After a fateful encounter with Michael Myers in “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers” in 1989, eighteen year old actress, Tamara Glynn, mysteriously disappeared from the film business for two decades. Now she’s back with multiple horror film projects and her own horror film festival in Arkansas, and we caught up with her this week for all the gory details!
The “Halloween” film franchise is one of the most beloved series in horror movie history and has spawn one of the most devoted and obsessive fan followings that the genre has ever seen. The “Friday the 13th” and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” sequels might have been gorier, but the “Halloween” films were always classier, more focused on atmosphere over body counts, and much creepier.
John Carpenter’s 1978 independently produced box-office smash has, to date, given birth to seven proper sequels (or six if you’re one of those Myers obsessives that still refuses to acknowledge “Halloween III: Season of the Witch” as a true “Halloween” franchise film) and two rebooted series entries directed by heavy metal Spook-Master, Rob Zombie.
Born and raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas, Tamara Glenn moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980’s to pursue work as an actress where she immediately found bit parts in TV series like “Growing Pains,” “Knots Landing” and “Miami Vice,” but the horror genre seemed to be in her blood even then, as she was cast in a part in an episode of “Freddy’s Nightmares,” the TV series spin-off of “A Nightmare on Elm Street.”
Her big break came when she was cast as Samantha Thomas in “Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers” alongside Danielle Harris, Ellie Cornell , Wendy Foxworth and the legendary Donald Pleasence. Unforgettable in her “red devil” Halloween costume for the film’s All Hallows’ Eve party scene, Glynn is well remembered by fans for her fatal barn set confrontation with the Shape (played in this film by Don Shanks).
I was fortunate enough to catch up with Glynn this week to talk about her experience with one of horror cinema’s most iconic boogeymen and her recent return to the horror business.
Phantom of the Ville: Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us at Louisville Halloween. I guess the first thing the fans would want to know is, “Did you get to keep the red devil costume you wore in the movie?”
Tamara Glynn: Unfortunately, I did not keep it and I can’t remember who has it today. I don’t even recall asking to keep it… It was pretty tattered and gross with all the blood.
POTV: By the time “Halloween 5” came out in 1989, it had become something of a horror movie cliché that SEX = DEATH. I believe your death scene in “Halloween 5” may be the ONLY time in horror movie history that a couple is shown practicing safe sex before being killed by the movie’s boogeyman. What do you think that means in context of our society’s views on premarital sex at the end of the 1980’s?
TG: The Halloween franchise has always adhered to a high level of standards across the board. I think all films, when dealing with teens and sex, should always be responsible in sending the “practice safe sex” message. Especially this day and age, and I totally respect our writer and director for adding that valuable message. “Halloween 5” was the exception! I thank them for conveying that important message, and I feel as it’s important in every film.
POTV: There is a fraternity, or in your case a sorority, of actors who’ve been killed on screen by infamous movie slashers like Michael Myers, Freddy Krueger and Jason Voorhees. In a way, being killed by Michael Myers in a “Halloween” film is a badge of honor that never fades away. Talk about that, and tell us what you think it is about Michael Myers that seems to “never die” in the popular culture.
TG: As I have said in the past, the “Halloween” franchise is very unique and special. It has class, and there has always been a certain mystery behind Michael which I think has yet to be revealed. The franchise (meaning the producers, writers and directors, etc.) has always executed his kills in a suspenseful manner with solid writing and directing.
Some franchises have chosen to play the “cheap sex, cheap kill” card in the making of their films, and me personally, I am not into that. I appreciate good writers, directors and a good solid crew to make these important shots work. The Cinematography, the DP (Director of Photography), so many important and key factors go into these films, it’s just unreal.
I feel the audience knows what they are going to get when a new “Halloween” is released, and I find myself right along with the fans: We can watch them over and over and always get the scare factor. That is a guarantee! The “Halloween” films have taste and, come on…. WHO DOESN’T LOVE MICHAEL?
POTV: Before we get into all the chilling, thrilling new horror projects you’re currently working on, I’m sure the fans would like to know where you’ve been since Michael Myers surprised you with a scythe in that spooky barn in 1989!
TG: I left California to move back to Arkansas to take care of family. No regrets, and I have a beautiful, healthy 19 year old son who is away at College now. Being a Mom is my number one priority ….and always will be.
Glynn will be appearing at ZombieFest (http://www.zombiefestwv.com/) in West Virginia on May 10th, a series of interactive 5K runs and mountain bike rides, alongside Tyler (Rob Zombie’s “Halloween”) Mane and make-up effects legend, Tom Savini.
She is currently starring in the “Hillbilly Horror Show” (http://hillbillyhorrorshow.com/) and Volume One is available to view on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/) right now, but will also likely be available on ROKU (http://www.roku.com/) soon. “I leave for Baltimore on May 16th to shoot more episodes,” she says.
She’ll be working behind the camera this summer on Tyler Mane’s new horror thriller, “Penance Lane,” which will be directed by “Hatchet III” director, BJ McDonnell. She has also just been added to the cast of director Spencer Gray’s “The Border,” which is currently seeking funding on indiegogo (https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/the-border–2).
Her latest passion project, and one that you can actually help make a reality, is her new horror thriller short film, “Cabin Pressure,” about a doctor on a late night flight that proves to be sinister when he starts to realize that his fellow passengers may not be what they seem to be.
Glynn will be serving as Executive Producer as well as a cast member on “Cabin Pressure,” which will also star Tyler Mane, Leslie Easterbrook (“The Devil’s Rejects”), Eileen Dietz (“The Exorcist”) and “Fangoria” editor/writer/producer, Justin Beahm. The film is currently seeking funding on the indiegogo website at https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cabin-pressure. As of today, the film has 20 days to meet its $15,000 goal and you can help!
“Please, please help us get this film made,” pleads Glynn!
Last, but certainly not least, Tamara Glynn is also Co-Director and Hostess of the Hot Springs International Horror Film Festival (http://www.hotspringshorrorfilmfestival.com/) which will kick off its second annual hootenanny this fall, October 23–October 26th. Keep an evil eye on that festival!
