I do love walking through the snow with Angie but afterwards we enjoy getting cozy by the fire in our antique wooden stove. CHEERS!
]]>Did you know that my husband of 36 years was Founder & President of United Film Distribution. His first film out of college was Kentucky Fried Movie that he made with the Zucker Brothers & John Landis. KFM became a cult film success when he initially released the film in eight theatres in the New York area. This became the beginning of his career in U.S distribution also including international distribution.
Richard/ United Film Distribution financed many of George Romero's films including DAWN of the DEAD, DAY of the DEAD, KNIGHTRIDERS and CREEPSHOW!
George & Richard became great friends. I didn't meet Richard until 1986 but I met George earlier while he was casting CREEPSHOW! I made it to the final cut for the FATHERS DAY story. Alas, he hugged me & told me he loved my work in Friday the 13th but felt I was too young for this particular role.
Later when Richard introduced me to George at the opening night party for MONKEY SHINES we reminisced and quickly became dear friends. He was my big Teddy Bear. He was taken from us all way too soon.
CHEERS to George Romero! We miss you madly! You'll be in our hearts & on our screens forever!
xoxo
]]>
CHEERS to YOU!!!
]]>That's my sister, Laura with me & Santa circa 1980-ish!
CHEERS to You!
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving, Campers!
Now for the rest of the Holiday Season! Oy!!!
I don't know about you, but, for me, sometimes the Holidays can become overwhelming. And for a lot of us it's a sad time, especially if we've lost family or friends with whom we used to celebrate this Season. The Holidays can be tough on you if you're missing loved ones.
I said goodbye to my mother and my father last February. so, this was an incredibly emotional year for me. Fortunately, it brought our family closer together so there was a bright side to our losses.
And I truly look forward to spending Christmas with family!
My sister, Laura, who now lives in Australia has made the big flight from down under & will be visiting us here in Oregon next week! That makes me so very happy! Catching up & spending quality time together not to mention our favorite pastime... shopping!
Then Richard & I will celebrate Christmas! In our family, we've been so blessed to spend time with our beautiful 3-year-old grandnephew, Cooper.
(and of course, his parents & grandparents, lol ... Love you all so much!).
Seeing his beautiful little face light up with wonder is indeed the true spirit of Christmas. That's when those cozy feelings of the Holidays begin to permeate! To see his precious twinkling eyes of joy and happiness ... well, that lifts me so high!
This will always give me light and hope!
Wishing you a very Happy Holiday with no pressure.
Praying for a peaceful 2024.
With love,
xoxo,
Adriennne
]]>
CHEERS! Happy Spooky Season!
xoxo
Adrienne
]]>and 13 incredible Harvests! Our beloved Crystal Lake Wines will be taking a bow... at least an extended hiatus after this Harvest. Things just didn't work out with the intended move and I took it as a sign. The Actors Strike sealed the deal. So, I will be devoting my full time to my passion for painting.
Thank YOU for sharing this extraordinary Crystal Lake Wine journey with me! CHEERS to each & every one of you my fabulous Campers!
If I find the right partner in fine wine, I just might resurrect Crystal Lake Wines. Stay tuned.
]]>Upcoming Friday the 13th series Crystal Lake has evolved a lot since it was announced towards the end of 2022. While it was initially believed that the series would act as a straight prequel to the iconic horror franchise, therefore not touching on the events of Friday the 13th or including hockey mask-wearing Jason Voorhees. Now it seems that as well as the iconic killer, the series will also feature an appearance by Adrienne King, who played the original Final Girl of the 1980 movie.
Yesterday saw Crystal Lake writer-producer Bryan Fuller attending a screening of Jason’s 3D outing, Friday the 13th Part 3, followed by a Q&A session that touched on the A24 and Peacock Crystal Lake series.
Fandom’s Eric Goldman was on hand to share some of the new details revealed by Fuller about the show, which included the reveal that King will be part of the production in a recurring role. While many believe that King will not be reprising her role as Alice, it is worth remembering that the actress reprised her Friday the 13th role in 2021 in the fan film Jason Rising, which could mean she will indeed be returning to the role.
There is a long way to go before Crystal Lake arrives on Peacock, as the script is still to be written. However, in another piece of information gleaned from the session, it was revealed that Scream writer Kevin Williamson would provide the script for one episode of the show.
