Fright Night - Behind The Scenes - 40th Anniversary Original Cast Table Read

Summary

Table Read Podcast Summary

Episode: Fright Night - Behind The Scenes - 40th Anniversary Original Cast Table Read
Release Date: July 23, 2024
Host/Authors: Manifest Media / TABLE READ
Executive Producers: Jack Levy, Shaan Sharma, Mark Knell
Website: Table Read Podcast
Production Company: Manifest Media

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1. Introduction to the 40th Anniversary Celebration

The episode kicks off with the excitement surrounding the 40th anniversary of the iconic horror film Fright Night. The host, Tom Holland, leads a reunion of the original cast, including notable names such as Rosario Dawson and Mark Hamill. The cast gathers to perform a table read of the script, reminiscing about the film's legacy and their personal connections to it.

2. Reflecting on the Enduring Popularity of Fright Night

Tom Holland delves into why Fright Night has maintained its popularity over four decades. He shares personal anecdotes and highlights the multi-generational appeal of the film.

Tom Holland [02:48]: "It's become multi-generational. People will say to their grandchildren, I want to introduce you to a family movie called Fright Night... It has humor and Fright Night is laced with humor. And at the same time it has heart."

He contrasts Fright Night with other horror films like Psycho 2 and Child's Play, noting that none have achieved the same familial legacy.

3. Evolution of the Vampire Genre

The discussion shifts to the vampire genre's evolution, emphasizing how Fright Night rejuvenated interest in vampires in cinema.

Tom Holland [13:19]: "I like to think that Fright Night began the resuscitation of the vampire genre, which now, of course, is absolutely huge."

Holland reminisces about the challenges he faced in getting the film made during a time when horror was not a favored genre in Hollywood, highlighting the film's role in paving the way for modern vampire narratives.

4. Sharing Memories of Roddy McDowell

A heartfelt segment honors Roddy McDowell, a key figure from the original movie who is no longer with us. The cast shares personal stories and cherished memories, underscoring his impact on both the film and their lives.

Tom Holland [18:39]: "Roddy was a walking film history. He was an oral history of the film business because he started when he was like 8 years old."

Rosario Dawson [22:08]: "He was also an extraordinary friend wherever he was in the world. I remember once getting a birthday card from him from Prague."

These anecdotes paint a vivid picture of McDowell’s deep roots in Hollywood and his lasting influence on his peers.

5. Behind the Scenes of the Table Read Production

The cast provides insights into the production process of the table read, likening it to assembling a feature film. They discuss the technical aspects, such as achieving high sound quality with Manifest Media, and the collaborative efforts over four years to bring the reunion to fruition.

Tom Holland [25:13]: "It's been like putting together a feature film."

Mark Hamill [15:46]: "Lunch is back out where we had charcuterie. So we'll do a longer break, have some lunch."

These segments highlight the meticulous planning and dedication required to recreate the Fright Night experience for listeners.

6. Audience Interaction and Q&A

A significant portion of the episode involves interactive Q&A with the audience. Fans ask detailed questions about the film’s plot, character motivations, and potential future installments.

• Is Evil Ed Really Dead?
  An audience member inquires about the fate of Evil Ed, hinting at the possibility of a sequel based on his unresolved status.

  Audience Member [06:56]: "Is Evil dead at the end when Evil Ed's red eyes appear next door? Does that mean he's not dead and you're setting up a sequel?"

  Tom Holland [07:01]: "He said, of course he's still alive."

• Nature of Billy Cole’s Character
  Questions arise about Billy Cole's true nature, whether he is a vampire or another supernatural entity.

  Audience Member [07:58]: "If Billy Cole isn't a vampire, what is he with goo dripping down his?"

  Tom Holland [08:21]: "He can be his protection during the day. So he can be argued as a ghoul, which is somebody who's been bit by the vampire but hasn't been turned."

• Impact of Modern Horror Fandom
  The discussion extends to how today's horror fans might influence character acceptance and plot developments.

  Audience Member [09:18]: "Do you think it would be easier in today's world for a Peter Vincent to be more easily convinced that vampires are real?"

  Tom Holland [10:20]: "Horror genre has grown to where now it is just huge... Fright Night has become increasingly popular."

