STEPHEN FURST (mini) INTERVIEW

This was my mini-interview with actor/director Stephen Furst at the 2003 DragonCon convention in Atlanta, GA.

Rusty White: You must be really excited about the release of "Animal House" on DVD.

Stephen Furst: Yeah. It’s a great DVD. It has a lot of extras on it. I watched it and thought it was hysterical.

RW: Not everybody gets to act in what is considered an American classic film.

SF: I know. I feel very fortunate.

RW: Would you share any memories of John Belushi?

SF: He was just a really, really nice person. And a good friend. Just a pleasure to work with.

RW: Were you hurt by being typecast by Flounder.

SF: I was typecast, but it didn’t bother me. And now that I’m a director it doesn’t bother me at all. I began directing about five years ago. I prefer directing to acting.

RW: What are you working on now?

SF: I just finished a film called "Dragon Storm" starring John-Rhys Davies from "Lord of the Rings." It will be on the Sci-Fi channel early in 2004.

RW: Do you write and direct?

SF: My first picture I wrote myself. I’m not a writer. I prefer to take better writers than myself and do their work.

RW: Thank you very much.

SF: Thank you.

JULIETTE MILLS: 2003 INTERVIEW

This was my interview with actress Juliette Mills at the 2003 DragonCon convention in Atlanta, GA.

British actress Juliet Mills. Ms. Mills is the daughter of legendary Oscar winning actor John Mills. She is the older sister of 60s heartthrob Hayley Mills. Ms. Mills is currently appearing on the NBC soap opera "Passions." Ms. Mills won an Emmy for her work in the outstanding Leon Uris mini series "QBVII."

Rusty White: More than anyone else in this room, you probably have the best pedigree. Was there a lot of sibling rivalry between you and your sister?

Juliet Mills: I wouldn’t say so really. Because I am four years older than my sister, and I started in the theater. That’s where I began my career. When she started I was already doing very well in the London Theater. In fact had already been to New York and had been nominated for a Tony. And that was my life. So when Hayley broke into films at a very early age I was only too delighted. We never sort of went up for the same parts or anything like that. And so there never really as been…there’s been sort of a mutual admiration society. We both love and admire each other’s work. Actually, I suppose it was seven or eight years ago we worked together for the first time.

RW: What was that?

JM: We did a tour in England and Australia of a Noel Coward play called "Fallen Angels." We did 700 performances, and we had a great. Great time on that.

RW: I’ve always admired your father.

JM: Yes, he’s remarkable. He’s 95 now and he’s still going strong. He has all his faculties. He still regales you with stories ad jokes. He’s wonderful.

RW: He has done so much great work. He deserved his Oscar for "Ryan’s Daughter."

JM: Thank you.

RW: Have you done many of these conventions?

JM: No. This is only the second one. This is certainly the biggest one. I did the Hollywood Collector’s Convention, but this is quite a different experience. There is quite a parade of people. You certainly are not bored; I’ll say that!

RW: That photo is from "Avanti!"?

JM: Yes, with Jack Lemmon.

RW: Any memories of working with him. You’re classically trained. I believe he was a method actor.

JM: Yes he was, but he was also theater trained. And of course, he was just a brilliant actor. Very adept in any medium. He was just like he seemed to be. You know what I mean. On stage and off he was the same. He was a great actor and a great friend. He was always very sweet to me. Working with him and Billy Wilder, who directed the film. Billy Wilder was the funniest man I ever me. I never stopped laughing on that film. Just one laugh after another. Certainly the highlight of my film career.

RW: How did your role on "Passions" come about?

JM: That came about through my agent. I went and met with the producers. They weren’t sure that I could be bad enough, to play a witch. Because she’s bad, as well as funny. And so I did an audition for them, a screen test and I got the job. I love it. I’m having a great time. It is fun to play the bad guy! (Pointing to a still photo from "The Nanny and the Professor") She was very, very good, and she ("Passions") is very, very bad.

RW: I remember "The Nanny and the Professor" when growing up. Who was your co-star, his name escapes me?

JM: That was Richard Long.

RW: He died very young.

JM: He died right after we finished. He was 47. He was very, very good. He was a good actor. He was rather like Gig Young. He was a great light comedian.

I notice a photo of Ms. Mills with actor Josh Ryan Evens, who died earlier last year.

