INTERVIEW: Stephen Manley

We’re extremely honoured this month that veteran actor Stephen Manley has popped by to chat to us. Stephen has been performing in some of the most iconic TV shows and film none stop since the late 70′, with Trekkie’s best knowing him from playing the young Spock in Star Trek III. Others have seen him on shows such as Days of Our Lives, The Love Boat & The Streets of San Francisco. In recent times Stephen has been playing an array of unsavoury characters, which shows his unique versatility as an actor. With soon to be released films such as ‘Ghosthunters’ & ‘Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter’, if you weren’t familiar before, well its a good time to get to know Mr. Stephen Manley.

Stephen it’s really cool to chat to you, how are you sir?

I’m well, thank you.

Most people know of you from your appearance as young Spock in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. What was it like landing a gig in a global phenomenon?

Leonard Nimoy implored upon me the responsibility of playing Spock at 17, now known to fans as Pon Farr Spock. He was comforted in the fact that I took his outlook very seriously knowing that there was reputation and expectation at stake. However one should take every role to heart and be as professional and passionate as you can. Summer of 1984 was a big year for movies. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Gremlins and Star Trek 3 were all released within a few days of each other and it was important and personal for Mr. Nimoy and Harve Bennett that Star Trek 3 make a good impression. Leonard advised me that i would be making “Trek History” with Pon Farr and that the Trek World would be with me the rest of my life. I am forever grateful.

Is it true that the scene was originally seen as too racy? I’ll be honest I’m not a Star Trek fan, but if this is the case I may start watching, haha.

Pon Farring with Robin Curtis , a former Oil of Olay model was not a bad way to spend an afternoon on that set..! Pon Farr had not been shown before, only referred to. Mr. Nimoy guided Robin and I to create a lightly sensual but very sensitive scene. Robin is a very passionate lady and brought that to her work. I share with fans that i remember her caressing my face and recently found a picture of that moment which was cut. I tease that the European Bertolucci version is available uncut on Italian PAL DVD…! I was very moved that Mr. Nimoy had to fight to retain the scene as at that time a few executives not familiar with the Star Trek world wanted it removed. However they trusted Leonards’ judgement and i have been Pon Farr-ing with wonderful fan ladies ever since.

You’ve been acting from an extremely young age, obviously it’s something you’ve always wanted to do? How did you get into film & TV?

My Grandpa on my mom’s side, actor Stephen E. Soldi, started in 1917 on D.W. Griffith’s film ‘Intolerance” and stayed active as an actor/ stuntman until he retired in 1966. After his wife passed he lived with us and he and I spent all our time together. He would show me his portfolio that had pictures of him with Chaplin, Keaton, Karloff,Ginger Rogers, Jack Lemmon and the like. He would talk of how things were done in the silent days then open his old fibre box makeup case , grab a stick of nose putty and explain old makeup techniques. He taught me how to read by using his old film scripts. When i obtained my SAG card and began to work on Studio Lots, I recognized the environments because he had shown me so much. A lot of old timers” were still around then who knew Granpa and so they watched over me like a hawk and steered my interests into everything from lenses to set design, proper camera techniques to blocking, lighting and movement, how scenes were cut, stage blood to break away glass. I felt a great responsibilty to make him proud and maintain a his professional work ethic.

You’ve appeared in Kung Fu, The Love Boat and The Streets of San Francisco, that’s beyond cool. Those shows are cemented in pop culture, looking back now what was it like working on such shows and any stories you can share?

I enjoyed working on all of those shows and still have most of the scripts from the things i worked on. Including some call sheets and scheduales. I loved working at “MCA” Universal Studios during it’s 70’s heyday . I remember while shooting “ Emergency” on the lot, the Six Million Dollar Man himself, Lee Majors walked by my mom outside the commisary then we saw Kojak, Telly Savalas, IN the commisary…! So much was being shot there that we now cherish: Airport ‘75, Earthquake ( my buddy Tiger Williams was in that), I was in The Hindenburg which shot for 4 months there. Wonderful experiences.

What attracts you to certain projects?

As of late, I seem to have been playing some really rough and nasty dudes. Michael Madsen’s dope dealer in “Death in the Desert”, a Neo- Nazi Leader named Adolf in ‘Not On My Mountain”, outlaw gunslinger Charlie Bowdre in “Billy the Kid” a Kevin Costner production. It marks a new chapter in my life as an actor. The opportunity to play these very colorful and rich characters is a welcome change for me. Also the opportunity to work with new talented film makers is very important. I have worked with and continue to meet some great talent.

Its extremely impressive that you’ve continued to work continually since breaking through in the 70’s. What’s the secret?

