At some point in 1993, I went to the Angelika Film Centre in Manhattan to see a new comedy directed by Joel Hershman, called Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me.
The film, which concerned the kook-a-zoid goings-on of several
desperate characters in a trailer park, had gotten good reviews in the
papers. Everyone seemed to agree that the film was somewhat of a John
Waters/Pedro Almadovar-esque knock-off, but was nevertheless quite a
good one, with it's own unique qualities. The screening was on a
weekend night, and was sold out. As the film played, my friends and I,
and the whole audience, laughed and enjoy it all. It was a good movie!
However, of the ensemble cast, there was one character in particular; a
megalo/nymphomaniac/homidic-al, garbage-mouthed stripper named "Sabra"
- who seemed to get the biggest guffaws from the audience. The film
featured a lot of known actors, like Diane Ladd, Sean Young, Adrianne
Shelly and even Timothy Leary. But the actress who played the
irrepressible Sabra, billed as one Andrea Naschak, was hard to ignore.
She was like the soul of Carole Lombard, Ruth Buzzi, Sandra
Bernhard, Shirley Stoler and Pat Ast - whizzed in a blender and poured
into the body of Gina Lollobrigida, then topped with Cookie Mueller's
head and crowned with one of Jessica Hahn's worst wigs...
It was like she had a built-in megaphone for a mouth, and she
effortlessly cold-cocked every scene she was in. Whenever she walked on
screen and said or did anything, the audience howled. She just had it -
she was remarkably funny. The actress was billed as one Andrea Naschak, and was someone I had never heard of, but didn't forget.
A year later, when the film was released on video, I immediately
rented it. And *gasp!* there she was again! Sabra! She was like some
sort of nightmarishly hysterical screen heroine. I kept the video for
almost a week, paying all the late fees, just so I could show it to my
friends, who loved it. We began to quote Sabra's lines from the film in
our everyday lives. There always seemed to be a perfectly logical
reason to say things like "Watch the grease will ya? I don't need any
zits popping up on my ass while I'm filming." or "Don't talk, don't
move, don't breathe, don't ruin it..." or "Don't let my dildos,
vibrators and handcuffs fool you..."
But again, who in the world was this actress, Andrea Naschak? I pulled out my dog-eared copy of Leonard Maltin's 1994 Film & Video Guide to look her up. Ahh... there she was! But wha..? Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me
was listed as her first film, and also her last?! How? She had such
talent! Had Andrea just been a good friend of the director and
producers, and done the role as a favor to them? Had she just been a
computer-generated animation? Had she left the planet? We hoped not,
and I eventually bought my own copy of the video.
Years later, when I figured out how to finally open the box that
held my new computer, I looked Andrea Naschak up on the internet,
and... uh, who's April Rayne? Her filmography did indeed end at Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me,
but it didn't start there... holy cow! Before that were listed about
zillion other films! *gasp!* I looked at the titles closely, and soon
realized they were actually porn titles. In addition, they had Andrea
Naschak listed under a few psedonyms like Valerie Harte, and mostly
April Rayne. Wow... had the producers and directors of Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me
hired a one-time porn actress to star alongside other great actors in a
"real" film, and struck gold? It looked like they had. It was hard to
believe. She suddenly seemed ten times as interesting as just some
newly discovered, unknown actress.
When porn stars usually make it to the "big time," it's that
transition itself that gets celebrated, not their actual performance in
that new plateau. They're usually pretty bad, and despite the gonzo
world they come out of, porn stars ironically never seem brainy enough
to do comedy, or at least do it well. Poking fun at yourself on screen,
in the truest and funniest sense, requires a kind of double (triple?)
layer of awareness that, if not channeled, ends up falling flat. Andrea
Naschak seemed to have a gut instinct for that and more, and her first
foray into the big time - her performance in Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me - seemed to defy all of those stereotypes. A true success story?
