Friday, May 17, local author Donna Morgan held a movie screening at Cook’s Main Stage in downtown Whitesboro for the film adaptation of her children’s book, “The Furry Fortune.”
Morgan, who lives in Sadler and has a merchant booth inside Cook’s Main Street Mercantile in Whitesboro, was excited to show the full-length feature film on a 15-foot movie screen with surround sound.
Ticket prices were just $5 per person, which ultimately went to the Whitesboro Elementary Parent Teacher Organization (PTO).
“I really wanted to share this movie with the community while also benefiting local kids,” Morgan said. “The PTO seemed like a great fit.”
The movie, in which Morgan plays a role, follows the story of a set of twins who discover their beloved pet dog is shedding money. When their evil neighbor kidnaps the money-making canine, the kids must work together to save their pet -- and their family.
The audience in attendance ranged in age from infant to senior citizen, which is exactly who Morgan was targeting with this film.
“We need more family-friendly movies, films that encourage kids to hold onto their childhood a little longer,” Morgan said. “There’s something for everybody in this movie. There’s something for kids, there’s something for mom and dad… And there’s adventure. I mean, lots of adventure.”
Prior to showtime, Morgan gave a brief presentation to the audience telling a little about the filming process. She seemed most excited to talk about canine actor Henry (who plays Nuzzles the dog), a rescue pup turned movie star. She explained the whole movie (whose cast includes Sean Whalen [“Twister”], Paula Jai Parker [“Friday”] and JuJu Journey Brener [“Hocus Pocus 2”]) was filmed in just two weeks.
“We had an incredible team,” Morgan said. “They were great to work with. We’re really proud of the final product.”
“The Furry Fortune” can be streamed on The Roku Channel and Hoopla or rented/purchased from Amazon.com, Google Play, YouTube and Apple TV.
The book can be purchased on Amazon.com.
Morgan’s second published book, “The Square Tree,” is currently in production as a two-dimensional animated film set to release later this year.