MovieChat Forums > Mr. Holland's Opus (1996) Discussion > The real Glenn Holland

The real Glenn Holland

posted 18 years ago by castanza
17 replies | jump to latest

I can't believe it took me 11 years to see this movie. I was/am so suprised to not be able to find a shred of information about the real Mr. Holland. I was hoping wikipedia would have some answers, but nothing. So many questions.. for example - what high school in Portland was that really at? Did the governer really come back and play? (Barbara Roberts?) or was that fiction? I just wish I could find more information on this fascinating person, and what has happened since 1995. Where is he today? I can't even find a photo of the guy?!?!?

[–] MissMargoChanning 18 years ago

Where did you get the idea that this was based on an actual person? I don`t remember ever hearing that this was a true story.
It is a wonderful story, and I think that "Mr. Holland" is , for each of us, that one teacher who made a difference.

[–] Demosthenes1 18 years ago

I guess the story seemed credible to me, also, particularly with the "American Symphony" and another piece in the credits citing his name. Like Castanza, my internet searches have not been rewarded. Anybody out there know something about this fascinating person and his work?

[–] fiveforme 18 years ago

This movie is not based on an actual person. It is fiction. The music was composed by Michael Kamen, not by anyone named Glenn Holland.

[–] jmmurphy 18 years ago

The film was in fact entitled Mr Herrick's Opus with Glen Herrick being the protagonist until Director Stephen Hereck came on board. It was changed so as to distance the character from the director.

[–] jtmine02 17 years ago

Glenn Holland was a real person, you can see a message from the real cole if you look for it, he posted in Aug 2007.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] avanderbroek-1 17 years ago

The real Glenn Holland - though that is not his actual name - was a music teacher for Hamilton High School in Hamilton, Michigan USA. He, like the movie's Mr. Holland, touched the lives of his students in so many ways and his legacy still remains in the Hamilton/Holland/Zeeland area of West Michigan.

The director of the Holland HS band actually met Mr. Dryfuss when he came to Hamilton to meet the "real" Mr. Holland and has a signed copy of the score in his office - it holds a place of pride.

[–] Ihatesleazyshows 17 years ago

My mother had a music teacher in high school named Mr Holland. She says he was exactly like he is in the movie. Probably why she loves this movie.

[–] chestr22 16 years ago

I heard this also. I grew up about 20 miles east of Hamilton, but I actually heard it was a teacher from Holland, which is where they came up with the last name Holland.
On a side note, I know that the parents and students of the school I attended were very involved in raising money to keep the music department going. In the district I live in now, which is just south of Grand Rapids, MI, I do not see the school being proactive at preserving the music department. They dont even charge a fee for concerts. At least the school I went to charged $2 a head - at least it covered the cost of the music! Schools need to smarten up, especially regarding these "extra" classes. I loved being in music as a kid, and the one thing I miss more then anything.

[–] murilo80 16 years ago

if you can't find it on google, it doesn't exist =D

cheers

"I need a quote"

[–] dwennekamp 16 years ago

Not only is this not a true story it is not even an original story. This movie has was too many similarities to "Follow Me Boys" starring Fred MacMurray and Kurt Russell. A man, Lem Siddons, wanting to be a lawyer but feels he can't leave the Boy Scouts he's leading to do so. Composer trapped in a teaching job that is helping kids. Other than the almost affair there are many similar story lines. It's the same movie right down to the tribute for the man at the end. Holland gets a concert, Siddons gets a parade. They both even have the governor, one of the first kids, arriving late.

[–] blee44 16 years ago

According to the local newspaper, the man who inspired the character of Glenn Holland was Eugene Kaza, a local musical instructor and a member of the Oregon Symphony.

http://blog.oregonlive.com/classicalmusic/2008/07/eugene_kaza_violinist_high_sch.html

I'm not sure if any of the other things (like the governor coming down to play) is true, but Mr. Kaza is the man who this movie is modeled after.

[–] jbowmore 15 years ago

Actually all the article says, is that in the town where the movie was filmed, many people believe that the character was based on the local music teacher.

That would have been true at any school such a movie was filmed at.

[–] nucleicacid5 16 years ago

*beep* I had a music teacher just like this in Jr. High, he was my music instructor from 3rd grade to 8th grade in San Francsico and Luther Burbank Middle School. I literally shed tears watching this movie because ALL the passion I saw in the Richard Dreyfuss character...that was my orchestra teacher Mr. Dobrenin...I love that man Dearly to this day...To this day I don't think he realized how much he impacted our lives...I loved it this movie...I can only watch it like once every two years...I loved playing in the orchestra...I left his program for highschool and end up never picking up the classical/jazz bass again because the highschools I went to, there programs were below mediocre...they were *beep* movie though...wonderful movie...I love you Mr. Dobrenin!

[–] carolyn38104 15 years ago

I love to think that Mr. Holland is a composite of many people.

[–] mthwfndr1 15 years ago

I tend to agree that Mr Holland is based on many different people. He is not a real person, though, and the movie is based on Disney's "Follow Me, Boys" from the 1960's.

[–] 16 years ago

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