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Fred Dekker Interview (Night of the Creeps)

FDFred Dekker: Admiring Tom Atkins with Night of the Creeps’ Clever Auteur. By Brian Kirst

It takes plenty honest heart and talent to create one beloved cult classic, but to his supreme credit, the charming and passionate Fred Dekker has created two – Night of the Creeps (recently released on extras-laden DVD) and The Monster Squad.  But no one trick pony, Dekker has also made significant contributions to HBO’s seminal Tales from the Crypt series and to science fiction classic Enterprise (along with helming Robocop III). Recently, in celebration of his upcoming appearance at Terror in the Aisles 3 in Chicago, Dekker took a moment out from chaperoning undead college prom dates, to answer some parasitic questions for this exclusive piece.

Brian: So, Fred, who were your first artistic influences- Vinny Price cradling a broiled Caroline Munro – Orson Welles’ sense of theatrical on film – a kazoo blowing, Shakespeare quoting aunt?

Fred: Well, my parents met in art school, so being creative was kind of in my DNA.  I started drawing at a very early age, and I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area in the ‘60s and ‘70s — so you can imagine what kind of a groovy scene that was.  Outta sight, man!  – My dad was also a big film buff and he introduced me to watching old black-and-white movies on TV very early on, so I was never intimidated by something that wasn’t “new”.  I grew to love old movies – mostly horror, fantasy and science fiction – and started making little 8mm films with my friends when I was about 12. – But JAWS was the first time I saw a guiding force behind a movie.  It was so powerful and stylish, and so clearly the “voice” of a filmmaker that I decided if that’s what a director does, that’s what I wanted to do.

Brian: That’s so cool! The only voices I hear come when the prescription runs out! – Anyhow, if you don’t set out to make a cult film – what do you set out to make?

Fred: A) a good one, and B) a successful one. –  Ideally both.

Brian: Awesome! – Having worked with so many accomplished performers, was there an unexpected reaction that you got from one of them while directing that made you go – “Whoa, this dude (or dudette) is brilliant!”

200px-NightofthecreepsposterFred: There’s a moment in Tom Atkins’ monologue in NIGHT OF THE CREEPS where he stutters a bit on the line about his sweetheart getting “hacked up by a nut case with an axe”.  I didn’t tell him to do it, but it was electric.  In that tiny moment, this badass, tough as nails Detective lets down his guard for a millisecond…showing the wounded human being underneath.  It took my breath away, and it’s just one of the many reasons that’s my favorite scene in the movie. – But you’re right, I’ve been lucky enough to work with many great actors – David Paymer, Tom Noonan, David Proval, Jonathan Gries, Miguel Ferrer, Rip Torn, Bradley Whitford, Stephen Root, Stanley Anderson, CCH Pounder, John Castle, the late, great Mako, the list goes on and on. And every one of them was a joy.

Brian: That’s awesome – and so uncreepy! – If you could do a sequel to “Night of the Creeps” would there be a particular character (including the minor ones) that you would like to base the new adventure around?

Fred: I’ve actually been thinking about this recently, and you may be surprised to know that Detective Cameron would be back in a major way – despite his demise in the first film.  – I’d also bring back Chris and Cynthia (Jason Lively and Jill Whitlow).  They would be married and the main character may or may not be their daughter.  I’d also love to bring back Steve Marshall to play a couple of roles, like Peter Sellers in DR. STRANGELOVE.

Brian: Hey, I do a great British accent, too! Oh — Well, having experienced the terrible highs and lows of the business, is there one thing that truly stands out in your mind about the whole experience?

Fred: The fans, at screenings or conventions, who tell me my work really means something to them.  That’s something you can’t buy for all the tea in China.

Brian: True. – If you could only pick one of the “Tales of the Crypt” episodes that you worked on to show to an audience – which one would it be and why?

Fred: Great question.  I’d probably show “Lower Berth,” directed by my friend Kevin Yagher (the FX whiz who created Chucky and The Crypt-Keeper, among others).  I like the atmosphere of that one, the fact that it’s a period piece and a twisted love story.  I feel it was the most ambitious of my episodes, the least run-of-the-mill.  And Kevin really nailed it.

Brian: Power tools rule! So, what would your dream filmmaking project be?

Fred: To make the live action feature version of “Jonny Quest,” based on a script I wrote for Warner Bros in the ‘90s.  It was a period piece, set at the time of the original cartoon series (1964) and in addition to non-stop, ball’s out, sci-fi action, it’s kind of non-PC and has a real heart and soul to it; a real investment in making this dysfunctional family of globe-trotting adventurers funny and believable.  I loved the old show and I would want to do it justice without “re-inventing” it or “re-booting” or whatever the latest catch-phrase is to describe ruining something you love from your childhood (although don’t get me wrong, I love the James Bond re-boot!)  I’d also love to do a biopic of Harry Houdini.

Brian: Here’s to that rope! – Lastly, any words of advice (IE: Never bother Tom Atkins when he’s wielding a shotgun) or future plans that you’d like to tell us about? And thanks – this has been better than being inducted into The Monster Squad any day of the week!

Fred: I’m developing a drama called THE LOSS OF NAMELESS THINGS, which is the true story of Oakley Hall III, a brilliant young playwright who started a theater company in the ‘70s in upstate New York, and was just ascending to greatness when he suffered a brain injury.  It’s a rise and fall and rise story; a movie about second chances and coming to grips with our limitations and the expectations of others.  It will be produced by Curtis Burch and is based on a documentary by Bill Rose.  I’m really excited about it. – As for advice for young filmmakers, my advice is one word: Story. (Also, take acting lessons.)

Fred Dekker will be appearing at Movieside Film Festival’s Terror in the Aisles 3 in Chicago on Saturday, Dec 5th at 7PM at The Portage Theater, 4050 N. Milwaukee Avenue along with Blair Witch Project’s Eduardo Sanchez. Films shown will be the unrated director’s cut of Dekker’s Night of the Creeps, the original 1974 slasher classic, Black Christmas and celebrating its 10th anniversary, Sanchez’s Blair Witch Project.

Tickets are $12 and can be purchased at the door or online at
www.brownpapertickets.com.

www.myspace.com/moviesidefilmfestival

3 Comments

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  1. Kool interview! I recently saw the 20th Anniversary of "Monster Squad" w/ my teen daughter and she absolutely LOVED it! She laughed, jumped up and enjoyed it so much (I did too, I must admit!)! I'm glad Fred's movies are being re-discovered and appreciated. He seems like a nice person, too. My best to him… :D

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