Late Night Classics – Christine

In the film canon from the great John Carpenter, it always seems like Christine gets the short end of the stick and is an afterthought. I believe part of the problem was the overkill of Stephen King films being released at the time, as well as the fact that Carpenter relied on suspense and not gore and violence like in his previous movie - The Thing. What stands out about Christine is the fine acting from the young cast, and a highlight is Malcolm Danare, who played bully “Moochie” Welch.

Jason Bene: John Carpenter was on a roll heading in to adapting the film version of Christine.  How did you hitch a ride on this tale of terror?

Malcolm Danare: I went in and met Carpenter privately. Right off the bat we got along. He asked if I would come back the next day and be mixed and matched with three other bad guys… Steve Tash, Stu Charno and Bill Ostrander. I guess Carpenter liked what he saw, he ended up casting the four of us. Funny enough, I was offered a big role in the movie “Police Academy”… I turned it down to do a Steven King and John Carpenter collaboration.

Jason Bene: Did Stephen King ever visit the set?

Malcolm Danare: I didn’t meet King during the filming of Christine. I met him at the premiere. He was very nice… He said I was the perfect Moochie!

Jason Bene: Did you ever read the novel? One of the things that Carpenter removed was the corpse of Roland LeBay appearing in front of Arnie several times. I like the fact that John made it about the car and how men can sometimes treat their automobile better than their girlfriend.

Malcolm Danare: Yes, I loved the novel! It’s amazing how so much changes from book by author, to script by screen writer. And yes, there are times that we love our car, more than our girlfriend or wife… Dare I say that?! Great song by the group QUEEN… “I’m In Love With My Car”. Tells how much a man really loves his car more than a woman.

Jason Bene: While Christine is a horror film, it is much more deeper than that. It’s about man’s obsession with his car and the power that can come about from having a really fancy one. It’s a fact that a hot vehicle will bring the chicks in like a magnet. Thoughts?

Malcolm Danare: Hey, my first automobile was a 1969 Ford LTD… I have to admit, I didn’t start making out in a car until I got my first sports car, a Triumph TR6 (red too) I wish I still had that car!!!! Memories there! LOL… But I can’t complain about my German car now! …Wink wink.

Jason Bene: Every high school has a “Moochie” Welch. How much homework did you have to do to play such a scuzzbucket?

Malcolm Danare: (Laughs) I loved playing that role! Have to tell you, Carpenter really made me play it to the hilt. He would have Tash and I really do a number on Keith Gordon before a scene. Pick on him, be real assholes. Especially the scene in the high school metal shop. I’m not a method type of actor… I learn my lines; do what the director tells me to do, then go home. Then the next day, I do the same. But I do think Keith still remembers what “shits” we were before shooting that scene.

Jason Bene: (Laughs) Was “Moochie” the one who defecated on Christine? If so, that was a “shitty” thing for him to do.

Malcolm Danare: Come on man, give the Mooch a break…The guy really needed to use the toilet. Believe it or not that scene was shot… I mean not the whole thing…LOL… But Carpenter shot a close up of me squatting on the hood and pretending to take a dump. I guess it was a little too uncomfortable for people to watch, it was cut out of the film.

Jason Bene: The showdown with you and Christine is the most indelible scene of the picture. Can you you describe the chase and your memorable death?

Malcolm Danare: Very F’ing intense!!! The chase scene between Moochie and Christine took about five days to shoot. As you know Carpenter likes detail. There was one shot where Moochie comes running out of an alley-way. I absolutely could not hit my mark. It was important to hit it perfectly, because the next shot was Christine in the back ground flying down the street after Moochie. If you look closely you see me looking down at the street, searching for the red tape on the ground. (Little inside info there) The gas station scene was amazing! I was there just as a spectator. The explosion was intense to say the least. I hear that people and fans of Christine, love Moochie’s death scene… I guess because he was such an asshole… LOL. I remember I went to see the movie at a theater without the Hollywood crowd there. When Moochie came to his demise, people in the audience actually stood up and cheered.

Jason Bene: There is supposed to be a revival screening of Christine soon. When and where is that happening, and who will be there?

Malcolm Danare: I keep hearing that they want to get the whole cast together for a twenty-five year reunion.

Jason Bene: John Carpenter is perhaps the most recognizable name in modern horror. He can be intense on-set. What are your memories of working with him?

Malcolm Danare: The guy was the best. Intense, funny, charming, very accessible as a director. A great practical joker… And I mean GREAT!!! The producer Richard Kobritz drove a Porsche. He would cover the car everyday when he got to the set. One day Carpenter replaced the Porsche with a beat up old car under the same car cover. At lunch, a bulldozer rolled over the car, Kobritz almost tossed his lunch!!! You had to be there!!