7. Future Plans for Fright Night

Tom Holland shares his enthusiasm for continuing the Fright Night legacy, mentioning upcoming projects and stories.

Tom Holland [29:23]: "We have Julie Carmen here from Fright Night 2... We're coming out with a new one called Frightened Aftermath. And I'm into my dotage writing Fright Night Stories."

Holland emphasizes his dedication to expanding the universe he created, ensuring that Fright Night remains a vibrant part of horror storytelling.

8. Nostalgic Reflections and Humor

Throughout the episode, the cast injects humor and nostalgia, reminiscing about past experiences, shared jokes, and the camaraderie that has kept their bond strong over the years.

Bill [15:03]: "It's an event."

Mark Hamill [16:02]: "You know, your paint jobs... it went for $27,000 in Great Britain. He knows that."

These light-hearted moments enhance the engaging and warm atmosphere of the reunion.

9. Honoring Fright Night’s Legacy

The episode culminates with a collective affirmation of Fright Night's enduring impact on fans and the horror genre.

Rosario Dawson [30:37]: "Welcome to Fright Night. For real."

Tom Holland [30:50]: "That is my favorite line. Sorry. Good."

The cast expresses gratitude to the fans for their unwavering support, ensuring that the legacy of Fright Night continues to thrive.

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Key Takeaways

• Legacy and Longevity: Fright Night's continued relevance is attributed to its multi-generational appeal, balanced with humor and heartfelt storytelling.
• Vampire Genre Resurgence: The film played a pivotal role in revitalizing vampire narratives in cinema, contributing to the genre's current popularity.
• Tribute to Roddy McDowell: The episode honors Roddy McDowell's memory, celebrating his contributions and lasting influence on the cast and the industry.
• Production Insights: Detailed discussion on the collaborative efforts and technical aspects behind the table read, highlighting the dedication of the cast and crew.
• Future Endeavors: Tom Holland hints at future Fright Night projects, ensuring the story’s expansion and continued engagement with fans.
• Fan Engagement: Interactive Q&A emphasizes the deep connection between the cast and the fanbase, addressing intricate plot details and character arcs.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Tom Holland [02:48]: "It's become multi-generational... Fright Night is laced with humor. And at the same time it has heart."
• Tom Holland [13:19]: "I like to think that Fright Night began the resuscitation of the vampire genre."
• Tom Holland [18:39]: "Roddy was a walking film history... an oral history of the film business."
• Tom Holland [25:13]: "It's been like putting together a feature film."
• Rosario Dawson [30:37]: "Welcome to Fright Night. For real."
• Tom Holland [30:50]: "That is my favorite line."

Conclusion

This special 40th-anniversary episode of Table Read offers an intimate look behind the scenes of Fright Night, celebrating its lasting impact on horror cinema and its passionate fanbase. Through engaging discussions, heartfelt tributes, and interactive moments, the cast and crew honor the film's legacy while hinting at exciting future projects. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to Fright Night, this episode provides a comprehensive and captivating exploration of one of horror's beloved classics.

Transcript

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[Bill]

All right, I have a question, Bill. Are we doing it as we did? I mean, no.

[Tom Holland]

Do you know what I mean?

[Bill]

We just saw the movie. Do we want to emulate Exactly.

[Tom Holland]

However you want to bring it is how we want to get so.

[Bill]

Well, I. I'm just wondering what the expectation might be.

[Tom Holland]

Do the voice like this. How you doing? Okay.

[Bill]

Shut the door.

[Tom Holland]

Rosario. How are you? I'm well. How are you? I didn't recognize you with a hat. I know. And you, who did you finally end up bringing? My mom. Your mom? Mothers will always be there. Thank you for doing this, dear. Absolutely. Thanks for having me.

[Bill]

You were one Thursday to get.

[Rosario Dawson]

Can I get this to put on my Facebook page?

[Tom Holland]

It's so nice of you.

[Rosario Dawson]

Thank you so much.

