‘Hurlyburly’ Humor Is Lost on Oxnard Officials

Like a character actor who never gets a starring role, Oxnard is forever being cast in bit parts.

Johnny Carson, for one, made the city the butt of many jokes on “The Tonight Show.”

The ignominy continues with the movie “Hurlyburly,” starring Sean Penn as Eddie, a Hollywood casting director whose life is careening out of control.

While Penn’s portrayal of the loathsome Eddie won him the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival, Oxnard continues to be typecast as a rube.

Screenwriter David Rabe, who based the movie on his Broadway play of the same name, uses Oxnard, founded 100 years ago this month, as little more than an easy laugh-getter.

In a scene featuring a strung-out Penn and his guardian angel Donna (played by Anna Paquin), Eddie says, “I know where Oxnard is.”

Donna replies with, “What’s so great about knowing where Oxnard is?”

The bit isn’t too funny with the people at the Greater Oxnard and Harbor’s Tourism Bureau, where the splendor of Oxnard is touted in a color brochure titled “Upcoast Oxnard,” as in up the coast from Los Angeles.

“We use Upcoast Oxnard so the people from the south can figure out we’re a beach town,” said Jan McGhie, administrative assistant for the tourism bureau.

Oxnard City Councilman Dean Maulhardt said the city’s name suits him just fine.

“I’m very proud of it,” he said.