PRO WRESTLER "ROWDY" RODDY PIPER STARS IN CHICAGO FILM "FANCYPANTS"
Starring an Ex-Con and Maywood Resident the Award-winning "Fancypants" Premieres this September in Chicago
Chicago, Ill. (August 2011) — How does a wrestler with only one fan left end his career? Wrestling legend and cult icon, Roddy Piper and actor Robert Carradine ("Revenge of the Nerds") have comedic roles as blow-by-blow commentators in the movie, "Fancypants" (www.FancypantsMovie.com). The film premieres in Chicago Thursday, September 29, 2011, 7:00 p.m. at AMC River East, 322 East Illinois Street.
the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/Watch?v=xpl4qnyUezM
"Fancypants", produced by Chicago's Humble Pie Films, is the story of wrestling legend, "Leo the Blue Lion" who is near the end of his career. Afraid of conflict in his real life, Leo, played by ex-con and Maywood, IL resident Patrick Gleason, soon finds out he has only one fan left, an 8-year old boy who hides a secret that will change Leo's life forever. The film is packed with between-the-rings action that leads to a climactic fight between "Leo" and his fiercest opponent yet.. It's a story of redemption both for Gleason, who was released early from house arrest for filming, and his character, Leo.
The movie's unlikely star is ex-convict Patrick Gleason, a childhood friend of Jim Andre, Director of Photography for "Fancypants". He served 15 years in Illinois prisons for the attempted murder of a policeman and a bouncer outside a bar in suburban Stone Park in 1989.
Gleason plays the role of "Leo the Blue Lion" a legendary professional wrestler who finds redemption in the faith of his last true fan, an 8-year old boy, played by Wilmette, IL resident, Jackson Dunn. To prepare for the role, Gleason trained with the masked Mexican wrestling group Lucha Libre.
The film screened in April at the Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida where it took the top honor of Best Feature. "The movie is a comedy/drama with heart; a tale of redemption," says producer Daniel Hanson. "The character bashes heads in the ring but is afraid of old ladies in the supermarket!"
The film was shot in Chicago and features historic landmarks such as the Congress Theater, Bohemian National Cemetery and Michael Reese Hospital. It includes appearances by actor/comedian, Richard Kind ("Mad About You"; "Spin City") and Nick Turturro ("NYPD Blue").
Tickets for the premiere of "Fancypants" go on sale at 10:00 a.m. September 1, 2011 at http://fancypants.eventbrite.com with limited availability.
About Humble Pie Films
Located in Chicago, IL, Humble Pie Films is a new, passionate production company with experienced people in the entertainment industry. It formed for one reason – to produce feature films with the highest standard of excellence on small scale, independent budgets. The company believes that big budgets do not make great films … great stories do. It looks for the best stories and takes the necessary time to develop projects that stand on their own. http://www.humblepiefilms.com
