'Fox' news

A new documentary takes a fascinating (if not entirely genuine) look at the Tulsa eccentric known as "Biker Fox."

Frank P. DeLarzelere III—otherwise known to Tulsans as “Biker Fox”—is a character, in the sense that it’s said as likely with an air of amazement as a whiff of derision. Part Richard Simmons, part Timothy Treadwell, with a pinch of shade-tree mechanic, DeLarzelere has earned the scorn of the Tulsa Police Department and many a commuter for his road-hogging, obnoxious antics during his ritualistic South Tulsa biking excursions, and the ire of others for his flamboyant personality, one that slips between inspirational fitness guru to fawning nature lover to crazed caveman to introspective philosopher, sometimes within minutes.

Now DeLarzelere is the subject of a new film, titled “Biker Fox,” filmed over the course of the late ‘aughts by director Jeremy Lamberton as well as DeLarzelere himself. “Biker Fox” takes us into Frank’s world as he ruffles the feathers of his customers who call in from all over to buy his refurbished car parts. They generally find the proprietor prickly, making the transaction more difficult than necessary. His surrounding cast of characters includes a deaf assistant who helps him pick the salvaged parts. And there’s the swath of wildlife that DeLarzelere encourages to swarm the property, from coyotes to an army of raccoons. DeLarzelere is convinced he can hand-feed (and commune with) the animals. Instead, he is bitten repeatedly, and the animals snarl at him. A surreal night-vision shot of the raccoons’ glowing eyes floating in the darkness in multitudes, waiting for the next hand out, is one of many memorable moments that “Biker Fox” captures in the unique life of its namesake anti-hero.

From the film, you get why some people hate him. His now-defunct website used to host dozens of pictures of DeLarzelere posing in crotch-gripping Spandex bike shorts with very young, attractive girls, with that big, shit-eating grin on his face. He’s outright combative with drivers who take umbrage with his use of the street (though honestly, a lot of these people are, unnecessarily, assholes to bicyclists). The TPD is portrayed as a consistent bully, though DeLarzelere might have earned some of that treatment. Eventually, court-ordered anger management classes seem to have their intended effect. 

Director Lamberton pulls it all together into a fascinating, funny (if not entirely genuine) portrait of the misunderstood DeLarzelere. With additional camerawork and great editing from Elvis Ripley, and the musical contributions of some of Tulsa’s finest—including Costa Stasinopoulos among others, taking the soundtrack from bombastic punk to tribal drums, all of which go a long way to mirror the emotional states of DeLarzelere)—“Biker Fox” is as warm and charming as its often-baffling antagonist. It’s a film that’s rather impossible to forget once you’ve seen it, much like  Biker Fox himself. Biker Fox is newly available for download via iTunes.

Short reel

“Mekko” Wraps Filming // Holdenville-born filmmaker and Sundance-winner Sterlin Harjo, completed principal photography on his latest feature last month. The film follows Mekko, a homeless Native American ex-con who discovers a new freedom amongst the derelict until he crosses paths with Bill, a meth-head with a chip on his shoulder. No word on a release date, but Harjo’s latest documentary feature, “This Might Be the Last Time,” opens at Circle Cinema later this year.  

“Element” Brings Michael Ironside to Oklahoma (!) // This indie, about a financial guru who turns to hypnosis to reclaim the memory of the shooting that killed his wife (and left him an amnesiac), begins principal photography in the Oklahoma City area June 7. Veteran character actor, all around badass and fearsome Overdog Michael Ironside (“Total Recall”, “Starship Troopers”, “Scanners”) stars in the film, which basically means I’m going to have to stalk him for the next two weeks. The production is hiring; resumes for crew positions can be sent to susanagibb@gmail.com.                  

“Edge of Tomorrow” // Directed by Doug Liman (“The Bourne Identity”) “Edge” finds Tom Cruise battling hordes of aliens in a Groundhog-Day loop, trying to get victory right. I’m guessing he does. Word has actually pretty been positive, though if you’re looking for something more substantive I’d suggest “The Fault in Our Stars.” Both films open in Tulsa on June 6.