Q: What was it like being in a sequel of a hit movie and how did you get the part? (from Dan in Chicago)
PSS: Hi, Dan from Chicago…one of my favorite towns! I actually began my career there at the Drury Lane Theatre South…also, later at the Ivanhoe Theatre… in a play called “Generation” with Robert Cummings. I played his daughter, and fell in love with the windy (and snowy!) city. Well, now, about Halloween II – actually, when I got the role of “Karen,” I hadn’t seen the original film. Rick Rosenthal and Debra Hill set up a screening for me, so that I’d have an idea what the film was like. I hadn’t been too involved with the horror genre until that time. I didn’t realize how enormous the fan base was until much, much later…but it seemed to be a really “big deal” to everyone involved! I got the part just by auditioning for the director and producers a few times. They were very respectful, and I hadn’t met any of them before. Guess I was just “lucky!”
Q: Can you tell me how long you were on the HII set for? And was it long days? (from Gerry)
PSS: Hello, Gerry! Do you know, I can’t even remember how long our shoot was! It’s been awhile, ya know! I think it was three or four weeks. Actually, the nights seemed longer than the days! When we shot out at the VA hospital, we had to shoot in the wee small hours of the night/morning. I like night-shooting, and we hung out in Jamie’s trailer alot. It really gave our performances a “spookier” twist! I never seem to mind long hours of shooting…you kind of get into the rhythm and it becomes your world for a while.
Q: What was it like working with the other actors on the staff, such as Tawny Moyer, Gloria Gifford and Ana Alicia? (from Laura)
PSS: Well, how can I possibly describe Tawny?!! She’s just one of the funniest – and most beautiful – girls I’ve ever known! She’s the kind of person you’d want to be jealous of because she’s so pretty…but then, she’s so nice, you just have to love her! We didn’t have any scenes together in the fillm, but since we’ve been doing some autograph shows together, we’ve become good friends. For some reason, she “sparks” me, if you know what I mean…and all we do is laugh! She’s smart, kind, and truly a nice person. Gloria, I remember, was an intense and wonderful actress. I remember being so impressed with her during filming.
When we had scenes together, I could feel an instant connection with her character. She took her role very seriously – actually, I think we all did. It wasn’t as though we were working in some horror film and we goofed around. All of us wanted to give the best, most realistic performances possible. The same was true for Ana Alicia. She and I worked together later in one or two other tv shows. She’s a good actress, and completely reliable. She should be working more, don’t you agree, Laura?
Q: How do you feel about horror movies in general? Are you a fan of them, why or why not? (from Dave)
PSS: To be honest, Dave, I’d hardly ever seen a horror movie before! I did do “Empire of the Ants” with Joan Collins, but that was H. G. Wells, after all. I really cannot say that I’m a fan of them. I think that they inspire the wrong values in kids, and unless you view them tongue-in-cheek, so-to-speak, I don’t think they have much value except the shock appeal. I always wonder why gore is such a desireable commodity. It seems to me that Real Life is so much more interesting and, certainly, complicated enough! For me, psychological dramas are more intriguing. I like delving into “why” people do what they do; not the result of the crimes they commit.
Q: Question on the “hot tub scene,” of course: Was there much discussion has to whether you would be seen naked on screen? Was it originally scripted that way? Did you have any reservations about baring all? (from Scott)
PSS: Oh, absolutely, Scott! I had tons of reservations! First of all, I didn’t really think I looked good enough that people would ever want to see me naked! Yikes! And, yes, there was LOTS of discussion about just “how naked” I was going to get! When the producers wanted to cast me, they had numerous discussions with my agent about what could be seen and not seen. I agreed to be naked only from the waist up. But when we were shooting, the director said he needed me to disrobe to get into the hot tub. He said that it wouldn’t be seen on screen, but the camera angle was too difficult to get the shot otherwise.
I understood what he meant; however, it was not in my contract to do that and I was afraid the discarded footage would appear somewhere, so I refused. Debra Hill was on-set and agreed with me. She stuck by me, and in the end – after calls back and forth with my agent – I wore a sort of mold-skin and was not naked. I can tell you that the scene took two days to shoot…and I cried all the way to work the second day. It was hard.
Q: How does it feel knowing that you were killed by the greatest horror icon in history, the infamous Michael Myers? (from Jimmy)
PSS: LOL! How can I put this, Jimmy… in my mind, I was killed by the NICEST stunt guy in the business…and now, a good friend! So, I really don’t think of Dick Warlock as a horror icon, although, he most certainly is! He’s as famous as Michael Myers! Dick was so respectful and easy to work with, it would be hard to think of him as a “bad guy.” He took great pains to make sure that I felt safe under water at all times – and I spent A LOT of time under that icky, cold water! It is an HONOR to have been “done in” by such a super icon!
