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

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

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Goofs

There are no mountains or vineyards anywhere near Happy, Texas.

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Quotes

Josephine McClintock: The last man in that safe who didn't work here, my Daddy shot in his tracks.
Harry Sawyer: I understand that's the most painful place to be shot in.

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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

Stay
Performed by Alison Krauss
Written by Larry Byrom and Allyson Taylor
Published by Nehiamiah's Wall (BMI) / Major Bob Music Co., Inc. (ASCAP)
Alison Krauss appears courtesy of Rounder Records

User Reviews

Small Texas Town Lives Up To Its Name

Happy Texas is one of the greatest comedies you've probably never heard of. Shot in just 29 days on a shoestring budget, this film's acting, directing, script and comedic timing are so clever and incisive that it has attracted an almost cult following, especially among Steve Zahn fans.

There are plots within plots that all pull together in the end to make a perfect film. Starting with escaped convicts (Wayne Wayne Wayne played by Steve Zahn and Harry Sawyer played by Jeremy Northam) who have to hide and steal an RV belonging to two gay pageant designers, to discovering the gay lifestyle in a small Texas community (Happy), to finding love in the arms of a doe-eyed banker (Ally Walker ...sorry for the cliché, but she really does have doe-eyes), this movie hits on all aspects of life and puts a hilarious spin on them.

The greatest things about this film were Steve Zahn's acting while trying to teach pre-teen girls how to dance, and William H. Macy's stunning performance as Happy's town sheriff who comes out of the closet.

Always sharp, incredibly funny, superbly paced, this movie's small budget belies its excellent acting and directing.

Few films will tickle your funny bone as perfectly as HAPPY Texas. Watch it. Buy it. Live it!

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