DPA Sponsors Event Featuring Locally Made Grade B Movies

On Thursday, October 19, The Dallas Producers Association (DPA) will present It Came From Dallas 2:  The Films That Drove Drive-Ins To Extinction, a film festival of Grade B movies and commercials filmed in the Dallas area.  I had an opportunity to talk to Bob Dauber, who organized the event for DPA, and film historian Gordon K. Smith, who selected the films to be shown.

"DPA was founded in 1978," explained Mr. Dauber, who is the last remaining co-founder of the organization.  "It was formed as a collation of film and video producers, although it also counts among its ranks associate members from every phase of the film industry."  The purpose of the DPA was to form a community forum and address specific issues facing the film industry.

It was soon proven that there was more power in many working together toward a common goal—the DPA negotiated with the State Comptroller's Office to exempt the film industry in Texas from the State Sales Tax.  "DPA shares information, acts as a crisis forum, and holds monthly meetings for its membership," adds Mr. Dauber.  "There are also mixers, and the highly popular Independent Filmmakers Lounge—where Film Professionals exhibit their work followed by a Question and Answer session."  The DPA now boasts of 145 members.

The DPA was also instrumental in the formation of the Texas Motion Picture Alliance (TXMPA).  Texas used to be a hotbed of film production—due to its inexpensive labor pool and a solid infrastructure of crew, facility, and location.  However, Louisiana and New Mexico began offer incentives for film companies to move production to their states.  Consequently, the film version of the hit TV series "Dallas" is not being shot in Texas.

The Texas State legislature passed an incentive bill but it was never funded.  The TXMPA is now working closely with Bob Hudgins, the Texas Film Commissioner to improve this situation.  Mr. Hudgins is eager to assist and the TXMPA is optimistic of a turnaround regarding this serious situation.

The conversation then turned to the It Came From Dallas 2 event.  I asked Mr. Smith how he first developed an interest in what he terms "Grade B/Exploitation Pictures."  "I've enjoyed these types of films all my life," he responded.  "Science Fiction, Horror, the 'Outer Limits' series—I grew up with them."  As the years passed, he learned more about them while writing synopsis of films for Blockbuster Videos.  He made "mental notes" of different films that seemed interesting, read books on the genre, and joined film societies.

Mr. Smith learned which films were made in Dallas.  In 1994, he produced a TV show in Ft. Lauderdale devoted to the genre—and featured one made in Dallas, The Giant Gila Monster (which was featured in last year's DPA event It Came to Dallas.)  He began lecturing on these films at Dallas Summer Film and Video Institute and the Dallas Video Festival.

He believes that the secret in these films' appeal are similar to why any kind of cult film is enjoyed—they are a bonding experience for its fans.  Watching a Grade B film takes its audience back to when they first watched these films on TV and/or at the Drive-In.  What makes a Grade B move enjoyable and not just a horrible bore?  "Three things," Mr. Smith explained.  "The high 'camp' value of watching a film with old-fashioned values and dialogue; the historical value of viewing famous locations as they appeared several years ago; and the fact that these films feature then unknown people (both in front of and behind the camera) who eventually became well-known."

It Came From Dallas 2 serves many purposes.  It raises funds for the DPA. The event calls attention to the Dallas Film Infrastructure.  Everybody knows that the films Bonnie and Clyde, The Last Picture Show and JFK were made in Dallas, but there were countless others.  And last, it is a way to spotlight people who are long overdue for recognition.  This year, the Festival will honor John Agar—who made four B movies back-to-back in Dallas but has never received his proper acknowledgment from the Dallas film community.

DPA will attempt to have these special events on an annual basis and will continue to act as an advocate for the Film Industry in Dallas and Texas as technology continues to change.

It Came From Dallas 2 will be held at the Studio Movie Grill in Addison on October 19, 2006 at 7:00 PM.  For more information, please visit the DPA website.

For more information on the Texas Motion Picture Alliance, see their website.

Headshot:  John Agar

To post a comment, you must register and login.