Pensacola fans of 'The Outsiders' can watch with "Ponyboy' himself, C. Thomas Howell

C. Thomas Howell has delivered great lines before, having appeared in numerous films and televisions ranging from one of the most celebrated films ever, "E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial," to later successful projects such as "Red Dawn," "Grandview, U.S.A." and many more.

But it is Howell's halcyon recitation, as the beloved greaser Ponyboy Curtis, of Robert Frost's poem "Nothing Gold Can Stay" in the 1983 Francis Ford Coppola film that might be his most beloved and touching moment. In the film adapted from S.E. Hinton's coming-of-age novel, Ponyboy recites the poem to his doomed chum Johnny Cade (Ralph Macchio). The poem is an ode to innocence and youthful beauty and their inevitable collapse. The aching scene when Johnny, on his deathbed, tells Howell's "Ponyboy" to "stay gold, Ponyboy. Stay gold," has become one of the most beloved moments from one of America's most beloved modern films.

"You know, I'm so proud to have been part of that and fortunate to work with such an epic director like Francis," Howell said during a short phone interview from his home in Nashville. "There's a trust that he builds with his team. Filmmaking is the ultimate team sport. I mean it you really are only as strong as your weakest link when it comes to filmmaking and as an actor, you're just a small instrument in this orchestra of artists."

This month, Pensacola fans of "The Outsiders" and Howell can attend a special screening of the film with the actor.

"The Outsiders" screening with Howell in attendance starts at 6:30 p.m. April 26 at American Legion Post 33, 1401 E. Intendencia St. The screening and a question-and-answer session with the actor/musician will precede the musical performance of Howell, who is an Americana-styled country music songwriter and performer. He will perform an acoustic show with a few of his band members following the screening.

"I haven't spent a lot of time in Pensacola, but we were there once and went to the beach and hung out and had lunch," Howell said. "I think it's a beautiful place. I'm going to be able to spend a full day off before the gig down there, so I'm looking forward to it."

"The Outsiders" focuses on the class struggles between two groups of teenagers ‒ the "greasers" and the more affluent "socs" ‒ in 1960s Oklahoma.

The film was a springboard for numerous young actors and future stars including Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Rob Lowe as well as Macchio and Howell, most of whom were teens when the movie was shot.

"What an iconic cast," said Howell, now 57. Still, he said much of the film's success is attributed to Hinton's source material, the bulk of which was written when she was 16 ‒ the same age as Howell during filming of "The Outsiders."

"You know, it's required reading in about 75% of the schools across America and I'd say probably 75% of those students see the film afterward. There's an 'Outsiders' musical on Broadway that's a smash hit right now. People just really connect with this piece. Whatever side of the tracks you're from, it's got a character that everyone can relate to whether you're a Dallas Winston fan (Dillon) or Ponyboy fan or whatever."

The bond between "The Outsiders" and its fans is personal, Howell said.

"I've seen a million 'Stay Gold' tattoos and many people have come up to me and shared some really intense and personal stories about how, you know, they watched the movie with their father who passed away, and while he was in chemo they would watch it together. There are endless stories like that."

Howell, who goes by "Tommy" by the way, said the recent series of "Outsider" screenings and Q-and-A sessions, which started in March with three sold-out performances in Oklahoma, has been eye opening.

"I'm constantly amazed at how the film still affects so many people,'' he said. "We started doing these screenings and weren't really sure what we were getting into at first, but we've been using the platform to reach out to the younger kids and try to inspire them to understand the importance of reading and writing and the value of literacy when it comes to the arts."

Howell picked up music during the COVID pandemic, learned a few chords, stitched some world-weary words together and wrote some songs. He recently released a gorgeous single, "Take the Reins," which will appear on his sophomore album, a follow-up to his "American Storyteller" debut.

"I've always loved musicians and admired them and gravitated toward them," Howell said, noting Merle Haggard, Waylon, Willie and Johnny and their "outlaw" ilk as inspirations.

Howell, the son of a Hollywood stuntman/professional bull rider and who was also a rodeo performer, has also felt drawn to the deepest of the country storytellers.

"Those guys were able to touch so many people through their deeply personal work," he said. "It's just universal and relatable for so many people. It taught me a lot, really, and whether I'm acting or on stage as a singer, there's a thread that's common in both and that is just finding that truthful space. People know whether you're faking so you have to be centered and speaking from your heart. I think my years as an actor has made me a better performer on stage and my short singing career has made me a better actor."

The Howell and "Outsiders" event is presented by Pensacola's Chris Wilkes and his Gumshoe Presents media agency, which books events in the area. He booked many events there in the early 2000s and is a friend of post commander Nicole Dickson.

Previously: See and hear 'Ponyboy' at Pensacola screening of "The Outsiders" American Legion fundraiser

"When I saw how much she has accomplished as the new commander, I immediately want to help and get involved in any way I could. I wanted my first event there in almost 20 years to not just be a rock show or a punk show, but something with cultural relevance to the community at large."

American Legion Post 33 is Pensacola's oldest American Legion post, having started in 1919.

In late December 2019 a teen was injured in a shooting at the Post parking lot during a non-Legion event. The next month, the national American Legion suspended Post 33's charter.

The group, under new leadership, petitioned the national body to restore the Post's charter and the national organization agreed after a year's probation. Since then, the post building, a Spanish-revival style structure built for Post 33 in 1939, has been given a new roof and facelift, and membership has increased, Dickson said.

"This is a big deal,'' she said. "(Howell) will be our first celebrity since our resurgence. It's pretty exciting."

The film event with Howell kicks off a three-day resurgence celebration at Post 33.

On April 27, a day after film screening, Post 33 will screen a series of World War II films for a veterans-themed casual movie night. The event begins at 7 p.m.

Post 33 will also host its first "Frank Marston Day of Recognition" at 5 p.m. on April 28. That gala event will honor community partners, fellow legions and individuals who have supported Post 33. The event will feature food and drink from area sponsors and supporters such as J's Bakery, Nothing Bundt Cake, Pineapple Express, Buffalo Rock, Conchita's Catering and Craft Bakery. Tickets are $33 and available on Eventbrite. For more information go to www.post33.org.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola American Legion hosts C. Thomas 'Tommy' Howell