Monsters, Music, and Muscles

Jeff Monahan is yet another local Pittsburgher who I was thrilled to interview. He has a pretty extensive film career under his belt, but he's not just an actor! He's also a writer, producer, director and has his own film company, 72nd St. Films. Add to that that he acted in two of my favorite movies, Two Evil Eyes and Bruiser, and you know why I was thrilled! I've never had the pleasure of meeting Jeff in person but I hope to one of these days! Enjoy the interview..

1. What was your favorite thing to dress up as for Halloween in childhood?

I don't know if it was my favorite, but I once dressed as a woman. I wore a wig, a mini-dress, stockings, high heels, and was quite sexy for a twelve-year-old. I also had vampire fangs, and blood around my mouth. So I guess I was a lady vampire. I have no idea what this implies.

#2 What is your favorite horror movie past and present?

I don't have just one. But I love The Haunting (the original, with Julie Harris), also the original versions of The Wicker Man, Halloween, Black Christmas, Psycho. The Innocents is so wonderful. Evil Dead. The Tenant. Rosemary's Baby, The Shining, The Ring, Dog Soldiers, The Sentinal, The Exorcist...See what you've started?

#3 Who are your favorite horror movie actors/actresses?

I don't look at actors as "horror movie actors" as in that's all they do, or all they can do. The genre doesn't make the actor. My friend, Ashley Laurence, is known for horror films, but she's a wonderful actor in everything.

#4 Is there any particular monster that fascinates you?

Yes. People.

#5 You've been in quite a few horror movies. Which one was your favorite & why?

Bruiser. It just feels European somehow.

#6 Who did you idolize as a child?

Clint Eastwood. (I still do, but for different reasons).

#7 Going to conventions you have met a lot of famous people, who is your favorite?

In terms of just walking up and saying hi, I'd have to say Angela Bettis. She may not be considered famous, but she should be. So sweet and talented.

#8 What has been your favorite horror convention that you've been a guest at?

Fango.

#9 Who was your favorite director to work with?

George Romero and John Sayles. Both because they're so laid back and know what they want.

#10 What made you get into acting?

In high school, I was painfully shy and couldn't talk to anyone, especially anyone of the female persuasion. Then we had a six-week Creative Dramatics module in English class. I wrote, directed, produced, and starred in my own short play. And it clicked. I felt like I was doing something that I was meant to do. After that, I started coming out of my shell a bit. Now I'm totally out of my shell, (except for occasional quiet times that I enjoy).

#11 What do you feel makes a good horror movie?

I think horror movies can touch on so many issues relating to life. They can carry complicated themes, and work on various levels. But really, I think the thing that makes a good horror movie is if it actually scares me. That may sound simplistic, but if it can touch me in a way that I become literally afraid, really have that feeling, then it works for me. This can be in campfire-tale kind of way, or in a deeper way, but if I'm scared, I'm happy. (Hardly ever happens. But I'm always looking).

#12 What horror movie character was your favorite to play & why?

For some reason, I've always been fascinated with a person off alone after a tragedy, and who has something supernatural happen to them. The Changeling. The Hand. Secret Window. So I wrote an episode for the Romero series called WeT about a guy who lives alone in a beach house and who has an experience. Since it's a short, I didn't have time to delve into the past, but it was still a lot of fun to get into it as far as I could.

#13 Any current projects?

Doing a film called Corpsing this summer, from my script. I'm producing, directing and acting in it. Hope to do Jack Ketchum's Joyride next, and then The Collaboration, with Malcolm McDowell. Also doing a play later this year called Hospitality Suite, which is a wonderful dark comedy/drama.

Thanks for getting in touch. You can keep an eye on things at www.72ndstfilms.com Best - Jeff

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