It seems that Simon faces mayhem no matter where he goes. Recently, while filming Jaws-3D in Orlando, FL, he had a slight mishap. Simon’s character, Philip Fitzroyce, is very much the daredevil photographer. He seems to thrive on thinking up dangerous ways to get the required shots and camera angles, often using very dangerous and acrobatic methods. Simon, in character as Philip, had planned an unique way to photograph Shamu the killer whale. Shamu would be leaping high out of the water, while at the same time allowing his trainer to jump off a platform onto his nose, whale and trainer completing the dive together. With a rope tied around him for safety, Simon/Philip planned to get the shot by coming up behind the trainer on the platform and then leaning way over the edge, while his partner, Jack, (P.H. Morairty) pulled the rope taut to keep him from falling over. (The best laid plans of mice and men!)
LP: DEATH ON THE NILE was your first feature film internationally, and you starred with other big names in the movie business, David Niven, Peter Ustinov, Bette Davis, the list goes on and on. Do you have any particularity interesting thing about this that you’d like to share with us?
SM: Strictly speaking, I had, in fact appeared in a film called JUGGERNAUT, for United Artists much earlier than that. I mean, I really only flashed across the screen. I was cast in a rather nice little role for that, that when they changed directors, quite rightly so, the role got cut down to absolutely nothing. As it was I very disappointed, because obviously I wanted more lines on the screen.
I have been in the U.S. since February 1981, thought I visited off and on for two years prior to that. I am glad to be in America and delighted so many Americans seem to like my work.
What do you miss most about England?
My Family. (Parents, Jill and Peter MacCorkindale, and brother, Duncan. Duncan, an accountant, is two years eight months younger than Simon.)
RIDDLE OF THE SANDS, a movie Simon filmed a few years ago with Micheal York and Jenny Agutter, was slated for a January ’83 release in the United States. Due to perplexing delays in editing and other procedures, RIDDLE is still on the shelf, in spite of the fact that there are fans anxiously waiting to see it. Once these problems are ironed out, Simon will be asked to do some promotional work for the film. We can only hope, for his sake, that promotions for RIDDLE, MANIMAL and JAWS don’t all hit at the same time. (Eeny, Meeny, Miney, Mo!)
Also a very special welcome to two new members who are very special people to Simon, Mrs. Jill MacCorkindale and Melody Ann Desjarlaris. Melody Ann is ten years old as Simon’s sponsored child through Save the Children. Mrs MacCorkindale is one of Simon’s biggest fans; at least she’s been able to watch Simon’s talent developing for many years – none other than, Simon’s mom!
In our last issue we printed a review on THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER by violet. In view of some comments to the effect that perhaps Violet didn’t like the movie because she only wrote a straight review from a very objective point of view, I will now print additional comments by Vi. These we will title:
Sword and the Sorcerer – The opinion
Hmm… You’d think, with my penchant for words, and periodic contacts with various types of fans, I’d have known better than write a straight review of THE SWORD AND THE SORCERER for a Fan Club Newsletter, instead of an opinion on what the Honorary brought to his role.
It’s a bird; It’s a plane! No – it’s a Manimal? Actually folks, MANIMAL is the title of a band new NBC movie of the week, staring – of course, SIMON!
Simon plays Jonathan Chase, a professor of animal behaviorisms, who, with the help of his partner (Glynn Turman) and a lady police officer, (Melody “Flash Gordon” Anderson) fights crime in New York City. Equipped with mystic powers inherited from his father, which include exceptional hearing and eyesight, Jonathan is also able to change into animals at will, and uses this to his advantage.
We all know Simon as a fine actor, however he is now beginning to make a name for himself as a producer/director. His production, A DOLL HOUSE, presented last year at the Matrix Theater in Hollywood, received several awards from Drama-Logue magazine.
Simon has officially announced his engagement to British actress, Susan George. Whom he has been seriously dating since last year. He is very pleased and excited about his future and we all wish them both much happiness. At present, no date has been set for the wedding which will take place sometime this summer in England, but Simon will keep us posted.
