TOP SECRET CLOWN BUSINESS REVEALED!
AN INTERVIEW WITH SID HAIG
By Patrick Green

Horror Yearbook: “House of 1000 Corpses” began a sort of a career resurgence for you. Did Rob Zombie have you specifically in mind for the role of Captain Spaulding?

Sid Haig: He must have, because I was asked to read the script and if I liked the role it was mine. Later, at his wedding reception, I spoke to his brother, who told me that he and Rob used to watch me Saturday mornings as Dragos on “Jason of Star Command”. To say the least, I was extremely flattered.

HYB: Obviously you made that role your own. Did you do any special kind of preparation to play such a demented character?

SH: Not really. I’m a people watcher, and I have seen a lot of guys like that over the years. So, I just rolled them all up in a ball and put them into one character.

HYB: You’re in a lot of horror films these days, but you seem to have a knack for comedy and drama. Is there a genre you prefer, and if so, why?

SH: I just like to do good work, no matter what the genre is.

HYB: Going back to your role on the A-Team episode, “Bad Day at Black Rock”: how was the working environment?

SH: It was very professional. George Peppard saw to that.

HYB: You played Quuhod in the Roger Corman-produced 80s classic “Galaxy Of Terror”. Were you around for the filming of the infamous giant worm rape scene? Any other interesting stories from that shoot?

SH: Yes, I was there for that. There were two guys in the maggot at the controls, no doubt having a very good time. I could go on and on with stories from that shoot, but it would eat up your whole bandwidth.

HYB: Your directorial debut “Wittenberg” is coming up. Whose idea was it that you should direct?

SH: My agent, Kathleen Schultz, was first contacted by the producers, P. David Miller and Tami Ann Bishop (of EOD Films), to see if I would be interested in playing a role in the film. She said that that might be a possibility, but that she was looking for a directing assignment for me. I guess they thought it was a good idea, because here I am, starring AND directing. And boy, am I ready to rock!

HYB: What can you tell us about the project?

SH: Not too much, as we are still in the beginning stages of production. This film examines the human mind and the possibilities therein. How much can the mind take before it breaks? My character, Doctor Dorian, aims to find out. Being a certified Hypnotherapist, I have a lot of insight into the power of suggestion, and what it takes to manipulate a person into doing, saying and being pretty much anything. Much to my delight, I was able to bring many of my friends on board the project, and we’re going to have one HELL of a time”.

HYB: Is there any serious talk of a third Rejects/Corpses film?

SH: Only amongst the fans, God bless them all.

HYB: You worked in a few blaxploitation films in the seventies. What was different about those productions as compared to others?

SH: Not much really. We were just telling stories about a part of the American culture that had been ignored for whatever reason. They were funny and gritty and sometimes a little stereotypical. It sure gave a lot of work to African American actors and stuntpeople that had been overlooked for far to long.

HYB: The legendary Quentin Tarantino cast you somewhat against type as a judge in “Jackie Brown”. What stands out about Taratino’s method of working with actors?

SH: Quentin imparts his vision to you and then gets out of the way and lets you do your work. This is a very important thing for a film maker to be able to do, and not many can.

HYB: The bulk of your career was spent in episodic television. Now that your film career is taking off, do you think you’ll ever work in television again?

SH: Let’s just say, I have learned to never say never.

HYB: THX 1138 found you working under the auspices of a young George Lucas. Was it an enjoyable experience?

SH: It was amazing. We rehearsed the scene in”limbo” for a week. George would come in in the morning, and ask us to think about a particular scene, then come back in the afternoon and see what we had done. I had never worked like that before. It was great.

HYB: What is your all-time favorite character you’ve portrayed and why?

SH: Usually when people ask me that question I say … “Do you have any kids? Which one is your favorite, because we’re going to eat all the rest.” In other words, I love them all.

Interview by Patrick Green