RW: It was a shame about that young man also.

JM: Oh tragic. It was strange because he actually died in the show. We taped it; of course he was going to come back to life. It was going to be the Christmas miracle. And he actually died on the same day that his character’s death was televised. We taped that three weeks earlier. It was a very strange thing. But I felt that Josh would have liked it that way because he was a showbiz kid and he loved it. Now, it’s like he’s legendary because not many people have done that, I don’t think. I comforted myself with that. He didn’t have a very long life expectancy. He was only 23. He had heart problems.

RW: He had a full life.

JM: He did! He made all his dreams come true.

RW: And you have made one of my dreams come true by giving me this time. Thank you very much.

TANYA ROBERTS: 2003 (mini) INTERVIEW

This was my mini-interview with the sexy and funny actress Tanya Robert at the 2003 DragonCon convention in Atlanta, GA.

After a smoke break I went on the prowl for more interviews. I was lucky to catch actress Tanya Roberts during a lull in the crowds. Ms. Roberts co-starred in the 70s TV series "Charlie’s Angels." She is also well known for her film "The Beastmaster." More recently, Ms. Roberts co-starred in the hit TV show "That 70s Show."

Rusty White: I’m a huge fan of "That 70s Show." Why did you leave?

Tanya Roberts: My husband got encephalitis, a brain disease during the fourth season and was in a coma for six months. I had to leave to take care of him. He’s still in a wheelchair, but I can go back to work this year. So, I’m might go back. But we’ve developed two shows while he was sick. So I’m really not sure what I’m going to do.

RW: It’s nice to see someone make that sacrifice.

Tanya Roberts: Thanks. He’s my best friend. We’ve been married 20 years. He’s coming along. That’s the good thing.

RW: Have you done many of these conventions?

TR: No, I’ve only done this since he’s been sick. It’s really trippy. It’s cool to see this side of the business.

RW: Tell me about the shows in development.

TR: They’re both for cable. One is a golfing show. I do tour events all over. And the other one is a home improvement show. So they ought to be on. We already have a couple shot. I’m also starting to do a comedy of the week with Richard Hatch. We’re doing a take off on his show "Battlestar Galactica" for Comedy Central.

RW: What’s your handicap in golf?

TR: Oh, about 18.

RW: You’ve got me beat! Thanks.

BRAD DOURIF: 2002 INTERVIEW

This is my 2002 interview with Oscar-nominated actor Brad Dourif from DragonCon in Atlanta, GA.

Like the rest of the movie going public in 1975, I took notice of the film debut performance of actor Brad Dourif as Billy Bibbit in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." Dourif's tortured performance as the young man almost saved by Jack Nicholson earned him Oscar, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominations. He won the BAFTA as Best Supporting Actor. In the almost 30 following years, Mr. Dourif has appeared in over 100 films and TV shows. Whether playing the lead or a supporting role, Mr. Dourif can always be counted on to bring an intensity and professional edge to his work. I had the pleasure of spending a few moments with Mr. Dourif at DragonCon 2003 in Atlanta.

Rusty White: From an actor's standpoint, how important is the director in crafting your character?

Brad Dourif: It depends on the medium. If it's stage, the two most important artists are the actor and the playwright. If it's film, THE most important person is the director. The director says where the camera goes.

RW: There are directors who are rigid in what they want from an actor while others allow for more give and take. Which do you find more satisfying to work for?

BD: If somebody is really pretty rigid about what they want, that makes my job harder. But on the other hand, it's king of a challenge. I've got to really get that far out of my own concepts to be able to really let what he wants in and try to execute it. Yeah, it's not an easy thing to do, so the challenge is fun. And if he's right, then it's great. If he's wrong, then it's just hard work for nothing. I'm fine with just about any approach as long as the person is not particularly nasty.

RW: One of my favorites is "Wise Blood." Any memories of working with John Huston you could share?

BD: He was great. Huston would go in, in the morning and you would rehearse in front of him. He would say, "You go over here, over here." You'd do it. By lunch we'd finish the scene. Have a one-hour lunch. You go out in the afternoon, same thing. Finish the scene sometimes 3:30 in the afternoon. That was the day. The guy knew what he wanted and knew how to shoot. He knew how it was going to cut. He had it all pretty well figured out. And he was improvising really off the top of his head. So, I would say that of all the people I've worked with, the person who understood what he was going to do, and took the most risks was Huston.

