PRESENTS
Phyllis Diller Interview
For
Mad Monster Party
Conducted by Scott
Michael Bosco
PD –
What the hell can I tell you about MAD MONSTER PARTY?
SB – That’s a great question, but shouldn’t I be the one asking
that?
PD – (with a laugh) I know! Start.
SB – Okay. Here we go…
the “Monster’s Mate”.
PD –“The Monster’s Mate”?
SB – Well, that’s what your character was listed as.
PD – Oh.. All-righty. Frankenstein and me! He just picked me up, and we
made such a pretty couple.
SB – Beautiful!
PD – Yeah.
SB – So, how did you get to be connected with such a handsome
guy, and a really
great project?
PD – I have no idea!?
SB – Well, it was a while ago…
PD – Oh honey, 1967! I
sing a number in it you know.
SB – Yes.
PD – “You’re Different”, was the name of the song. I remember I was sooo
thrilled that I got to sing a
song. At the time I was living in
bungalow
Number 7 at the Beverly Hills Hotel because I didn’t have a
house here
yet. I rented a piano so I could learn how to do
the song. I remember
these things sooo vividly. Oh boy
I was so excited, so thrilled.
SB – So the song was written previous to you coming onto the
project?
PD - Absolutely. Back in those days I was still singing.
What’s so nice about it
is that the film is played every Halloween.
I love
that because the film grows
another audience every year. People come
up
to me, of all ages, with little
kids and I’m introduced to them all over
again. I like that idea. And now this new DVD, it’s great that they’re
keeping it alive!
SB – It must feel great to be part of a project that’s become a
perennial favorite. .
PD –
Hey baby, it sure is!
SB – …
and there isn’t enough out there for the entire family to watch for
Halloween.
PD – No, and Halloween is such a wonderful holiday. I don’t consider
MONSTER PARTY a horror film.
It was sweet and all tongue and cheek.
There was no blood, or animals eating somebody.
SB - So, you enjoy doing projects for children?
PD - Oh, yes. To this day
I still enjoy reading children’s books.
When the new
ones come out I read
them. I find the art interesting, and
simplicity
of the entire thing absolutely
charming.
SB - Do you feel a lot of what you’re mentioning in books is missing
from today’s
entertainment?
PD - Well, I’m very much against all the violence and all that
crap. I will not
look at it! There are enough disturbing things without
having to pay for
it.
SB - So aside from you having to sing, just being part of a more
“entertaining”
family oriented film was why
you wanted to do MAD MONSTER PARTY.
PD -Oh, yes, yes! I love
cartoons. I grew up with DUMBO and SNOW
WHITE. I love the “un-reality” of them.
SB – Now because this was a kind of animation I suppose your
lines were recorded
a head of time in a studio?
PD – Oh, honey, I don’t remember what I did.
SB – Oh, that’s how it’s usually done.
PD – Fine, then we’ll just stick to that.. Just doing the song was enough to
make me happy – and to do it
with Frankenstein. Frankenstein and
me, what a great idea!
SB – Did you get to meet Boris Karloff?
PD – No, it was done all separately, I remember that. They never get anyone
together. Like when I did A BUG’S LIFE.
SB –You’ve done quite a few animated projects…
PD – Honey, I’ve don a lot.
Oh, many, many, many. Only two
were done with
the other actors there. Some of the animated projects I’ve done I
haven’t
really connected with, while
others have been just fabulous! Those
are the
same that people come up to
me and say, “Oh, I remember you on
“SCOBBY- DO”, and of course MONSTER PARTY is another one.
SB – Is it more difficult doing your lines alone?
PD – Not really….nah, it’s better when they cut it all together. They tell what
they want, direct you, and
every one else, singly.
SB – Do you remember seeing conceptual drawings or sketches of
what your
character in MAD MONSTER PARTY
would look like?
PD – I don’t remember….1967, really. But truthfully, I wouldn’t care. I’m not
one to stickle. I’m not a stickler. In fact, I’ve never stickled in my life.
(Phyllis does her famous
laugh.)
PD – My theory is that people like other people who are easy to
get along with,
and don’t make waves, and just do
the job and go home. That’s business-
like.
SB – Since all the monsters in MAD MONSTER PARTY are based on,
or inspired
by, the classic Universal
Monsters…
PD – Yes….
SB – Do you remember seeing any of the original films?
PD – Yes, I do. I
remember seeing DRACULA.
SB – My mother threw-up as child seeing the original
FRANKENSTEIN. How did
react seeing DRACULA for the
first time? Were you frightened? Those
films were pretty intense in
their day.
PD – Nah. It didn’t
affect me. Back then I went to see
mostly comedies.
SB – Musicals too, I bet.
PD – Oh, Musicals, oh yes.
Let me tell you something, how old I am.
I saw the
first color movie. SEVENTH HEAVEAN, with Janet
Gaynor.
I saw the first “talkie” – it really wasn’t a talkie, it had
music – with Al
Jolson, THE JAZZ SINGER. I go back to silent films – when you had to
read words on the screen to
know what was going on. I remember
seeing
the word fiancé and thinking it
was finance – hey, what the hell did I
know?
SB – So, if there was ever a sequel to be made for MAD MONSTER
PARTY
you’d hitch up with ol’Franky again?
PD – Honey, I’m available!
Copyright 2003 THE
DIGITAL CINEMA, SMB
