She ain't no fluke - An Interview with Jennifer Runyon

I scanned the university noticeboard... Rooms for let, cycling tours around Norway, a summer in Africa.. No, that was not  for me, not after that summer in    Mexico - beautiful countryand amazing food...  But did my stomach like it? No it did not! 

Anyway what I was searching for was way different  to the usual stuff you would normally find on this   board, Oh yes, I was looking for something more… Something more… Something more paranormal...

Then I spotted it, it was scuffed and tattered, my god it looked like it had been there since the mid 80s! The advert called for volunteers for ESP experiments and was offering payment… Perfect, interesting and the extra cash would come in handy, mind you… only 5 bucks? That wouldn’t even get you a coffee and a muffin these days… But money is money and I wasn’t in it for the cash anyway. I ripped off one of the slips at the bottom of the advert with the contact details on them… 

Dr Venkman… Why did that name seem so familiar?

I was deep in thought when I bumped into someone, literally bumped into them! Books, note pads and pens went flying, I apologised and helped the poor woman pick up her things, she noticed my scrap of paper, picked it up and laughed, it was then when I realised who I had bumped into... None other than Jennifer Runyon!

Jennifer Victoria Runyon was born in Chicago in 1960 and has appeared in a myriad of TV programmes    and films, from Another world to Charles in Charge and was even a Brady in 'A very Brady Christmas'! She starred in the comedy '18 again!' with George Burns, but what I will most fondly remember her for is as the object of Bill Murray's affections in the start of 'Ghostbusters'.

I offered her a coffee by the way of an apology and we got chatting.

So, what was it like appearing in Ghostbusters? How does it  feel to be in such a iconic film?

 “Such a great experience, of course I had no idea while filming would become such a huge Box-Office success...

…I was just excited to work with Bill Murray.”

Who wouldn't be? I thought...

And I bet people quote lines to you all the time!?  “I get that a lot from Ghostbusters especially... strangers have approached me saying "you're no fluke Jennifer" I'm always so flattered by that.”

So what were the guys [Bill Murrey, Dan Aykroyd, Harold Ramis] like to work with... and for? “It was probably one of the most enjoyable days I ever had on a set....you never stopped laughing which really relaxed me... Bill was so easy to work with...”

Dear old Harold Ramis, all the people I've talked who knew him and they all say he was a lovely guy, wso what did you think? 

“Harold Ramis was such a lovely and kind man...”

So nice...

And did you socialise with any them off set?  “I went to dinner with Bill Murray once..he sang opera to the whole restaurant...then we ended up at Union Station in downtown LA...

…He somehow convinced the engineer of an Amtrack train to let us drive it...only Bill Murray could get away with that...”

I nearly spat out my coffee, I had heard so many crazy stories about Bill, about him turning up at peoples parties, pouring tequila or going up to people and just eating their food telling them "No one will believe you" and then just leaving.... I wondered if Jennifer believed them... So I thought I'd ask...

So do you believe the stories? “Yes I've heard the stories...and after driving an Amtrack Train and singing Opera with him...it doen't surprise me in the least....”

And I know Bill Murray is famous for his ad-libbing, did he do much during your scene? “Yes he did ad-lib a bit...I think that's what made the scene so great.” 

And did your character have a name?  “No my character didn't have a name in the script...I was "female student" but he called me Jennifer while filming the scene”

A perfect example of Bills Ad-Libbing, I thought.

So let's go back to the beginning... How did you get the part? What was the audition like? “I got the call to audition for a Bill Murray movie… I remember a lot of girls being there...I didn't hear anything for the longest time...I figured I didn't get it...I was working on another show when the call came...I was so excited..”

I'm not surprised I thought!

So have you been to the Fire station in NY? “I sadly have never visited the fire station...definitely something I need to do.”

Now we all understand Ghostbusters now, but it seemed a crazy idea back in 1984... How was it described to you? “They were very secretive while auditioning... we were not told the story line

...I am trying to remember when I eventually

was given the script????” 

I suddenly realised that I was going on and on about Ghostbusters when she had done so much more! I also noticed that I was nealy down to just the froth on my Cappuccino.

I know I keep talking about Ghostbusters, sorry... “No worries, I love talking Ghostbusters”

You played regular characters in both Another world & Charles in charge? “When I got the part I was so excited...I was nervous because 

I had always had a little crush on Scott Baio..."

What washe like, did he live up to your expectations? "He was great.. he ended up becoming like a brother to me...I learned a lot from working with Scott and Willie Aames...Willie by the way is one of my best friends...we do a radio show together with Susan Olsen called F.L.U.I.D. Amazing after 30 years Willie and I are working together again...”

Now you played two different characters in Murder she wrote, only a couple of years apart.. Did you ever question that? Did you ever wonder that people would realise? Is this a common thing to happen? “Murder She Wrote did this quite often...I wasn't the first to do multiple episodes...I remember someone telling me Angela liked bringing people back...

…she was wonderful by the way...”