[Mark Hamill]

All right, ladies and gentlemen, hello. I've met all of you. Mark, executive producer. Sean, executive producer. Jack, executive producer. We're here for Tom, just as you are. He brought this idea to us and as you guys do, we love this guy. So thank you all for helping to make this day what it is going to be. We're doing a little reporter thing here. So we've got some questions that we might throw out. Shoot out answers. This is Saruthi. Saruthi works for our PR department, Manifest Media's PR department. I'm going to step out of the way. She's going to do what she does.

[Rosario Dawson]

So this is Bill from Dread Central.

[Tom Holland]

He's just going to be asking a few questions. Hi, everyone. Hello, I'm Bill.

[Jack]

Hey, what's up?

[Fan/Interviewer]

Hello. All the way from Beverly Hills. Congratulations on today and congratulations on the reunion. I've been a fan of Fright Night ever since I saw it in college way back when. And it's to me, maybe. No, no, I'm not gonna Even say, maybe the best vampire movie ever made in history. So, yes, thank you, Tom Holland. Heck, yeah. Sir Tom, what is it like for you to nearly 40 years after the release of that film to see it have still such a life to it in a way that so many non cinematic universe, non franchise films do. What's your take on its enduring popularity?

[Tom Holland]

Oh, it's incredibly moving. Personally, I've had some other big successes, but nobody. What's happened to Fright Night is it's become multi generational. People will say to their grandchildren, I want to introduce you to a family movie called Fright Night and introduce you to monsters. And so it's become, you know, I get three generations at a time telling me how much they love the movie. And I don't. That doesn't happen with Psycho 2 and they don't say that with Child's Play, you know, but with, with Frightened Eye. Yes. And they love the characters. And I think it's because it's my love letter to the horror movies that I grew up with when they had horror hosts like, you know, Elvira and Stagger Lee and, you know, and that's who Peter Vinson is. And it's, it's just. I couldn't, I. I wanted to be Charlie Brewster. I couldn't think of anything greater than becoming convinced as a mad horror fan that there was a vampire living next door. And it's funny, you can hear them laughing now. But it has humor and Fright Night is laced with humor. And at the same time it has heart. Peter Vincent is the heart. Charlie Brewster, Bill Ragsdale is the engine that drives it. And it's just a warm, fun loving movie. And people love horror who love Fright Night because it's just a wonderfully entertaining, fun experience. And I am blessed. I am so lucky, you know, I really am. Bravo.

[Fan/Interviewer]

Bravo.

[Tom Holland]

Congratulations.

[Bill]

Frightened.

[Audience Member]

I also saw on your IMDb that you did a. A fright night in 2011, but not as Jerry Dandridge, as a victim.

[Rosario Dawson]

This was the Colin Farrell one.

[Bill]

It was a remake, but his word, it was more of a reimagining because you really can't.

[Tom Holland]

It was totally different. Yeah, same.

[Bill]

It was close.

[Rosario Dawson]

Same character names.

[Bill]

Yeah, same characters.

[Mark Hamill]

Same character names and rough outline of the film.

[Audience Member]

Why have I never heard of it? Probably because this one just eclipses everything.

[Rosario Dawson]

Oh, well, David Tennant played Peter Vincent.

[Bill]

Oh, and he would date as a.

[Mark Hamill]

Criss angel type of Vegasian.

[Rosario Dawson]

Colin Farrell played Jerry. And Toni Collette played Dorothy. Judy played Judy.

[Tom Holland]

What's the young woman's name?

[Bill]

Yelchin.

[Mark Hamill]

No, Yelich Right.

[Bill]

What was the act? Who passed away?

[Tom Holland]

Yelch.

[Rosario Dawson]

Yelich.

[Tom Holland]

Anton. Yelich. Anton.

[Bill]

Yeah.

[Audience Member]

So you were in that one.

[Rosario Dawson]

But as a victim, I did a.

[Bill]

Cameo that was funny. My daughter and I went to see it because we thought, you know, let's go see it. And then all of a sudden, he shows up and he's playing drunk.

[Jack]

Charlie jumps up to help Peter as the bat turns and sinks his fangs deep into a screaming Charlie's arm. Peter pulls it back into an errant shift of light coming from the shattered window.

[Tom Holland]

Jack, can you take that sentence again? Peter pulls it back into an errat. Shaft of light.

