Horror fans should instantly recognize the face at right: Jessica Harper starred in Dario Argento’s “Suspiria,” “Phantom of the Paradise,” “Shock Treatment” (the sequel to “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” replacing Susan Sarandon as Janet), and an episode of “Tales from the Darkside.” And that’s not to mention the rest of her work… Jessica toplined Woody Allen’s “Stardust Memories,” “Pennies from Heaven” with Steve Martin, and “My Favorite Year” with Peter O’Toole.
More recently, Jessica has been authoring children’s books – “Underpants On My Head” comes out in January, and adapting entries from her personal blog into “The Crabby Cook Book.” Speaking of, she’s asking CreepyLA readers to submit their own creepy recipes at her site…
On Halloween night, she’ll guest host Fox Legacy’s airing of “Phantom of the Paradise”, hosted by Fox Film chairman Tom Rothman, who also happens to be her husband. (Fox Film Channel, 8pm)
You’ve done your share of supernatural horror, but have you ever seen an actual ghost?
I have never seen a ghost, but if I ever do, I hope it’s Caspar.
Your favorite horror film? Any movie in particular scare the crap out of you?
The first movie that scared the crap out of me was “The Wizard of Oz,” which I saw at age five. When those damn monkeys flew, I knew what it was to be terrified. Later in life, it was “The Haunting.” I practically had to be hospitalized. After that, I decided to stick to Disney movies.
What was your reaction to hearing Juno refer to “Suspiria” as her favorite horror movie?
I fell off the couch.
Any thoughts on the “Suspiria” remake, or rumors that Natalie Portman could be reprising your role?
Geez, am I that old? They’re remaking me already?
Any favorite childhood Halloween memories?
I have some vivid memories of childhood Halloweens, my least favorite being the year I dressed as a Trick or Treat bag. I made the costume myself, without really thinking through how annoying it would be to go trick-or-treating enclosed in a bag.
I was once a gypsy, too, which was more successful and I got to carry around a tambourine. After a certain age though, it was witches every year. I just kept that black hat in the closet and wore it with scary shoes and a bad attitude every Halloween.
As far as handout preferences were concerned, I remember loving the people who gave you full-sized candy bars, and loathing the ones who offered popcorn balls. I may or may not have TP’ed a couple of houses where they gave you apples….
Where do you think are some of the creepier spots in L.A.?
A place that’s creepy in a good way is the Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where they have regular screenings of horror movies. You bring a picnic, get cozy with the tombstones, and chew and view.
Places that are creepy in a bad way are tanning salons.
…read more in our Creepy Questions series here…
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I just watched P.O.T.P on the Fox Movie Channel. You can tell you’r husband I had a crush on you before he did. You see, I was an extra in the film here in Dallas, & I had the pleasure of watching you “singing” Old Souls for a few takes.(not as much as I would have liked to) You did it to good to fast. Iwas also there for you’r rehearsal scene. In fact Me & my girlfriend were there day after day as extras, although you can only see us on stage, in the last scene dancing on stage as Winslow is dragging himself across stage. Blink & you’ve missed it.
Any ho, blown away to hear about the Winnapeg thing. I had no idea. Any plans of returning to Dallas for any projects