Happy, Texas (1999)

3 prisoners escape. 2 end up in Happy, Texas, where they're mistaken for a gay couple expected there to help with the small girls beauty pageant. As the 2 are paid $1000, they decide to stay until the heat is gone.

Director:

Mark Illsley

Writers:

Ed Stone, Mark Illsley

Stars:

Jeremy Northam, Steve Zahn, William H. Macy

6 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jeremy Northam	...	Harry
Steve Zahn	...	Wayne
William H. Macy	...	Chappy
Ally Walker	...	Joe
Illeana Douglas	...	Ms. Schaefer
M.C. Gainey	...	Bob Maslow
Ron Perlman	...	Nalhober
Mo Gaffney	...	Mrs. Bromley
Paul Dooley	...	The Judge
Jillian Berard	...	Madison
Scarlett Pomers	...	Jency
Melissa Arnold	...	Other Happy Girl
Cassie Silva	...	Other Happy Girl
Tiffany Takara	...	Other Happy Girl
Tim Bagley	...	David

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:

gay | beauty pageant | escaped convict | texas | small town | 

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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

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shot over a period of 22 days.

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Goofs

During the chase, Jo calls "Steven" "David."

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Quotes

Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.: Hey, maybe we are tailors. We travel from town to town, tailoring dresses, for circus midgets.
Harry Sawyer: Traveling midget tailors?
Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.: Yeah, ya think?
Harry Sawyer: No.

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Crazy Credits

Thanks to the people in Happy, Texas... even though we shot entirely on location in Piru, California. Sorry.

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Alternate Versions

The version shown on Comedy Central tones down some of the profanity and violence.

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Three Kings/Drive Me Crazy/Happy, Texas/Guinevere/Mystery, Alaska (1999)

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Soundtracks

Gopher Mambo
Performed by Yma Sumac
Written by Conrad Gozzo and Billy May
Published by Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc. (BMI)
Yma Sumac appears courtesy of Capitol Records, Inc.
Under license from EMI Capitol Music Special Markets

User Reviews

Warm and funny

This film is about 2 straight escaped prisoners having to pose as 2 gay beauty pageant organisers to conceal their identities.

This film started a bit slow, but soon afterward it became very funny. Steve Zahn did very well in his role, and he was very convincing as a rough bandit. His solo performance on doing funny movements and pulling silly faces was fun to watch.

I also enjoyed the subplot about the sheriff (William H Macy) and David (Jeremy Northam) a lot. Wiliam H Macy gave a fine performance especially in the scene where they went hunting for hares, and in the scene where David refused him to enter the room when they were preparing for the performance. I could relate to sheriff's character so much that I felt his pain. My heart ached when I saw the sheriff crying on the hill.

I do recommend this film, it is warm and funny!

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Happy Texas

Filming Locations:

Lancaster, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$2,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,056, 3 October 1999

Gross USA:

$1,955,933

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,955,933

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marked Entertainment, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1