[Jack]

So just Peter pulls it. Yes. Into a shaft.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah.

[Jack]

Yeah, gotcha. All right. Charlie jumps up to help Peter as the bat turns and sinks his fangs deep into a screaming Charlie's arm. Peter pulls it back into an errant shaft of light coming from the shattered window.

[Audience Member]

Wait a minute. Is Evil Ed really not dead? And that's the sequel line, Tom.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah?

[Audience Member]

Is Evil dead at the end when Evil Ed's red eyes appear next door? Does that mean he's not dead and you're setting up a sequel?

[Tom Holland]

He said, of course he's still alive. All right, Peter. Peter Vincent inadvertently pulled the stake out of them to go fight Jerry and Billy Cole. And if you turn into the next.

[Audience Member]

Chapter.

[Bill]

Two.

[Tom Holland]

He'S pissed off. Dum, dum, dum.

[Audience Member]

There's also a question between when you held out the crucifix and Jerry crushes it, meaning you didn't have faith, but later you do it and you've gained faith. Is that what it is?

[Mark Hamill]

Well, Peter holds it out and gets it. He crushes the one Peter has in his hand.

[Audience Member]

So I don't have faith. You didn't then.

[Tom Holland]

But later you gave it in that minute that he. Later you do.

[Mark Hamill]

Later you do. Especially with Evil Ed. Because when you put it on the head.

[Tom Holland]

Right?

[Audience Member]

Yeah, exactly. Okay.

[Rosario Dawson]

You need to talk with the Fright Night fans.

[Jack]

More.

[Rosario Dawson]

They know more than any of us.

[Bill]

Sure.

[Audience Member]

That band's another. Billy Cole was not a vampire, but he must be inhuman because all the green goo and all that.

[Tom Holland]

Do you know what he is? I get. You know.

[Rosario Dawson]

The fans ask me all the time.

[Tom Holland]

I say, ask the writer.

[Rosario Dawson]

Ask the writer, because I have no idea.

[Audience Member]

Hey, Tom, if Billy Cole isn't a vampire, what is he with goo dripping down his.

[Tom Holland]

Well, you can argue it. You can argue. The general term is a ghoul. Which is?

[Audience Member]

Which is.

[Tom Holland]

Which is somebody who's been bit by the vampire but hasn't been turned.

[Audience Member]

Okay?

[Tom Holland]

So he can be his protection during the day.

[Audience Member]

Gotcha.

[Rosario Dawson]

Which means he had no idea what.

[Tom Holland]

He was writing it.

[Rosario Dawson]

Really.

[Tom Holland]

He's a familiar. He's Renfield in Bram Stoker's Dracula. Wow. He's insane.

[Audience Member]

Wow.

[Tom Holland]

And he's crazy vicious. Are we talking about.

[Fan/Interviewer]

Lines are getting blurred?

[Audience Member]

Well, the only prior vampire experience I have was on what we do in the Shadows. They sent me a script. They said they want you to play a part. And I thought, oh, it's going to be like the high school principal, the next door neighbor, Jerry the vampire.

[Bill]

Really?

[Tom Holland]

You're kidding.

[Audience Member]

It sort of exemplifies their humor. You know, something as grand as a vampire. Instead of calling them Vlad Jerry.

[Tom Holland]

Unless Jerry gives Billy Cole some of his blood. Billy Cole's not a vampire. He's a familiar who has only one thing in life.

[Audience Member]

He wants to be a vampire, protect his master.

[Tom Holland]

But Jerry Danvers won't give it to him. He wants a slave. Okay, nice vamping.

[Audience Member]

Who wouldn't wish.

[Fan/Interviewer]

God, I love what you just said there about this story, this movie, this table read, whatever form it takes. Being a celebration of not just the horror genre, but the horror fan. And Charlie, especially as our hero, is somebody who is obviously a horror fan. And when this film came out in 1985, it was still a little rare to have a horror fan not be treated as like the weirdo around the block who nobody wants to talk to. Obviously things have changed in the 40 years since. Do you think it would be easier in, you know, today's world, today's horror fandom world, for a Peter Vincent to be more easily convinced that vampires are real? For a Charlie to be more easily accepted or even evil Ed?

