TC (Teresa Laughlin, aka Teresa Kelly) was 11 when ‘Billy Jack’ was made. She played her part like a seasoned pro, far beyond her years. But her body was right on time at 11, and proved it by losing a tooth during the filming of the I Just Go Berserk scene in the soda parlor.
Tom (Dad) did what most dads do when their kids loose a tooth: he got it on film. Only in 1969 we didn’t have video, and Tom didn’t have his handy 8mm movie camera with him. But he did have an entire film crew with a real movie camera, so he set up a surprise ‘pickup shot’, didn’t tell TC what is was for, and once the camera started rolling, scared TC (yes, that’s fear on her face at first) by highlighting the missing tooth.
I found this on one of the pallets of footage I received from WB when we recovered the rights. How cute was TC?!
[NOTE: None of the outtakes have sound, not because we don’t have the sound, but because we don’t have the manpower to sync all the sound to all the outtakes. We have almost 30 hours of outtakes - everything that was printed from the shoot. Hundreds of cuts, if not thousands. We have to find the sound, match to picture, and sync. You can help us out by contributing on eBay or just making a simple donation via PayPal.]
Tom, you were absoluetly awesome as Billy Jack. I have the CD set and have enjoyed watching them so many times.
One Tin soldier still stirs my heart, 40 years later.
TC is so cute in that clip… guess dad kinda got her by surprise. lol.
Keep on keeping on, sir…. you are the warrior we need so much!
My greatest admirances…
Ronnie
I loved TC enough to search until I found this sight. Thank you Tom, for bringing her into this world, and sharing her with all of us. She is beautiful and properly reflected the innocence of the role and the times that she played in. I was there. I was a rainbow child. I was 18 then, and quite the rebel.
haha wow!! that is absolutely precious!!! this (not to mention this entire site) is such a rare treat for me, im so glad you put all this together for us fans, and by us, i mean the ones who really take these films to heart, and knowing the history behind them, we’re also taking you-the laughlin family, to our hearts as well. things like this takes away the “celebrity” and lets people know that a real family made these pictures and people can relate to that. thats a cool way to be, its the way it should be…and TC was absolutely adorable!
I too was 11 when Billy Jack first began showing in the theaters. I was mature for my age and already knew I liked girls a lot! TC stole my heart, body, and sole. Every stinking time I heard “One Tin Soldier” I almost ached thinking how lovely she was. To this day that song stirs emotions like a morning wind stirs the coals on an ashy campfire. Great memories. Thanks for the website.
I think Teresa is awesome in Billy Jack! I love when she sings the songs! I loved them so much I bought the 45 with her two songs on it. I’m only 20, but Billy jack is my favorite movie ever. I wish I could have been around to see those days!
You can… for 1:55 minutes. (The Blu-ray version is the better of the time machines)
I’m 52 years old . I was 11 when BillyJack first came out. I just watched it with my 13 and 16 year old daughters. I told them I had a crush on Teresa way back then, so they harassed me through the whole movie.
At least you had good taste, Steve.
Wow.
That is hysterical! I did look pretty terrified, didn’t I?
Wow! Hello TC! A comment from you?!?!? Wow! I am sure you know how many young boys hearts you stole?!? You stole mine for sure. I was ten when the movie came out; didn’t see it then, but when I saw it a few years later I too fell in love with you. I am happily married to my high school sweet heart, and she’s got the identical disposition as you: sweet smile, natural charm, warm heart, and everybody loves her. My wife could’ve been your double. She is my Billy Jack girl for all my life.
TC thank you from the bottom of my heart what your family did for America!!! I pray some family somewhere will bring a child in this world just like your father, your wonderful mother, Frank and all your family to SAVE this country!!!
God bless. So wonderful to see a post from you!!!!
This doesn’t need any sound. Teresa’s expressions say it all.