Get Happy

2008
25m

IMDb RATING

YOUR RATING

Get Happy is a coming of age musical extravaganza about a child raised by his mother and grandmother who allowed him to express himself in a most unconventional way. This documentary include... Read allGet Happy is a coming of age musical extravaganza about a child raised by his mother and grandmother who allowed him to express himself in a most unconventional way. This documentary includes actual footage of Mark Payne as a childhood performer. By age 13 Mark was working with m... Read allGet Happy is a coming of age musical extravaganza about a child raised by his mother and grandmother who allowed him to express himself in a most unconventional way. This documentary includes actual footage of Mark Payne as a childhood performer. By age 13 Mark was working with many luminaries including Bob Hope and Milton Berle! Early in his life, Mark designed cloth... Read all

Director
- Mark Payne
Writers
- Elizabeth MacKenzie
- Mark Payne
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.0/10

YOUR RATING

Director
- Mark Payne
Writers
- Elizabeth MacKenzie
- Mark Payne
Stars

See production info at IMDbPro

Awards
- 9 wins total

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Get Happy

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User reviews2

7.015

Featured reviews

10dlschapman

Very inspiring!! FANTASTIC

I can't say enough about Get Happy. Just what a doc should be. Something one doesn't know much about and at the end are more interested that you imagined. You can't make up this kind of story! The family is fascinating. Mark's grandmother and mother are hero's! The story has universal appeal. I saw it in Arkansas with a very conservative straight audience and people were riveted. Every parent should see this film and they should show it in schools. I noticed it has won many awards. It should be nominated for an Academy Award it is that good. A great look at the maturing of an artist who had support and understanding from his mom and grandmother. It left you wanting more!!!

10adam_world

Wow!

I don't want to say too much about Get Happy other than to see it if you have the chance.

The initial grainy footage of a drag queen performing a Judy Garland tune had me ready to dismiss this film entirely, I just didn't expect the sheer magic that followed. What I assumed to be an adult was a 12 year old boy performing spot on impersonations of Liza Minelli, Judy Garland, Barbara Streisand and, well, you just have to see this movie.

While the story of Mark Payne is incredible, what is doubly inspiring is the way in which the adults in his life chose to embrace his eccentricities instead of trying to straighten him out. This short documentary deserved the audience award it received at the 19th Annual Inside Out Toronto LGBT Film and Video Festival.

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Trivia
This short film was originally a birthday tribute put together for Mark Payne's 40th. Encouraged by several industry people in LA it became the short film it is today. It has won Best Audience award at all film festival's it has screened at and Jury award as well in Chicago.