RW:"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" really brought you to the public's attention.

BD: It brought me from a level of total obscurity to a place of public recognition!

RW:Did that result in a loss of some of the personal freedom that anonymity allows?

BD: You know what, I've been fortunate enough not to be famous enough where that has been a consideration or problem for me at all. I can go where I want to go, do what I want to do. People are respectful and leave me alone. I don'' get swamped. I got the best of both worlds.

RW:Has that changed at all with "Lord of the Rings"?

BD: No. Not at all. Right now, I'm shooting a series, so who's going to recognize me on the street? I've got a moustache. When the series comes out and it's a hit, then I might have a problem. So far, so good.

RW:Is this for network or cable?

BD: It's for cable. It's HBO.

RW:Has it aired yet?

BD: No. It's in production now. It's called "Deadwood."

RW:Sounds like a Western.

BD: It's a Western. It's about the town of Deadwood. Will Bill Hickcock.

RW:What's your role?

BD: I play a doctor.

RW:Who is your co-star?

Brad points to David Carradine sitting a few feet away.

BD: His brother is in it. Keith. He plays Will Bill Hickcock and he's brilliant. I mean, he really nails it.

RW:"Child's Play." Do you loop the voice before or after the film is shot?

BD: I do it first. It's just like a cartoon. You do it first and then after that they match the shot footage to my voice.

RW:When you loop the voice, are you with the other actors or by yourself in the studio.

BD: Well, yeah. When I was doing the first one. There's no one else beside myself and anyone else whose voice has to be recorded. The lines are just fed to me raw. For the last one, Jennifer (Tilly) and I did all the stuff together.

RW:Are you classically trained, or are you a method actor?

BD: I'm formally trained, I don't know what classically trained really means. I've worked with Sanford Misner. And I've worked at Circle Rep with Marshall Mason and Lanford Wilson and some really good people. I was lucky. I had a lot of really good influences.

RW:Do you prefer the stage to film?

BD: No, no. I prefer film to the stage. I always like the rehearsal better than I like performing.

RW:Hitchcock said that once the cameras started rolling, he was sick of the movie, because he had already made it in his head. Sounds like you enjoy the challenge of discovering the character most of all.

BD: Exactly.

RW:Have you done these conventions before?

BD: Oh sure. Actually, I've done DragonCon before. A few years back.

RW:Do you enjoy it?

BD: I wish I was younger. I'd play a lot more. It looks like a ball! You could get into some really fun trouble here.

RW:I brought my teenagers this year.

BD: How old?

RW:My daughter is 17.

BD: Ouch.

RW:And my son's 14. I let them go out. I tried to go to bed, but I end up staying awake waiting for them to come in.

BD: Thinking about all the fun they could be having! Not too much you hope.

RW:Right! Thanks for your time.

BD: You're welcome.

ANN GILLIS: 2001 INTERVIEW

This is my 2001 interview with actress Ann Gillis from the Memphis Film Festival.

I envy Ann Gillis' grandchildren. Ms. Gillis is feisty, witty, very classy and sharp as a tack. I found her to be as warm and vibrant a human being as I've ever met. I told her on the last day of the Memphis Film Festival that I hoped I was able to do her justice in this interview. I subscribe to the Oriental viewpoint on dealing with our elders. They are wise and worthy of our attention. I hope that Ms. Gillis' grandkids recognize what a gem they have and sit at the feet of the master.

Ms. Gillis went from child star to teen star before her retirement from film in 1947. She came out of retirement in 1967 for a cameo in a little film called "2001: A Space Odyssey." Probably best know as Becky Thatcher in the 1938 movie of "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" Ms. Gillis also provided the voice of Bambi's wife and mother is the Disney classic. Ms. Gillis flew in from Belgium to attend the Memphis Film Festival. I enjoyed the short time that I was able to spend with her. What follows are some of the highlights.

Rusty White: Growing up, "The Adventures of Tom Sawyer" was one of my favorite films. I still get a chill watching you and Tommy Kelly run from Injun Joe through the caverns. Would you share your memories from that film?