BY ANTHONY LUND PUBLISHED JAN 14, 2023
]]>I'm really excited about 2023! So many wonderful things in store for all of us!
Beginning with a Friday the 13th this January!
Sure hope you have your new Jason Rising Red Wine to bring in this New Year & celebrate our love for all things Crystal Lake!
To the memories of where it all began.... SHHHH! Did you hear that?
Listening carefully.. is he lurking in the Woods? Is it safe to go swimming yet?
See you back at Camp!
CHEERS to You & Yours! wishing you a Happy, healthy, joyous & safe 2023!
xoxo,
Adrienne
]]>The first song that played on my Jeep radio coming home together from our local SoHumane animal shelter was ANGIE by the Rolling Stones. Angie gave me kisses from the back seat. She had her new name at 9 months old! A new start!
This beautiful German Shepherd was owner-surrendered because she was too active, needed too much attention & had to be kept in a small kennel most of the time. Doesn't that just break your heart. It amazes & disheartens me that people still adopt animals without doing their due diligence about the breed.
When we got home to the River this was out first photo together. How time flies! She was captivated with nature! Falling leaves would fascinate her, the birds, butterflies.... And a river!!! We made up for all her months of captivity with the heartbeat of surrounding nature! A whole new World for Angie... and me!
]]>
In spite of the ongoing pandemic I was able to be part of some fantastic projects, awesome conventions, Misty Moon International Film Festival, the 40th Anniversary & reunion of Friday the 13th Part 2 & some fab foto ops! unforgettable times with family and even a trip back to Camp Crystal Lake! So wonderful yet at times... so challenging.
But then again, what isn't challenging these days?
As soon as I was double vaccinated in April 2021 I charged out of the gate & jumped at the opportunity to record & narrate my first audiobook THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP released on July 13th. It just garnered the BEST-READS Best Horror Book of 2021! The reviews have been terrific.
CHEERS & gratitude to my new friend Grady Hendrix, the bloody brilliant author & writer of the best-selling THE FINAL GIRL SUPPORT GROUP.
I explained during a Q&A in London following my stage reading of Grady's gripping first chapter of FGSG at the exquisite PHOENIX ARTS CLUB this past October, that although I've often been asked to write a book ; I've declined. No doubt, it would be detrimental to my mental health.
I spent years in therapy dealing with the aftermath of my 1980's stalking experience; post traumatic stress disorder. Why would I want to open that bag back up again? "Let's not be silly" as we like to say around our household.
This book was a gift to me as well as all Horror fans. Instead of opening old wounds I was able to luxuriate in Grady's multi-layered story and enjoy the roller coaster of thrills & chills story inspired by the Final Girls and horror films of the 80s. The audiobook is available on Audible & Amazon. Listen to me! ;)
It's 13 hours of Final Girl fabulousity!
August 13th 2021: CHEERS goes to JASON RISING a Friday the 13th fan film that debuted in Portland Oregon on Friday the 13th in August on the big screen to a packed house at the legendary Hollywood Theatre. Such fun & what an amazing Oregon cast & crew! Such passion & perseverance. This movie gives Alice and her Campers what they've wanted for so long & deserved; the truth! We all know Alice, your first Final Girl would never have gone down that quickly .. & from a flesh wound? Never!
Post-Traumatic Stress Dream within a bloody nightmare in Part 2, right?
She went into hiding.
This was the only way Alice knew how to handle her horrific situation. Quietly, invisibly, under the radar... so she could survive until she felt strong enough and mentally tough enough to deal with the "outside World"... until Alice was needed.
CHEERS & Thank you to the extremely talented James Sweet writer/director/producer of the new hit fan film JASON RISING that just broke 550K views on YouTube & going strong! Just what the Friday the 13th fans needed & appreciated by Campers worldwide! Feedback has been fan-tastic!
BONUS CHEERS! & Thank You: HOLLYWOOD BLOOD HORROR FILM FESTIVAL
for the exquisite Golden Hand Award for Best Supporting Actress in JASON RISING. I am honored & so grateful! Imagine 41 years later... Alice lives on!
To my extended family so much love and gratitude for being my support and touchstones. Thanks to C & V Promotions aka Stacy Lee & Chris C.; Dallas and Curtis & Keno, Stuart and Jen, Marilynn, Sandy, Davide, Ted G. & to all the crew at Valley View Winery many thanks for all your support with our incredible Crystal Lake Wines & for satisfying our thirsty Happy Campers with fine taste!
