Last Night at the Alamo
Encyclopedia
Last Night at the Alamo is a 1983
American
black-and-white
independent film
directed and co-produced by Eagle Pennell
, written and co-produced by Kim Henkel
and starring Sonny Carl Davis and Lou Perryman
.
in Houston, Texas
. On the eve of its demolition, the regular patrons gather to reminisce and discuss the future. Cowboy Regan (Davis) tries a last ditch effort to save the place by contacting his former college roommate who is now a powerful politician.
. The Southwest Alternate Media Project in Houston provided free office space and film equipment. Production began in May 1982 at an old bar in East Houston and lasted for three and one-half weeks. The bar where the film was shot was still in business so daily shooting had to finish by 4 p.m. It is believed that Henkel finished the film as Pennell was having issues with alcohol and drugs and quit showing up.
in 1983 and received mostly good reviews. The movie then played the USA Film Festival
in 1984. It won the Special Jury Prize: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival
. Last Night at the Alamo started distribution in a limited commercial release in July 1984.
1983 in film
-Events:*February 11 - The Rolling Stones concert film Let's Spend the Night Together opens in New York*May 25 - Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi, the final film in the original Star Wars trilogy, is released. Like the previous films, it goes on to become the top grossing picture of...
American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
black-and-white
Black-and-white
Black-and-white, often abbreviated B/W or B&W, is a term referring to a number of monochrome forms in visual arts.Black-and-white as a description is also something of a misnomer, for in addition to black and white, most of these media included varying shades of gray...
independent film
Independent film
An independent film, or indie film, is a professional film production resulting in a feature film that is produced mostly or completely outside of the major film studio system. In addition to being produced and distributed by independent entertainment companies, independent films are also produced...
directed and co-produced by Eagle Pennell
Eagle Pennell
Eagle Pennell was an American independent filmmaker. His film The Whole Shootin' Match is often credited with inspiring Robert Redford to start the Sundance Institute....
, written and co-produced by Kim Henkel
Kim Henkel
Kim Henkel is an American screenwriter, director and producer.Henkel was born in Virginia and grew up in several small towns in South Texas. He started at the University of Texas at Austin in 1964 majoring in English and graduated in 1969...
and starring Sonny Carl Davis and Lou Perryman
Lou Perryman
Louis Byron "Lou" Perryman , also known as Lou Perry, was an American character actor. He acted in a number of small roles both on television and in films such as The Blues Brothers, Poltergeist, Boys Don't Cry and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.He was a film crew member on the original Texas...
.
Plot
"The Alamo" is a dive barDive bar
A dive bar is a type of bar or pub. Dive bars generally have a relaxed and informal atmosphere—they are often referred to by local residents as "neighborhood bars," where people in the neighborhood gather to drink and socialize...
in Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
. On the eve of its demolition, the regular patrons gather to reminisce and discuss the future. Cowboy Regan (Davis) tries a last ditch effort to save the place by contacting his former college roommate who is now a powerful politician.
Production
Pennell received a $25,000 grant from the National Endowment for the ArtsNational Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
. The Southwest Alternate Media Project in Houston provided free office space and film equipment. Production began in May 1982 at an old bar in East Houston and lasted for three and one-half weeks. The bar where the film was shot was still in business so daily shooting had to finish by 4 p.m. It is believed that Henkel finished the film as Pennell was having issues with alcohol and drugs and quit showing up.
Release
The film was shown at the New York Film FestivalNew York Film Festival
The New York Film Festival has been a major film festival since it began in 1963 in New York. The films are selected by the Film Society of Lincoln Center...
in 1983 and received mostly good reviews. The movie then played the USA Film Festival
USA Film Festival
-History:Founded in 1971, the USA Film Festival has presented the world, national and regional premieres of thousands of studio and independent feature films and short experimental, animated, documentary and dramatic films....
in 1984. It won the Special Jury Prize: Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is a film festival that takes place annually in Utah, in the United States. It is the largest independent cinema festival in the United States. Held in January in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Ogden, as well as at the Sundance Resort, the festival is a showcase for new...
. Last Night at the Alamo started distribution in a limited commercial release in July 1984.