Vintage Clapperboard, Film Slate, Clap Board – early Lou Diamond Phillips

Filmed in Texas, this is a fourth take production clapperboard for the film “Dakota”. The clapperboard retains the date from its last use during production June 25th [6 25] of 1987, well before the lead (Phillips) became a star. This film was released on 2 Dec 1988 and stars the Emmy & Golden Globe nominated actor LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS and the Oscar-nominated actor JOHN HAWKES. The film was directed by FRED HOLMES with James Wrenn on camera and was written and produced by members of the Kuntz family under the umbrella of NAMRON LTD.

 

LOU DIAMOND PHILLIPS as “John Dakota”. Nominated for two Emmy’s for “Conversations in L.A.” (2017) and “The Crossroads of History” (2016), Phillips also has a Golden Globe nomination for his work in “Stand and Deliver” (1988) and a Blockbuster Entertainment Award for “Courage Under Fire” (1996). He is a well-known actor who has starred in many movies and TV series including: “Young Guns”, “La Bamba”, “Stand and Deliver”, “Courage Under Fire” & “Longmire”. 

JOHN HAWKES as “Rooster.” Hawkes is an Oscar-nominated (“Winter’s Bone”) and Golden Globe (“The Sessions”) nominated actor. He has the respect of his peers being nominated 4 times by the Screen Actors’ Guild for his work on “Winter’s Bone,” “The Sessions,” “American Gangster,” & “Deadwood.” He won also the SGA Award with the cast of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.” 

FRED HOLMES later became known for his directing work on many well-known children’s TV shows. He directed many of the “Barney” shows and also directed “Wishbone”.

NAMRON LTD is listed as the producer on the clapperboard. They were the umbrella company for Kuntz Bros. and Kidspeak. The credited producers are Frank & Darryl Kuntz as executive producers, Sandra Kuntz as co-producer and Lou Diamond Phillips as associate producer. Darryl and Sara Lynn Kuntz have the writing credits.

Measuring app. 11” x 8.5”, this clapperboard is constructed of pressed wood and a metal hinged wooden clap stick. Some tape and Velcro are present, two pieces of Velcro saying “MOSSYNC” are attached. General production wear, notably to bottom right which appears to have been taped up during production, some scuffs, paint wear on edges, screw mounting hole on bottom clap stick. Content on the clapperboard is as follows:

Tape on back with illegible word[s] and the number 4 written in pen.

Storyline: 

John Dakota is young bum with a hidden past. He meets a nice family and works on their ranch. He soon becomes a good friend of the disabled son and helps them overcome local problems.

This is a rare artifact from one of the first productions of Lou Diamond Phillip’s and John Hawkes’ outstanding careers.