Actress Tané McClure Looks Back on CRAWLSPACE Twenty Years Later
For actress, producer, director and singer Tané McClure, getting into the entertainment field seemed a natural transition. After all, she had watched and admired her father - the late, highly popular actor, Doug McClure - as he did it for many years. Soon Tané would take the plunge, and with it came a gradually successful television and film career, and the chance at being a recording star too, landing a contract at just 21 with RCA. Touring with the likes of Jefferson Starship (formerly Airplane and headed by the wild Grace Slick) was just the start, also eventually nailing three big tracks for the TERMINATOR soundtrack. From there, Tané has gone on to great things, appearing in a number of top TV series and landing all manner of parts in a variety of films, ranging from FEAR AND LOATHING IN LAS VEGAS, to LEGALLY BLONDE with Reese Witherspoon, to CRUEL INTENTIONS 2, and much more. She's even taken the time to stop by Cinema Nocturna and have a chat about a little horror film she shot 20 years ago...CRAWLSPACE. And now we take a peek to those early days in 1986 with David Schmoeller and the maniacal Mr. Kinski...Enjoy!
First of all, Tané, allow me to pass along a huge thanks from Cinema
Nocturna and myself for allowing this opportunity to speak with you. It’s a real treat and we’re extremely grateful for your time.
DK: Not only did you easily catch the acting bug - I’m sure partially due to
your father being late, great film and television star, Doug McClure - but
you’re also an accomplished singer. Which of the two arts was initially the
bigger passion for you personally as a youth?
Tané: I guess, to be independent and different… I wanted to be a singer.
DK: Describe for us if you will, what exactly it was like growing up as the
daughter of a popular actor of the time like Doug McClure? Did you maintain
a close relationship with him throughout all of it?
Tané: I was always close to him… All the way up until he passed away from
lung cancer in 1995. I’d like to think we are still close.
DK: Was there ever a time when you wished your father would leave the
business or were career and family always well balanced for him?
Tané: Good question. But no, I was always so very proud of my father and I
looked up to him. Only once, when I was little, I wanted him to take me to
Disney Land and he had to explain to me that he couldn’t. At the time he was
a very big star. I still was so grateful for him and the life we had.
DK: What words of encouragement or advice did your father give you when you first decided that you wanted to try your hand at acting? Was he supportive of following in his footsteps?
Tané: My father was supportive of ME, but he was cautious of the business
for obvious reasons. His advice in regards to acting was to “not act, just
be”…and to not learn your lines before knowing the story and who you were in
the story. For me, these words of advice ring true.
DK: One of your very first film roles is the focal point of our interview –
the 1986 David Schmoeller film, CRAWLSPACE. How did this opportunity come
about for you?
Tané: This opportunity came about just like any other actor, I auditioned
for it.
DK: How was it being under the direction of David Schmoeller? What approach
did he use with you and the other ladies in getting across what he wanted?
Tané: He was very easy to work with and supportive. Not the “screaming
director” type. It was my first feature film and I was nervous… David was so
kind to me.
DK: Had you been aware of the reputation of lead star, the infamous Klaus
Kinski, prior to filming? What was your first meeting with him like?
Tané: I had heard some stories about Klaus, yes. I thought his work was
superb though, so I was very excited to work with him.
DK: The tumultuous relationship on set between Kinski and director
Schmoeller has been well documented, especially in Schmoeller’s short
documentary about working with the actor – PLEASE KILL MR. KINSKI. Do you
recall any of the confrontations between the two or any of Kinski’s reported
tirades?
Tané: OOOOOHHHH! BOOOOY! This is where it gets good. Yes, Mr. Kinski was
interesting. And unfortunately, very interested in me. The director begged
me to stay on set even when I wasn’t scheduled to shoot. Schmoeller was very
nice about it, don’t get me wrong. He was desperate. Klaus only behaved,
apparently, when I was on set. I understand now that I am a producer and
director as well, the desperation Schmoeller must have been feeling. In the
end, Klaus gave a wonderful performance. I was saved from him and all went
well.
DK: Would you say, having the many years of experience that he did, that
Klaus Kinski was a help to the more inexperienced actors, such as yourself?
Tané: Hmmmmm. He was a great talent but I spent too much time dodging him.
DK: The more sexually driven scenes between your character, Sophie and actor David Abbott’s, Hank, seemed genuinely fun. How much improvisation during these moments were the two of you allowed?
Tané: Ahhh… it is all in a days work.
DK: Although the kill happens off screen, the discovery of your body at the
piano by Talia Balsam was one of the more memorable and creepy moments. Did you actually have to hold that clamp in your teeth?
Tané: Yes… and OUCH!
DK: The song that you’re seen performing during CRAWLSPACE, is that one you had written for the film or was it given to you by director, David
Schmoeller?
Tané: The song, I believe was written by the composer of the soundtrack.
DK: What were the biggest obstacles in shooting CRAWLSPACE for you
personally?
Tané: Klaus.
DK: Was travelling to Italy to do the film ever an issue for you and had you
been there before? How long was the shoot for CRAWLSPACE and was there a
chance to see some of what the country offered?
Tané: It was the first time I had been to Italy… and it was truly wonderful.
I did have a little bit of time to enjoy the sights as well.
DK: What were your feelings when you saw CRAWLSPACE after it’s completion for the first time?
Tané: I thought I over acted a bit. But the film was really great.
DK: How do you feel looking back on it 20 years later?
Tané: I go WOW… I still look pretty good but man, 20 years ago… Oh boy, now I feel OLD!!!
DK: What are your thoughts on some of the other horror films you’ve done
early in your career, such as DEATH HOUSE (1988) (in which, as usual, you
look incredible) and DEATH SPA (1987)?
Tané: All in a days work.
DK: You’ve since had quite a career boost, appearing in films like LEGALLY
BLONDE (2001) and LEGALLY BLONDE 2 (2003) along side Reese Witherspoon,
CRUEL INTENTIONS 2 (2000), and various television series spots. What have
you found to be the most successful method of pursuing the roles you want?
Tané: Work, brings work. Being professional and easy to work with on
set…brings work. Knowing your lines and truly knowing your character brings
work. When you audition for roles…be flexible…ask the casting director or
producers if they would like to see something different…and be prepared to
give that to them. Be careful with how much nudity you do if you want to be
a serious actress. I have done it too much… It becomes a hurdle.
DK: Tell us a little about your production company, Trampas Film Productions, and the film festival award winning, TRANCE…THE SEDUCTION OF MAGIC, which you co-wrote, co-produced and also acted in. Where can we see the film?
Tané: Hopefully, the film will be out somewhere on television this year. Or
you can buy it on Amazon.com.
DK: What other film or music projects do you currently have on the go or
would like to pursue?
Tané: We are currently in pre-production on a horror film.
DK: Lastly, where would you like to see yourself and the world as a whole in
the next few years to come?
Tané: Happy with my family and producing films, as well as acting in a few.
DK: Once again, Tané, this has been a total pleasure. Wishing you the greatest
happiness and more successful endeavours ahead. A million thanks for hanging
with Cinema Nocturna for a while!
Tané: Thank you to you too Devin, and take care.
*Interview Conducted By Cinema Nocturna Contributing Staff Member Devin Kelly on July 27, 2006**Also read Devin's review of CRAWLSPACE*
Visit Tané at www.tanemcclure.com
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