INGRID PITT
INTERVIEW WITH INGRID PITT
by Barry King
Q. What can you tell us about your experience acting in your first film-
"El Sonido Prehistorico" (a.k.a. "The Prehistoric Sound").
A. Before I went to Spain I had been a member of the Berliner Emsemble in
Berlin, had been for several months with the Pasadena Playhouse in the US and
had appeared in several international films either as an Extra or a Stunt girl.I
also had a TV show in Spain called Aqui Espana.
Q. In "The Vampire Lovers" you portray "Carmilla". This film
is based on the book "Carmilla" by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu. How did
you prepare for this role? Did you read the book?
A. Yep! I read the book Then did what I was told by the director Roy Ward Baker.
A brilliant move for budding actresses.
Q. In Hammer Films' "Countess Dracula" you play "Contess
Elisabeth", a woman who must bathe in virgin blood to remain young forever.
This would be the second film to feature your name as the main star. Was working
with Hammer any different from other film studios?
A. Hammer wasn't much different from working for any other company. They paid
the minimum they could and worked you as many hours as they could get away with.
A slight difference was that as a company they were loyal If you did a job for
them which was half way decent they used you again.
Q. Your performance in "Countess Dracula" is one of your best. You
really brought across the evil and desperation of the Countess in her quest for
eternal youth at any cost. As a veteran actress, how do you feel about the film
industry trend where actors and actresses do anything from surgery,
augmentation, bizarre diets etc. to preserve their youth?
A. I don't think about it a lot. But if it's what they want who am I to point
the finger. I've spent a lot of time in the last five years under the knife for
medical reasons. To even contemplate going through all that agony to look a
stretched 10 years younger seems mad. It took a lot of living to get to the
state of decrepitude I'm now in - why try to undo a life-time's work at this
late state.
Q. You also starred along side Jon Pertwee in "The House That Dripped
Blood". Both of you have an excellent sense of comedic timing together in
that feature. You also have a wonderful sense of humor when it comes to the
genre of movies you're best known for. What was it like working with Mr. Pertwee
and did you ever think of doing more comedic roles?
A. Jon was wonderful to work with and kept his sense of humour unto the grave. I
went to his funeral. On top of his coffin were straw effigies of Wurzel Gummidge
and Aunt Sally. As the coffin move towards the incinerator Wurzel fell off. A
voice from the back of the Chapel said. "That's Jon all over. Always knows
how to get out of a sticky situation. I did do some comedy on the stage - even
in the West End. But for some reason I was always seen as some sort of monster
or a terrorist. My husband says he understands the thinking behind the casting.
I must sort him out sometime.
Q. What can one say about "The Wicker Man"? It's been called the
"Citizen Kane of horror films". You filmed some detailed interviews on
the special edition DVD. Where you ever aware that you were making a very
different and special kind of film at the time?
A. Of course I did. I realised that it was going to be virtually ignored when it
first came out, then slowly become more acceptable until it became one of the
biggest cult films around. In reality I was between work, heard about the film,
rang the director, Robin Hardy, was passed on to Producer Peter Snell and a week
later was in Scotland freezing to death. I thought the film was mildly
interesting, grabbed the money and went back to warmer climes.
Q. Let's jump to 2000. You and your daughter Steffanie were in "The
Asylum" together, What was it like being in the same film with her?
A. Wonderful! I had always hoped that somewhere along the line someone would put
us together and in the end Carol Lemon the producer made it happen. We are
hoping to work together again later this year on a film called THREE FOR HELL
(or 3.4.l in you are into texting) The website should be up and running by now
so to learn more log on Hammer Glammer Films .
Q. There have been some performers that are mostly known for
horror/mystery/science fiction type roles. Some of them express bitterness about
typecasting. Have you ever felt that you were typecast?
A. Yes, I think I am typecast but I don't resent it. I know Chris Lee resents
having his Vampire days heated up and Sean Connery could get a little tetchy
about always being thought of as Bond but they are in a different class. The
only films I did of general, as opposed to fantasy, interest were fairly big
international films where I didn't play a leading role.
Q. You seem to enjoy keeping in touch with your huge fan base and you have a
great website. Can Ingrid Pitt fans look for an action figure collectable statue
sometime in the future?
A. Funny you should ask. I have a figurine getting the final touches right now.
It will be ready for sale at the August Memorabilia Show in Birmingham. It's
taken from Countess Dracula. Very Sexy. As soon as I get some pix I will have it
up on my website at Pitt of Horror. I have had about a dozen or so done over the
last 15 -20 years but I think this is probably the best.
Q. Thank you for all the great performances and for allowing us to enter your
world.
A. My pleasure. And if anyone wants to contact me they can on my website!
