Forty years ago this November, one of the most innovative horror movies in Hollywood history hit theaters and set the box office on fire. Based on a novel, by a then up-and-coming writer named Stephen King, Carrie crystallized all the agonies of adolescence into the story of a shy, sheltered girl with telekinetic powers. Director Brian De Palma had been working in the independent field since the 1960s, but this film was his first box office hit and put him on the map as one of the major auteurs of the New Hollywood. De Palma filled the cast with many talented young actors making their first important features, including John Travolta, Nancy Allen, Amy Irving, William Katt, P.J. Soles, and Betty Buckley. For the leading role, he chose relative newcomer Sissy Spacek, who received her first Oscar nomination for the film, and to play her religious fanatic mother, De Palma cast Piper Laurie in her first film since The Hustler 15 years earlier. (She received her second Oscar nomination for her performance.)
Today's my guest is Nancy Allen who went on to star in several other films directed by De Palma, including Dressed to Kill and Blow Out, she also starred in Strange Invaders, RoboCop, and Out of Sight.On this episode, we talk about the 40th Anniversary of Carrie, her work with DePalma, Speilberg and Soderberg. We also touch on Hollywood remakes, our shared love for the Andy Griffith film Face in The Crowd and how her character Chris in Carrie could speak with her mouth full. We also chat about her involvement with WeSpark a non-profit organization that offers free support groups, integrative therapies, and creative and educational workshops to all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. You can find more information by going to www.wespark.org
If you are in the Los Angeles area, there will be a cast and crew screening of Carrie on Wednesday, November 9, at 7:30 PM at the Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre Followed by a Q&A with Nancy Allen, Piper Laurie, William Katt, P.J. Soles and Oscar-winning film editor Paul Hirsch.
Speaking with Nancy was an absolute pleasure, she's an incredibly gifted actor, funny, smart, tells great stories and has a genuinely kind soul. This interview was a pretty humbling experience, I'm incredibly grateful she took time out of her night to sit down and chat.