Over time, Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me has ended up
being one of those unforgettable indie nuggets - one that has
unfortunately been sequestered out of the current cultural arena
because it has (still) never been released on DVD. Argh! And now even
the initial VHS run is now out of print (although it's easy to find
reasonably-priced, decent used copies of those on Amazon or Ebay). In
2006, the film got more than a handful of mentions in the press, by
default, due to the tragic death of one of it's stars (Adrianne
Shelly), and the subsequent investigation. Gawker called the film "criminally underseen." People that did get to see Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me
when it came out tend to remember it fondly, and it does have a small
following. So until a company like Blue Underground or Anchor Bay
decides to harvest it's much deserved reputation with a DVD re-release
- the film will have to live on amongst treasured, dusty VHS copies,
word-of-mouth, and clips on YouTube.
Whatever happened to Andrea "Sabra" Naschak? I was contemplating another entry in my Actors Who Have Fallen Off The Face Of The Earth
series, and decided Andrea Naschak had to be the third entry. She must
be recognized! She was a small, but fondly remembered, bright blip on
the vast-est of vast screens that is popular culture. I would write
about the film, and report what I could find on her history (where had
she disappeared to?) I nearly fell out of my chair when I discovered
that she has a MySpace page. %#@&*!! I breathlessly contacted her.
In coresponding with her to ask her for this interview, I found out that Andrea Naschak is of course not like the explosive Sabra, but certainly seemed of
Sabra. In contrast, Andrea is actually more of a perfectionist, and a
goal-oriented Leo. She's still very much a wild child at heart though,
and pretty brazen. She is also extremley proud of all of her
accomplishments, and more than anything, is certainly someone who lives
life by her own rules.
It turns out she happily retired from performing in back 1993, and
moved up to Northern California to become a mom(!) and raise her new
son. However now that some years have passed, and her son is a bit
older - amongst other things, she has found time to work on some
writing projects, and indeed is perhaps positioning herself to get back
into acting, something she loves. She was thrilled to hear from a fan
of the film, and said she'd be happy to talk about her life
experiences, as well as her experiences working on Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me. So... here, folks, is Andrea Naschak.
See clips of Andrea Naschak in Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me here (Vimeo - best quality) or here (YahooVideo - lesser quality).
_______________________________________________
INTERVIEW:
*GASP!* Oh my God! You're Andrea Naschak, who played Sabra in Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me! Alright, ok... first please share the story of how you landed the role.
Ha! It was an off beat way to get a read to say the
least! Joel Hershman and Travis Swords caught sight of a porn
performance I had done in 1990, titled Personalities.
After viewing it, they agreed that I would be perfect for, and had to
be cast, to play the role of Sabra. So they then got a message, copy of
the script, and their card to me on the set of my next scheduled porn
shoot. I called them and was blown away by their excitement and
persistence about my reading for the role. They remarked that it would
be the best decision I would ever make. Thank God I took them up on the
offer! I fell in love with the script immediately, Sabra ultimately...
and both Joel and Travis, upon our first meeting!
Did a lot of girls audition?
No! There was only me that read for the role. How
do you like them cookies, huh!? Hehe - luckiest gal in the world, I
tell you! Wink wink. Might I add though, this was just the beginning of
a long and hard fight that Joel and Travis had to embark upon...
convincing the "heads" and casting agents that I was the actress they
wanted to play Sabra.
Some of your outfits in the film were
really over the top. I love the shot of you walking that great dane
into the kennel while wearing the hot pink ensemble. And also the
workout spandex gear. Did you have any input in choosing the costumes?
Yes, I did in fact. I was able to spend a lot of
time with the costume designer, discussing in great detail how we
thought Sabra should dress. Those zebra print bike pants - what a kick!
(They came from my mom's personal bike short collection!) Hahaha! I had
so much fun with letting go of all fashion sense, and throwing all
caution to the wind, where her style was concerned. Her outfits matched
her moods very well I think. Sabra was the goddess of gaudy and cheap,
like a Fredericks of Hollywood explosion - screaming for attention!
Many of Sabra's lines are crazy instant
classics, and just seem to just come out of nowhere - like when you
intentionally mispronounce the word "pedo-feel" over and over. Were any
of your lines improvised by you, or was it all in the script?
