Chandler Frantz and Robert DeNiro at the end of a long filming session on location in Stamford, CT on May 28, 2008. Photo by S.C. Frantz

MUNCY – Spend the last day of February at the movies in Muncy. The local Ritz Theatre will be showing a special film, Everybody’s Fine on Sunday, February 28 and Thursday, March 4. What makes this film so special is the fact that one of its leading actors is an eleven year old boy, Chandler Frantz, whose grandparents lived and worked in Muncy. The late Clarence and Alma Frantz owned Frantz Plumbing and Heating Service in Muncy.

In the movie, Everybody’s Fine, Young Frantz is co-starring with Robert DeNiro, Drew Barrymore and Kate Beckinsale. Chandler Frantz portrays DeNiro’s young son, David in a heart warming story about a traveling man intent on reconnecting with his grown children.

In real life, he is the son of Stephen and Veronica Frantz, who helped Chandler begin his acting career at the young age of five doing commercials. They replied to a newspaper ad from an agency requesting children for a TV commercial in 2004.

Chandler always knew he wanted to be a professional actor, according to his father, Dr. Frantz. The family lives in Springfield, but they traveled to Stamford, Connecticut and New York City where the movie was made two years ago. The Frantz’s have been working with the Abrams Agency, a bi-coastal, national talent agency that helps Chandler with his auditions and connects him personally with Hollywood producers.

“It’s really amazing to watch your child bring up so much emotion take after take for a scene,” said Dr. Frantz. He often has to learn many pages of dialogue, and he is committed to do this to the best of his ability said his family.

Young Actor, Chandler Frantz, whose grandparents were from Muncy, is seen being fitted for a bicycle that he rode in a street scene with DeNiro in NYC. According to his father, Stephen Frantz, the studio staff took very good care of his son at all times.

Chandler is home-schooled by his mother, Veronica. He is your average young American boy. He likes to hike in the woods, walk his dog, play with neighborhood children and do his assigned household chores. Despite his upcoming fame, his parents feel it is important that Chandler doesn’t lose sight of his school work or his family and friends back home.

“It was great to go with our family and see the movie together because we could be more relaxed and really enjoy Chandler’s performance,” said Stephen Frantz. “I am hoping that some of my classmates from Muncy (he graduated from Muncy High School in 1961) will go and see the film, not only because of my son, but because it is a wonderful family film. It doesn’t have your typical violence or intense action,” he added. The Miramax film has been playing for quite some time in Europe where it has been very popular. Paul McCartney wrote the Golden Globe-nominated original song for Everybody’s Fine.

Chandler, who has performed in three major films in less than two years, is currently working on another movie with Renee Zellweger titled “My Own Love Song” from Independent Films. He said he likes coming to Muncy and visiting his cousin, Anna Blanche’s farm. He is planning another visit to Muncy with his family in May.

Show times at the Ritz Theatre in Muncy will be at 1 p.m.and 6:30 p.m. The Meck Senior Center has reserved the theatre also on Thursday, March 4 at 1 p.m. for anyone who would like to see it then. For more information and to view the trailer, visit the Ritz Theatre’s website at www.ritztheatremuncy.com/