Great River Film Festival returning to Quincy in October after four-year absence

QUINCY — The Great River Film Festival will return to Quincy later this year.

“Many of the people who attended the first one all let us know how how much they enjoyed it, so we decided to do it again,” said Mike Marx, a Northeast Missouri resident and former Hollywood talent agent.

The initial festival, featuring about a dozen former movie and TV stars as guests, was held in 2019. The pandemic of 2020 and post-pandemic complications that limited public gatherings forced Marx and his associates to postpone any further attempt at such a convention until this year.

The second Great River event is scheduled for Oct. 5-7 at Town & Country Inn and Suites, 110 N. 54th.

Marx, 80, who worked from 1969-99 in Hollywood, said he developed close relationships with numerous major stars, including Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Dean Martin. 

“We want to provide another event the region will enjoy,” said Marx, who with friend O.C. Latta helps coordinate the non-profit Hannibal (Mo.) Entertainment Group, the organization behind the festival.

The $20 daily and $45 weekend tickets for the festival help cover the plane fares and lodging expenses for the stars taking part in the festival.

Marx says he has confirmations this year from Patrick Wayne, Kim Lankford, Rebecca Holden, Nancy Stafford and Trina Parks. He expects a lineup of about 20 former stars.

Wayne, 83, a son of legendary film star John Wayne, was a guest at the 2019 festival in Quincy. Among his major movie credits are “The Searchers,” “McLintock!” and “The Green Berets.” He appeared in more than 40 films, retiring in 2003.

Parks, 75, is best known for her role as “Thumper” in the 1971 James Bond film “Diamonds Are Forever.”

Lankford, 68, is best known for her role of Ginger Ward on “Knots Landing.” Stafford, 68, portrayed Michelle Thomas on “Matlock” and played Joan Halloran on “St. Elsewhere.” She was named Miss Florida in 1976.

All film and TV stars will be signing autographs free of charge. 

Marx recently authored “Hollywood Snapshots,” a book about his years in Hollywood. 

Marx appeared in the original “Thomas Crown Affair” movie in 1968 that starred McQueen. Marx said McQueen was probably his “favorite contact” during the time he spent in Hollywood.

Marx is also working in cooperation with the Quincy Visitors and Convention Bureau. He helped coordinate a similar event for 38 years in Winston-Salem, N.C., before moving it closer to his hometown.

“An event like this is also a great draw for local tourism, allowing fans to rub elbows with some of their favorite performers from the past,” Marx said.

For more information about the festival, contact Marx at 217-242-2505.