Aaaah... yes! In fact, there are numerous lines
that were my improvisations, which I was allowed the freedom to use,
and ultimately were kept in the making of the movie. I usually went
over what my ideas were with Joel and Travis. After running through the
line with them, they would let me know immediately if it would work. I
have a very quirky sense of humor, and my mind is always ticking. I'm
quick witted, and often turn to humor for relief. In regards to that
particular line; when I would say "pedo-feel," that was in the script.
Travis Swords gets all the credit for that hilarious blurb. Joel and
Travis were not in the least bit afraid to allow everyone's input, and
allowed freedom for artistic expression within one's role. Some of the
lines that were allowed to remain in the film that i am responsible for
were; "four foot hair-ball," "don't talk, don't breathe, don't ruin
it," "would you like to come over my house and do me doggy-style...your
loss big guy" and also "you know you hate your mother, take it out on
me and titty fuck me real quick! You know you want to, come on, come on
baby!" Hahaha! Enough said I think - my humor in living color! Now I'm
starting to be afraid! Haahhaa! No, kidding! It was all in good fun.
One of my favorite lines is right after
you've nearly fatally clobbered your sister with a frying pan and she's
unconscious on the floor - you pensively run your fingers through your
hair and say "Oh, I hate this long, tired, nappy hair..." like it's of
your upmost concern at the moment.
That was written by Travis Swords. Our senses of humor are very
similar. We both love both gags, and great shock value - but our wit is
ridiculously dry. So that worked great for Sabra; she was so
disconnected from all grasps of a reality outside of her own. Nothing
at all seemed to be able to penetrate her way of thinking and being.
Satire at its finest. A great line too!!! Got to love Travis. Lol!
Did you ever study comedy acting or improv? You seem to be a natural.
Thank you that is very huge to me! *blush* Comedy
is so important to me, but I never studied it, no. I wish! I don't know
why exactly that is either. *sigh* I was active with theater and acting
classes here and there, and through out my junior and high school
career. I also participated in Shakespearean Festivals, but I never
sought out one comedy acting class. But I am comedy on a daily basis...
I think! However, there are those that do not get my humor, and find me
quite irritating at best! I guess you can't please them all all the
time... and GOD, why would you want to anyway? That's how I feel about
that. Oops! Did I just say that out loud? Hehe.
You have a great shouting voice. How did you develop it?
I am German and Czech by descent. Enough said.
Hahahaha... sorry couldn't resist! You got me there Mark! Umm... I
guess I developed it during my years of screaming for attention, most
likely? Blah!
Are you an extrovert?
Very much so! Coupled with being an exhibitionist,
and owning no fear where making a goof of myself is concerned. You live
only once... live large! And for crying out loud, have fun! And don't
forget to wear clean underwear... please and thank you.
What was it like working with some of the big names in the film, like Diane Ladd, Sean Young and Timothy Leary?
Pinch me... was that real??? He he. It was great. I
had heard horror stories about working with Sean Young, and to tell you
the truth, besides Timothy Leary and Max - Sean was my favorite on the
set. She was a treat, to say the least... funny, warm, and looked
great. I am a fan, so I was awestruck and grateful that she even said
hello! Haha! Everyone was a blast to work with, even Dianne...
especially after she had the beers she enjoyed so much! LOL!
Any thoughts on the recent death of Adrienne Shelly?
Terrible tragedy. May the sweet girl rest in peace!
My condolences go out to her beloved husband, and all that knew and
loved her that she left behind. What an awful event that played out
that fateful afternoon. Tsk Tsk. *sigh*.........
Has anyone ever told you you resemble the actress and writer Cookie Mueller?
No! They haven't. My look has always changed very
radically at times, so placing me at any one time to look like someone
else mostly is difficult. However, I had been told that I resemble
Angie Dickinson before. Haha! Who knows. I'm just me.
I've never read a review of the film, even short ones, that don't single out your performance. Variety called your performance as Sabra "wonderfully portrayed," and The New York Times
review seemed to stop just short of saying that you stole the show.
This being your first "real" film, did you feel your performance was
good?
