Independence Day
Cast & Crew
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Robert Mandel
Director
Noble Willingham
Scott Simpson
Donovan R Sparhawk
Ronald Riner
Mary Ann Smith
Film Details
Also Known As
Follow Your Dreams
MPAA Rating
Genre
Drama
Release Date
1982
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 50m
Synopsis
Director
Robert Mandel
Director
Cast
Noble Willingham
Scott Simpson
Donovan R Sparhawk
Ronald Riner
Mary Ann Smith
Josef Sommer
Richard Farnsworth
Brooke Alderson
Bunny Summers
David Keith
Kenneth E Reynolds
Jeff Polk
Lane Simpson
Kathleen Quinlan
Adrienne Hampton
Lance Gordon
Hurschel G Dunn
Buz Sawyer
Cliff De Young
Judith Brown
Zachary Deloach
Susan Ruttan
David Dunard
Cheryl Rainbeaux Smith
Kenny Studer
Bert Remsen
Bruce Flanders
Dianne Wiest
Mack Jones
Glenn E Gray
Frances Sternhagen
Steve Whipple
Don Slatton
Lauryl Kays
Jacky Martin
Crew
Herb Adelman
Assistant Director
Dick Alexander
Sound
Susan Arnold
Casting
Wayne Artman
Sound
Bobby Bass
Stunts
Tom Beckert
Sound
Charles Bernstein
Music
Charles Bernstein
Song
Daniel H. Blatt
Producer
Lisa Bloomfield
Photography
Rick Borchardt
Key Grip
Willie Burton
Sound
Dick Butler
Stunts
W Stewart Campbell
Production Designer
Gary Combs
Stunts
Eddy Donno
Stunts
John M. Elliott Jr.
Makeup
Alan Greedy
Script Supervisor
Ronald Heilman
Costumes
Linda Henrikson
Costumes
Michael Hilkene
Sound Editor
Tina Hirsch
Editor
Alice Hoffman
Screenplay
Phyllis Huffman
Casting
David R Israel
Location Manager
Gary Jensen
Stunts
Gary Jensen
Stunt Coordinator
Howard Jensen
Special Effects
Ann Kindberg
Unit Production Manager
Joseph John Kontra
Assistant Director
Nicolette Larson
Song Performer
Sam Lorenzo
Property Master
Mary Mcglone
Assistant Editor
William Meshover
Assistant Editor
Jim Messina
Other
Jim Messina
Song Performer
Jim Messina
Song
George R. Nelson
Set Decorator
Ron Phillips
Photography
Sandy Robertson
Stunts
Charles Rosher Jr.
Director Of Photography
Charles Rosher Jr.
Other
Glynn Rubin
Stunts
Cheri Ruff
Hair
Robert Singer
Producer
Jerry Sobul
Assistant Director
Dennis Virkler
Editor
Julie Weiss
Costume Designer
Jim Wilkey
Stunts
Dick Ziker
Stunts
Film Details
Also Known As
Follow Your Dreams
MPAA Rating
Genre
Drama
Release Date
1982
Technical Specs
Duration
1h 50m
Articles
Noble Willingham (1931-2004)
Born on August 31, 1931 in Mineola, Texas, Willingham was educated at North Texas State University where he earned a degree in Economics. He later taught government and economics at a high school in Houston, leaving his life-long dreams of becoming an actor on hold until the opportunity presented itself. Such an opportunity happened when in late 1970, Peter Bogdonovich was doing some on-location shooting in south Texas for The Last Picture Show (1971); at the urging of some friends, he audition and won a small role in the picture. From there, Willingham slowly began to find work in some prominent films, including Bogdonovich's Paper Moon (1973), and Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974). Around this time, Willingham kept busy with many guest appearances on a variety of popular shows: Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Waltons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rockford Files and several others.
Critics didn't take notice of his acting abilities until he landed the role of Leroy Mason, the soulless plant manager who stares down Sally Field in Norma Rae (1979). Few could forget him screaming at her, "Lady, I want you off the premises now!" with unapologetic malice. It may have not been a likable character, but after this stint, better roles came along, most notably the corrupt Dr. Fenster in Robert Redford's prison drama Brubaker (1980); and the evil sheriff in the thriller The Howling (1981).
