‘Frozen Stupid’ premiere set
June 08, 2006
Although temperatures will be high, Houghton Lake will be “Frozen Stupid” during the world premiere of the film at the Pines Theater Aug. 18.
Writer/Director Rich Brauer of Traverse City announced this week that the ice fishing comedy will make its debut at the Houghton Lake landmark. Brauer, along with several cast and crew members, will be on hand opening night.
Brauer also said DVDs of the film, complete with a behind the scenes featurette, trailer and “some other fun things,” will be on sale for $20. He said he plans to contribute a portion of the DVD sales to a Houghton Lake charity.
Filming of the movie started in early January and wrapped in early February after the crew spent several weeks filming on and around Houghton Lake. Scenes were filmed during the Tip-up Town, U.S.A. parade, at the Kilkare Inn, on the ice in front of Comfort Suites Lakeside and other Houghton Lake locations. Additionally, many extras from the area were used in making the film.
“The extra list is the longest I’ve ever seen,” Brauer told the Resorter in May. “We had a great time. I can’t wait to show it to the community.”
The film recounts the trials and tribulations of an ice fisherman, Tony Norgard, played by Joey Albright, who feigns illness to duck out of his mother-in-law’s birthday party to enjoy a quiet day of ice fishing. It’s not long before his prevarication becomes a series of calamitous events all in the pursuit of the “big pike.”
The film also stars Ernest Borgnine, who plays Tony’s father and fishing companion Frank.
Tony’s wife, Lila, is played by Michelle Mountain, who besides being featured in the Jeff Daniels’ film “Super Sucker,” Brauer’s film “Barn Red,” has appeared in several stage productions at the Purple Rose Theatre, the Performance Network and at Meadow Brook.
The part of Tony’s ice fishing companion, Stormy, was played by Kimberly Norris Guerrero, who was featured in the movies “Hidalgo” and “Barn Red.” Her appearances on television include “Seinfeld,” “Northern Exposure,” “The Sopranos” and “Walker, Texas Ranger.”