Just when you thought 2020 couldn’t get any stranger and wackier…Here it is, the NEW movie with Tom Green and Les Stroud: Interviewing Monsters and Bigfoot! And maybe it’s just the movie we need right now! I recently watched the final film edit for the first time after downloading it on Amazon Prime. https://geni.us/INTERVIEWINGMONSTERS
So Happy Birthday, movie!
Pastor Evans, played by Jeff Evans from Park Hills, Missouri runs for his life.
The comedy Interviewing Monsters and Bigfoot was released worldwide on Oct. 6, 2020. The film was shot and produced right here in the 573—Cape, Perryville, Farmington, Fredericktown, Ironton, and Jackson, using mostly local cast and crew.
The Canadian duo comprised of Tom Green (Road Trip, Charlie’s Angels, Freddy Got Fingered, “The Tom Green Podcast”) and Les Stroud (“Survivorman,” “Beyond Survival,” 100 Days: Yukon) star in a delightfully twisted narrative about a dysfunctional protagonist, building into a shocker of an ending.
Bryan Kruetz from St. Louis, Missouri as Larry Thrunklemann & David Graham from St. Louis, Missouri as Wildman Jackson, a local Bigfoot coming out on live TV. Filmed at Rosa Theater on SEMO Campus in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
It follows by-the-book forest ranger Billy Teal, a man dead set on preventing Cory Mathis from discovering the truth about the Mark Twain forest. Mathis, a professor, claims Bigfoot killed his wife. Now he has one goal: revenge. He partners up with a team of misfits to capture the creature, but Ranger Teal, a covert government agency and his partner-in-crime, a serial hoaxer (Rick Dyer), have other plans. The film also stars Jessi Combs, Tera Eckerle, Stacy Brown Jr., and AJ Koehler.
Filmed at various locations in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Autos provided by Denny Motors. Auto stunt driving by Jessi Combs. A special thanks out to the City of Cape Girardeau and all the Police who took part in the film and closed streets down for the car chase.
Jessi Combs as a fire fighter who witnesses a Bigfoot encounter, races through the film in an epic police chase!
It was amazing to watch things roll out on set and it was totally refreshing to see all the different communities and people work together like this. Wow!
Les Stroud as Professor Cory Mathis and Tom Green as Ranger Billy Teal. Filmed at Mineral Area College in Park Hills, Missouri.
Filmed in Missouri, the film capitalizes on the beautiful scenery and locations, not unlike the work of the Coen brothers.
Filmed at Olympic Steak House in Fredericktown, Missouri. Micheal King and William Hamblin from Cape Girardeau, Missouri as the crazy Shinehuff Brothers.
Filmed at Crown Valley Winery in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. Rick Dyer, infamous Bigfoot hoaxer and Lexi Candy, AJ Koehler from Sedgewickville, Missouri.
While Covid-19 dashed the film’s theatrical release this year (although it may be coming to your favorite drive-in), it’s currently available for purchase on streaming platforms like Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, YouTube, Fandango, Xfinity, Hoopla, Vudu and the other usual suspects. Eventually, you’ll be able to enjoy it through Redbox, Walmart, and Netflix.
Filmed at Perryville, Missouri Airport. Tom Green as Ranger Billy Teal and Scott Dunn as FBI Agent Jones from St. Louis, Missouri.
Ranger Bobby Teal played by Quinn Strong from Cape Girardeau with brother Billy.
Lexi Candy, played by AJ Koehler from Sedgewickville, Missouri fights with Gloria.
Wow! That was brutal! Speaking of which, check out this awesome behind the scenes look at an epic take down with me kicking butt doing my my own stunts as I sack Bigfoot Hunter Fran Andersen played by Stacy Brown Jr.!
It really did look good on camera! So much so director, Tom Smugala made a compilation of me kicking Fran's butt over and over again...Enjoy! #LUIHA
It’s not for the faint of heart, either! It has its fair share of grossness and gore.
Riddled with potty humor, silliness, and the director’s propensity to lean right into every college film class list of “no-no’s” (half the character names start with the letter “C”), this film thumbs its nose at anyone taking themselves too seriously. It pokes fun at politics, people, and political correctness. It’s not for the faint of heart, either! It has its fair share of grossness and gore.
