Many years after its initial release as a box office failure in 1985, “ppp1” has transformed into a cult classic. The intriguing narrative revolves around a brief intersection of Hollywood, Baylor Greek Life, Steven Spielberg, the son of a university president, and the vast landscapes of Texas.
The film “Fandango” depicts the escapades of five college students seizing the moment before parting ways, with two of them facing conscription into the Vietnam War. Known as “The Groovers,” the group embarks on a journey from Austin to the Mexican border to fulfill a ritual involving burying a bottle of Dom Pérignon next to the Rio Grande. Their trip is filled with adventures like spontaneous skydiving, fireworks battles in cemeteries, and car troubles.
Kevin Reynolds, the director of “Fandango,” an alumnus of Baylor and the son of former university President Herb Reynolds, reflects on the vibrant culture that inspired the film.
Reynolds mentioned in an interview, “People may not associate Baylor with wild antics, but these characters were inspired by Baylor students. There were some wild times.”
Dr. Thomas Waggener, a close friend of Reynolds and a dentist in Waco, served as the inspiration for the character Kenneth Waggener, portrayed by Sam Robards in the movie. Waggener shared that “Fandango” is a blend of real-life experiences from Baylor and the Phi Kappa Alpha fraternity.
He recalled, “The initial idea stemmed from a trip to Mexico to procure favors for fraternity members, and from there, stories were woven together, shared, and passed down through generations.”
Waggener noted that some of the escapades of their friend group, the actual Groovers, made it into the final script of the Hollywood production. “We used to engage in bottle rocket battles in the veterans’ section at night, just like in the movie. It was real; it happened because we were in a turbulent time, at war with each other.”
Despite featuring future stars like Kevin Costner and Judd Nelson on screen, and prominent Hollywood figures behind the scenes, “Fandango” struggled to surpass $100,000 in earnings.
Following his graduation from Baylor, Reynolds pursued a career in filmmaking and enrolled at the University of Southern California. His short film “Proof,” which caught the eye of Steven Spielberg during the production of “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” paved the way for the creation of “Fandango.”
Reflecting on his interaction with Spielberg, Reynolds shared, “I sought advice from Spielberg for my debut feature, and his words were simple yet profound: ‘Just survive it.’ I will always cherish that guidance.”
Approaching its 40th anniversary, “Fandango” has experienced a resurgence, even becoming part of the curriculum in select Baylor film courses.
Dr. Zachary Sheldon, a lecturer specializing in film and digital media, screened “Fandango” in his class, emphasizing the film’s message for present-day Baylor students to appreciate the college journey.
Sheldon remarked, “College is a time of forming lasting friendships and experiencing pivotal moments. It’s crucial to cherish and value these experiences. While it’s essential to move forward, recognizing the significance of each moment is equally important.”