Ann Gillis: By the time it was over, I couldn't stand that movie. Of course I had to watch it hundreds of times during the promotion tour. The director (Norman Taurog) was there to make Tommy Kelly a star. The rest of the kids got no direction from the man. It was horrible. I had to do a scene in which I had hysterics. I'm 10 or 11 years old. I have no idea what hysterics are. The director won't give me any advice. He says come back after lunch ready to do the scene. My mother took me into the trailer to help me. She said 'I'll show you what hysterics are. Scared me to death. The only direction I got on that movie was from my mother.

RW: What happened on the promotion tour?

AG: We went all over the country showing the movie and making personal appearances. In New York City we had five shows a day for two weeks. I remember sneaking out and standing in the lobby. Some boy was hiding from his mother. She came after him and the boy said 'Mom, I don't want to go back inside. I hate this movie!' I turned to the boy and said 'Me Too!

RW: The Internet Movie Data Base lists "Bambi" as one of your credits. You did the voice of Falena?

AG: Yes. I was the wife and I also did the mothers voice. I sat in this big empty sound stage by myself calling out "Bambi, Bambi, Bambi" (Ms. Gillis changes her voice to suggest alarm, love and playfulness each different time she says Bambi.)

RW: You said you were alone on the sound stage. Did you do the voices before or after the animation was completed?

AG: I did it before the movie was made. They gave me a script, set me on a stool and had me do the lines. It was cold and difficult. The director was in the sound booth. He directed me over the loudspeaker.

RW: I know that Disney had already done "Snow White" by then. Did you feel like you were part of a groundbreaking film?

AG: Not really. Cartoons were common place. I just remember it being an unpleasant job.

RW: You played quite a few young girls with attitudes. Did you enjoy being able to act up on film?

AG: Yes. My mother was a bit of a snob. I really didn't get to act that way in real life, so it was a lot of fun.

RW: You also appeared in one of the great war time tear jerkers, "Since You Went Away" with all kinds of great stars. What was it like to work with the teenaged Shirley Temple?

AG: That was David O. Selznick's movie. One of the films he did for his wife, Jennifer Jones. I didn't act with Shirley. I remember watching her on the set one day. She got in place for the camera and her mother started yelling at her. "That's not your good side" and such stuff. I felt bad for her. Her mother pushed her hard, and in an unpleasant way. It made me appreciate my own mother even more.

RW: One last question, you came out of retirement after 20 years and did a bit part in "2001: A Space Odyssey." How did that come about and what was it like to work for Kubrick?"

AG: There was a casting call for American actress in London. I was living there with my husband at the time, so I said why not.

RW: You played one of the astronauts parents during the interstellar phone call scene, correct?

AG: Yes. Well, Kubrick was a real jerk. It shows you what can happen when a director is given a blank check. He hired two sets of "parents." I was the back up actress. The part wasn't scripted, so he told the two actors to go write their part over lunch and come back. They did. The actress playing the part read the lines she wrote. Kubrick fired her and said "I like the 'other one' better.

RW: The 'other one' being you?

AG: The 'other one' being me. That's how I was referred to. Well, we took the lines and started rehearsing and then filming. It was difficult because we were sitting side by side and saying lines to which no one was responding. Also, my conversation and the other actor's conversation were not related. We were saying all these disjointed lines and Kubrick keeps changing them. Then the other actor joins in by saying he had an idea for some dialogue. Kubrick lets him run with it. I was thinking, "Keep your ideas to yourself." We did 21 takes. Kubrick prints them all. In the old days a director never printed every take. Kubrick prints all 21 takes for this one little scene which lasts just a few seconds. He was set to keep going and I said, "You've got enough, I quit." I left. 21 takes, ridiculous.

Unfortunately, I was not able to spend more time talking with Ms. Gillis. While her words may seem bitter, the printed page does not capture the humor and lightheartedness with which she communicated. Ms. Gillis enjoyed her life in Hollywood and then moved onto the real world, living and traveling abroad with her husband. I enjoyed speaking with her and only wished there had been more time. She is just as saucy on screen as off. I'll never watch "Tom Sawyer" with the same eyes.

EDITOR'S NOTE

For any readers who speak Italian, you might want to check out Simone Odino's blog dedictated to "2001." You can access it at "www.2001italia.blogspot.com".

DAVID PROWSE: 2002 INTERVIEW

This is my 2002 interview with actor David Prowse at DragonCon in Atlanta, GA.

