Addition of Eric Roberts completes lineup for Great River Film Festival on Oct. 4-8

QUINCY — The lineup of guest stars is complete for the second annual Great River Film Festival, scheduled for Oct. 4-8 at Town and Country Suites, 110 N. 54th.

The event will showcase the likes of Eric Roberts, Patrick Wayne, Jon Provost, Kim Lankford, Trina Parks, Rebecca Holden, Ruta Lee, Caryn Richman and Allen Kayser.

The festival is a non-profit event, with proceeds to be donated to local arts and/or educational organizations, according to directors Mike Marx and O.C. Latta of Hannibal, Mo.

“We’re very happy with this lineup,” Marx said. “It all came together pretty well.”

Both Marx and Latta credited the Quincy Area Convention and Visitors Bureau and director Holly Cain for assistance in helping pull the festival together.

“We’re hoping to draw at least 500 to this,” Latta said.

Marx and Latta have been longtime partners in coordinating such events. Marx, a Hannibal native, spent three decades working as a publicist in Hollywood. When he retired, he moved back to Hannibal. His Hollywood contacts have proved invaluable in putting together events such as this.

Marx’s first big break as a publicist for the stars came when he landed a job at what was the largest public relations firm in the entertainment business — Rogers, Cowan and Brenner Inc.

“They had offices in Beverly Hills, New York, London, Rome and Madrid … and represented some of the biggest names in the business,” Marx said.

At different points in his career, Marx also found himself representing some of the marquee acts in rock and country music such as Deep Purple, the Statler Brothers, Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings.

Marx and friend Latta 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. Tickets for an Oct. 7 banquet featuring the attending stars are $30.

Marx and Latta were pleased to secure Roberts for this year’s festival. The brother of film star Julia Roberts has appeared in a record 725 films, almost 300 more than any other actor/actress, according to the collider.com website.

Roberts, 67, has been nominated for one Academy Award (“Runaway Train,” 1985) and three Golden Globe Awards.

Provost, 73, was the star of the “Lassie” TV series.

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.” 

Lee, 87, appeared in a number of feature films, including 1954’s “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” film. 

Richman, 67, starred in “The New Gidget” series that was part of the network TV lineup in 1965-66.

Holden, 65, was one of the co-stars in the “Knight Rider” (1982-86) series.

Kayser, 59, is best known for his work on “Mama’s Family” (1983-84).

Lankford, 68, is best known for her role of Ginger Ward on the highly acclaimed “Knots Landing,” which ran 1979-93 on CBS.

Parks, 75, portrayed “Thumper” in the 1971 James Bond film, “Diamonds Are Forever.”

Films will be shown 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 5-7 during the festival. For more information about the festival, email mikemarx@att.net. Tickets and information are available at 217-242-2505. Tickets will be available at the door.