INT: Barbara Crampton

Last Updated on July 28, 2021

The Arrow
interviews Barbara Crampton

Barbara
Crampton was in two of my favorite horror flicks: Re-Animator and From
Beyond. But her genre
resume
doesn’t stop there. She was also in Space Truckers, Castle Freak,
Trancers 2, Chopping Mall and Puppet Master. She has presence, knows
how to act and yes, is very beautiful. Arrow recently had the pleasure
of exchanging a few words with her, and this is how it turned out.

1- What’s your
favorite horror movie?

Definitely
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I believe it was shot on 16millimetre
which made it seem so real, like a home movie or a documentary, like
it could happen to you in your hometown in YOUR backyard! The
first time I saw it I couldn’t sleep for 3 nights.

2-
Did you always
want to be an actress? How did you fall into it?

Since I was
5. I used to love all the old movie actors. Miriam Hopkins, Bette Davis
and Danny Kaye
were my favorites. I started acting in school plays when I was in 7th
grade, went to college and got a degree in Theatre Arts. I also
developed a love for performing from my father who is the ultimate
showman. He’s a carnie, and much of my childhood was spent on
the midway with my family. They call my father “The best mike
man” in the business, because he knows a little bit about every
subject, and can engage you and enthrall you so much that you are
entertained enough to spend most of your money at his game!

3-
You played in
four Stuart Gordon films (Re-Animator, From Beyond,
Castle Freak and Space Truckers). I guess you guys must have a great
“work” chemistry. What kind of director is Mr. Gordon?

I love Stuart. He is so focused and calm
as a director. He has a very clear idea of what he wants and works
with everyone so directly so that we are all in sync. You know how you
watch some movies and there is no cohesion? Like everyone’s in their
own little movie? Well, in a Stuart Gordon film you would never have
that. There is a unified tone to everyone’s performance. He has a
wonderful loving family who adore him and in his work he is not afraid
to explore his dark side. In fact, he celebrates it! I hope I can work with him again soon. It’s been too long.

4-
When
you were doing Re-Animator, did you have any idea it would become
the classic that it is today? Do you have a funny set stories that you can share
with us?

No, I
don’t think any of us realized it would become a cult favorite. We
did have great fun making
it though. We rehearsed in my living room for 3 weeks before
production. Stuart came from a theatre background, as did I so it felt
important for us to do that. We talked about the story, characters and
got up on our feet to work through the scenes. There were definite
parts we knew were funny but Stuart wanted us to play it really
straight. We kept the humour inside, but especially with Jeffrey it
was there. The tone became a bit satirical because of that. One night
on the set a girlfriend was visiting me, it was very late. We were
shooting the scene where Bruce pulls a eye out of a corpse, it was a
real cow eye! It was gruesome, smoke was all around and the mood on
the set was spooky. My girlfriend got freaked and had to sleep over!
We worked 16 hour days, got little sleep and had a blast.

5- In “From Beyond” you played Dr.
Katherine. It was a great part. What kind of preparation did you do
for the part? Was it hard keeping a straight face?

I talked to a great
many experts in the field of mental illness. It was fascinating! I
worked a lot on a more
restricted walk for her for most of the film until her passion is
released and then I wanted to appear strangely sensual, almost in slow
motion, as if I was existing in two dimensions. The Pretorius ‘get up’
was incredible. He was so gross that I would laugh at how disgusting
he was! The slime (which was actually a food thickener) was cold and
gooey. It was not pleasant! But it wasn’t supposed to be. As for the
bondage outfit, I quite enjoyed wearing it really! I was in control.
It’s a secret fantasy for us all. In Stuart’s movies we are allowed to
indulge our fantasies.

6-
Soap
fans also know you well. You had parts in “Bold and Beautiful”,
“The Guiding Light”, “The Young and the Restless” and
“Days Of Our Lives”. What’s the difference between
shooting on a soap and shooting on a horror flick?

Well, it has
a completely different feel being different genres. The only
connection could be that both have a heightened feeling of reality.
Normal people don’t talk like they do on soaps and things don’t quite
happen like they do in horror movies. I do enjoy the bigness of both.
I like to work big and broad and I enjoy playing characters who are
full, vibrant and reveal themselves.

7- Of
all the work you’ve done…what part are you most proud of, in terms of
your performance?

Believe it or not I
would have to say Leanna Love on “The Young and the
Restless”. When I originally got the
part it was supposed to be for 3 months. They told me I was mentally
ill and trying to kill Ashly because I was in love with my
psychiatrist. I talked to many experts about what illness she might
have and how to play scenes with various characters based on feelings
I would have. I played her having a borderline personality with bouts
of psychosis. She was and is a fascinating character. I played her
consistently for 4 years and at present the character continues to
recur (I never told the writers what I was playing). Now for
longevity purposes Leanna is more eccentric than ill. She’s become a
bit more healthy. But still lively!

8-
What
does Barbara Crampton do when she’s not drenched in karo syrup?

Actually it is not
Karo syrup, although it does look like that! It was methosellulouse
(that spelling is
wrong, I’m sure). It is a food thickener used in Mc Donald’s
milkshakes. Lately I’ve been doing a lot of power yoga. I also love
running and working out with weights. I enjoy going to flea markets
and shopping for antiques. I started writing a few years ago and am
working on various projects, one which is based on my life working and
growing up in the carnival business.

9-
Any
projects in the works, when will we see you next?

Currently I
am in Vermont at Edgewood studios working on a movie for Porchlight
Entertainment called
Lightening- Storm of Destruction (both companies have websites). It is
my first family type drama! Stacey Keach, John Schneider and Michele
Greene are also in it. I play the evil mayor of the town. A boy, who
is a computer and science whiz, predicts a storm the likes of which we
haven’t seen in 200 years. No one believes him. It has everything.
Great storms, pandemonium, humour and a lot of heart. The script is
really good and I’m very excited about it! I will also be shooting
more episodes of Y and R the middle of August.

10-
This question is for all the dreamers out there…what do you look
for in a man?

I like a man
who is a real man. No mambi pambi bullshit. A man of few words and big
action. Intelligent and who can make me laugh.

Thanks
a lot, Barb!