I LOVE YOU ALICE B. TOKLAS
Written by: Paul Mazursky and Larry Tucker – Character name: Nancy
Directed by: Hy Averback – Studio: Warner Brothers, 1968
Starring: Peter Sellers, Jo Van Fleet, Joyce Van Patten, Herb Edelman.
My Comment: My first film, and what a joy! Everything and everyone was magical. It was a reference point for excellence, great talent, and great fun. The film is delightful to see as it captures the “energy” of the Sixties.
LTY Writes About Alice B. Toklas
THE BIG BOUNCE
Written by: Robert Dozier – Character name: Nancy Barker
Directed by: Alex March – Studio: Warner Brothers, 1969
Starring: Ryan O’Neal, Van Heflin, Lee Grant
My Comment: This was Van Heflin’s last film.
The character of Nancy was another character challenge. She was a psychotic, a killer and a nymphomaniac! This was a first film for Ryan and I together.
The Big Bounce on IMDB
THE ADVENTURERS
Written by: Michael Hastings and Andy Lewis Gilbert – Character name: Amparo
Based on a novel by Harold Robbins. – Studio: Paramount, 1969
Directed by: Louis Gilbert
Starring: Bekin Fehmiu, Candice Bergen, Yorgo Voyagis
My Comment: I traveled to Colombia, South America, Rome and England to work in this film. It was my first big “epic”. It was also the largest film budget from a major studio at the time…16 million dollars. Today that amount is considered slightly above a small budget film.
The Adventurers on IMDB
THE BUTTERCUP CHAIN
Written by: Peter Draper – Character name: Manny
Based on a novel by Janice Elliot – Studio: Columbia, 1969
Directed by: Robert Ellis Miller
Starring: Hywell Bennett, Jane Asher and Sven-Bertil Taube
My Comment: This movie provided me the opportunity to work in Sweden, Spain and England. I personally loved my performance in this film. This was greatly due to the sensitive direction of Robert Ellis Miller. Jane Asher had just come out of her long relationship with Paul McCartney. Sven Bertil is a famous Swedish folksinger, and son to legendary composer Evert Taube.
The Buttercup Chain on IMDB
THE GAMES
Written by: Erich Segal – Character name: cameo role
Based on a novel by Hugh Attkinson – Studio: Fox, 1969
Directed by: Michael Winner
Starring: Ryan O’Neal, Charles Aznavour, Stanley Baker, Michael Crawford
My Comment: This movie was about the marathon run in the Olympic games. Michael Winner was a wild, tempestuous English director. The cast was impressive and fascinating. I was asked by Michael to do a cameo role with Ryan. My character had to outrun Ryan in the scene, which was great fun. I loved shooting a month in Rome and listening to the many stories of this gifted cast.
The Games on IMDB
THE HORSEMEN
Written by: Dalton Trumbo – Character name: Zereh
Directed by: John Frankenheimer – Studio: Columbia, 1970
Starring: Omar Sharif, Jack Palance
My Comment: What an experience! I traveled to Afghanistan and made great friendships with Frankenheimer, Omar Sharif and Jack Palance. James Wong-Howe, the great cinematographer and his writer wife, Sonora, became my closest friends when I returned home. Each film is such a unique experience due to the story being told, the creative process of developing your character, and meeting the diverse and memorable people with whom you work.
LTY Writes About The Horsemen
The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
Written by: Waldo Salt – Character name: Angela
Based on a novel by Jimmy Breslin
Directed by: James Goldstone – Studio: MGM, 1971
Starring: Robert DeNiro, Jerry Orbach, Jo Van Fleet, Lionel Stander.
My Comment: When I was 13, and living in Michigan, my dream was to be a dancer in Broadway musicals. I first saw Jerry Orbach in a Broadway musical called Carnival in 1961. Just ten years later, he was playing my older brother in The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight. He now stars in television’s Law and Order. Robert DeNiro was then already well on his way to becoming not just a star, but a great actor. The director suggested that I gain 15 pounds to play the character of Angela. I did it, and I will never do it again.
