Happy, Texas (1999)

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... See full summary »

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:

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

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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

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

3 December 1999 (UK)

Also Known As:

Happy Texas - Iloiset veikot

Filming Locations:

Lancaster, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$1,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,056, 3 October 1999, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$1,943,649, 19 December 1999

Company Credits

Production Co:

Marked Entertainment, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

With the exception of a few scenes, the film was shot entirely on location in Piru, California.

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Goofs

After signing for the money at the bank, Harry and Wayne walk along the street looking for a car to steal. The first car on the corner is a 4-door Volvo Sedan. Wayne tries the door and it is locked so they move along to the next car. The shot changes to the next car and in the background you can see a man open the door of a domestic pick-up truck where the Volvo was in the last shot.

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Quotes

Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.: The Light IS GREEN!

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Crazy Credits

Halfway through the credits we see the real beauty pageant experts calling their insurance company to report the theft of their van.

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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 The 2000 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards (2000)

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Soundtracks

Are You Happy Baby
Performed by Lee Roy Parnell with Keb' Mo'
Written by Lee Roy Parnell and Gary Nicholson
Published by Universal-Songs of PolyGram International, Inc. /
Lee Roy Parnell Music (BMI)
(All rights obo Lee Roy Parnell Music controlled and administered
by Universal - Songs of PolyGram International, Inc.) /
Gary Nicholson Music (Adm. by MRB)
Lee Roy Parnell appears courty of Arista Records, Inc.
Keb Mo appears courtesy of OKEH/550 Music

User Reviews

Title of film describes it; funnier than many big-budget flicks

I saw this film recently, for the second time, with a friend who hadn't seen it before.

It has a solid cast, with roles all well-played, and all who are just a bit shy of being on Hollywood's "A" list - but not because of any lacking talent or appeal.

There are a lot of previous comments here, so I would just add that it is a thoroughly enjoyable film, all the characters likable (even the couple of "bad" guys, in their own way).

You are completely aware of the basic ending of the story from the outset, and can pretty well guess most of the exact details as it moves along. However, this isn't meant to be suspenseful, and, as a quiet, modestly-budgeted presentation, it outdoes most of the "A-list," super-budget extravaganzas by a mile.