Honkytonk Man (1982)

A boy with a music talent goes into the journey with his uncle for a stage concert.

Director:

Clint Eastwood

Writers:

Clancy Carlile (novel), Clancy Carlile (screenplay)

Stars:

Clint Eastwood, Kyle Eastwood, John McIntire

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Clint Eastwood	...	Red Stovall
Kyle Eastwood	...	Whit
John McIntire	...	Grandpa
Alexa Kenin	...	Marlene
Verna Bloom	...	Emmy
Matt Clark	...	Virgil
Barry Corbin	...	Arnspriger
Jerry Hardin	...	Snuffy
Tim Thomerson	...	Highway Patrolman
Macon McCalman	...	Dr. Hines
Joe Regalbuto	...	Henry Axle
Gary Grubbs	...	Jim Bob
Rebecca Clemons	...	Belle
Johnny Gimble	...	Bob Wills
Linda Hopkins	...	Blues Singer

Storyline

As the film opens on an Oklahoma farm during the depression, two simultaneous visitors literally hit the Wagoneer home: a ruinous dust storm and a convertible crazily driven by Red, the missus' brother. A roguish country-western musician, he has just been invited to audition for the Grand Ole Opry, his chance of a lifetime to become a success. However, this is way back in Nashville, Red clearly drives terribly, and he's broke and sick with tuberculosis to boot. Whit, 14, seeing his own chance of a lifetime to avoid "growing up to be a cotton picker all my life," begs Ma to let him go with Uncle Red as driver and protege. Thus begins a picaresque journey both hilarious and poignant.

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Plot Keywords:

audition | tuberculosis | ends with funeral | nashville tennessee | cult film | 

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Taglines:

The boy is on his way to becoming a man. The man is on his way to becoming a legend.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Music | Western

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

15 December 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

A Última Canção

Filming Locations:

Gardnerville, Nevada, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$667,727, 19 December 1982, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$4,484,991

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Malpaso Company

Technical Specs

Runtime:

122 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The picture is part of a group of films known as depression era dramas.

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Goofs

Ryman Auditorium is used as the setting for the Opry. This venue was not used until the 1940s, and the movie takes place in the 1930s.

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Quotes

Highway Patrolman: [finds Marlene in the trunk of the car] Get out of there! It's against the law to ride in the trunk in this state. I don't suppose you've got any I.D., either?
Marlene: Idee? Idee 'bout what?

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Alternate Versions

ABC edited 7 minutes from this film for its 1986 network television premiere.

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Connections

References Bonanza (1959)

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Soundtracks

Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
(uncredited)
Negro spiritual attributed to Wallis Willis
Performed by Tracy Shults and by Kyle Eastwood with Alexa Kenin and DeForest Covan

User Reviews

Eastwood drops his tough guy persona and turns it into a completely different character.

Its a road movie featuring an interesting boy character who learns the harsh realities of life. The movie's depiction of the depression is outstanding and the songs are good. One of Clint Eastwood's one. The songs played are very soothing to the ear and the movie is very tragic. The movie is also bittersweet with the relationship between Eastwood and his nephew played by his real life son. This is a change for Clint Eastwood. He drops his tough guy persona and turns it into a completely different character. Clint and his son Kyle Eastwood shine together in this warmhearted adventure.