You were in 18 again with the incomparable George Burns, what was he like? “Eighteen Again was another one I had such a positive experience filming...I loved the cast and crew..George Burns was so dear...always telling amazing stories and singing little tunes... "

And was that cigar always burning?

 "...yes he had a chair that followed him around with an ashtray attached and a cigar always lit...I adored him.”

As a very attractive girl in Hollywood, you must have had some attention from actors?! Do you   have any good stories? “You are very kind, but I really was very shy. I never felt comfortable with the whole "Hollywood"   scene. I was pretty much a homebody when I wasn't working...oh dear...that sounds so boring and  sad..LOL...”

No, it sounded rather sensible I thought! 

Your dad James R Runyon was a DJ, did you have an interesting childhood? Were you surrounded by music royalty? Did he ever want you to go into the music biz?  “I never got to meet any music royalty..but my Mom and Dad certainly did... they met the Beatles back in the day...but I was too young to appreciate how cool that was...the cool part about my parents being DJ's was listening to them on the radio every morning while getting ready for school...”

And you have some pretty big named in-laws? It must be excellent at weddings & Christmas?! Have you worked with your husband or in-laws? “Yes Roger Corman asked me to do a movie for him called Carnasaur, I was 4 months pregnant with my son at the time..I didn't tell him..I wanted so badly to do the movie. I also did a movie for my father-in-law Gene Corman called A Man Called Sarge, we shot the movie in Israel and had such a great time...the cast was wonderful...”

So you must get loads, but what is your best piece of fan mail to date? “I'm not sure I have a favorite, I'm always so touched someone took the time to write to me...”   

And what would your dream role be?  “My dream role..hmmmm...I always wanted to be in a western...I love westerns...”

I tipped the last bit of foam into my mouth and checked my watch... I was going to be late for my lecture... One... or maybe two questions and I had to go!

So, going back to Ghostbusters just for a second, do you think Peter Venkman and the student did meet up at 8 o'clock?  “I like to think they did...but I believe he got tied up in the library investigating ...”

And lastly, are you afraid of ghosts?  “No...I've had a few experiences...I'm fascinated...”

thanked Jennifer, grabbed my briefcase and dashed out of the cafeteria, that was fantastic, what a coup... Jennifer Runyon... Wow! I was going to be late I knew it, I was going to get in trouble and miss some of the lecture... But hey, call it fate, call it Karma, I believe things happen for a reason... And anyway my students could wait another 10 minutes...

For more information on Jennifer go to:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Runyon

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001690/

http://ghostbusters.wikia.com/wiki/Jennifer_Runyon

An Excellent Adventure with Diane Franklin - An interview

"Forsooth this is tighteth," I thought as I adjusted my corset. It dug into my hips and I hadn’t eaten all day, I was starving. 

Finally the director shouted cut and it was time for lunch, but as everyone starting shuffling up to the catering van, I grabbed the chance and nipped to the toilets to loosen my restrictive clothing.

As I was pulling the laces, grunting and wiggling as much as I could to make myself more comfortable, someone exited the stalls saying that she had experience in these matters, I looked in the mirror and to my astonishment I saw Diane Franklin, someone who indeed has a lot of experience with medieval costume!

Diane Franklin, actress and sweetheart of the 80s, staring alongside John Cusak in the 1985 comedy Better Off Dead as Monique, also (and in my view, the best role) Princess Joanna in Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure. Other well-known parts include her first in the 1982 film The Last American Virgin as Karen and the 1982 horror film Amityville II: The Possessiona s Patricia Montelli. Television roles include Bay City Blues, Matlock, and Freddy's Nightmares.

Earlier in her career Franklin appeared in TV commercials for Coca-Cola, Trident, Jell-O, and Maxwell House coffee.

In 2012 Franklin published a memoir, Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French Exchange Babe of the 80s.

She is also the mother of actress and writer, Olivia DeLaurentis.

Wow, I thought and as she helped me get comfortable and as all respectable girls in the bathroom do, we got chatting... I started with something easy.

You were quite young when you started acting, how did you get into it?

“Oh, I wanted to act ever since I was 4 years old. But I started professionally working when I was 10 with modeling and commercials.My parents were not in the business. I just never lost interest and they listened. ( I go into detail with this in my book.)”

How did you get the part of the princess? Did you have to audition with an English accent?

“I originally went in thinking I was to audition for the Joan of Arc role. In fact, I thought they were having me come in because they knew I did a French accent as Monique Junet from Better Off Dead. Surprisingly, the director and writers asked me if I could do a British dialect, so I just started talking to them using the dialect. They were impressed, but I couldn't figure out why Joan of Arc would talk this way?! That's when they asked me if I could see myself playing a princess. I have to admit I was a little disappointed because I thought it was a much smaller role. Only later  did I realized Joan of Arc had no lines, and I would get to play opposite Keanu Reeves. Yeah, I think I got the better role;)”

Right, I’d waited as long as I could and I just had to ask, What is it like to snog Keanu Reeves?

“Wonderful!! But I have to say I wish we did more takes:)”

As a Brit myself, I am very critical of Americans doing our accent, especially when they mostly sound like Dick Van Dyke... But I have to say, yours was pretty spot on, how did you get to grips with it?

