Alvin Straight

Alvin Boone Straight (October 17, 1920 – November 9, 1996) was an American man who travelled on a riding lawn mower from Laurens, Iowa, to Blue River, Wisconsin, to visit his sick brother in 1994. His journey inspired the 1999 film The Straight Story.

Early life Alvin Straight was born in Scobey, Montana. He married Frances Beek on October 17, 1946, in Scobey. In 1973, the family moved to Lake View, Iowa, where Alvin worked as a general laborer. He was the father of five sons and two daughters. At the age of 73 and in poor health from diabetes, emphysema and other ailments, Straight could not see well enough for a driver's license, so he decided his only option was to travel on his 1966 John Deere riding lawn mower. Straight spent $250 on replacement parts, including a condenser, plugs, a generator, and a starter. On August 15, Straight's lawn mower broke down again when he was two miles from his brother's house near Blue River.

Henry Straight recovered from his stroke and moved back to Iowa to be closer to Alvin and the rest of his family.

Paul Condit, president and general manager of Texas Equipment Company, Inc., in Seminole, Texas, heard about the trip and gave Straight a 17-horsepower John Deere replacement riding mower worth $5,000. The Shoulder premiered at CSPS Hall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa in October 1997, presented by Legion Arts. When plans for the film began in 1995, Straight signed a contract that ensured he would receive $10,000 plus 10% of the movie's profits, but he died before the film's completion. He said he did not make the trip to see his brother for the possibility of fame or money.