Delight at finding ‘Gary’s sling blade’
Sling Blade” is one of my favorite movies, simply because of the excellent portrayal of the main character, Karl, by native Arkansan, Billy Bob Thornton. I have long admired the actor’s work, but his portrayal of Karl was nothing short of spectacular. Not only did he write the screenplay and direct the movie but he also starred as the “limited” man with the big heart trying to get back into society after being incarcerated in a mental hospital for 25 years. Thornton drew on his experience from temporary work at a rest home to enable him to transform his entire body language until he became Karl. The slumpshouldered hulking stance … the alignment of his lower jaw … the nervous tics … the timbre of his voice … the ending of every brief sentence with the nervous utterance, “Mmmm-hmmm.” He won the Oscar for best writing/screenplay in 1997 but I thought he should have won for Best Actor, as well. Karl’s approach to the walk-up window at the Benton drive-in to get French-fried “p’taters” is an unforgettable memory from a remarkable film.
The movie was filmed in and around Benton, Arkansas, only 18 miles from where we live. I visit this growing city often–to attend movies … to shop … to eat at its restaurants … to see doctors and I write for its newspaper, The Saline County Courier.
Through feedback from my column, I feel I know many of the area citizens.
It was on a return trip from visiting family in Sheridan that I happened to discover this little jewel of a drive-in diner I am writing about today. Taking Highway 35 and turning left after Vine Street (This street sign is pictured in the film) and just before the overpass is a small old-fashioned diner on the left whose name always intrigued me, “Gary’s Sling Blade.” I had always been in too big a hurry to stop until a recent afternoon.
Those who read my column know I dwell on my nostalgic past— growing up in the '50s. I love everything about the era: its music; its cars; its establishments – especially the oldtime diner/drive-ins we teenagers haunted.
Wherever you live, I figure at one time or another you probably travel Interstate 30. Benton/Bryant are neighboring cities in Saline County just west of Little Rock. If you are hungry, take a few minutes to leave the freeway to seek out Gary’s “Sling Blade” in Benton. Oh, I know there are chain drive-ins along the highway. But, while their ingredients come in on a truck from area warehouses, everything you eat at Gary’s “Sling Blade,” including the vegetable condiments, are fresh. It’s an oldfashioned “Mom and Pop” operation, the likes of which are hard to find in this new century. I’ve heard it’s difficult to keep a restaurant’s popularity long-lasting in changing times. The Huckaby’s, the current owners, and those before them have managed to maintain its customer-friendly popularity throughout the years. Many new restaurants have copied the '50s decor, but this place is the real thing. Regardless of where you live, most of you will remember such a place as this old diner.
Parking out front, I stared at the walkup front window and pictured Karl’s awkward stance as he waited for his "p’taters." Opening the door, I was greeted by familiar smells and '50s music. I met Mr. Huckaby sitting in his mechanized scooter. On the right were several booths and in front was a serving counter with red plastic topped stools. The inside ordering window was to my left and I was amazed at the extended menu … burgers in three sizes … cold sandwiches and plate dinners. A basket on the counter held fried pies in all flavors, even chocolate.
Mrs. Huckaby stepped to the window and took my take-out order: two cheeseburgers “all the way” and French fries. In the kitchen behind her were three helpers. One cooked at the grill and sliced fresh sweet onion and tomato. Mr. Huckaby told me he had to get his tomatoes from a Tennessee farmer this time of year, but tasting them, they were akin to Bradley County tomatoes in June. While waiting, I watched Mrs. Huckaby prepare a cone of soft ice cream piled high with a curl on top. Another lady was mixing malts, shakes and soft drinks. The smells revived old memories and I turned back to the main room. Through a ghostly dream I could picture a young me with my boyfriend in one of those booths, heads bent over milk shakes as we listened to music from an old Wurlitzer juke box playing “Since I don’t Have You” by The Skyliner’s. My name was called, ending the reverie and I reached for the heavy brown sack that held my order and went on my way.
At home, my husband and I enjoyed inch-high burgers that tasted like those we remembered from our past. And the huge bag of fries? They “wuz good p’taters. Mmmm-hmmm!” just as Karl had said.
When next traveling through Benton, take the time to search out this place that everyone knows … it will be wellworth your time. And, when you arrive, you will be able to sing along with Karen Carpenter: “When I was young … those were such happy times … how I’d wondered where they’d gone … but they’re back again just like a long lost friend … It’s yesterday once more.”
Brenda Miles is an award winning columnist and author living in Hot Springs Village and she responds to all e-mail at brenstar@ att.net.