Short Takes

Its title might seem to require the expertise of Navajo code talkers but that's only because the following wouldn't fit on the marquee: "HOLE-LEE HOE-ZAY!!! WE'VE GOT DERN NEAR AN HOUR OF FOOTAGE OF HALF-BLASTED OKLAHOMA YAY-HOOS CATCHIN' 45-POUND CATFISH WITH THEIR BARE HANDS!!!" Documentarian Bradley Beesley, being a local boy, shows genuine, yet winking affection for this staggeringly obscure pastime -- inexplicably illegal in all but about four states. His redneck reverence, if you will, no doubt greased the wheels of noodlers' normally intense secrecy, making wade-alongs possible with David Bagget, his ever-shirtless uncle "Red" and the king daddy of all bottom feelers: "Catfish" Jerry Rider. Think grow'd men rassling behemoth fishies is a hoot? Well, just wait til the crowning of the Okie Noodling Queen! (2001, 57 mins, Fullframe, DD 2.0, Director/producer commentary, Deleted scenes, Three isolated tracks by The Flaming Lips: "The Southern Oklahoma Cosmic Trigger Contest," "Noodling Theme [Epic Sunset Mix #5]" and "At the Fish Fry and the Bigot's Drunk.")