When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (2003)

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas.

Director:

John Schultz

Writers:

John Schultz (written for the screen by), Kimberly Willis Holt (novel)

Stars:

Jonathan Lipnicki, Cody Linley, Jesse Pennington

1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Jonathan Lipnicki	...	Toby
Cody Linley	...	Cal
Jesse Pennington	...	Wayne
Jane Krakowski	...	Heather
Eric Stoltz	...	Otto
Kevin Corrigan	...	Paulie (as Kevin Fitzgerald Corrigan)
Sarah Whalen	...	Sally in the Pick-up
Louanne Stephens	...	Earline
Hudson Lee Long	...	Wylie Womack (as Hudson Long)
Lou Perryman	...	Ferris
Brady Coleman	...	Sheriff
Kathleen Lancaster	...	Kate McKnight
Amanda Alch	...	Scarlet
Joanna McCray	...	Tara
David Little	...	Thoughtful farmer

Storyline

Zachary Beaver, a sideshow attraction known as the world's fattest boy, arrives in the sleepy town of Granger, Texas.

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Plot Keywords:

sideshow | obesity | friendship between boys | fat boy | based on novel | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Family

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some thematic elements and language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Shooting started on 23 September 2002 and wrapped up by 04 November 2002. However, the film wasn't released until 2005 as it spent much of 2003 and 2004 on the film festival circuit.

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Goofs

When arguing with his dad after the wake, Toby is wearing brown pants, but when he walks off he is wearing blue jeans.

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Connections

Featured in Troldspejlet: Episode #36.4 (2006)

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Soundtracks

Le Nozze Di Figaro
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by St. Petersburg Festival Symphony Orchestra
Provided by Megatrax Production Music / Unlimited Classics

User Reviews

Ward, I Think There's Something Wrong with the Beaver

Twelve-year-old Texas friends Jonathan Lipnicki (as Toby Wilson) and Cody Linley (as Cal McKnight) react like you might expect when "World's Fattest Boy," 443-pound Sasha Neulinger (as Zachary Beaver), comes to visit their Texas town. There are guffaws, groans, and grins - but, the three lads become pals. Mr. Lipnicki's mother leaves town to become a country music star, Mr. Linley's older brother joins the army, Mr. Neulinger's guardian disappears, and the three lads learn how friendship can help heal loss...

Based on an award-winning children's novel by Kimberly Willis Holt, "When Zachary Beaver Came to Town" gets lost in the translation to motion picture. You can tell, however, there was a good story somewhere. The best storyline involves Linley's war-bound brother. The worst is may be Neulinger's baptism with a fat suit. There are intriguing but unrealized possibilities in wayward characters, like Lipnicki's mother (Jane Krakowski) and Neulinger's guardian (Kevin Corrigan). The book had to be better.

**** When Zachary Beaver Came to Town (10/9/03) John Schultz ~ Jonathan Lipnicki, Cody Linley, Sasha Neulinger, Eric Stoltz

Details

Official Sites:

Echo Bridge Entertainment [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 October 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

When Zachary Beaver Came to Town

Filming Locations:

Coupland, Texas, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$3,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Revere Pictures, Zachary

Technical Specs

Runtime:

85 min

Color:

Color