By the late '80s, Willingham was an in-demand character actor, and he scored in three hit films: a border patrol sergeant - a great straight man to Cheech Marin - in the ethnic comedy Born in East L.A.; his wonderfully avuncular performance as General Taylor, the military brass who was sympathetic to an unorthodox disc jockey in Saigon, played by Robin Williams in Good Morning, Vietnam (both 1987); and his good 'ole boy villainy in the Rutger Hauer action flick Blind Fury (1988). His performances in these films proved that if nothing else, Willingham was a solid backup player who was adept at both comedy and drama.
His best remembered role will no doubt be his six year run as the genial barkeep C.D. Parker opposite Chuck Norris in the popular adventure series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-99). However, film reviewers raved over his tortured performance as a foul-mouthed, bigoted boat salesman who suffers a traffic downfall in the little seen, but searing indie drama The Corndog Man (1998); the role earned Willingham a nomination for Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards and it showed that this ably supporting performer had enough charisma and talent to hold his own in a lead role.
In 2000, Willingham tried his hand at politics when he unsuccessfully tried to unseat Democrat Max Dandlin in a congressional campaign in east Texas. After the experience, Willingham returned to acting filming Blind Horizon with Val Kilmer in 2003. The movie is to be released later this year. Willingham is survived by his wife, Patti Ross Willingham; a son, John Ross McGlohen; two daughters, Stari Willingham and Meghan McGlohen; and a grandson.
by Michael T. Toole
Noble Willingham (1931-2004)
Noble Willingham, the gruffly voiced character actor best known for his role as saloon owner C.D. Parker on Chuck Norris' long-running series Walker, Texas Ranger, died of natural causes on January 17th at his Palm Springs home. He was 72.
Born on August 31, 1931 in Mineola, Texas, Willingham was educated at North Texas State University where he earned a degree in Economics. He later taught government and economics at a high school in Houston, leaving his life-long dreams of becoming an actor on hold until the opportunity presented itself. Such an opportunity happened when in late 1970, Peter Bogdonovich was doing some on-location shooting in south Texas for The Last Picture Show (1971); at the urging of some friends, he audition and won a small role in the picture. From there, Willingham slowly began to find work in some prominent films, including Bogdonovich's Paper Moon (1973), and Roman Polanski's Chinatown (1974). Around this time, Willingham kept busy with many guest appearances on a variety of popular shows: Bonanza, Gunsmoke, The Waltons, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, The Rockford Files and several others.
Critics didn't take notice of his acting abilities until he landed the role of Leroy Mason, the soulless plant manager who stares down Sally Field in Norma Rae (1979). Few could forget him screaming at her, "Lady, I want you off the premises now!" with unapologetic malice. It may have not been a likable character, but after this stint, better roles came along, most notably the corrupt Dr. Fenster in Robert Redford's prison drama Brubaker (1980); and the evil sheriff in the thriller The Howling (1981).
By the late '80s, Willingham was an in-demand character actor, and he scored in three hit films: a border patrol sergeant - a great straight man to Cheech Marin - in the ethnic comedy Born in East L.A.; his wonderfully avuncular performance as General Taylor, the military brass who was sympathetic to an unorthodox disc jockey in Saigon, played by Robin Williams in Good Morning, Vietnam (both 1987); and his good 'ole boy villainy in the Rutger Hauer action flick Blind Fury (1988). His performances in these films proved that if nothing else, Willingham was a solid backup player who was adept at both comedy and drama.
His best remembered role will no doubt be his six year run as the genial barkeep C.D. Parker opposite Chuck Norris in the popular adventure series Walker, Texas Ranger (1993-99). However, film reviewers raved over his tortured performance as a foul-mouthed, bigoted boat salesman who suffers a traffic downfall in the little seen, but searing indie drama The Corndog Man (1998); the role earned Willingham a nomination for Best Actor at the Independent Spirit Awards and it showed that this ably supporting performer had enough charisma and talent to hold his own in a lead role.
In 2000, Willingham tried his hand at politics when he unsuccessfully tried to unseat Democrat Max Dandlin in a congressional campaign in east Texas. After the experience, Willingham returned to acting filming Blind Horizon with Val Kilmer in 2003. The movie is to be released later this year. Willingham is survived by his wife, Patti Ross Willingham; a son, John Ross McGlohen; two daughters, Stari Willingham and Meghan McGlohen; and a grandson.
by Michael T. Toole
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Miscellaneous Notes
Released in United States Fall October 15, 1982
Released in United States on Video January 29, 1992
Released in United States on Video January 29, 1992
Released in United States Fall October 15, 1982