All I can say is that I still pinch myself
regarding having had the chance to do it, let alone doing the movie,
and it getting the amount of attention that it did. Especially because
it was only an "indie" and a "B" movie (I was told). So, I am
realistically going to tell you that I think I could've done better,
and that is purely due to my being a perfectionist. But as a whole... I
am quite proud for my first time out film work. Yes.
Do you really like chocolate milk?
The first time that I went to meet with Joel
Hershman and Travis Swords, I was toting in hand a jug of Yoo-hoo
Chocolate Drink. Poof! Moo-hoo was born! Speaking of which...... I'll
be right back!
In a 2001 interview with Supervising Producer Alain Silver, he discusses an earlier version of the Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me
script that had a white slavery ring sub-plot, and scenes of women
getting branded... really insane stuff - which they eventually cut out
because they knew they could never get producers on board with scenes
like that. Did you ever see this version of the script?
No, and to tell you the truth, that is the first
I've heard anything about that. Hmmmm, I can't even visualize that type
of script with the players we had cast for our version. So, thankfully
I didn't see, nor was asked to do that rendition.
In the same interview it's mentioned that
Joel Hershman was offered a television show spin-off based on the film
that ultimately didn't pan out. Were you involved with that at all?
No I wasn't. Joel and Travis had lost contact with
each other, and I really never pursued a relationship with them past
that point. That was when I had relocated to Northern California. It is
odd, but I don't go to Los Angeles often at all. Very surreal in a
sense. I do miss my home in Venice beach very much. I believe I am just
not ready to go back there yet, that's all. But again to reiterate, no
- I had nothing to do with dealings or stabs at making a deal for such
a show along side of Joel.
Were there any scenes that you remember shooting that never made it into the film?
Scenes? No. Portions of scenes in fact ended up on
the editing room floor, but none that were really substantial enough to
qualify as a "lost scene."
You seemed at ease within Sabra's abrasive persona. What
did you base her on? Where did Sabra end, and Andrea Naschak begin? Or
for that matter, April Rayne?
Quite frankly, I was very at ease playing, and
allowing myself to discover and develop Sabra. In the beginning, I
based her on an exaggerated, over the top version of the element that I
worked with everyday leading up to my being cast in Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me,
which was Pornstars. I would have to say that there were a few
personalities, including mine (April Rayne), that I incorporated into
the arrival of Sabra. Though over time, I allowed myself, Andrea, to
find within Sabra her vulnerabilities, fears, and the walls that she
built up and ultimately hid behind (which I feel is what lead to the
comic relief in how I played her!) My character April Rayne made way
for the onslaught of outlandish and seemingly tasteless chaos that
molded her entire existence. Sabra on the other hand, was a self
absorbed ego maniac with severe control and security issues. I allowed
Sabra to know nothing other than what she lived and breathed. This
paved the way towards her undeniable exuberance, and disregard for any
opinion or chance that what she was about, or did, was not perfectly
normal and acceptable. I eventually found that Sabra was captivating in
her own ways. I couldn't wait to see what ridiculous act she might
display next. Sabra's charisma and drive to live her life the only way
that she knew how, to the Nth degree, is where, I, Andrea, and April
Rayne begin, and Sabra ultimately meet. But, rather than a beginning
and an ending, I think it's more of an understanding, and that
commonality was easily obtained and displayed, because it's a huge part
of how I am, and live. It's to "shock and awe," in a sense. But the
beginning of Sabra and April, for that matter, and the end for Andrea,
lies in the ego-maniacal self absorbed abuses she displayed. My own
personality is very far from an ego maniac, and I definitely need to
think more about myself first in that respect. Sabra and April? Well,
this is their world, and you are lucky to be in it along side of them!
Pffft! Oh Lord! Hahahah.
Wow, that's quite an analysis! Sabra seems
to glide easily from a coo-ing, seductive person... to a screaming,
rage-filled megalomaniac in seconds flat. Again, assuming you drew a
lot of the character from inside yourself, should we be scared of you?
