Connect with us


Movies

Happy Texas (1999, Steve Zahn, William H. Macy)

Published

on


On a Texas chain gang, convict Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr (Steve Zahn) picks a fight with a legendary psycho, to the dismay of their neighbour, conman Harry Sawyer (Jeremy Northam). When the van taking them to solitary confinement crashes, Wayne and Sawyer escape, hijacking a van.

Running into the local Sheriff, Chappy Dent (William H. Macy), the pair follow him to the town of Happy, Texas (‘The town without a frown’), and discover the van was owned by two gay producers hired to organise a beauty pageant. They assume the men’s identities, and construct a plan to rob the bank during the pageant.

As Harry starts to charm the bank manager (Ally Walker) Wayne unearths his hidden talent for stagecraft, to the amusement of schoolteacher Ms. Schaefer (Illeana Douglas). But as both men’s love lives improve, they feel less inclined to rob the bank, especially as the Sheriff has recently found that Sawyer’s arrival has awoken his own latent homosexuality…

‘Not one lesbian ODs in our movie,’ said the producer of his film’s tone, and that’s a fair summation. It’s neither Derek Jarman nor Nathan Lane, satirising its sexuality without demeaning its subject thanks to its leading trio. Northam’s comic talent was unknown, but in the company of Zahn (who took home a special Sundance award when the movie premiered in Aspen) he’s a revelation. Both are in the shadow of Macy, who steals another picture with his delicate and sensitive performance combining effective sentiment with comic intuition that one critic compared to Jack Lemmon in Some Like It Hot.

Advertisement

production details
USA | 98 minutes | 1999

Director: Mark Illsley
Script: Ed Stone, Mark Illsley, Phil Reeves,

cast
William H. Macy as Sheriff Chappy Dent
Ally Walker as Josephine ‘Joe’ McClintock
Illeana Douglas as Doreen Schaefer
Jeremy Northam as Harry Sawyer
Steve Zahn as Wayne Wayne Wayne Jr.
Mo Gaffney as Mrs. Bromley
Ron Perlman as Marshal Nalhober
M.C. Gainey as Robert ‘Bob’ Allen Maslow
Paul Dooley as The Judge

Advertisement

Alastair James is the editor in chief for Memorable TV. He has been involved in media since his university days. Alastair is passionate about television, and some of his favourite shows include Line of Duty, Luther and Traitors. He is always on the lookout for hot new shows, and is always keen to share his knowledge with others.

General Hospital Today General Hospital Today
News2 hours ago

General Hospital, March 29, 2024, ABC,

Friday’s episode of General Hospital airing March 29, 2024 at 2.00pm on ABC, explores the fallout from Jason Morgan’s recent...

Good Morning America Good Morning America
News2 hours ago

Sheryl Crow, Good Morning America, March 29, 2024, ABC,

On Friday, March 29, Good Morning America presents a special celebration of the 10th year of the hit Broadway musical...

Days of Our Lives Days of Our Lives
News2 hours ago

Days of Our Lives, March 29, 2024, Peacock

On Friday, March 29, in the world of Days of Our Lives, Leo Stark (Greg Rikaart) has a change of...

The Drew Barrymore Show The Drew Barrymore Show
News2 hours ago

Eugene Levy, The Drew Barrymore Show, March 29, 2024, CBS,

In the latest episode of The Drew Barrymore Show, airing on CBS on Friday, March 29, 2024 at 9:00 AM,...

CBS Mornings CBS Mornings
News2 hours ago

Diarra Kilpatrick, CBS Mornings, March 29, 2024

On Friday, March 29th, CBS Mornings will feature a special guest: Diarra Kilpatrick. Kilpatrick is not only the executive producer...

The Jennifer Hudson Show The Jennifer Hudson Show
News2 hours ago

Jenna Dewan, The Jennifer Hudson Show, March 29, 2024,

On Friday, March 29, The Jennifer Hudson Show brings viewers a delightful Spring Celebration. One of the highlights of the...

The Kelly Clarkson Show The Kelly Clarkson Show
News2 hours ago

Brittany Howard, Mayan Lopez, The Kelly Clarkson Show, March 29, 2024, NBC Syndicated

On Friday, March 29, The Kelly Clarkson Show presents an episode filled with incredible segments One of the highlights is...

LIVE with Kelly and Mark LIVE with Kelly and Mark
News2 hours ago

Andrea Riseborough, Jessica Capshaw, Live with Kelly and Mark, 29 March 2024, ABC

Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos—the hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark—welcome actress Jessica Capshaw and Alice & Jack star...

James Martin's Saturday Morning James Martin's Saturday Morning
News54 mins ago

Michaela Strachan, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, 30 March 2024, ITV1

ITV’s James Martin’s Saturday Morning is the perfect relaxed culinary companion to your weekend, airing every Saturday morning from the...

Antiques Roadshow Antiques Roadshow
News56 mins ago

Alexandra Gardens, Cardiff 3, Antiques Roadshow, 31 March 2024, BBC One

The BBC’s Antiques Roadshow visits Alexandra Gardens in Cathays Park, Cardiff, for an episode full of exciting discoveries and fascinating...

RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World RuPaul's Drag Race UK vs The World
News56 mins ago

Grand Finale, RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World, 29 March 2024, BBC Three

BBC Three’s RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs the World sees queens from the Drag Race franchise across the globe compete...

Bargain Hunt Bargain Hunt
News57 mins ago

Natasha Raskin Sharp, Bargain Hunt, 29 March 2024, BBC One

BBC One’s Bargain Hunt sees two teams compete against each other to make the most profit from buying and selling...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News58 mins ago

Chernobyl: The Full Story, 29 March 2024, Channel 5,

Powerful documentary, Chernobyl: The Full Story, narrated by Ben Fogle, airs on Friday 29 March 2024 at 10.00pm on Channel...

Channel 4 Channel 4
News1 hour ago

Travel Man: 48 Hours in Rovaniemi, 29 March 2024, Channel 4,

Join Joe Lycett and a suited-up Desiree Burch for a new episode of Travel Man as they pack their bags...

Channel 5 Channel 5
News1 hour ago

The Sewer Map of Britain, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, Friday

Prepare for an enlightening journey into the underworld on Friday 29 March 2024 at 8.00pm on Channel 5 with The...

Bargain Loving Brits Bargain Loving Brits
News1 hour ago

Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun, 29 March 2024, Channel 5, “Series 11, Episode 8”

This episode of Bargain Loving Brits in the Sun airing on Friday 29 March 2024 at 4.00pm on Channel 5,...

Popular