World premiere of John Grisham’s
‘A Painted House’ will be at ASU

The world premiere of the film “A Painted House,” by John Grisham, will be held April 14 on the Arkansas State University campus in Jonesboro. Dr. Les Wyatt, president of ASU, announced the premiere Wednesday morning, along with plans for related events during the special evening of entertainment.

The premiere showing will begin at 8 p.m. in Riceland Hall of Fowler Center, preceded by Grisham’s remarks.

Proceeds from the premiere and associated events will be directed to an endowment fund for the doctoral program in heritage studies.  The program, under the direction of Dr. Clyde Milner, began in the fall of 2001.

Grisham himself asked that the screening be held at ASU.  Born in Jonesboro, Grisham spent his earliest years in northeast Arkansas including the Black Oak area, where the story of “A Painted House” is set. He was guest speaker for ASU’s Spring Commencement ceremony in May of 2000.

A major part of the film was shot in Lepanto (Poinsett County) and Clarkedale (Crittenden County), further enhancing regional public interest in Grisham’s story.

            The Hallmark Hall of Fame production of “A Painted House” will be aired nationally April 27 on CBS.

            Grisham’s status as one of America’s most popular authors is evidenced by the autograph tour for his latest book, “King of Torts.”  His first book was “A Time to Kill,” but his fame and popularity did not soar until after he published “The Firm,” which also was adapted for screen play.

            “The Pelican Brief” and “The Client” further confirmed Grisham’s “reputation as the master of the legal thriller,” according to Random House Inc., his publisher. 

“A Painted House” represents a sharp departure from the genre for which he became famous.

Random House describes the book as “the story of a seven-year-old farm boy, Luke Chandler, who lives in the cotton fields with his parents and grandparents in a house that’s never been painted.  The Chandlers farm 80 acres that they rent and when the cotton is ready they hire a truckload of Mexicans and a family from the Ozarks to help harvest it. . . . It is a moving story of a boy’s journey from innocence to experience.”

For information about reserving seats for the dinner or the premiere, contact the ASU Office of University Advancement at 870-972-3942 or (toll free) 888-225-8343. (3-06-03 UPDATE . . . THE PREMIERE IS SOLD OUT, BUT SOME DINNER TICKETS REMAIN AVAILABLE AT $1,000 EACH)

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Notes to News Media:
Photographs are available on request: Dr. Wyatt making the announcement, and Dr. Wyatt with representatives of the Heritage Studies program.  

A chart listing available premiere and dinner options is available on request. 

Additional information and graphics from the film will be distributed by Hallmark Hall of Fame.

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