Actor says sharing real-life Oklahoma couple’s love story on screen is a ‘career high’
An independent filmmaker is bringing her grandparent’s love story back to life.
An independent filmmaker is bringing her grandparent’s love story back to life.
An independent filmmaker is bringing her grandparent’s love story back to life.
An independent filmmaker is bringing her grandparent’s love story back to life.
A true story that played out in Oklahoma is being recreated for the film – and it’s all happening in Shawnee where the love story began.
>> Related: Independent filmmaker telling grandparents' love story in movie being shot in Shawnee
"I was in love with it from the moment I read it," actor Ayden Layne said. "It gave me 'The Notebook' vibe, the Ryan Gosling movie. It's very romantic, very sweet. I love it."
The love story of Oklahomans Johnny and Dolores is highlighted in the short film "The Ritz." Their story began in 1950 when they eloped after seeing a midnight movie at The Ritz Theater in downtown Shawnee.
"He kind of helps them find their way through the process of eloping, you know get the car, get the witness and all that," said Layne, who plays Johnny's brother.
Layne calls the role a "career high" as he helps share the real-life couple’s ups and downs.
"Dolores’s dad was going to move away and take her away from Johnny. And the night before they were gonna leave, they escaped to Pauls Valley and got married. And they were kinda set free," Layne said.
The couple’s own granddaughter, Alexx Tarr, wrote and is now directing the film.
"It's been living as a very cool thing that happened inside my head that my grandparents would always tell me about, and I just wanted other people to see their amazing story," Tarr said.
Dolores and Johnny were together 55 years before they both died, Tarr told KOCO 5.
She plans to have a screening at The Ritz Theater in Shawnee.