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:

They need pros. They're getting cons.

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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

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

Marshal Nalhober: Well I'll be dipped.

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Crazy Credits

There are two "porn credits" for Fluffer - Major Burton and Pony Boy

• Oscar Gumper. These are the first pet and maiden names of the director

and writer.

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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

References A Fish Called Wanda (1988)

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Soundtracks

After a Kiss
Performed by Pam Tillis
Written by Steven Dale Jones and Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Published by EMI April Music, Inc. / Sound Island Publishing (ASCAP)
(All rights for Sound Island Publishing
Controlled and administered by EMI April Music Inc.) /
Windswept Music / April Blue Music / Blakemore Avenue Music
(All rights obo April Blue Music / Blakemore Avenue Music
Administered by Windswept Music)
Pam Tillis appears courtesy of Arista Records, Inc.

User Reviews

Thoroughly entertaining filmette

This was not what I expected whatsoever - a thoroughly delightfully funny little film that kept me smiling for a long time after leaving the cinema.

Two small time criminals skip prison after their transportation vehicle crashes and steal a motor home - however the motor home belongs to a pair of pageant directors, and due to being accosted by the local sheriff they assume their identities.

There are several brilliant moments in this film - not the least of which being when the two find out they are supposed to be gay lovers, and that the beauty pageants are for children rather than the models they were expecting.

The local sheriff is the star of this film as he comes to terms with his sexuality in red neck land, but this was just a lot of fun all round.

Definitely a small time film, but one certainly worth watching.

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