Proof of the magical spell that George Lucas’s original "Star Wars" trilogy still holds on the world is evident at Dragon*Con 2002. Fans stood in line for hours to meet actors whose faces were never shown on the screen. Kenny Baker sat in a high-tech soda-pop can as R2-D2. Peter Mayhew was wrapped head-to-toe in fur as the ultimate "I’ve got your back" buddy, Chewbacca. Three men were used to bring the villainous Darth Vader to life. I’ve always thought that George Lucas used one actor too many. While James Earl Jones’s electronically altered voice was heard, British athlete turned actor David Prowse did the physical stuff.

I had a chance to sit and talk with Mr. Prowse on Day One of Dragon*Con 2002. Mr. Prowse still cuts an imposing figure, even sitting down or walking with the aid of a cane due to an injury. I first noticed Mr. Prowse in Stanley Kubrick’s dark masterpiece, "A Clockwork Orange."

Rusty White: I know most people are here because of "Star Wars," but I’d like to talk about Stanley Kubrick.

David Prowse: He was a wonderful gentleman. I got along fine with him. They were casting "A Clockwork Orange" and I got a call. Stanley liked me right away. I think he was a frustrated sportsman. He seemed to like and respect me right away because of my sports background. There were many days on the set where he would tell me to pull up a chair with him behind the camera and just talk. He never invited any of the other actors to do that.

RW: You were a relatively new actor at that time. Did Mr. Kubrick offer much direction?

DP: Not really. My role was relatively simple.

(NOTE: Mr. Prowse played ‘Julian,’ the bodyguard of Patrick Magee’s character who had been savagely attacked by Alex (Malcolm McDowell) and his Droogs.)

RW: Actress Ann Gillis said that Kubrick went overboard on the number of takes on "2001: A Space Odyssey."

DP: He did a lot of takes. No Doubt.

RW: How many times did Malcolm McDowell have to pass out in that plate of spaghetti?

DP: Only a few times. The scene following that, where I carry him (Malcolm McDowell) up and down the stairs was the hardest because Stanley kept doing take after take. After about seven or eight takes, Malcolm got heavy. I told Stanley I wasn’t going to do it anymore, "You have enough." He said OK. After that, while he had other actors do take after take, I only did a couple. I wouldn’t do more and Stanley was fine with it. Like I said, he liked me.

RW: How did the role of Darth Vader come about?

DP: My agent set up a meeting with George Lucas. They were casting in England. His attitude was, "If you’re good enough for Stanley Kubrick, you’re good enough for me."

RW: I was upset with the fact that a third actor was used in the ‘death scene’ in "Return of the Jedi."

DP: That was one of the most painful experiences of my life. The way it was done and the way that George Lucas treated me. "Star Wars" has been very good to me, but I suspect they did what they did because of money. Who knew…I don’t think anyone knew it would be 20 years before the next sequel came out. I think they were afraid they would have to pay me more money if they showed my face.

RW: You said that you had a problem with the way the scene was done. Would you explain?

DP: That scene was filmed under tight security in another part of the studio. They had me filming one scene elsewhere, to keep me busy. Meanwhile, the death scene is being shot somewhere else.

RW: So, when Luke (Mark Hamill) is helping carry Darth Vader to his ship, before the mask is removed…

DP: That wasn’t me. I wasn’t in any of that part.

RW: I guess it is some consolation that most fans associate you with the role, while few even remember the third actor'’ name. What was his name?

DP: Sebastian Shaw. He was an elderly man. He died a few years later.

RW: What did George Lucas say when you confronted him about this?

DP: Oh, some mumbo-jumbo about "this isn’t the death of Darth Vader, it’s the ‘revealing’ of Anakin." It was all about the money.

A fan dressed up in full ‘Darth-Vader’ regalia, complete with a sound effects machine asks to have his photo taken with the ‘real’ Darth Vader. I thank Mr. Prowse for his time. He asked me to remind his fans about his new website "Darth Vader: The Official Website of David Prowse." I promise, and take my leave. It’s time for me to search out and interview everyone’s favorite Wookie.

LINDA BLAIR: 2002 INTERVIEW

This was my 2002 interview (along with audience questions) during Linda Blair's 2002 appearance at DragonCon in Atlanta.

