When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (2003)

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas.

Director:

John Schultz

Writers:

John Schultz (written for the screen by), Kimberly Willis Holt (novel)

Stars:

Jonathan Lipnicki, Cody Linley, Jesse Pennington

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Lipnicki	...	Toby
Cody Linley	...	Cal
Jesse Pennington	...	Wayne
Jane Krakowski	...	Heather
Eric Stoltz	...	Otto
Kevin Corrigan	...	Paulie (as Kevin Fitzgerald Corrigan)
Sarah Whalen	...	Sally in the Pick-up
Louanne Stephens	...	Earline
Hudson Lee Long	...	Wylie Womack (as Hudson Long)
Lou Perryman	...	Ferris
Brady Coleman	...	Sheriff
Kathleen Lancaster	...	Kate McKnight
Amanda Alch	...	Scarlet
Joanna McCray	...	Tara
David Little	...	Thoughtful farmer

Storyline

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas.

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Plot Keywords:

granger texas | sideshow | friendship between boys | child driving car | death of loved one | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements and language

Details

Official Sites:

Echo Bridge Entertainment [us]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

A pufi bölcs

Filming Locations:

Austin, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revere Pictures, Zachary

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although this movie is supposed to take place during the hottest week of the summer, it poured rain for 11 of the 27 shooting days.

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Goofs

When arguing with his dad after the wake, Toby is wearing brown pants, but when he walks off he is wearing blue jeans.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #36.4 (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Don't Say You Care"
Written by Eleni Mandell
Performed by Eleni Mandell
Published by Miss Eleni Music (BMI)
Produced by Terry Gilkyson
Mixed by Brian Kehew at OFR Studios
Licensed courtesy Zedtone Records

User Reviews

Ward, I Think There's Something Wrong with the Beaver

Twelve-year-old Texas friends Jonathan Lipnicki (as Toby Wilson) and Cody Linley (as Cal McKnight) react like you might expect when "World's Fattest Boy," 443-pound Sasha Neulinger (as Zachary Beaver), comes to visit their Texas town. There are guffaws, groans, and grins - but, the three lads become pals. Mr. Lipnicki's mother leaves town to become a country music star, Mr. Linley's older brother joins the army, Mr. Neulinger's guardian disappears, and the three lads learn how friendship can help heal loss...

Based on an award-winning children's novel by Kimberly Willis Holt, "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" gets lost in the translation to motion picture. You can tell, however, there was a good story somewhere. The best storyline involves Linley's war-bound brother. The worst is may be Neulinger's baptism with a fat suit. There are intriguing but unrealized possibilities in wayward characters, like Lipnicki's mother (Jane Krakowski) and Neulinger's guardian (Kevin Corrigan). The book had to be better.

**** When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (10/9/03) John Schultz ~ Jonathan Lipnicki, Cody Linley, Sasha Neulinger, Eric Stoltz