Filmed at the Off-Sets at Mine La Mont, Missouri. Danielle Doyen from Columbia, Missouri as Mrs. Mathis and Roy Ward from Poplar Bluff, Missouri as Biggy Fries Bigfoot. They make a cute couple:)
Speaking of cute couples, check out this exclusive interview with Biggy Fries Bigfoot and wife Cocoa Puff, a biracial Bigfoot couple speaking out on forestemic racism.
There was so much good stuff, a lot of funny scenes ended up getting cut from the final film. Here's a few that didn't quite make it in, or were cut way down. With so much hilarious stuff like this, I'm glad I'm not the one who had to choose!
The imagery in the film is fantastic.
Gloria, Tera Ecklere from Columbia, goes fishing with her Uncle Bobby, played by Quinn Strong from Cape Girardeau. Filmed at The Off-sets outside Mine La Mont.
Fran, Lexi and Professor Mathis spend the night in the Madison County Jail in Missouri.
From left to right: Skully Shemwell from Jackson, Missouri as James. Stacy Brown Jr. from Tallahassee, Florida as Fran Andersen. Brian Kowalski from St. Louis, Missouri as Casey Mathis. AJ Koehler from Sedgewickville, Missouri as Lexi Candy.
...this film thumbs its nose at anyone taking themselves too seriously. It pokes fun at politics, people, and political correctness.
It tips its hat at all the ridiculously great makings of our favorite raunchy films like cleavage of all types—but sorry, no nudity! Filmed in Missouri, the film capitalizes on the beautiful scenery, not unlike the work of the Coen brothers.
Carla and Cory go camping and accidentally bump into the creature. Filmed at The Dragon Fly Inn at Ironton, Missouri.
And long before my insane friend and director, Thomas Smugala, pulled me in to write three songs for the movie, he created a character named Lexi.
AJ Koehler as Lexi Candy and Tera Eckerle as Gloria Teal along with an over exhausted crew get a little delirious around 4AM creating this now iconic blooper.
And long before my insane friend and director, Thomas Smugala, pulled me in to write three songs for the movie, he created a character named Lexi. This adds to the confusion, but only for those who know me. Wackiness abounded, and I ended up acting (let’s use that term loosely) alongside Tom Green as his middle-aged little sister who is a bit of a case of arrested development (a real stretch for me, huh). BTW, I ended up putting some 12 or so original songs in the film.
AJ Koehler from Sedgewickville, Missouri and Trace Jessup from Cape Girardeau, Missouri as married couple, Rainey and John Ferris, tell their account of running into a Bigfoot in the woods.
That's me, playing Sissy Teal, Ranger Billy Teal's dysfunctional little sister—singin' in the weeds somewhere in Missouri.
Working with Tom Green was a hoot! That's me playing his sister, Sissy. Filmed at the Dragon Fly Inn at Ironton, Missouri.
Thomas told me he made this film because he missed laughing so hard that his sides hurt. I don’t know about you, but I agree with him. I can’t think of the last time I watched or heard something so funny it hurt to laugh.
Jackson, Missouri police officers use their lunch hour to stand-in for a scene with David Wassilik as Agent Smith.
Tera Eckerle from Columbia, Missouri as Gloria Teal and Lisa Edwards from Cape Girardeau, Missouri as the Jeanie the waitress (Ranger Billy's pregnant mistress). Filmed at the Olympic Steakhouse in Fredericktown, Missouri.
Pastor Evans played by Jeff Evans from Park Hills, Missouri has a little too much fun on Friday night. Filmed at Fredericktown, Missouri.
David Wassillik as Agent Smith, from St. Louis, Missouri, Sally Shinkle the College Dean from Ironton, Missouri, and Rob Evans from St. Peters, Missouri as a Board Member with Ranger Teal and Professor Mathis. Filmed at First State Community Bank in Farmington, Missouri.
We all need to laugh again, and I love his new hashtag for the film: #LUIHA. Thomas told me he made this film because he missed laughing so hard that his sides hurt. I don’t know about you, but I agree with him. I can’t think of the last time I watched or heard something so funny it hurt to laugh.