[Tom Holland]

Yes. I mean, when I was, when I was, when I was in high school, back in the Dark Ages, there was, if there were, I remember there were three or four other guys. There were no women, maybe three or four. Three or four guys in high school who were into horror. And we stay up on Friday nights and watch the Friday Night Frights, which is at the local television channel at 11 o'clock. And that was the only place you could see anything. And then we had. We had EC Comics, which got banned in 1954 or 5. Anybody who remembers they were banned. They were banned. You couldn't. We used to take EC comic books and we put them in plastic wrappers and hide them around the high school so you could go out behind the trees or whatever and read the newest issue of whatever EC comics were. This is Stephen King. This is all of Stephen King's short stories. Same thing, but so it wasn't. And when I came out with Fright Night, which is the first movie that I directed, everybody in Hollywood told me I had to get out of horror right away because it was considered. This is 1984. 5. It was considered the redheaded stepchild. Nobody wanted to be associated with horror. Now, as everybody knows, it is the most remunerative, biggest independent genre that's supporting movies. Today, the most interesting movies are made in the horror genre, and they're coming out all the time, and people are creating them and some of them really, really work and they get a chance to get into the mainstream. No other genre is doing that. Rom com is dead. Comedy is dead. You can't do comedy in your room. You got to see comedy with a whole audience to really get it, you know? So my lifetime has been watching the horror genre grow to where now is just huge. And I'm so happy. And it's also one of the reasons that Frightened has become increasingly popular. We're talking about a movie that's 40 years old. I mean, nobody can remember a movie from last year. And here we are with Frightened. I'm blessed. We're all blessed. Thank you to the public out there for this and for loving Fright Night.

[Fan/Interviewer]

Absolutely.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah.

[Fan/Interviewer]

We love it so much. In that vein, obviously, one of the enduring things about. As I said earlier, it's the best vampire movie, but the vampire as a horror creature is obviously enduringly popular. So evergreen. In your own words, and this is anyone who wants to answer, but certainly you, Tom, Why do you think the vampire is still so popular these days?

[Tom Holland]

Well, I don't know. I got in. I got. I wrote a movie called Cloak and Dagger, and I said. Which was a remake of the Window. And I said, if you really want to do a movie with a kid seeing something out the window next door, make him a mad horror fan and do it with vampires, have them see a vampire next door. And Universal threw me out of the office, Okay. I mean, vampires in 1985 were dead, dead, dead. And I don't mean just the undead. I mean dead. I mean, the last gasps have been the George Hamilton movie Love at First Bite, which is a spoof. And when they start doing. When they start doing comedies about the genre, it means the genre is exhausted. And that's where Fright Night, when Fright Night came in, and I just got very, very lucky. That guy McElwain at Columbia gave me the go ahead, but it was because I was so hot as a writer. But you Know, I like to think that frightened began the resuscitation of the vampire genre, which now, of course, is absolutely huge, but so is any monster. But anyway, it's been a hell of a trip.

[Audience Member]

My wife said, when will you be home? I said, It's 80 pages. We start at 11. We'll be done by 12:30. I'll see you at noon. Meanwhile, who knew?

[Tom Holland]

We only have 15 minutes left, though.

[Bill]

I mean, it's an event.

[Audience Member]

It's turned into an epic.

[Bill]

It is. And thank God you're a good storyteller because you'll be able to remind us when we're all losing our mind of how great it was.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah.

[Audience Member]

Countdown to me losing mine.

[Mark Hamill]

And we appreciate crosstalk. We appreciate overlap on lines. If you. Yeah, we want as natural a.

[Bill]

Do you want sound effects with kissing and moaning as well?

[Tom Holland]

Please.

[Mark Hamill]

Whatever you want to do, young lady.

[Bill]

I'm just going to use you.

[Tom Holland]

Whoever needs assistance.

[Mark Hamill]

Lunch is back out where we had charcuterie. So we'll do a longer break, have some lunch. We're going to do a little toast, and we're going to get wild. Sweet, but not too wild, because you got to come back.

[Audience Member]

Yeah, right.

[Bill]

It's 4:20. Be careful.

