Interview with “Curtains” and “Happy Birthday to Me” Actress Lesleh Donaldson
Written by Michael Varrati
Admittedly, pulling the double duty of horror actor and journalist has some distinct advantages. This is especially prevalent in those moments when I get to sit down with my dearest friends, shoot the breeze, and audaciously call it an “interview.”
In the case of genre mainstay Lesleh Donaldson, this pleasurable activity was amplified to its utmost. After all, there are very few people I know that can make me laugh like Lesleh, and I’ve always appreciated the rambunctious spirit she brings to any conversation. However, while I’ve had my share of fun with Ms. Donaldson, don’t for a moment think that our association was the sole reason I wanted to take the time to celebrate her here today.
With an iconic involvement in some the darkest horror flicks of the 80s (Curtains, Happy Birthday to Me, to name a few), Lesleh Donaldson carved out a unique niche for herself in the world of genre cinema. A Canadian dynamo with a passion for theater and a knack for voice-overs, Donaldson left an indelible impression on many a monster kid during the VHS-era, creating an ever-continuing sense of nostalgia for the bygone days of gritty terror.
During a month crafted for celebrating the best and brightest women our genre has to offer, it makes sense that we take a moment to reflect upon the work Lesleh has done. For many, her oeuvre was the stuff that fed a whole era of fright fans, and continues to be hugely sought after by a new generation just starting down a path of bloody discovery.
Because of these factors, and many more, I was happy to sit down with Lesleh to talk about her most iconic roles, her future plans, and what she thinks of being a woman in the world of horror. So, without further adieu, allow me to introduce you to Canada’s most chilling creature, the lovely Lesleh Donaldson.
Michael Varrati: How did you first become involved in the horror genre?
Lesleh Donaldson: I got involved in horror because in the early 80s the only films they were making in Canada were horror movies and Porky’s-type films. I desperately wanted to get cast in the comedies, as I have a huge interest in comedy, but kept getting cast in the horror movies. This was fine, because it was work and being a young actress, I wanted to work. Besides, at the time lots of huge stars and big name directors were turning their hands to the genre.
MV: Were you always a fan?
LD: Oh my God, yes! I was a huge horror fan. My aunt would sneak me off as a young child to the Hammer Horror films of the late-60s/early-70s. I was raised on those films and always wanted to do a horror movie. My aunt told my mother she was taking me to see Oliver or The Sound of Music, so it wasn’t until later that she found out where we were really going. Needless to say, she wasn’t that thrilled. Cool aunt though, no?
MV: Of the movies your aunt snuck you off to see, did you have a particular favorite?
LD: I didn’t have a particular favorite Hammer Horror film…I loved them all! However, The Brides of Dracula stands out.
MV: Taking into consideration your early interaction with the genre, what does horror mean to you personally?
LD: Well, I’ve come to appreciate the genre more and more as I’ve gotten older. In my youth they were just fun escape films. For a struggling actress, they were a stepping stone to getting into more “legit” movies. But I see horror as a huge part of the industry now. I just watched Let Me In and was blown away by how affecting it was in tone and atmosphere. What I also find extremely exciting is the grass roots horror filmmakers that are doing their own thing. People like Alan Rowe Kelly, Mike Watt, Bart Mastronardi, Anthony G. Sumner, etc. who are really bringing the genre back to the early days of, say, Wes Craven and Tobe Hooper. I liken it to being on the ground floor of the punk movement of the late 70s. It’s inspiring and very exciting!
MV: Is there something about the horror genre that you feel promotes the notion that it is something of an “old boys club” or that it is strictly a genre for men by men?
