Dick Warlock

In early 1997, former 73 Miles to Haddonfield columnist Scott Tedrick conducted an email interview with Dick Warlock, the veteran stuntman who played The Shape in "Halloween II". When Tedrick completed the interview it was in a raw question-and-answer format, which I reworked into a cohesive interview. However, I have now realized a better way to organize this interview, but I have lost both the text of the original and contact with Mr. Tedrick. So, for now, this version of the exclusive interview will have to do.

QUESTION: How did you get the part of the Shape in Halloween 2?
ANSWER: "I was hired as the stunt co ordinator by Debra Hill but hadn't met the director. Debra asked me to come in and meet him. As I was walking down the hall to his office I saw the mask laying on the desk in one of the other offices. I put it on and walked into Rick Rosenthal's office and just stood there staring at him. He finally asked who the heck I was. I pulled the mask off and introduced myself. I asked him if I could play the character and he said ok if Debra approved. She did and the rest is history."

Q: What was it like working with Donald Pleasence?
A: He is a real pro. A very nice man and easy to work with. I had worked with him on "Escape from New York".

Q: What were you thinking while playing the Shape, did you put yourself into the character?
A: "I did put myself into the character more than I realized. My wife said I changed during the making of the movie."

Q: What did you most enjoy about Halloween 2 or playing the Shape?
A:"Feeling like a star. I had my own chair on the set and everything."

Mr. Warlock managed to obtain and still has in his posession the original mask used to play The Shape in "Halloween II". When asked what other items from the film they let him keep, Mr. Warlock replied that he still has "The mask, suit, scalpel, kicten knife from the opening of the film and the boots."

Q: Was there anything you didn't like about Halloween 2 or playing the Shape?
A: "Yes. The scene near the end after Laurie shoots me in the eyes and I put my hand over my eyes and start swinging wildly around at nothing. I think it looks stupid and I always wish that Rick would have said something at the time. Often times when your doing a particular action you really don't know how it looks."

Q: What was it like to work with Jamie Lee Curtis?
A:"Wonderful. We kind of had a crush on each other. She's terrific, I'd love to work with her again."

Q: Do you watch Halloween 2 alot, to look back at your work?
A:"No, not a lot. You see, it was a job for me. It was interesting but no more than doubling for Richard Dreyfuss in Jaws."

When asked if he had any interest in playing the Shape again in the next Halloween film, Mr. Warlock replied that he did. However, the seventh installment went through without Mr. Warlock, whom I and other fans believe would have been better than the chosen actor.

Q: Which of all the Halloween films is your favorite?
A: "The first Halloween, a classic." He later went on to say that he had not seen the following sequels.

Q: What do you think made Halloween in general different and better from other horror movies?
A: "The simplicity of Halloween, and the music." (Of course.)

And our last question, to let us in on the real Dick Warlock: What else do you like to do--hobbies and such?
A: "Golf, travel and camp with my wife Cathy, play Nascar2 on my computer, work occasionally, and spend time with good friends."

Again, I would like to thank Mr. Warlock for his time and agreeing to do this interview. I would also like to thank Scott Tedrick, former 73 Miles to Haddonfield guest columnist, who took the time to send the questions to Mr. Warlock, and everybody who read and enjoyed it. At one time Mr. Warlock had an email address he used for fan mail. It was DickWarlock@hotmail.com, although I'm not sure if this address still works, as it was given to me by Mr. Warlock about two years ago, and Hotmail does like to discontinue accounts just because people may forget about them for a month or two. He also has an official website at www.dickwarlock.com.