmake	....	craft service
Randall Smoot	....	set production assistant
Claudia Soisson	....	first assistant accountant: additional photography
Lynn Struiksma	....	set production assistant
John Switzer	....	payroll services
Robb Thomas	....	set production assistant
Steve Thomas	....	set production assistant: additional photography
Arron Turnbull	....	production office assistant: additional photography
Truman Van Dyke	....	production insurance
Ron Cosmo Vecchiarelli	....	production coordinator: additional photography (as Ronald Cosmo Vecchiarelli)
Matthew Warren	....	completion bond (as Matt Warren)
Kurt Woolner	....	completion bond
Lauren Feige	....	assistant to producers: additional photography (uncredited)
Christopher Lee	....	location manager (uncredited)

Thanks
Martin Bradshaw	....	thanks
Laura Connell	....	thanks
Karen Cristello	....	thanks
Bob Dykes	....	thanks
Helen Illsley	....	special thanks
Linda Illsley	....	special thanks
Lisa Illsley	....	special thanks
Roger Illsley	....	special thanks
Rolf Illsley	....	special thanks
Keith Koburn	....	thanks
Tammy Koburn	....	thanks
Abe Lara	....	thanks
Diann Lara	....	thanks
Cynthia Medina	....	thanks: Peru school
Mrs. Roy Pierucci	....	thanks
Roy Pierucci	....	thanks (as Mr. Roy Pierucci)
Chip Polk	....	special thanks
Jency Polk	....	special thanks
Jordan Polk	....	special thanks
Robin Polk	....	special thanks
Kevin Reynolds	....	special thanks
Andrew Stone	....	special thanks
Hope B. Stone	....	special thanks
Jan Stone	....	special thanks
Michael Stone	....	special thanks
Paul Stone	....	special thanks
Bob Tomasino	....	thanks: Oil Can Harry's
Craig Valencie	....	thanks
Evie Welsh	....	special thanks
Jay Wilkinson	....	special thanks

Production Companies

• Marked Entertainment
• Miramax Films

Distributors

• Buena Vista International (Argentina)
• Gativideo (Argentina) (video)
• Keyfilms Roma
• Laurenfilm (Spain)
• Mars Distribution (France)
• Miramax Films
• Paris Vídeo (Brazil) (video)
• RCV Film Distribution (Belgium)
• RCV Film Distribution (Luxembourg)
• RCV Film Distribution (Netherlands)

Special Effects

• THDX Studios (digital facilities provided by)

Other Companies

• All Payments Services  payroll services
• Arista Records  soundtrack released by (as Arista Nashville)
• Automated Studio Lighting  products and services by
• Background Players  extras casting
• Birns & Sawyer  additional camera equipment
• C.A.S.T. Security  security provided by
• Canali  tailored clothing and formal wear for Jeremy Northam and Steve Zahn provided by
• Canyon Group  products and services by
• Caressa Douglas - TCG  products and services by
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  camera cranes and dollies
• Chapman/Leonard Studio Equipment  thanks
• Cola-Cilli Motion Picture Equipment  grip and lighting equipment
• Dauze Company  products and services by
• Denise Greenwood Jewelry Designs  products and services by
• Doc Marten's Airwair  products and services by
• EFX Systems  digital sound
• Ellis Mercantile  thanks
• Film Finances  completion bond
• Fossil  products and services by
• French Jenny Lingerie  products and services by
• Galpin Studio Rentals  products and services by
• Ground Control Studios  foley recording
• International Catering  catering
• Keslow Cameras  camera equipment provided by
• Landmark Education and The Forum  special thanks
• Magic Film and Video Works  dailies telecine transfers
• Magic Film and Video Works  negative cutting
• Mia Christiansen - Windaf/Frye  products and services by
• Mid Valley Towing Inc.  products and services by
• Norm Marshall and Associates  products and services by
• Northwest Sinfonia  orchestral score performed by
• Oil Can Harry's  thanks
• Osh Kosh B' Gosh  products and services by
• Pascal Catering  catering
• Pierucci Farms-Bakersfield (CA)  products and services by
• Piggly Wiggly  products and services by
• Piru School  thanks
• Premiere Entertainment  products and services by
• Rogers & Cowan  products and services by
• San Rio  products and services by
• Singer  products and services by
• Steve Martin's Working Wildlife  animal trainer
• Steve and Edie's Gourmet Looping  adr voice casting
• Surpin, Mayersohn & Edelstone  production legal
• Tecate  thanks
• Terrific Teachers  studio teachers
• Title House  titles and opticals
• Tommy Bahama  products and services by
• Unique Product Placement  products and services by

Also Known As:

MPAA:

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

Runtime:

98 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Chile:14 | France:U | Germany:6 | New Zealand:M | Norway:11 | Singapore:PG | Spain:7 | Sweden:11 | Switzerland:10 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:10 (canton of Vaud) | UK:12 | USA:PG-13 | Iceland:L | Malaysia:U | South Korea:12

Filming Locations:

Lancaster, California, USA

Company:

Marked Entertainment

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 (1996).

Goofs:

Errors in geography: Happy is said to be in southwestern Texas near El Paso. In fact, the real Happy is in the northern part of the state between Amarillo and Lubbock.

Quotes:

Harry Sawyer:So we're gay. How hard can that be?
Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.:It might not be hard for you, Rock Hudson, but I have got heterosex...
Harry Sawyer:What?
Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.:'Not gay' written all over me.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The 2000 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2000) (TV)

Soundtrack:

Baila Este Ritmo

Small Texas Town Lives Up To Its Name

Happy Texas is one of the greatest comedies you've probably never heard of. Shot in just 29 days on a shoestring budget, this film's acting, directing, script and comedic timing are so clever and incisive that it has attracted an almost cult following, especially among Steve Zahn fans.

There are plots within plots that all pull together in the end to make a perfect film. Starting with escaped convicts (Wayne Wayne Wayne played by Steve Zahn and Harry Sawyer played by Jeremy Northam) who have to hide and steal an RV belonging to two gay pageant designers, to discovering the gay lifestyle in a small Texas community (Happy), to finding love in the arms of a doe-eyed banker (Ally Walker ...sorry for the cliché, but she really does have doe-eyes), this movie hits on all aspects of life and puts a hilarious spin on them.

The greatest things about this film were Steve Zahn's acting while trying to teach pre-teen girls how to dance, and William H. Macy's stunning performance as Happy's town sheriff who comes out of the closet.

Always sharp, incredibly funny, superbly paced, this movie's small budget belies its excellent acting and directing.

Few films will tickle your funny bone as perfectly as HAPPY Texas. Watch it. Buy it. Live it!