Perserverance and endurance during dead, dry and hard times. Having supporting friends and/or family. My wife is extremely supporting. I also try to keep my foot in other arts to keep creative blood flowing. I have discovered that all of the performing, fine and physical arts share similar attitudes of discipline , technique and execution. Share with other artists and become involved in the art world closest to you.

You’ve just starred in Neil Johnson’s Rogue Warrior: Robot Fighter. I recently chatted to Ashley Park who you co-starred with. What can you tell us about your experience on this?

Neil Johnson and Tracey Birdsall have become family to me. They are both wonderful people who were a pleasure to work and share with. It was a pleasure to become a part of Neil’s Science Fiction Universe. He crafts fantastical worlds to be creative in and I worked to create a well rounded character of Dr. Ralston in RWRF for Neil. The backgrounds and locations were spectacular and it was important that all the actors be real people and not empty shells , for the film to work. RWRF has a lot of action but also many touching moments and everyone involved took it very serious. Daz Crawford was great, William Kirtcher is badass and Tracey looks stunning. As a result Neil is very enthused and Tracey says: “ it looks EPIC….!!” So looking forward to it’s release.

Another film you’ve recently starred in is Ghosthunters. This sounds very intriguing and has a very interesting director in Pearry Reginald Teo at the helm. What interested you about the role and working with Teo?

The role of Dr. Henry Tanner was deep with layers. The script read like a Gothic play. The other actors: Francesca Santoro, Liz Henning, David O’Donnell and Crystal Webb brought their characters to life with passion and emotion. The location: a Victorian Gingerbread built in the early 1900’s was incredible and gave such a wonderful “stage” to work within. And Pearry is an exceptional and talented film maker with a proven track record. His visual style is unique and “Ghosthunters” was a very personal project for him. The film was emotionally wrought and Pearry worked closely with us actors to help guide us through the macabre decent into madness. Keeping the characters and situations honest in context. This is no campy film, “Ghosthunters” is a full, true onslaught of Gothic Horror. I am very proud of everyone involved and look forward to its reception.

You’re latest movie in post-production is Las Vegas Vietnam: The Movie. That is a mouthful and the concept sounds quite bizarre as well, in a cool way. 4 rival gangs fighting it off in an action, comedy, ghost story. This sounds like an amazing project to be involved in?

Ron Becks, the films director/producer is a great fellow. His movies are released primarily for the Asian Markets, and we had a lot of fun working together. Often times getting a case of the sillies during the funnier scenes. There is a long flashback scene where Ron and I play our dads hanging out with the Rat Pack in a greenroom at the Sands in the early1960’s during it’s heyday. Ron was able to get the modern day Rat Pack impersonator character actors from the current show on The Strip and they were great. They never broke character and went back years themselves. So in a sense, i got to hang out with Frank, Sammy and Dean before Eric Roberts, who played a Mob Boss, entered the scene. Not many guys alive can say: “Dean Martin and I worked together and became good friends…!!”

Although we cover most genres we are at heart a horror site. Are you a lover of horror and if so what’s your earliest memory or introduction to horror?

I am a lover of horror. Gothic Horro, Supernatural ect. My earliest memory is of watching the shot of Lon Chaney Sr., ( one of my heroes) swinging and leaping on the bells of Notre Dame. I must have been 3 or 4 and watched Quasimodo on an old Mahogany Cased late 1940’s television with Granpa Soldi. Mr. Chaney’s performance reached out to me and affected me greatly. Then Grandpa Soldi told me everything he could remember about the shoot, the film, the Universal backlot and of Lon that he could remember.

What are your favourite films and what actors or directors would you love to work with?

My all time favorite film is the original JAWS. It is an incredible piece of film making, storytelling and performance. The phenomena that followed it’s release is still fresh in my mind. What a great film, helmed by a young man that was an unknown force of talent whom has become so legendary. I would love to work with lots of people, however so many of the film makers and actors I admire have passed..! Kubrick, Lindsay Anderson, Bergman, Fellini…..Bertolucci is still hanging in there. The same with actors however I did spend time with Malcolm McDowell as we signed autographs at a convention. It would be great to join him for a Moloko Plus at the Korova Milkbar one evening….!

Stephen if you could re-boot or re-make any film in history, which one would it be and why and who would you cast and get to direct?

I am sorry to say i am not a fan of re-makes. However I thought Tom Hardy stepping into the boots of Mad Max for another Road Warrior chapter is the way to go. Like Roger Moore taking over for Sean Connery as 007. Each has their specific era of time that fits them well. That being said I often fantasize of doning Snake Plisskens eyepatch and being sent on a timed mission in a distopian future. If I keep playing rugged bad ass guys………..one never knows, how cool would that be…!

Stephen it’s been an absolute pleasure chatting to you sir and all the very best with Ghosthunters & Rogue Warrior: Robot Hunter.

Interview by- FOLKLORE

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