[Mark Hamill]

Well, we know. Yes, but I didn't bring any.

[Rosario Dawson]

Going to dinner?

[Jack]

No. It's 118.

[Mark Hamill]

And if everybody hasn't met Jack Daniel, our narrator, Jack has done a few of these for us. When you hear his voice in the finished product, you're going to go, holy crap. That guy sounded like that.

[Jack]

When you hear it now, though, it's going to sound awful now.

[Bill]

I sounded like you when I woke up this morning.

[Jack]

Oh, I remember.

[Tom Holland]

I don't like this. There you go.

[Rosario Dawson]

I know the tune. It's the whistler that's not working. Anyone can whistle. Anybody?

[Bill]

I got it.

[Libsyn Ads Host]

No one can whistle, huh?

[Bill]

I can go.

[Tom Holland]

Go for it.

[Audience Member]

Very good.

[Bill]

Too high. Now I'm worn out. Now I'm worn out.

[Tom Holland]

Thank you, Jack. And everything.

[Mark Hamill]

Nice.

[Rosario Dawson]

Originally, the Whistle song was going to be Whistle while you work.

[Tom Holland]

Remember that? Remember that?

[Rosario Dawson]

And Disney wanted $50,000.

[Tom Holland]

And that's why we use Strangers in the night.

[Rosario Dawson]

That's awesome. And that's why. Oh, whistle while you work was my original idea.

[Tom Holland]

God, everywhere I looked. I gotta tell you, I think all of you are just wonderful. I mean, I had cast this not just for horror, but also because you could do comedy. Every one of you made me laugh at something in the reading. And that's why you're here 40 years later and you're still making me laugh.

[Fan/Interviewer]

You have assembled an incredible reading cast here. Obviously, so many of the original cast members from the original film, as well as Mr. Mark Hamill, Ms. Rosario Dawson. One person, of course, who can't be here because he's the dearly departed. Roddy McDowell is just such a key figure in the original movie. He's such an amazing actor. He's got a rich history. Do you have any special memories of him you might want to mention at this time?

[Tom Holland]

Well, I could go on for an hour. Roddy was great. Roddy was a walking film history. He was an oral. He was an oral history of the film business because he started when he was like 8 years old. I think he did. Mark Hamill just told me he did How Green Was My Valley when he was 10. Roddy lived in perpetual fear that he would never cross over from being a child actor to being an adult actor. And he felt that way when he was. When he was, well, in his 50s, you know, he was kind, he was giving. He had me and my wife over so many nights to his house and we met so many of my heroes, famous people, famous directors.

[Audience Member]

You know, I asked Roddy, did you get nominated for. For Cleopatra? He said, you know, there's a funny story about that. I was submitted by 20th Century Fox in the leading actor category. And when they realized their mistake, they tried to correct it. And the Academy said, it's too late, they're past the process. So they took out a full page ad. Fox did in the trades, apologizing to him, saying, you know, your performance was lauded by critics all over the world as, you know, an essential part of the success of Cleopatra. But I think he enjoyed. I knew so much about his career because I was asking him stuff about what was it like being on Batman. You know, I just fanboyed out because it was my only connection to the golden age. Mine too, where he was a little boy working on Last he come Home and with Elizabeth Taylor and. Oh, my God.

[Tom Holland]

I mean, he introduced me to Elizabeth. Oh, yeah, yeah. The one I missed was Bette Davis.

[Audience Member]

Okay.

[Tom Holland]

Because she would go over there. But she. This is not. Not being positive. She was stroked out. So, you know, so he was. She kept. But I kept asking about the directors.

[Audience Member]

Right.

[Tom Holland]

How Green Was My Valley. What was it like to work with him? Can you imagine?

[Audience Member]

Is that John Ford?

[Tom Holland]

Yes. Wow. And, you know, he wasn't easy.

