Anyone know anything on any of the people in the movie? How much do you want to see a reunion? ----
I love this movie!! Have for years--can't understand why it's not still in print on DVD. (Perhaps special edition will be issued with a reunion on it?!)
I haven't written it up yet (keep meaning to), but last year I made a pilgrimage to Longview to see if I could connect with anyone from the film. I'm a huge fan of HOAHB and had always wondered about the contestants myself. Unfortunately, Benny Perkins was nowhere to be found (no local or internet phone books listed him), but I DID manage to make phone contact with Janis/Don Curtis and Ronald McGowan. You will probably not believe me when I say it, but none of those three had EVER seen the film that they star in! They were vaguely aware that a film was made, but apparently SR Bindler never came back around to share the fruits of their labor, and since it was never a major Hollywood release, it seems that it's not even very well known in Longview! I could not believe it, it seems unfathomable. I'd really, really wanted to meet up with Janis and/or Ronald, but scheduling and mistrust (of a stranger out of the blue wanting to talk about a thing in their past that left somewhat of a bad taste in their mouth) prevented it from happening. I asked around 4-5 local bars to see if anyone knew Benny Perkins, (people about his age; I figured he'd be a local celebrity of sorts), but no luck there either.
If you want to see some of my photos from in/around Longview, click here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pjchmiel/tags/longview
Was Ronald McGowan the young guy who drove the VW bug? I could swear I just saw him competing on Wipeout on ABC, but maybe I am just too obsessed with HOAHB. That is so cool that you went to Longview to talk to those people...and not cool that they didn't get compensated by the filmmakers. Maybe I should rip my copy and put it online for dl; people seem to have a hard time finding it these days.
shareSince the musical was announced, the producers hired a private eye to track down most of the key contestants. From what I recall, in attendance for opening night of HOHB the Musical were: Benny, Norma, JD Drew, Angie, Kelly, Ronald, and maybe a few others. I had the chance to meet Benny Perkins last Friday night in Austin during a viewing of the doc.
shareI live close to Longview and have spent a lot of time there since it is the closest "big" town to me. It's a shame that Robert Altman died as he was looking into a movie about it. I wonder if he spent time in Longview? Maybe Paul Thomas Anderson also visited since they were good friends. PT directed some of Prarie Home Companion when Altman was sick.
Other connections:
PT Anderson listed the Kilgore Oil Museum in the credits of There Will Be Blood. Someone from Gilmer was the second assistant director on that film.
Richard Linkater's movie, Bernie, had a scene set at what I think was supposed to be a HOAHB contest, but they showed it being somewhere arounds trees/in the woods, I think. And then there is the Matthew McConaghey(sp?) connection.
All that to say - it would be nice to see a short update documentary on all the people in this film.
I would do it if someone funded it and provided the supplies/equipment.