In 10^th grade I skipped school to go to the first showing of “The Exorcist” at the Paramount theater in Memphis. The film amazed me as did the performance of a young model named Linda Blair. I watched as the film’s young star became an instant celebrity. I also watched as the 14 year old was mercilessly destroyed by the media. Her troubles were exploited by uncaring vultures looking for publicity. Ms. Blair’s public struggles became a thing of the tabloid press. Because of her public assassination, it was a pleasure to discover that the petite, beautiful woman is a fighter, a scrapper and a survivor. Ms. Blair appeared at a Q&A session with fans on Day Two of the Dragon*Con 2002 convention. Ms. Blair’s strength, humor and convictions were both entertaining and inspirational. She looks better than ever.

Ms. Blair talked about her films, friends and causes. She frankly discussed many of her battles with the Hollywood establishment, her heath and the press. Ms. Blair also hinted about a film project she is set to direct and star in. If her appearance at this event was any indication of her tenacity and determination, then Linda Blair might soon be rediscovered by the very industry that created and discarded her with such callous disregard. Those interested in reading about and helping in Ms. Blair’s charitable work should check her website at www.lindablair.com.

Below are excerpts from the Q&A session between Ms. Blair and the fans at Dragon*Con 2002. Questions submitted by me are marked RW. All other questions were submitted by fans.

LINDA BLAIR: Hi, lets do a question and answer session about what ever you want to talk about, psychology 101. (Laughs from the audience, but no one approaches the microphones.) OK, well we’re done. Thanks for coming.

Fan #1: I have a question about “Repossessed.” What was it like to do a direct parody of your own work, and what was it like to work with Leslie Nielson?

LINDA BLAIR: The director’s name was Bob Logan. A very dear friend of mine named Murray Langston, who was “The Unknown Comic” brought me a film called “Up Your Alley” that he had just finished, and Bob had directed it. He said, “Why have you never spoofed “The Exorcist?” I wasn’t in a place I could laugh about it. Everyone was either scarred of it or they could see what was funny about it, but I didn’t know how to laugh about it. So, I got a call and they asked me what it would take to get me to do it. So, I said Tom Hanks, he had not won the academy award yet, or Leslie Nielson, who was actually more famous at the time, and they got Leslie Nielson. So, I then had to create this character, and I was not sure how to go about it. But, an actor has to find was of creating different things. So I found “The Gremlin” and it became a lot of fun. It was the best thing I could of done, not only for myself, but, I think for many people so they could find the humor. Because “The Exorcist” is kind of serious. Thank you for bringing it up, because “Repossessed” is very dear to my heart.

Fan #2: My favorite film in the whole world is “Roller Boogie.”
Did you actually do all your own skate moves?

LINDA BLAIR: Everything that you can tell is me, is me. I could not, obviously do the ‘flying camels’ or some of the moves like a figure skater. I skated when I was very young, and I trained for nearly six weeks. It was hard. I really never skated back then. So, they had professionals for the more difficult stuff in the movie.

Fan #2: Did you get to keep the clothes?

LINDA BLAIR: (laughs) From “Roller Boogie”?

Fan #2: You don’t understand, I’ve loved that movie since I was seven years old!

LINDA BLAIR: I know there are a lot of fans of “Roller Boogie.” It makes me feel good. I’m sure I had a leotard or two for a while, but don’t think I have anything from “Roller Boogie” any more. I do have some pieces of memorabilia which I am starting to auction of on E-Bay for charity. You can go to ‘lindablair.com’ and click on “Linda’s E-Bay” and you will see the items I had up for charity. I do have the roller skates that I used in “S Club 7.”

Fan #3: You first worked with Murray Langston on “Night Patrol.” What was he like?

LINDA BLAIR: I saw Murray Langston on the “Gong Show” as did many people. I saw him do the bit with a cork-screw. The kind with the round head, and the arms. He would say, “This is my imitation of Linda Blair” and turn the head around and around. I met Murray and he had a night club. Kitty Bruce, Lenny Bruce’s daughter was a good friend of mine. I went with her, I was 15, and that’s how I met Murray. He has become one of the closest friends in my life. He was one of the kindest, nicest, funniest…he can always make someone laugh. He likes to entertain people and make them feel comfortable. I have great admiration for him.

Fan #3: I remember the film you did with Murray called “Night Patrol.” I thought it was funny. I liked Billy Barty in that movie.