Stay safe! Stay strong!
See you back at Camp!
CHEERS!!!
Adrienne
]]>BETTER HOLD ON TIGHT!!!
]]>“This is Grady’s enormous gift & love letter to all the Horror Fans who grew up in the 80’s & 90’s. I have such gratitude in my heart for this amazing author who gave me the opportunity to voice all these incredibly layered ladies! While recording this thrilling pulsating roller coaster ride I couldn’t help wondering how Grady could so vividly capture in his words the real torment, FEAR, anxiety and anguish I felt and experienced in 1980-81 after the original Friday the 13th was released!
But as the ride was slowing down I felt this overwhelming peace deepening in my soul for my own personal Final Girl history. A Full Circle indeed! A Bloody Brilliant Full Circle Roller Coaster Ride with Grady Hendrix! It doesn’t get better than this!!!”
HOLD ON TIGHT! You've been warned!!!
Cheers!
Your First Final Girl,
Adrienne
]]>Hey Camper!
Happy Summer Solstice!
I hope you are staying safe & strong. I'm excited to be on the move again now that I am fully vaccinated.
I just finished an interview for a writer in Brazil. I thought this was an interesting question so I'm sharing my answer with my non-Brazilian fans here.
Question:
Many love making favorite movie lists. In order not to make you list several films, so instead tell us what is the most important film of your life.
Me:
The most important film in my life would have to be Friday the 13th.
This movie has woven itself into the tapestry of my life.
Whether I chose that or not; did not matter. What did matter is that I chose to embrace that tapestry & figure out how I could make it mine, my own, so that I might be able to achieve a life of joy, happiness, creativity, harmony & peace within my soul & being.
I wake up every morning with gratitude that I survived the real stalking trauma that followed me after Friday the 13th was released in 1980.
Forty + years later I am surrounded by love and nature blessed with a wonderful husband & marriage of 33 years and continue to live my life on my own terms. And I have three generations of Friday the 13th fans around the World who still want to engage with me! How extraordinary is that!
I just completed a fan-tastic new film as soon as I was vaccinated! I can’t mention the details now so check back soon!
And something new & Very exciting, I just finished narrating my first audio book too! I will be posting about that VERY SOON! I can't wait for everyone to listen to this one!!! Extraordinary!
Here's a review that should give you & all my Campers an insight into this bloody brilliant audiobook by one of my favorite horror authors!!! :“Summer Reads Guaranteed to Make Your Heart Thump and Your Skin Crawl”.
CHEERS!
Adrienne
]]>First of all Happy belated 41st Anniversary to Friday the 13th &
Happy 40th to F13 Part 2!!!
Thanks for taking this fan-tastic journey with me! So surreal!
And Campers, I can not wait to share my exciting news with you; regarding not 1 but 2 amazing projects that will be coming your way this Summer (if all goes as planned!)
So, stay tuned! I will post here first & then on FB & Instagram!
CHEERS to YOU!!!
]]>Here's my newest painting that by consensus of my Campers on Facebook & Instagram is now entitled Calm Before the Storm.
Thanks so much for helping me name my painting. It's the perfect choice & very appropriate for this oil on canvas depicting another beautiful day at Camp Crystal Lake with those ominous moody blues & pink clouds moving in... and reflected in the Nobebosco waters.
Happy Spring Campers! I continue to paint and channel my emotions onto my canvas and this continues to be wonderful therapy for me during these bizarre & stressful times. I know it's probably very strange to feel this way but I'm actually grateful for this time of Pandemic isolation since last Spring of 2020.
You see, I would never have taken this "pause" on my own to indulge this passion of mine. Something "more important" would always come up. Now I have had a solid year to focus on finding my own style and improving my artistic skills. Growth, renewal, like Spring, I am hopeful. Art is all consuming and so rewarding. It fills my being. I know I am blessed to have such a supportive family and that means my horror family as well. You who give me encouragement and understand my journey.
I have to acknowledge that there is nothing quite as gratifying than catching those quiet moments of inner peace and satisfaction deep within after a good day of painting. Perhaps this is the true joy... finally realizing what might actually be "more important" after all.
]]>Meeting the King in 2019.