LTY Writes About The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot Straight
SOYLENT GREEN
Written by: Stanley R. Greenberg – Character name: Furniture
Based on a novel by Harry Harrison. – Studio: MGM, 1972
Directed by: Richard Fleischer
Starring: Charlton Heston, Edward G. Robinson, Chuck Connors
My Comment: Soylent Green today is a movie with a devoted “cult” following. It is a fascinating futuristic thriller with a brilliant performance by Edward G Robinson. It was also one of Joseph Cotten’s last movies.
LTY Writes About Soylent Green
LOOKER
Written by: Michael Crichton – Character name: Jennifer Long
Directed by: Michael Crichton – Studio: MGM, 1979
Starring: Albert Finney, James Coburn, Susan Dey
My Comment: I didn’t like myself in this movie, but it was worth doing firstly because I needed to work, and secondly because I developed good friendships with James Coburn, Albert Finney and Michael Crichton. These are nice men and remarkable talents.
Looker on IMDB
SECRET ADMIRER
Written by: Jim Kouf – Character name: Elizabeth Simple
Directed by: David Greenwalt – Studio: United Artists, 1985
Starring: C.Thomas Howell, Kelly Preston, Fred Ward.
My Comment: I loved this film. The actors were great, and David Greenwalt was a wonderful first-time director. We all had so much fun, and it came across on the screen. This film was a very big sale on Video.
Secret Admirer on IMDB
JAGGED EDGE
Written by: Joe Eszterhas – Character name: Virginia Howell
Directed by: Richard Marquand – Studio: Columbia, 1985
Starring: Jeff Bridges, Glenn Close, Peter Coyote
My Comment: This film was a case of “there are no small roles”.
It was only a three-page scene. It proved to be a memorable scene in the film.
HONEYMOON ACADEMY
Written by: Jerry Lazarus and Gene Quintano – Character name: Mrs. Kent
Directed by: Gene Quintano – Studio: Trans World Entertainment, 1988
Starring: Kim Cattrall, Robert Hays, Jonathan Banks
My Comment: Paul Reiser was in the original lead role. After four weeks of shooting, he badly injured his leg. We had to recast with Robert Hayes and start all over again in Spain. It was a very long shoot as Mrs. Kent.
Honeymoon Academy on IMDB
ACCIDENTS
Directed by: Gideon Amir – Studio: Trans World Entertainment, 1989
Starring: Edward Arnold Jr.
My Comment: Working in South Africa was one of the richest life experiences I’ve had while making a movie. Gideon Amir, our director, is now also a very fine television producer.
Accidents on IMDB
BLISS
Written by: Lance Young – Character name: Redhead
Directed by: Lance Young – Studio: Columbia, 1997
Starring: Terence Stamp, Craig Sheffer, Sheryl Lee
My Comment: It was extraordinary to work for my own brother. He is very gifted and Bliss is a very brave movie. My part is small, but I was honored to be in his first work.
Bliss on IMDB
ADDAMS FAMILY REUNION
Character name: A socialite Adams family member (YES one ‘D’!)
Studio: Saban Entertainment
Starring: Tim Curry, Daryl Hannah
My Comment: I took this job in a moment madness. As a result, I ended up with the Taco Bell dog on my head! You will have to rent it to get this joke. It was more than worth doing to work with Tim Curry.
Addams Family Reunion on IMDB
SLACKERS
Studio: Destination Films
Starring: Devon Sawa, Jason Schwartzman
My Comment: There is a whole story yet to be written about this role! When it comes out, I hope to receive, with Devon, the most outrageous scene award from MTV. Don’t miss it!!!
Slackers on IMDB
KLEPTO
Starring: Jsu Garcia
Studio: Nucleus Films, LLC
Klepto on IMDB
A-LIST
Studio: Infin
Starring: Sally Kirkland
A-List on IMDB
SPIRITUAL WARRIORS
Studio: Scott J-R Productions
Starring: Sally Kirkland, Christopher Atkins, Brandon Maggart
Spiritual Warriors on IMDB
COFFEE DATE
Starring: Wilson Cruz, Sally Kirkland, Deborah Gibson
Coffee Date on IMDB