Q: Have you ever wondered why Michael’s hands don’t burn in the tub, while your face turns into a french-bread pizza? (from Erik)
PSS: As a matter of fact, Erik, I never wondered that before you asked the question! Because, really, my character was in too much distress to even think of wondering about something like that. She was being dunked in boiling water, after all! Besides, Michael was standing behind me, so I wouldn’t have been able to see his hands except when I was kissing his thumb. Now, THAT struck me as silly – it was so obviously NOT Budd’s hand, and I’m sure Karen should have noticed that. I would have!
Q: Your scene is my favorite in all of the HALLOWEEN movies! Do you think back fondly about your experience in HALLOWEEN II? Are you proud of your involvement in the film? (from Jeff)
PSS: Oh, Jeff… thank you, so much for the nice compliment! I’m so glad you liked the scene! You know, when we shot the movie, I had absolutely no idea how popular it would become, or how much interest there would be so many years later. I’ve come to realize how much it has meant to so many fans, and I am definitely proud to have been a part of it. Although it was a difficult shoot in some ways, I’m so glad now that I did it…I think we all are. I’m grateful to Rick for casting me, and for John Carpenter’s adding an extra scene or two for me. And, I am grateful to all the fans who continue to watch it and make me feel special for being in it. You guys are great!
Q: Were there any scenes you did in HALLOWEEN II that didn’t make it into the final cut of the movie? If so, what were they? (from Brent)
PSS: Yes, Brent, there were a few scenes that didn’t make it into the film. There was a longer version of a scene with Ana Alicia where we’re discussing Michael Myers that I liked alot. There was also a scene in the hospital room of kids, which took place before the scene with Budd. I thought it made a better set-up for the second scene. Budd’s “attack” would have been more of a surprise since the first scene was without incident. But editors know best! I think there may have been others cut, but it’s so long ago, that I don’t remember now. You probably know more than I do!
Q: Any comments about Donald Pleasence and Jamie Lee Curtis? (from Fritz in Denmark)
PSS: Denmark! How lovely – and how lucky you are to live there, Fritz! I was there long ago with my parents… I remember falling in love with Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen… especially the little roller coaster! Unfortunately, I didn’t have scenes with either Jamie or Donald…but I watched them both work constantly. Jamie was such a trouper. Really, she had to do some pretty rough shooting – crawling through tiny windows, crawling through parking lots in the middle of the night on cold cement. It was hard to watch! But she never complained, and was completely professional… and very friendly. We hung out in her trailer on cold nights! And, of course, Donald Pleasance… what a loss. He was such a wonderful actor – and he took his role, even in a horror movie, completely seriously. I’d see him on the sidelines working on his dialogue… he was an actor’s actor.
Q: What was it like working with Debra Hill? (from Joey)
PSS: Joey, I can only tell you that when I heard that Debra had passed away, I felt a real sadness. She was so good to me – as I said, she stuck by me during the hot tub scene, and I’ve always appreciated that. She didn’t “pull rank.” I haven’t worked with too many female producers in my career, but she was a terrific representation of a woman who understood the plight of actresses. She had commitment, she honored her agreements, and she was as supportive as she could be. I’ll miss knowing her.
Q: What are your comments about the fans of the series? (from Randy)
PSS: Hi, Randy – Actually, I’ve only done convention appearances for the last few years. And I’ve had a ball! (Especially, when Tawny and I do one together!) I’ve been completely amazed by the generocity, respect, and compliments from all the fans! It’s meant so much to me to meet everyone and realize that something I worked on so long ago has had such an impact on so many people. Fans have always been considerate to me at the shows, and I’ve just had a blast!
Q: Have you seen any of the sequels… if so, which one is your favorite? (from Erik)
PSS: Hmmmm, Erik – don’t know how to answer that one, since I haven’t seen all the sequels. I certainly prefer the ones where Michael Myers appears… and when Jamie is in them. It’s hard to say, since I’m partial to HALLOWEEN II – that’s my very favorite, of course!
Q: What projects are you currently working on? (from Don)
PSS: Unfortunately, Don, I kind of stopped working a few years ago. My husband and I wrote a book, and I really enjoyed the writing experience. But to tell you the truth, I miss acting more than I can say. I would love to go back into it… but it’s such a different business now. It seems to be all about publicity, and who’s dating whom. In my day, you auditioned, got the job, and went to work. I’ve thought about returning… maybe I will.
Q: I would love to meet you! Will you be doing any other convention appearances, and how can I get an autograph? (from Darren)
PSS: Well, Darren, I’m sure I’d love to meet you, too! I don’t have any appearances lined up at present, but if I do, they’ll be posted on my website at PamelaSusanShoop.com. You can always keep up with them there. I’ll probably do a few next year, but I’m not sure where yet. I’ll look forward to meeting you one of these days!