'Joyful' Food Fight Fun at Howard's

Have you ever been to Howard’s Restaurant in Pacashau, Ga.?

Hollywood has, well only it was Smyrna’s own , where Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton and the entire 150-plus person “Joyful Noise’’ film crew gathered last winter to shoot a food fight scene.

In the movie that opens Friday, Latifah plays a choral director of a struggling little church in Pacashau, Ga., and butts heads with the flamboyant character that Parton plays. Several reviewers including this one have been most receptive to the fun new gospel musical that was filmed around the metro Atlanta area.

The movie is being heavily promoted and the massive food fight scene with the two stars, including Latifah wearing a Howard’s apron, has been featured. Owner Bobby Martin closed his restaurant for much of the final week on February last year so the scene could be filmed.

“It felt like a circus had come to town, times ten!” at the time said Martin, who along with his wife Sandra own the friendly restaurant that’s been a city mainstay since 1964.

This Sunday when the restaurant is normally closed, the Martins along with almost 100 of their closest family members and friends, plan to attend a screening of the movie at Regal Austell Stadium 22 located at 2480 East-West Connector Road.

Last February, Martin invited family, friends and staff to be among the 65 extras utilized during the big scene, including close friend Mayor Max Bacon, who played a satisfied Howard’s customer. Martin himself played the part of a customer, while his two daughters were a cashier and a hostess.

“We’ve seen all the trailers, so we’re looking forward to it,’’ Martin said this week. “It was such a blast. It’s amazing to see how many people are involved with something like that. Dolly was the nicest person you’d ever want to meet and Queen’s wearing the Howard’s apron. It was great.”