[Audience Member]

I heard he was a tyrant.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah. John Wayne was scared of John Ford. Yeah. But Roddy had all those stories and as I said, we walked. I walked mgm, the last day it was open with Roddy. And Roddy told me he could tell me what movies had been filmed and what soundstages. He could look at the prop shops. There were two prop shops. And he could say what props were made in what shop. He could look at the dressing rooms and tell me who was in them. And he could tell me about the assignations, about who was having an affair with whom among the MGM stars. He showed me where Katharine Hepburn had met Spencer Tracy outside the Thalberg Building. And I kept saying, write. Write your bio. Write an autobiography. And he said, I can't. I really know where the bodies are buried. Yeah. And he did. He did. I mean, I never met anybody like it. He loved Hollywood as much as we did. Yeah.

[Rosario Dawson]

And he was also an extraordinary friend wherever he was in the world. I remember once getting a birthday card from him from Prague.

[Tom Holland]

Wow. Yeah.

[Rosario Dawson]

Just on my birthday.

[Tom Holland]

Well, he adored. He adored Bill Ragsdale. He gave him. He gave him the bench outs in the hallway. Didn't he give you that?

[Rosario Dawson]

That's mine.

[Tom Holland]

That's yours. He gave it to you.

[Rosario Dawson]

Chris objected to him. I pulled over this pew from a church on Hudson street in New York City and he got the pew and he gave it to us just before he died.

[Tom Holland]

Oh, God.

[Audience Member]

I felt like I had a connection to him.

[Bill]

I mean, it really comes through.

[Mark Hamill]

That's what I said.

[Audience Member]

You believe TV movie together? Well, we did a TV movie together and we wound up sharing the same trailer. And Cindy Williams was the star. So we'd have hour, 90 minutes alone time. And I just couldn't stop asking about his career. And he was forthcoming because he knew I was interested. And he would tell me stories about Elizabeth Taylor making Lasty Come home. He was 12 years old when he made How Green Was My Valley.

[Bill]

Don't you wish you'd had a tape recorder?

[Audience Member]

Oh, yeah.

[Bill]

Oh, my God.

[Audience Member]

Because, I mean, I didn't really have a contact with the golden age of Hollywood.

[Bill]

Certainly not when you start like him in tamp.

[Audience Member]

Yeah.

[Bill]

Yeah.

[Audience Member]

And this would have been in the 80s, so he would have been probably in his 50s, early 50s. So he was so personable. And he. I did the voice of the Joker on the animated Batman and he had done Mad Hatter on the Adam West Batman. And then they brought him to the animated series. He did four episodes. And I said to the writers, I said, you teamed me up with all of these other villains. Team me up with the Mad Hatter.

[Tom Holland]

I want to work. But he had a good Heart. And I didn't think anybody could ever take his place. And then four years ago, we did a reading through Zoom, and Mark Hamill was kind enough to stand in for Roddy, and he worked with Roddy in Great Britain in a TV movie, and he knew him, and he did. He somehow became Peter Vincent, Mark Hamill, and he made Peter Vincent work as, you know, part of it was Roddy, but it was also Mark being marked. And that's why when I saw that, I realized that I had to get the cast back together again to do a reading that had really high sound quality that I got with Manifest Media and Jack Levy. And then we worked. And I don't know, I've been working for four years to get this together. And this is. This. What you see here in front of you is the result of four years of work. And I'm just thrilled. I can't. So happy. I cannot. I'm nervous.

[Fan/Interviewer]

Well, it looks like it's going to go off without a hitch. How's that process been putting this whole show together? Has it been like putting together a radio show in a way?

[Tom Holland]

Oh, it's been like putting together a feature film. Yeah. This. Look at this. I mean, this is called deficit financing. So you're out there, people watch this. We're going to need the money to pay the debt.

[Mark Hamill]

And before we all leave after this.

[Tom Holland]

I have a couple of things I'd.

[Rosario Dawson]

Like to get signed by the cast.

[Audience Member]

I have very reasonable rates. Mastering Goods of Preferred.

[Tom Holland]

He's going to be selling them. He's going to be selling these by a gas station in the corner. As long as you don't ask me.

[Rosario Dawson]

To sign your arm.

[Audience Member]

I like when you sign at Universal and it's on ebay before you get home to Malibu. And they say, don't put it to anybody. It's a gift.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah.

[Rosario Dawson]

Oh, yeah, Yeah.

[Audience Member]

I might as well say best wishes, eBay.

[Mark Hamill]

Your wife told me about that, and I said, we're going to make specific rules against that.