LD: No, not at all. Maybe back in the 60s and 70s this was the case, but I think there are a lot of female filmmakers out there that are doing great things for the industry. Horror used to be considered one step up from porn, but I like that horror is sexy…it should be. I think that horror and sex kind of go hand-in-hand. Did I just answer your question, or did I take it to another place? –laughs-
MV: The previous question speaks to a larger issue of inherent sexism in the world of horror. Some critics of the genre feel it promotes the victimization of women, and in many cases, sexually objectifies them. Do you agree, or would you say that by making the female the protagonist (the oft referred to “final girl”) horror actually serves as a way to break the gender barrier?
LD: It’s interesting in that it kind of does objectify women, but I often find the women characters in horror to be smarter than the male characters. So I guess while having the sexpot women in horror seems objectifying, it really is the male characters who come out looking the most foolish.
MV: To genre fans you’re primarily known for being in a slew of horror films in the 80s. Looking back, did you ever think when making these movies that they would have such an enduring fan base?
LD: NEVER!!! I’m glad they have endured. If you told me when I was 17 that by the time I was an old married lady with kids there would be a huge fan base for Happy Birthday to Me or Curtains, I would have laughed in your face.
MV: Let’s play a little game. I’ll name the title of one of your popular horror films, and you share a memory or tidbit about your time working on that flick. Here we go:
Funeral Home
LD: Working with the incomparable (and a little crazy) Kay Hawtrey. Also, four days of crawling on my knees covered in blood, screaming my head off!
MV: Curtains
LD: Hitting my face on the ice as I was getting ready to shoot the skate-and-slash scene because I practiced on a rink… and they shot it on a bumpy pond!
MV: Happy Birthday to Me
LD: Wearing my death make-up and going for a walk with Richard Rebiere, who was as equally as gross, through the main street of Montreal. We freaked several people out!!
MV: Deadly Eyes
LD: This one is a little fuzzier. Hmmm…feeling bad for the dachshunds in those suits, and being really envious of how truly gorgeous Lisa Langlois really was…and is! Love her!
MV: Of these, do you have a personal favorite horror film of your own?
LD: I guess Happy Birthday to Me. It was a lot of fun to work on and a lot of those kids were my peers at the time, so to get to work together was really great! Plus J. Lee Thompson was a hoot!
MV: Since many horror fans are also sci-fi geeks, I’ve got to ask: How did you get involved in the Star Wars cartoons? I know you did voice-over work for both the Droids and Ewoks series. What can you tell us about that experience?
LD: Well, I have a confession. I’m not really sure how my name got involved in the Ewoks, as I have no memory of working on that show! As for Droids, they had already recorded the voice of Princess Keira, but didn’t like the actress’ voice. I was brought in to replace her. The fun part is I got to work with Long John Baldry and Anthony Daniels (the voice of C-3PO).
MV: What are projects are you currently working on, if any? In other words, when can fans expect to see more Lesleh?
LD: I’m very excited to say that I just finished shooting The Tell Tale Heart, directed by Bart Mastronardi and starring Debbie Rochon, Alan Rowe Kelly (producer), Desiree Gould, and my crazy cackle twin, David Marancik. Hopefully it will be out sometime this fall.
Also, I’m hoping to start writing a fun script with none other than “yours truly” (YOU) soon!
MV: Ha! They’ll hear it here first: Michael Varrati and Lesleh Donaldson team to write a new tale of cinematic mayhem! Should we tell the readers anything about it?
LD: Just that we hope to create something a little different. As bloody as horror, but a bit of a different genre…featuring some familiar faces.
MV: I know I, for one, can’t wait. –laughs- Anyway, since we’re talking about work and projects, let’s bring it full circle for the last question.
In the spirit of Women in Horror month, what advice would you give to young women looking to go into the horror genre, whether it be as an actor, director, or otherwise?
LD: Keep focused on what your vision. Don’t let anyone tell you there’s something you can’t do. Also, have fun! You’re entering one of the most rewarding genres of the industry and at a time where many people before you trail-blazed it to mainstream popularity! Be true to yourself!
Visit Lesleh’s official site!
Tuesday, February 15th, 2011 at 8:05 am | Filed under Interviews.
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