LINDA BLAIR: Oh, Billy Barty was wonderful. “Night Patrol” was originally called “The Unknown Comic Movie” and it was on a lower budget. There were a lot of problems while we were filming. The director and Murray had differences of opinion. One person thinks something is funny and another person doesn’t, so there were a lot of problems. Referring to Billy Barty, they added farting noises that were not in the script. Billy was really upset about that. Then, they made Murray a police office who was speaking French. We don’t know why. They didn’t use his voice for “the Unknown Comic,” it was another person, and no one can do the unknown comic except Murray. So there were a lot of problems and Murray basically walked away from the picture and it is a shame. It became “Night Patrol” and it still has a large fan base.

Rusty White: Hi.

LINDA BLAIR: Hi!

RW: I was curious about “Born Innocent.” I believe you were 15 when you made that.

LINDA BLAIR: Yes.

RW: How difficult was that from a psychological standpoint was it to do that movie.

LINDA BLAIR: Hard. It was really hard. After “The Exorcist” came out…I mean, I was from Connecticut. I had worked in New York since I was 7 doing commercials. That didn’t prepare anybody for being launched into so called world fame. Nothing could. Being talked about in the newspapers, whether it was true or not. It was a very difficult arena. The next movie was “Airport 75,” which had some very big stars in it. My mother and I were just really amazed. We would sit there in our little trailer and say “Oh, there goes Charlton Heston…George Kennedy…Karen Black.” You know, it was really neat. Ruth Curtis, the producer of “Born Innocent” had this screenplay. At the time, teenagers were really used in Disney type movies or Patty Duke of course had done “The Miracle Worker.” There weren’t that many good roles for teenagers, and certainly not ones that told the truth about child abuse or alcoholism. So that was the first movie like that. A lot of people weren’t sure if I was up to the task or not, because there was so much publicity about “Did I make The Exorcist?” “Did I not?” “Was I the devil?” “Was I in the make-up or not?” You can tell it is me.

RW: Yes.

LINDA BLAIR: So he (director Donald Wrye) believed in me, so that is how the movie came about. It was very difficult because I was the so-called star of the film, so everything was on my shoulders. I had a great responsibility every day of my life. Then the challenge of getting through the rape scene was really hard. Five hours on a bathroom floor when you are 15 years old, soaking wet, and going through…well, obviously it was all make believe…

RW: Right.

LINDA BLAIR: …but psychologically it was hard. It really bothered me. It took me a long time to get over that. I really didn’t know how to get rid of stuff. I was always doing roles like ‘the person in jeopardy,’ ‘the person who gets abused’ in someway. I didn’t understand how to get rid of that so I felt abused. But, I worked through it over the years. As people know I have a great sense of humor. I think I’ve come a long way….And if you’d like to read my book on Psychology!!! (audience laughs) So “Born Innocent” was difficult for me, but it is very special because it made a difference to a lot of young people at the time.

RW: It was a powerful movie.

LINDA BLAIR: Thank you.

RW: Would you indulge one “Exorcist” question?

LINDA BLAIR: Sure.

RW: Did you ever meet the Mt. Rainer boy on whom the book was based?

LINDA BLAIR: No.

RW: One last question. You mentioned “Airport 75.” Christopher Lee is one of my favorite actors. Do you have any memories of working with him.

LINDA BLAIR: No.

RW: No?

LINDA BLAIR: No. That’s a lot of no’s!

(A deaf man approached the microphone. Dragon*Con’s “signer” translated this question and answer as she did for the entire program.)

Fan #4: Do you still collect horses?

LINDA BLAIR:>LB: I don’t collect horses. I used to train and show horses. I would but and sell. It is a very difficult business. My heart does not allow me to buy or sell animals anymore. I rescue dogs. I am the president of the “Pacific Coast Dog Rescue.” I help animals all around the world. In every city I go to, I like to meet people in that city who work in their community to work with animals and/or children or people that are in need of help, because I believe community service is a good thing.

Fan #5: Would you recommend that a child appear in “The Exorcist” today?

LINDA BLAIR: Do I believe that a child should be put in the position to make a film like “The Exorcist”? My answer would be no. I was not raised…I was not trained to be an actress. Modeling and commercials is quite a bit different. So I was falling into an arena.

Fan #5: So you believe a child would have difficulty telling the difference between fantasy and reality?

