WRITTEN BY BRIAN MCCAULEY of The Miami County Republic

Paola residents got a chance to see familiar businesses, restaurants, landmarks — even themselves — on the big screen Sunday (June 14, 2009) during three special showings of the movie “Last Ounce of Courage.”

The film, which was shot in Paola last summer, is a holiday-themed Christian movie about a small-town mayor who is fed up with the political correctness of Christmas. The lead role of Mayor Bob Revere was played by actor Marshall Teague of such films as “Armageddon” and “The Rock.”

Although the film has not yet been released to the public, Paola residents got a chance to view it early because much of the movie was filmed in their town.
Michael Wunsch, CEO of Outpost Worldwide of Lenexa, spoke before the showings, and he told the people packed into the Paola Community Center auditorium Sunday that they are the first people in the country to see the movie — and possibly the last in its current format. Wunsch, whose company produced the film, said it currently is being shopped to Sony Pictures and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), either of which could purchase the movie and do their own editing to scenes, music and other features.

“You’ll never see this same movie again,” Wunsch said.

The movie could be released to the public in theaters or on DVD in time for Christmas, according to Outpost’s Web site.

Missionaries Richard and Gina Headrick of Mississippi provided much of the funding for the movie, which was made for about $800,000, and Wunsch read a written statement from the Headricks to the Community Center crowd Sunday thanking the people of Paola for their hospitality. The couple developed the script for the movie with the help of Disney writer and director Darrell Campbell.

Movie watchers throughout the auditorium Sunday could be seen whispering to those sitting next to them during scenes that showed Paola landmarks, such as the Miami County Courthouse, Paola Park Square, El Tapatio, Miller’s Pharmacy at the corner of Pearl and Peoria streets and the Paola Community Center auditorium.

Some scenes, such as one in front of the courthouse and another in front of El Tapatio, included a number of extras, many of who were from Paola. The audience Sunday had fun pointing people out in the crowd.

Some local residents even got their name on the credits, with Crown Realty realtor Heidi Bacon being listed as a funeral attendee and biker in the movie, and Edward Jones financial adviser Curtis Long listed as a City Councilman for Mount Columbus, the fictional name of the town in the movie. Long’s office on the west side of Park Square was used as the mayor’s office in the movie.

When the final credits began to roll after the film’s emotional conclusion, the audience members in attendance Sunday erupted into applause.

Community Center Director Chad Myers, who could be seen briefly in the film in the audience of a city council meeting, was pleased with the movie and the turnout at the three shows Sunday. He’s not quite sure though if his performance will jump start an acting career.
“Too bad they don’t give awards out for the best performance of the back of someone’s head,” he said with a laugh.

More information about the movie, including a trailer, can be viewed at lastounceofcourage.com.