Square Dance

Greetings, readers. I played Dub Mosely, the preacher in this film. I thought you might like to read a few notes about Winona, who was around 15 at the time we shot this on a sweltering summer day in Waxahatchie,Texas. I have met few young women of her age with the poise and sophistication she possessed. Working with her and Jane Alexander was truly a learning experience and a wonderful one. Although I didn't have scenes with Rob Lowe, I'm proud to have been in this film with him. His portrayal of the young violinist was astounding. I have never seen him do better work, either before or after.

Now, here's a little inside stuff. After we shot the film, Daniel Petrie, the director, found that my southern accent wasn't broad enough. He and I discussed the situation after the film was cut and I explained my thoughts as to the reason I kept the "twang" to a minimum: It was at the time of Southern preacher Jimmy Swaggart's problems with a woman of -shall we say- easy virtue, and my characterization was founded on the feeling that "sounding" like that sort of a preacher might remind the audience of Swaggart's indiscretions and they could maybe "lose their concentration" on the film and,instead, wander to thoughts of the current events of the day, making it difficult to get back into the film at hand.

Petrie had actually booked me to fly from Texas to Los Angeles to re-voice the role in the required accent. Naturally, I would do anything he wanted -he was the director and it was his film. Unfortunately I was performing in a stage production in the Houston area at the time and could not make the scheduled taping session. Another actor was flown in and the part was, indeed, re-dubbed.

Petrie didn't like what he heard, evidently, and decided to stick with my original voice and accent. As a result, what you hear is my original interpretation. Actually, you hear me more than you see me. That's my voice over the shot of the radio during the opening moments of the film. And, don't blink during the revival scene. That's your's truly at the pulpit.

I don't know if they'll let me cross-recommend here, but if you want to see more of me check out "They Still Call Me Bruce" and "Not For Publication".

I hope you enjoy "Square Dance". It is definitely worth your time and should be in your home library, if only for Winona's and Rob's portrayals.

So sorry to correct Mr. Moeller, but this was filmed in Fort Worth, Texas. I had always bragged about the Belknap Bridge on Belknap Street coming down from downtown at the end of it was where Winona got off from the bus. Then, she crossed over to the other side to the garage with the upstairs apartment where her mother lived with the boyfriend. The garage is still there, but I was sad to see the apartment knocked down. The beauty shop is still there that the mother had and the club is "The Stagecoach." This was filmed in the 2400 block of Belknap Street.

Anyone who is of the opinion that Rob Lowe comes across as being 'dull' on screen, or perhaps 'just a pretty face', should take time out to watch 'Square Dance'. His 'Golden Globe nominated performance' was justly deserved for his portrayal of the 'mentally-impaired man-child', Rory.

There are some films watched during your childhood or teenage years that have a profound effect on you and, for me, 'Square Dance' is one such film. It is nice to see it released on DVD format so promptly.

Lowe skillfully plays the role of Rory, eliciting what can only be described as an emotional reaction from myself and, I'm sure, many others who have watched this heart-warming drama. It is roles like this and his portrayal of deaf mute, Nick Andros, in Stephen King's 'The Stand' that substantiate Lowe's talent and versatility as an actor.

'Square Dance' also features Winona Ryder in her acclaimed screen debut as Gemma, a 13-year old girl tired of living in Texas with her quarrelsome grandfather (Jason Robards), and who decides to go live with her mother (Jane Alexander) in Fort Worth. Whilst there, Gemma falls in love with Rory. She also discovers some hidden truths about her mother and the father she has never met. Life in Fort Worth turns out to be not as exciting and uncomplicated as she had initially expected.

Critically acclaimed, 'Square Dance' is an emotional drama that will remain with you forever.

Matthew J Lee-Williams, Review.

Square Dance had a great cast and great acting, which helped make it's story more alive.Some parts were slow but over all it was a good movie.Throughout the movie I was impressed to see that Lowe could be a good actor.All those true Romance fans will love this one.Square Dance was also Ryder's first staring role.

Square Dance is a film short on plot, but long on character, kind of like an O'Neil work of which one of the stars here Jason Robards, Jr., is most familiar. A lot of the hopelessness of Eugene O'Neil is prominent among these people.

If there's a lesson to be learned it's that we make our life choices early and it's hard to change. Jason Robards is a hardbitten old man who has a few acres of farm land on which he raises his granddaughter Winona Ryder who is a most naive young girl having drunk fully from the teachings of the fundamentalist church they belong to.

It was her mother who after she had Ryder left home. Now however Jane Alexander is married to Guich Koock who owns a service station and has come back for Ryder.

Jane and Gooch live in Fort Worth and the relative sophistication of Fort Worth is too much for Ryder. She forms a friendship with Rob Lowe who is cast in the most offbeat role of his career, a good looking but developmentally disabled young man. He has a gift for music and plays the violin strictly by ear.

Simply what happens is that Alexander and Ryder are just too different to get along. And her relationship with Lowe ends in a near tragedy.

In his recent memoir Rob Lowe says he took the part to extend his range and show he is more than capable of being the Eighties 'It' boy as he described himself. Square Dance may have been the first time he's attempted a broadening of the range, but in the years since he's not been a teen heart throb, he's met a number of acting challenges successfully.

Ryder was all innocence and shine in Square Dance which was her breakthrough part as well. In fact the whole ensemble performed well in this most unknown of Rob Lowe films.