In 1978, during my acting years in California, I earned a part in a black and white movie Killers Matinee. The shoot took place in a theatre in Venice. I remember I was impressed when I saw that Jessica Lange was in the audience. I thought for sure she would have the lead. She sat in one of the back rows, though, and she did not move. She probably had an extra part and her name is not even mentioned in the Cast. I found this online: Jessica Lange moved to New York, working as a model, until producer Dino De Laurentiis cast her as the female lead in  King Kong (1976). The film attracted much unfavorable comment and, as a result, Lange was off the screen for three years. So in 1978 she was not yet in the limelight.

Anyway, the part I played was that of a young mother holding a baby in my arms, sitting in the left of the two seating sections of the small theatre, in the isle seat of the fifth or sixth row. All I remember is that it was dark in the theatre, then noisy, and then I was shot in the head. Afterwards the director told me I did a great job (I thought so too). I got paid for the day and that was it. I thought it was just a pilot, and never heard about it. But…. the book I just finished made me look for the title Killers Matinee. Actually, I always thought the title should have been Killer’s Matinee, don’t you think? But I found it! You can read it all below. It was a short, 15 minute black and white film and I think it was only shown once. But where? When? I researched deeper. I joined IMDbPRO (free for one month, that’s all I needed). IMDb is an online database of information related to films, television programs, home videos, video games, and streaming content online – including cast, production crew and personal biographies, plot summaries, trivia, ratings, and fan and critical reviews. 

I found Rex Steven Sikes, the killer. He is still alive and about ten years younger than I. He is a Producer, Director and SAG/AFTRA actor with an impressive list of movies he played in, the movies he produced, his website, his address, phone number and email address, everything! That was very exciting to read! I emailed him and asked if he had any information on the movie we were in together. That was two days ago (That I wrote him, not when we were in the movie together, which was 42 years ago) I don’t expect an answer soon, because he has to do some research himself too, I figure, but I do expect an answer. After all, I could boast that I am a retired SAG/AFTRA Actress, Writer and Public Speaker. That should create some interest.

If it does not, well, whatever happens, I now have proof that I was not only a Stage and Commercial Actress, but a Movie Actress as well! I once heard that if you don’t toot your own horn, who will? So I just did. Wonderful memories!

It’s a Wonderful Life!

Until next time,

Ronny