What are your earliest recollections of the horror genre?
I guess my earliest recollection of a horror movie was "THEM";
a black and white horror/ science fiction film I saw with my baby
sitter in my local home town theater in Windsor, CT. I loved it
even though I had nightmares of giant ants for a couple of weeks.
How did you initially get involved in acting?
I did a summer stock production of "West Side Story"
after my discharge from the Air Force and I met some actors who
encouraged me to come to New York.
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Overall,
what were the working conditions like on the set for 'Friday The
13th'?
The atmosphere on the set of "Friday the 13th" was cordial
and professional. The budget was $600, 000; which was pretty high
for a low budget movie in 1980.
Did you have any inkling at how huge a success the first 'Friday
The 13th' movie would be while working on it?
No. I don't think anyone had a clue. |
Your scene is one of the most memorable parts of the first 'Friday The
13th' movie. What do you remember about filming it?
| Sean
Cunningham called me and said he had a part he'd like me to
read for. When I arrived on the set I read with Harry Crosby, Kevin,
and Jeanette Taylor. I remember Harry saying to me, "I'm
unduly impressed". Sean gave me the script and told me
I had the part. The filming went smoothly except the motorcycle
fell on me. I hate to disappoint you guys but I've never known how
to ride a motorcycle. That was a state trooper you saw riding out
of Camp Crystal Lake. It's like old Hollywood make believe. Illusion!
All Illusion! |
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How was your working relationship with the other cast members,
including a young Kevin Bacon?
Kevin Bacon was great to work with. He started improvising on me.
Moved to my motorcycle like he was checking it out. It was totally
spontaneous and gave me another aspect of Dorf's character to explore.
Were
you surprised by the final outcome of the film when you saw it theatrically?
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When I saw the film at the first screening no one laughed at my scene.
I thought I had failed. I wanted to create some humor in this dark film.
About 6 month after the film was released, my wife and I saw it on 42nd
St. The audience was mixed, interracial and they cracked up. I felt better.
Are you involved at all in the upcoming Friday The 13th special edition
DVD?
Haven't heard anything about the new Friday the 13th DVD. (?) Would someone
email me at RMillkie@aol.com and tell me about it?
What do your remember
about working on 'Return To Salem's Lot'? Are you a Stephen
King fan?
I'm not really a Stephen King fan. Although, I did like "Shawshank
Redemption". |
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Tell us about 'Grand Isle'?
"Grand Isle" was a 9 million dollar period
piece that bombed. Kelly McGillis (star and producer) made
the film too long. Over 3 hours and it couldn't get a distributor.
After Ted Turner bought it for TNT about an hour was cut out
including most of my scenes. I did like working with Ellen
Burstyn. We became good friends on the set. |
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Tell us about 'Meridian'?
"Meridian was my best work thus far. I played a rich bastard
who played with peoples genes to create a perfect specimen It was
written by a young German (no surprise) filmmaker and is available
on DVD in German and English.
You
recently worked on 'Satan's Playground'; the new film by Dante Tomaselli.
Were you familiar with his previous work before working on that
project?
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I'm
embarrassed to say I hadn't heard of Dante. He called me a said
he was a fan. "All right!" I thought, "I liked him
immediately!" He wanted me to do a cameo in his film
as a cop. I liked working on the film. It was a younger party group
and it was a lot of fun. Dante treated me like I was someone (like
I coulda been a contender), if you know what I mean. I'd like to
work with him again. He's got a big following and a great future. |
You recently appeared at a Chiller convention. What's the convention
experience like for you?
Chiller Convention was a trip. There were people there who knew my lines
from Friday the 13th. Plus I met Connie Stevens (30 years too late for
both of us, unfortunately but I told her she was still the prettiest girl
in the room and I meant it. When I was a kid I used to dream about being
in one of those Annette Funicello, Frankie Avalon, Connie Stevens beach
movies. And I would have the kissing scenes with Connie! Actually, it's
not too late. Producers, give me a shout!
Anything else you'd like to say to the Icons Of Fright audience?
Thanks guys! Hope to see you at the next convention!
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