LINDA BLAIR: I feel that if a child went through some training they would know…I certainly knew it wasn’t real, but when a job is as demanding as a “Born Innocent” or a “Sarah T.” you have delve into…for me, the only training I had was with Billy Friedkin who said ‘You have to go find something very painful, so that you are feeling that to help you emote.” I did that and that is why the work is very believable. So, I feel that “The Exorcist”…I was raised a Protestant, so I was unaware of all the tapestries of the Catholic Church. Therefore, I didn’t know what the Devil was. That was a safety net for me, but that was still a very difficult film to make. It was long. Everything was difficult to do. I didn’t understand what it was all about. But I think a lot of kids would say “OK! I’m going to play the Devil!” Nobody forced that on me. Billy Friedkin didn’t force that on me. He never said “OK, you’re the Devil.” He just sort of made me go through different motions so he could get the look, to make the character react a certain way. I’ve had kids come up to me and act like the Devil. This is not good. It’s not. That’s why I wouldn’t encourage another child to do that. “Born Innocent” was a really heavy film. Kids are much more aware nowadays. That is nothing now. The issues they have to deal with today are much more serious. Today a child can go and talk to someone and the family will be looked at. That didn’t happen back then. It was the child’s word against the parent and the parent usually won. That’s really heavy. I told you, Psychology 101!

Fan #6: What does “Linda Blair” rent from Blockbusters? What does “Linda Blair” have in her CD player?

LINDA BLAIR: You’re going to get really board. I live with rescued animals. I literally live with animals that are very difficult. I believe there is a deeper communication. I take animals from difficult backgrounds. So I have a lot of quiet. I don’t have a lot of music. When I do, it really is, it varies. I don’t listen to anything that is heavy or dark. Not a lot of “jamming” type music because that would make me go out of my mind. It’s more peaceful and, as boring as it may seem, Top 40. I love “Enigma.” Like my personality, I have different likes. If I’m doing a particular film I might use music to motivate me. I love Country Western sometimes. A lot of things. Opera still isn’t on my list. As far as movies. I like “issue” films. I don’t know why I like “submarine” films. If there is a submarine film I’ll watch that. My dad was a Navy pilot, so I think that gave me an interest in military films. I watch many different types of films. I’m not a horror buff, which many people might think I am. I’m very earthy. I own person interest is ‘healing.‘ To make the world a better place. How do you communicate that? What’s missing in the entertainment field, because I feel there is so much violence out there that it does effect the young people. I’m getting ready to direct my first film, which I will also act in. It’ll be fun. A lot of work. But I’m up for it. It’s where I am in my life right now. I wrote a book called “Going Vegan” about my life and what happened as to why I became a vegetarian and then a Vegan. That took about six months to do. So that’s pretty much it. When I do come out, I try to have fun.

RW: You mentioned earlier, problems with Hollywood, and violence. Could you expand on that?

LINDA BLAIR: That’s just my point of view. They are a little out of touch in some ways. We have some great films and then there are too many people making violent projects on television and in films. We have other subject matters that are of interest to many people and they are not being fulfilled. Right now if you have monsters, thrillers and something else, you get your movie made.

RW: Back in the 70s you had “The Waltons.” Do you think a show like that might succeed today because it would be such an oddity?

LINDA BLAIR: Look at “Seventh Heaven.” I don’t watch it because my dogs keep the TV on “The Animal Planet.” “Seventh Heaven” is a big show, but a lot of the executives don’t trust it, and they are the ones who run the show. It’s bizarre to me.

Fan #6: What is next for you?

LINDA BLAIR: I am getting ready to direct a film that I will star in. The project is very close to my heart. I have had four film projects that I was developing over the last 15 years. One was made without me, which really pissed me off. There was a television series that was optioned by Fred Silverman. I think everyone would have been really happy with it. When you present a series in Hollywood, you aren’t allowed, I wasn’t allowed to give a written treatment. I could give an oral presentation, but if you write it down, you can’t get a “show runner.” It’s all about money. To make a long story short. We went to William Morris to get a show runner. They told us what was wrong with the project. I was curious what they meant. Next thing you know they have their version of the project with one of their writers over at Disney. I asked Fred if we were going to sue and he said it happens all the time. People don’t know that I’m a viable commodity. So that’s why I’m doing this film and I’m not telling anybody anything about the movie. I’m doing it on a smaller basis, but that will be more fun. And then I feel I’ll be an entity for Hollywood to deal with.