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

One of several films in which Clint Eastwood is heard singing. The movies include _Bronco Billy_, _Kelly's Heroes_, Honkytonk Man (1982), Paint Your Wagon (1969) and Any Which Way You Can (1980). Eastwood also directed the jazz film Bird (1988). Eastwood is also currently [as at May 2013] allegedly developing two musicals to be directed by him, the screen adaptation of the stage show "The Jersey Boys" and a remake of A Star Is Born (1976).

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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

Red Stovall: Mary was right to go back to her husband. What the hell did I have to offer a kid? Just honky-tonks and flop-houses. That's the life of a country singer, Hoss. Sound good to you?
Whit: It don't sound too hot when you put it like that, but it sure beats picking cotton and living in a sharecropper's shack.

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Alternate Versions

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

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Connections

Featured in Eastwood on Eastwood (1997)

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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

A true gem

This film is one of Eastwood´s most compelling and strikes you right at the heart. It tells us a story with such a warmth and compassion about a theme as old as America itself. It is about a man and his love for his nephew, his music and his his desire to make a name for himself before his TB´ll end it all. Though Clint´s voice isn´t the best it does however strengthen our understanding of the motivation of a man that is running against time in a setting that is both harsh and unforgiving. The movie´s depiction of the depression is outstanding and the songs are stupendous. Watch for Marty Robbins who also sings half the theme song. All in all an outstanding movie that will stay in your heart for a long, long time...