Sweet Alice Hardy, played by Adrienne King, had the distinction of being the sole Camp Crystal Lake survivor in the original “Friday the 13th”. I met King last year and bought some of her delicious, award-winning wines. In addition to her Crystal Lake Wines (sales of which are currently suspended due to the pandemic) she sells her camp and wine-inspired paintings. In the midst of all the wildfire smoke impacting her area, she took time out to answer my questions in detail for this Halloween Tech Rap:
PS: Did you ever attend summer camp as a kid?
AK: “Yes. Once. A Catholic Camp with nuns in upstate NY somewhere… a very strange experience as I was only 6 or 7. One has to wonder… who thought that was a good idea… at such a tender age? Obviously, I survived… but there were no fond memories. I do, however, remember canoes and a lake.”
PS: Why do you think audiences connected with Alice?
AK: “Alice was so unassuming & laid back. An artist & a gentle soul, quiet but deep… interesting.
She would never be cast as a warrior but found out she was a fighter when it came down to survival. I think everyone relates with that aspect of her. Alice didn’t know her own strength until she was forced to go all the way in order to survive. Alice is our touchstone. If she can make it out of this mess/troubled time/bad day at school or work…. then so can I."
PS: Your website has some fun “behind the scenes” pictures. What’s one of your favorite memories while shooting the film?
AK: “There were so many fb fun times at Camp but the snake scene was so much ad lib & all of us physically jumping around all over each other within such a small space was hysterical… Pretty much gently-choregraphed pandemonium. That is… up until the snake lost his life, of course…. Harry [Crosby] refused to do the deed. So, the Director, Sean Cunningham, ended that scene as well as the poor snake’s little life. That wouldn’t happen today.”
PS: I read that Lou Reed was living just down the road from the campsite at that time and performed free for the crew. Did you get to meet him?
AK: “Unfortunately, I did not. The crew stayed at the camp. The actors were put up at a horrid little motel a half hour away. Too bad for me.”
PS: Please share a funny story or blooper from the first film.
AK: “Harry Crosby and I were freezing on the night we were filming looking under the hood of the car & breaking into the office to make a phone call. I think I remember that they were spraying fire hoses all around us to recreate rain & it was cold to begin with! In between takes & setting up shots we were so cold that we started singing Christmas Carols & doing little jigs to keep our blood flowing & stay warm. Pretty funny stuff looking back on this now. I think of those times whenever I hear Bing, Harry’s Dad, singing “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas” at Holiday time. Harry was so much fun to work with & so talented.”
PS: What did you think about the music composed for the film?
AK: “Manfredini is a genius. The music was a huge part of Friday’s success. His score is Brilliant! Bloody brilliant!! He lulled you into that false sense of calm in the lake scene…. Without his music it would not have been the huge scare that still holds up today!!! Harry & Betsy were fabulous together! They were like an old married couple after a few cons together. Their banter was hysterical. Ari [Lehman who played the young Jason Vorhees] would join in after a full day & we would share a good bottle something😉. We were a family for a while.”
PS: Betsy Palmer (a.k.a. “Mrs. Voorhees”) became a very close friend of yours?
AK: “I always say that Sean kept Betsy & I separated before & during filming because he knew we’d bond …that wouldn’t have been advantageous to the movie plot…lol, and we did bond when we reunited in 2004 in NJ…our first convention ever…we hadn’t seen each other since 1980. We had so much to catch up on and share. We would commiserate over a fine bottle of red wine, eventually Crystal Lake Wine’s very own Cabin A Sauvignon (her favorite) whenever we saw each other after that. We became the best of friends. I miss her very much [Palmer died in May of 2015 at age 88]. Whenever I was in NYC Betsy would invite me over to her brownstone off Central Park West & we would have dinner. I gave her my Crystal Lake Memories book by Peter Bracke because she hadn’t ever gotten one. That story is on my website. Such beautiful lasting memories with my Betsy. We both suffered because of this film and we both eventually triumphed because of this film.
PS: You went back to the original NJ campsite to promote your wine. What was it like to go back?
AK: “No wine allowed at Boy Scout Camp! Nope…not the reason. Crystal Lake Tours.org Incredible! Please check it out!! I’ll send a photo that explains that enormity of these events! The Boy Scout Leaders finally got smart & embraced our movie & it’s location as fab film history now. Pure joy for any Friday the 13th fan.”
PS: Alice supposedly died in Part 2, but we all know how that works. Would you play her again if asked?