“I first worked with a dialect coach, then later practiced my character by improvising with the dialect. I needed my accent to be as real as possible so that no one would doubt I was a true Medieval babe;) In fact, all the historical character's had to play their roles seriously, otherwise the time-travel jokes would not have worked at all. I think everyone did a wonderful job. Especially, Napoleon and Abe Lincoln;)”

So, what was it like filming with Keanu and Alex? What are they like? 

“Keanu and Alex had the friendship bond of Bill and Ted. They were relaxed, having fun, very approachable, very friendly... Kim and I had a blast site-seeing with them in Italy, (which is where we shot the Medieval castle scenes!)”

Now, I am a huge George Carlin fan, what was he like?

“I love George Carlin. Seriously, he was the sweetest, most polite guy when we were shooting.”

I always find it interesting that a comedian of his... 'style' would play a part in a PG rated film.

“I know, hard to believe! Very shy, well mannered. I was very fortunate to work with him” 

Now it was time to put the rumours to bed… I’d heard that there was a deleted ending? There was a prom scene?

“Bill and Ted finally took us to the prom in San Dimas! Yes, it was wonderful and very cool!! But alas, I think the ending was not where they wanted the boys to end up. I think they wanted them to be back playing music, so they could set up the next movie. I hope someday that scene will be put on as a special feature on a re-release!”

So, it wasn’t a dream!

Why didn't you appear in Bogus Journey? 

“Well... let's just save that information for my book. I have a whole Bill & Ted chapter with personal photos! In the words of Princess Joanna,"it's totally excellent!"”

Have you heard about Bill and Ted 3? 

"I have only heard that Alex and Keanu were the ones who want to make it but no word yet when it will start.

And do you know if it's actually being made?

 I do hope they do it because I think it would attract a huge audience."

Now, you are much more than Princess Joanna! You starred with another of my hearthrobs, John Cusack in ‘Better Off Dead’, I've heard he's a bit 'off the wall', but what was he like to act with?

"John is wonderful, but I do not know his off the wall side. To me John is sweet, shy and has a very dry sense of humor. I LOVED working and just being with John."

You also appeared in an episode of 'Freddie's Nightmares', I interviewed Heather Largenkamp a while ago and she said Robert Englund was lovely, how was he to work with? 

"I never got a chance to work directly with Robert, but I am good friends with Heather even to this day! As far as working working on "Freddies Nightmares" I loved my role as the bride and seductress in "The Bride Wore Red" (on You Tube), but only got squirmish when my character had to play like a ten year old girl with pig-tails. Now THAT was scary!!!"

You also appeared in the ‘Amityville’ series of films...

"Amityville II:The Possession was perhaps the scariest of all the Amityville films because it was based on a true story of a boy who murders his family.

Woah... Did you get spooked in either of these?

 Although, I did not have any super-natural experience, there was a very intense and quiet focus on the set. I have a chapter on Amityville in my book that talks about the incest scene. All I can say, is a lot of people have said to me they love this film. It got re-released last fall in a Special Edition DVD package from Scream Factory with all three Amityville films in it. There are commenties, interviews and special features with Rutanya Alda, director Domiano Damiani, who sadly just passed, and myself."

Now, you went on a date with Scott Baio (in 'Charles In Charge'), but as a young woman in the movie game, starring along side some of the greatest teen idols we had, did you date any of them for real? 

"I never dated Scott, but he did ask me out;) As far as my love life goes, I'm going to have to save that for the next book I write!"

Brilliant!... And who is is the best snogger? On or off screen?

"Ooooh...that is a tough one. I played the love interest so I got to kiss a LOT of guys. I'm going to have to think about that one and get back to you... "

So my dream role would be a princess in a time travelling teen comedy, in which I snog Keanu Reeves. What is your dream role?

"Ah, my dream role in the 80s would have been to play Costanza in the Oscar award winning film "Amadeus"(a role I almost got, and talk more about in my book, "Diane Franklin:The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s" But today my dream role is any film my daughter, Olivia DeLaurentis, puts me in. She is such an amazingly talented writer, director, editor and actress. It is a gift being in her films! (YouTube Olivia DeLaurentis)"

With my corset finally loosened, my stomach noisily expressed my extreme hunger, I suggested that we go and eat to which Diane agreed. It had been a long day and we deserved a good meal. So after checking our hair and a quick lip-gloss reapplication, we left our little meeting place and headed for the catering van, not without one important last question though...

Ok lastly...  If you could visit any period of time, where would it be and why?

"I would have to say "the future", because 1. I would like to see if we have become a more unified planet. 2. Will there be flying cars that take us to work on other planets? 3. Will people be microchipped like dogs? and most important 4. Will there still be chocolate cake?"

Ha... Nice retort I thought... Now to the lasagne.... and maybe a nice slice of chocolate cake…

"Diane Franklin:The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s" is available on Amazon at:
 http://www.amazon.com/Diane-Franklin-Excellent-Adventures-French-Exchange/dp/0615641369