We all need to laugh again, and I love his new hashtag for the film: #LUIHA.
There’s a scene in the film that’s so funny I laughed until I almost #%&@*^ myself—my sides hurt, but I won’t spoil it. I just have to say that the hashtag (#LUIHA) he came up with is simply brilliant. And the director purposely installed 99 Hollywood cliches and Hollywood “Don’ts” into the film. Have fun finding those!
Survivorman Les Stroud was great to work with on set! He's here working with another talented local actor by the name of Cody Griggs from Jackson, Missouri. It's a great scene.
Paster Evans from Park Hills, Missouri got busted again by Amanda Carpenter from Cape Girardeau, Missouri as Officer Candy. With his lady of the night played by the talented and hilarious Stephanie Sheren of Puxico, Missouri.
And the director purposely installed 99 Hollywood cliches and Hollywood “Don’ts” into the film. Have fun finding those!
Secret Agent Lady played by Jennifer Gast from Cape Girardeau using all her talent to lure Cory (Les Stroud) into her web. A super funny scene.
Our little SuperStar Elise Edwards from Cape Girardeau, Missouri played a lead role as Cassie Mathis—the only adult in the room. She's giving Uncle, Ranger Billy Teal what for!
I bet all these little towns appreciate the money being spent locally on things like cast, crew, locations, craft services...
Here's Ranger Billy Teal shooting at his arch enemy Fran Andersen.
Stacy Brown Jr. from Tallahassee, Florida makes a great bad guy!
So if you like Tom Green (yeah, that one), Jessie Combs (“MythBusters” and “Overhaulin’”), Les Stroud (“Survivor Man”), Rick Dyer (a real-life Bigfoot hoaxer) Stacy Brown Jr. (a reality star Bigfoot hunter), music by Ben Freidman of the Cigar Store Indians and Lexi Street (me), you might enjoy yourself!
Filmed at The Dragon Fly Inn at Ironton, Missouri. Two of Cory Mathis' henchmen, Lilly and Jamal played by local actress, Grace Trokey and Las Vegas comedian, Sillyman Chris Monroe.
So this fall or this weekend, I would love it if you purchased or rented a copy of this future cult classic and did NOT try to enjoy it with your small children. It’s way too inappropriate for that. BUT if you have kids in college, definitely share with them! You might be able to score some “cool points” with them.
Use this link to watch this amazing film on iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Youtube, Xfinity, Hoopla, YUDU, Fandango, AppleTV, Redbox,... https://geni.us/INTERVIEWINGMONSTERS
That's me, all dolled up as Sissy Teal I live in Jacksonville, Florida..
Funnyman David Graham from St. Louis, Missouri getting furred up as Bigfoot. The make up crew spent hours getting our Bigfoots ready for filming.
Did I mention the gang at Motion Dog Films are busy making a new feature film shooting in the 573. They will be shooting in Cape, Farmington, Jackson,...and using as many local cast and crew as possible. The NEW film is a thriller titled Two Heads. And yes, I have a role in it as well. I will be playing a snarky newspaper reporter—I can't wait.
I'll keep you updated on that one. It's going to be something unique and fresh.
Stacy Brown Jr. from Tallahassee, Florida as legendary Bigfoot hunter, Fran Anderson. Filmed at The Off-sets at Mine La Mont, Missouri.
Did I mention the gang at Motion Dog Films are busy making a new feature film shooting in the 573.
I think it's cool how this group is managing to produce films outside of Hollywood that are low budget, but look and act like big Hollywood budget films. I bet all these little towns appreciate the money being spent locally on things like cast, crew, locations, craft services... The director tells me that none of this could happen without the support of so many of the local towns and businesses. A special kiss out to ALL who helped bring this thing ALIVE!
You can learn more about the film and the cool people who made it at:
#LUIHA (Oops, almost forgot the hashtag!) Laugh Until It Hurts Again!
Special thanks to our distributors— Level 33 Entertainment, APL Films and Cardinal XD Films. Keep up the great work!
by Lexi Street -AKA Sissy
573 Magazine
Learn more about “sexy” Lexi Street at www.lexistreet.com