AK: “Oh yes I most certainly would. I happen to know for a fact that Alice is still alive… that was a horrible nightmare within a Post traumatic dream sequence that lasted many years after that fateful Friday decapitation of Mrs. V. Fortunately with decades of PTSD treatment Alice is able to deal with her demons. Alice thanks Dr. Ginny Fields, her first & continuing Therapist.”
PS: Do you have a favorite horror film? What scares you?
AK: “The Devil scares me. Catholic school. Remember? “The Exorcist” scared the bejesus outta me in 1973 or 4…when I was going to college, FIT, in NYC…I never watched another scary movie until “Friday the 13th!!” Now I look at the special effects and they are laughable… they really are but they scared the hell out of me back when. Now, Tom Savini’s special effects…Now, we’re talking!!! I was allowed in the cabin to watch the filming of the arrow from under the bed with Kevin Bacon & Tom Savini… Oh yes! Now, I watch horror movies with a skilled eye after being part that cinema history! Savini’s scares are still amazing & really hold up 40 years later!!!”
PS: What was your favorite Halloween costume as a kid?
AK: “I loved my Witch costumes!!! I can be a very scary Witch!”
PS: If you were a zombie, who would you want to eat first?
AK: “Chocolate Easter Bunny. With a glass of Crystal Lake’s Campfire Pinot Noir, thank you.”
Trivia: Due to “Friday the 13th’s” shoestring budget, there were no stunt doubles. Adrienne King and Betsy Palmer acted out their fight to the death beach scene themselves. Four years later, King’s experience landed her a job as a stuntwoman for the hit film “Ghostbusters”
Thank you Peter from COMO AUDIO Tech Rap! CHEERS to YOU!!!
Collage artwork by Chris Navarro,
]]>So it's up to us to get creative & figure out how to feel that Christmas spirit.. the Holiday spirit that might be eluding us this Season... but without pressure & anxiety.
I think through kindness. Little things go so far with most people. Perhaps a phone call to a friend you haven't heard from in awhile. Maybe a hand written card to a relative.
My best advice actually comes from my grandmother, Maggie Sweeney, God rest her soul, who survived the 1918 Pandemic, the Depression and many other tough times with dignity, working & raising a family against all odds. Whenever I felt down or sad she'd insist: "Get Up! Get out!! You'll feel better!" Even when I didn't feel like getting out of bed... depressed about something that I can't even remember anymore.
But her advice, albeit simple was sage. Especially if you can get out into Nature...talk a safe, slow walk in the Park & embrace the fresh air... it really does works... for me. Maybe for you too. You count your blessings & reflect on all the goodness that is still surrounding us. You focus on the beauty of the woods, trees, clouds, getting out of your own head.
And we persevere. And we endure. And we will get through this together. WE will survive.
SO on that note I wish you a safe and Happy Holiday & a much better New Year in 2021. Hopefully, if we all do our part , we'll be able to gather together soon!!!
CHEERS to YOU!!!
xoxo,
Adrienne
]]>
It seems as though I've been nominated for Best Actress for my role in KILLER THERAPY! This is indeed SHOCKWORTHY!!!
Especially since I thought my role was more of a Supporting Actress.... however I am thrilled & very honored. How exciting! Thank you SHOCKFEST!
Kudos to writer/director Barry Jay! I can't wait to create with you again. We had such a bloody brilliant cast & crew including PJ Soles, Elizabeth Keener &Thom Matthews
I loved working on this indie movie & playing Ms. Perkins, the guidance counselor. It was so much fun to get back in front of the camera. especially with such creative & collaborative talent. There’s even talk of a SEQUEL!
Oh MY!!! You'll know exactly what I mean... after you've watched.
So, if you haven’t seen KILLER THERAPY yet—there’s no time like tonight!
I promise you a terrifying & terrific time!
The online event from Las Vegas is on 12/11. Try to tune in!
]]>I had the privilege of being the Guest Lecturer at the University of Virginia's Film Studies Class with Professor Matt Marshall and his 50+ students via ZOOM this past Friday the 13th. I have to tell you it was rather intimidating at first when all those Postage Stamp-sized young faces began popping up on my computer screen!
Fortunately, my internet held up as the a winter storm was bearing down on Southern Oregon. Here I was about to ZOOM with this new generation of Friday the 13th Campers who grew up on our "now" cult classic movie.