[Bill]

And it's not.

[Audience Member]

I don't take it because I'm so great. It's become a merchandising entity. So these people, anything you sign goes up in value. So wherever you go out in public, you're besieged. Not by fans, by dealers. And they are relentless. They follow you right to your car.

[Tom Holland]

And they're waiting. No, they chased him in a car.

[Bill]

The one time we left you alone.

[Audience Member]

Oh, they followed me all the way home. I was afraid they'd see where my house was, so I stopped just before the last turn off and just pled with them. I signed everything they had. Cause I didn't want them mad at me. But I said, if I sign everything, will you go away? And they agreed. So 45 minutes later, I did and they did.

[Rosario Dawson]

Oh, my gosh. Wow.

[Tom Holland]

Jeez. What I want to know is where did the vampire kit go? Where did the vampire killing kit go?

[Rosario Dawson]

You're talking about the one from Gah McEwen.

[Mark Hamill]

There's a lot of his stuff at.

[Rosario Dawson]

BU but I haven't gotten up there yet. Yeah, well, before we're gone, please do take some pictures.

[Bill]

What about having a Joseph Poirot exhibit at the Academy where they have all the costumes and do a frightened. They just did John Waters. They should do Joseph Pearl and the costumes from Fright Night one and two?

[Tom Holland]

Well, that'd be great. I don't know if he could assemble them because they've all been auctioned off. I saw where your. Where Your leather coat. Sherry Dandruff's leather coat went for a lot of money to somebody in Canada.

[Rosario Dawson]

Oh, really?

[Tom Holland]

Who Put it up on up on up. Put it up in their screen.

[Rosario Dawson]

I had a lot of that stuff for years. And then I just, you know, it went away. A fan at a con had his coat, Peter's coat.

[Tom Holland]

You have what?

[Bill]

I have three of my outfits.

[Tom Holland]

Oh, you have your outfits. Well, you were smarter than the rest of us, William.

[Bill]

Do you have yours? I have your silk pajamas. I don't know how I got your silk.

[Tom Holland]

Amanda. Amanda. Tom, they just sold. They just sold your painting. I bid up to $12,000.

[Mark Hamill]

Is that painting.

[Tom Holland]

Yeah, I bid up to $12,000 on that painting about a year ago. And it went.

[Rosario Dawson]

It was sitting in a prop house.

[Tom Holland]

Are you ready? Right, Mark. It went for $27,000 in Great Britain. He knows that.

[Rosario Dawson]

I should get a commission. I should get a commission, remember?

[Tom Holland]

We should get a commission. That was my idea. Well, I'm the one who told him to paint it.

[Audience Member]

I'm surprised you didn't keep that for yourself.

[Tom Holland]

At that moment in time, there was no. People were not collecting screen used props. I just saw a Chucky, a screen used chucky go for $85,000.

[Fan/Interviewer]

And finally, what do you think is there. I know there's obviously been the 1988, you know, not part two. And then there's the 2011 remake, and there's been various books and comics.

[Tom Holland]

We have Julie Carmen here from Fright Night 2.

[Fan/Interviewer]

Oh, Friday part.

[Tom Holland]

Julie. Yeah, yeah.

[Fan/Interviewer]

Oh, that's fantastic. But what do you. Tom, do you think there might be more for Fright Night down the road.

[Tom Holland]

There sure is going to be coming from me because I wrote this as an original and I withheld and owned the rights to Fright Night, dramatic, literary and musical. And yes, this. If you've been with us last night at the New Beverly and seen what happened there, yes, I've got more Fright Night stories with me. You can find the first one on Amazon called Fright Night Origins and that's there. And we're coming out with a new one called Frightened Aftermath. And I'm going into my dotage writing Fright Night Stories. And I'm so blessed. I'm so lucky that I have it.

[Fan/Interviewer]

I think we're blessed, too, Tom. Thank you all so much. Congrats on the show today. Break legs as many as we have to.

[Tom Holland]

Same to you. Same to you. God bless. God bless. God bless.

[Rosario Dawson]

Welcome to Fright Night. For real.

[Tom Holland]

That is my favorite line. Sorry. Good.