Hmm... heavy! Yes a lot did come from within me. I used to be needy,
always wanting to be the center of attention when I was younger, which
was due to my lacking a sense of self. Through maturity though, and
self-love, and forgiveness, I have gained the tools and confidences I
needed to replace those insecurities - which fueled the obnoxious
antics I once thrived on. So to answer you, No! No need to be afraid...
but cautious is never a bad idea! Hahahaha! I'm kidding! Wait? Am I? As
Sabra, I had fun allowing myself to react to the words she was hearing,
with no self control, and allow that helplessness to fuel a rage that
was felt purely by her, because of her inability to share her emotions
calmly and diplomatically with anyone. She was defensive, and felt as
if she was always being attacked (listening wasn't one of her strong
points). On top of it all, I was also campy playing Sabra. But all of
that melodrama stayed at the shooting, and existed solely for the
making of her, and the film.
Making the leap from the world of porn into mainstream film
seems to be very, very difficult - surprisingly even still today. Do
you feel any affinity toward other actors who have made that
transition, in whatever context? Like Traci Lords, Vanessa Williams or
Simon Rex?
I am only too proud, and also very fond, of anyone
who stares adversities in the face and draws from the
"you-can-never-make-its" out there, and takes on the challenge of
showing otherwise to close-minded critics. Cheers! Break a leg... and
much success to all that have at least tried. After all, to try is all
that anyone could ever ask of another, now isn't it?!
I'm assuming that working in a porn film, and a "mainstream" (indie) film are markedly different. Are they?
Well, I would assume that they are very different in many respects. But the atmosphere on the set of Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me,
as well as working along side the likes of Joel Hershman, Travis
Swords, Dianne Ladd, Timothy Leary and Sean Young especially, made the
task all too easy. It was beyond fun, even though it was a work
environment. More than once I found myself pinching, and reminding
myself that this is it!!! This is serious, and to get it right. Whereas
on the set of a porn... quite frankly, there were a couple of the
directors that I enjoyed shooting for (and these were the only sets
that Andrea showed up, as well as April). I think Andrea is pretty dang
cool, and a huge contribution to any successful endeavor I have
attained! So, those were the only times that I found any similarities.
The differences are only too obvious, otherwise! Wink wink....(not
saying that a lil hanky-panky didn't go down on the set of Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me) Hehehe... chew on that one for awhile! Ha!
Was your acting role in Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me also the marking point where you decided to end your porn career?
Yes, it was the reason I had left the industry as a
whole. You see, I originally went into porn due to the lack of
recognition at the last job I had held before that; managing a
restaurant in Culver City. I loved the job, but it was very demanding,
and the owner of the restaurant was all but absent, making for very
stressful times with no compensation. Sheeesh, I am such a Leo it is
pathetic! Anyhow, I had a frequent customer of three years that
continually remarked that I should give porn a try, and said I would be
perfect for such films (I know now that they say that to all the girls!
But heck! There was the recognition I was so starving for... so I bit
the bait!) After three years of Biff Malibu dropping them invites to
me, I figured why not?!! And gave him a call! The next day I had
camera, film, and lube at my doorstep - to shoot my first amateur
scene! Hahaha! God I am adventurous. Anyways, after long hours of
contemplating, I decided to ask my mother for her permission to go
ahead with pursuing a porn career. Her advice was that there were many
consequences, and had I weighed them all out? I really didn't have a
grasp of what it was that she had been referring to, and hastily
replied that I had - and left it at that. She said that she knew that I
would be great at whatever I put my head into doing, and that she hoped
that I would be careful. But she told me not to not expect her to view
any of my work, or support the career in any fashion other than the
fact that I was her daughter, and that she loved me. That was all I
needed to hear, and voilà! At first, Valerie Harte was born... it
wasn't until I actually started working with the big video companies
that I came up with April Rayne! I had decided then that I would
utilize this industry as a platform for learning my stage presence
(best side), and my ability to learn lines, what have you - in order to
betterment my chances of hopefully one day landing a legitimate acting
career. Oh, did I mention that I am incredibly naive and have no logic
sense!??? No need, huh? So apparent now! Hahaha! Well, I did in fact
enjoy many moments in the porn industry. Yet, if I were available to
speak to anyone that was thinking about going into the industry, before
they did I would do so, with the hopes that I could save them from
perhaps making the worst mistake that they might possibly make. Not
that the industry isn't, and doesn't, work for everyone! It does! I
just feel that there is probably more to a person's reasons as to why
it is that they are thinking about entering into porn in the first
place. I would hope that those reasons were the correct and smartest
ones - otherwise that industry will chew and spit you out with no
regard. And everyone should be aware of the downsides of anything, I
feel. Knowledge tends to lead to bliss, and this is definitely one of
those instances!