So, we got into the questions & answers immediately and before I knew it 90 minutes had blown by. It still amazes me to think that our little Friday the 13th is studied as part of film curriculum in many Colleges and Universities. I mean, after all, we are talking about a little low-budget indie horror film that most major film critics agreed in 1980 would die a very quick death!
And yet here we are 40 years later, discussing Friday the 13th's longevity and bloody brilliance!
I would say that our favorite film is the ultimate survivor. Wouldn't you?
And why? Because of you. The fans. You hold the power. Don't ever forget that!
See you back at Camp,
Adrienne
]]>
I received my order of the autographed F13th script today...thanks so much for sending it so fast!!!! I have one quesion... I am curious if my copy is a misprint or if I'm overlooking something: the ending is missing from the script? The last page is Page 82 and at the bottom it says "CUT TO:" but that's the very end. Is Page 82 the last page in the script or is something missing? Thanks so much for your help & All The Best!!!! Kev
Thank you for bringing this up Kev. I should have realized that there might be questions regarding why my final shooting script ends on Page 82 with “Mommy…” instead of: “then he’s still there….” Here is the background on that:
My original “Friday 13” script is the final filming script that the cast received before arriving on set at Camp NoBeBoSco way back in 1979.
During the first two weeks of filming, director Sean Cunningham realized we needed another fun scene for character bonding & story development hence the strip monopoly scene was added by Victor Miller while we were at camp.
The same happened after the last scene when my character Alice was pulled underneath the water by the boy Jason.
Originally, that is where Friday the 13th ended; on Page 82 with Jason calling out “Mommy”. The audience would have been left wondering.
However, after seeing the dailies & the incredible scare we had filmed at Camp on that last chilly morning of shooting (Friday the 12th of October 1979) Sean quickly realized he just couldn’t end the movie there!
The surprise “ending” with Jason attacking Alice in the canoe that #TeamFriday13 captured & we’d delivered on film was so extraordinary that it deserved the epilogue scene in the hospital that laid the groundwork for a sequel.
So, at this point, Friday the 13th was still a work in progress.
2 weeks later, according to my 1979 date book, I took a train from Grand Central Station to Westport, Connecticut & then grabbed a cab to our new location to film the hospital scene. Remember, this was a very low budget movie.
I’m sure there must’ve been a shooting page for that last scene & those iconic words “then he’s still there…” however I don’t remember receiving one… One thing for sure though that last hospital scene was never in the original script.
As you read my “Friday 13” original script you realize how much of this movie included improv dialogue by our bloody brilliant actors.
I hope that this information helps clarify any concerns and explains the history of my original “Friday 13” script and filming of our Crystal Lake Camp experience.
I hope you enjoy and come to treasure your Friday the 13th script the way I have after 41 years.
Stay safe! Stay strong!
See you back at Camp!
xoxo
Adrienne
]]>
I've been spending lots more time painting, learning how to be hands-on my own website (huge learning curve for me😉 and catching up on reading.
As I was looking over my site, I thought you might be curious as to the motivation behind my creating the Limited Edition of my own Friday the 13th script and making it available to You.
As you probably know, I personally correspond with my friends, fans & Campers on Social Media. So, after chatting with a Facebook buddy from the UK (M.) I came to realize that a Company by the name of Royal Books in Baltimore was selling & misrepresenting a copy of my personal Friday the 13th script (1979) as MY original. And asking for $4500!! How dare they??? And they refused to take it down.
So…. “This is the only way I know how!” to handle that nonsense!
I created a limited edition of my original FRIDAY 13 script for my serious Campers and Collectors. I sought out a specialty Printer to make your script look and feel just like mine from 1979. Already signed by Sean Cunningham, I will add my signature for you with personalization to You if you desire.
Then I will number your limited edition script plus you receive a corresponding Certificate of Authenticity signed by me.
I know you'll enjoy reading what did and did NOT make it into the movie!
See you back at Camp!
Adrienne King
Your 1st Final Girl
PS: What better way to celebrate than with 13% OFF my script! Applied at checkout. (Order Here)
]]>
There's no way for me to fully explain the tender relationship that developed between Betsy & me. We had so much in common after all these years. Friday the 13th had caused us both enormous pain especially in the beginning.
Siskel & Ebert gave her hell for playing the role of Mrs. Voorhees in a "horror" film that they deemed disgusting & below her status as an actress who had been a leading lady to James Dean, Henry Fonda and many others in her Hollywood days. They actually gave out Betsy's address so people could send her hate mail. Can you even imagine?
1980 was still primitive for women. The cops told me that it was my fault that I had a stalker.. I had brought it upon myself for having starred in Friday the 13th. My fault... not the stalker's. Go figure.
We; Betsy & I, just wanted to work in our chosen profession. That happened to be acting. We were bullied. We were threatened. We wouldn't have gone through this if we'd been men, right?
So you see Betsy & I had both survived the ugliness that this movie had brought upon us. It was nasty, prolonged and yet we both survived. We were bonded forever by this little movie that caused us so much hurt. We would share this new journey together.
But here's the kicker!
The Bonus.. the surprise that neither one of us ever expected. We were resurrected from the dead by our loving & devoted Friday the 13th fans. Three generations of fans! With the advent of social media we had become "current" and together we finally got to enjoy the success of Friday the 13th. We would find there was joy and love to behold from Friday's aftermath. Decades later.
We got to meet our loyal fans, who became our Happy Campers who would show up at conventions & all sorts of other incredible events to meet us. We were always so amazed & grateful. We got to engage with some of our Friday the 13th cast & crew whom we hadn't seen in over 25 years!
I am so blessed to have gotten to know the Betsy Palmer behind Mrs. Voorhees. She was an all-around stunner! So smart, beautiful & incredibly talented! I especially enjoyed Betsy at Q&A’s! Harry Manfredini ,our music maestro, and Betsy would go-at-it like an old married couple after awhile. It was hysterical! I would just sit back & let Mrs. Voorhees rock the room of fans with her quick wit & brutal honesty while Harry M. shot her one-liners. Then the 3 of of us would share a beautiful bottle of red wine & Ari Lehman, our First Jason, would drop by or Kane or Tom Savini or Amy Steel. We were like a Friday family for awhile. I looked forward to reuniting with my family at these conventions as well as meeting new fans & old friends.
I remember one beautiful day in early May 2009 , Betsy invited me over for dinner at her Brownstone off Central Park West while I was visiting New York City.
I now lived in Southern Oregon. I missed New York, where I was born & raised, went to school & lived until 1994. My husband and I had moved to Los Angeles for business. I tried to get back every so often for my Broadway & Met-fix.
Sidenote: By this time Betsy had convinced me to become a vegetarian. I remember her shouting at me while we were ordering dinner together after a long day at Scarefest in Lexington, Kentucky:
“Chicken!" as I attempted to order my meal..."You don’t want to eat chicken! Who wants to eat an animal that eats its own shit!”.. oh, yes, that was my Betsy.
So, back to Betsy's brownstone; for dinner she ordered in from a phenomenal Vegan restaurant near by. I missed New Yok even more. I still don't have Uber-Eats or Grub Hub here in my little town in Southern Oregon.
For some reason, I had lugged my Crystal Lake Memories Book all the way from Oregon to her cozy apartment that late afternoon . I’d received the fabulous book only recently myself from Peter Bracke & I probably wanted Betsy to sign it. I had missed the big Release Party in LA at Universal Studios in 2005 when everyone involved received their Copy.
We looked through the enormous bloody brilliant book. I watched her face, her amazement growing as she turned the pages. How did our little low-budget Friday the 13th indie flick become such an iconic horror movie? How ever did it spawn so many sequels securing the original Friday the 13th's status as a cult-classic fan favorite!
She looked at me & said.. ”This all began with us!”
It brought tears to both our eyes & this is when she said to me, “ I guess being remembered for being a devoted mother isn’t the worst thing in the World…” and I said “Betsy, you have three generations of fans around the Globe who adore you. You’ve impacted them forever! You were a pioneer in the industry. You're a living legend & they love you!
And Betsy smiled. "I love them too. I’m going to embrace that; she took in a deep breath & held the book to her chest. She let out a sigh and she did. I saw in that moment that Betsy let it happen and it gave me goosebumps as I watched her let out a huge sigh and smile with tears running down her cheeks. She had finally embraced her role as Mrs. Voorhees despite the agony it caused her when the film first came out in 1980. It was a full circle moment.
“May I borrow this” she asked of the book.
Betsy had never received her copy of CLM, either. It was close to Mother’s Day & she was going to visit her daughter in Connecticut.
"I want to show this to Melissa."
“It’s yours, Betsy. Enjoy.” And I know she did.
We had a special moment... a special relationship... that is frozen in time.
I miss you Betsy. We all do.
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