How did your associates in the porn industry feel about your success?
I couldn't tell you. I turned away and never looked back to the porn industry ever since the day I walked on the set of Rayne Storm,
a Vivid Production, and announced that I was leaving the industry, and
that that day was to be my last! But my guess is that none cared or
even batted an eyelash toward anything that happened to me thereafter!
Here today, gone tomorrow! Peace! Hahah! But it's all good, I am
perfectly fine with that.
Is it true you found out you were pregnant with your son while the film was shooting?
No, I actually found out about my pregnancy immediately after the release of the film, in 1993.
What was Ania Suli like, who plays the faded Hungarian opera singer, Olga?
Awwwwwwww... God bless her heart! Couldn't help but
fall in love with her the moment you laid eyes on her! What a character
she is! She was a gem, and what a honor to have met her. She was quite
a Star and still is for that matter, in the Hungarian Opera world I
take it! She was a blessing. And she had a large appetite for comedy to
boot!
What was Max Parrish like to work with so closely? He's damn sexy in the film.
Mmmmmmmm mhmmmmmm... (psst............. can I
dish????) hehehe... dare I say, "WAWAWEEWA!" It, he, is and was...
delicious! He is such an amazing guy! Truly one of a kind. Genuine,
kind hearted, a hard worker and definitely amazing in the sack! Did I
just say that?????? It wasn't long before I had taken his star off of
his trailer and put it on top of my star! LOL!!! God I love me! And
yes, we decided that two trailers was just a waste of space and quite
frankly we were concerned citizens and didn't feel the need to waste
money nor space... and time for that matter! Yumm to the mother f'n
eeeeeee!!!! Whew! Ok what was the question again???
Do you have any frustrations that Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me hasn't ever been released on DVD?
Yes I have many frustrations regarding how
difficult it is to get any information about the film all together.
Heck, it's difficult enough to locate the VHS alone. Pffft!
When the film came out, did you ever get recognized on the street as Sabra?
Yes! All the time. And I was taken aback by it too,
because I was no longer in Los Angeles. I had moved up north, and it
was there that they were recognizing me. Flattering, very, very
flattering indeed.
What are you doing with yourself these days?
I have been working, and learning how to write. I
know it doesn't show here... my apologies. I am, and have been, working
on some writings of my own that will eventually get published. And no,
it isn't an autobiography. The writing does include some of my past
experiences, however. We will leave it at that for now. I am usually
not secretive, but this is the one thing that I must not jinx. Also, I
still am active in sobriety and continually working within myself...
growing and rediscovering who I am. You know... fun stuff! And of
course, being a mother first and most importantly! I love you son!
Would you ever make a return to acting? Please say yes.
Sigh... may I express just how much has died inside
of me due to my inactivity. and lack of opportunity to express myself
artistically? I wanted to be certain that I was there actively with my
son during the all important first years of his development. So I was,
and then life took on a pace and path of its own, and I was never was
able to alter it towards what I wanted or longed to do... act. But now
that my son is older, and I do have the time to explore this again... I
will at minimum get on with a local theater group, and do some
community theater stuff... and perhaps update my headshots... lol...
mine are a little old now. So we shall see where and what may come to
be. Having had this opportunity here with you now is definitely a start
in the right direction, and may I say what a privilege and honor it was
too! So... one never knows... look for me, I may just show up again
someday in a theater near you! - Thanks! Andrea.
UK-based imprint Four:Twenty Recordings will release the second installment of its label compilation, titled Music:02, in June.
MP3:
