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Jack Condon is the author of "The Charlies Angel's Casebook",
the book "Behind the Camera: The unauthorized Story of 'Charlie's Angels' " is based on.
March 7th, 2004
Interview conducted by Danielle Sprengel. Many thanks to Jack Condon for agreeing to this interview.
| BBO: What attracted you to the original "Charlie's Angels" TV series ? |
| JC: I was a fan of Kate Jackson from her years on "The Rookies". I enjoyed her acting, her personality and charm from that series. I only knew Farrah from her guest spot on an old series "Apples Way", at that time I thought she was breathtaking. So, when I saw both women in an ad for "Charlie's Angels", I recall thinking "I wonder if this is going to be like 'Get Christie Love' ( an old ABC-TV series from 1974, starring Teresa Graves as an L.A. Police Detective ), times 3. At the time, I was not familiar with Jaclyn Smith at all. |
| BBO: The show quite obviously became your passion. You own a huge collection of "Charlie's Angels" memorabilia. Collecting memorabilia is quite a popular thing among fans of all kinds of shows. What made you write a book though ? |
| J.C: When "Charlie's Angels" was entering it's 20th Anniversary, I thought it would be a nice idea to write a book as a tribute to the series, because, at the time, there never was a book published. Well, getting a book published is not an easy task. I went through 3 publishers, before one finally agreed. It was a way for me to share my passion with the fans, and I wanted to write something as I always thought, "if I learn one new thing about 'Charlie's Angels' for myself, I have done my job". I think I did! |
| BBO: How did "Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Charlie's Angels Story" come about ? What was your reaction when you found out there would be a tv movie based on your very book ? |
 J.C: "Behind the Camera" came about approximately 2 years ago. One of the producers of the film read my book, he liked the "behind the scenes" politics of television aspect, thought it was well researched and written, and liked that it wasn't a "fan" type book, but was objective and in-depth. He also liked the fact that it had received so many raves by buyers of the book on Amazon.com. So, I met with the producers, and after the meeting, they also asked if I would sign on as a creative consultant, so, adding my thoughts and ideas to this film, I hope enhanced it for the viewers.
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| BBO: As the writer of the story you have been on set and got to watch. What was it like to watch the "Angels" ? The promo shows the actors acting very close to the originals (especially voicework). |
J.C: I started working with the trio of "Angels" almost immediatly after they were cast. In fact, the first time the three women met was at my home, so they could take in the phenomenon of the show through my collection room. I worked the most with Christina Chambers ( Jaclyn ), and Lauren Stamile ( Kate ), because Tricia Helfer ( Farrah ) was in the midst of getting married.
Not soon after the casting and before the filming she was off to Woodstock, NY to get married. All three however, were very willing to listen to all my suggestions on making these characters exact to their counterparts. It was very exciting for me to see their transformation to the first day we did line readings on my couch. |
| BBO: First Ben question. Of course we wanna know: How much Ben (Lee Majors) is there ? |
 J.C: Ben Browder is in the film quite a bit for a secondary character. I did not coach him for the role of Lee Majors, because I am not familar enough with Lee's mannerisms or work to really give an input. Lee, was a very wooden personality, in my opinion, and I think Ben captures that essence of Lee. I did have to supply the casting director with old photos of Lee Majors, so they could make sure they got his hair, and outfits down pat. I think they did a good job. Just the other day, I had a friend in town, who grew up watching and collecting on the "Six Million Dollar Man". I gave him a "sneek peak" of the movie, with the copy I have, and after watching it, he gave Ben a thumbs up, stating he felt Ben captured Lee's persona. If a Lee Majors fan can admit he enjoyed Ben's interpertation, then Ben did his job! |
| BBO: Ben was a late addition to the principal cast. |
| J.C: Ben was the last actor cast for this project. Originally, the lead actor in the running was Daniel Cosgrove ( "Beverly Hills 90210", "Guiding Light" ), I did offer my opinion that this actor was "too pretty" for "Lee Majors". With his schedule on the CBS Soap, he had to pass. The search went on for quite sometime. Josh Brolin, James Brolin's son, was another contender, but, he wanted too much money. Ben was finally the last actor cast in the project, and did not have nearly as much time to study the character as the "Angels" did. |
| BBO: In an earlier conversation you said Francine, the director was very pleased with the interaction between Ben and the cast, especially Tricia who plays Farrah. |
J.C: Most of the scenes with Ben of course feature him with his 'wife', Farrah. Of course the "Farrah" character as everyone remembers is always smiling happy, not a care in the world. In this film, however there are tense moments between the Majors, her long hours on the set. He coming home to an empty house. There are moments of frustration, between the characters, that Tricia has to rise to the occassion. An actor like Ben Browder, who is a generous actor, helped Tricia bring some depth to the Farrah character, and show facets that the public never saw before. He really helped make the scenes and the director was very happy with how some of the scenes played out.
 For fans of Ben, and for fans of Lee Majors, there is a scene of Ben in slow motion battling "Big Foot" from a classic episode of the "Six Million Dollar Man", that I am sure many will enjoy!
I didn't have to work with Ben, outside of helping define his "Lee look", however the "Angels" enjoyed working with him immensely. He was a funny guy on the set, and very personable. Because of his schedule he was flown up to Canada quickly, and all of his scenes were shot right away so he could get back to shooting his series. The studio really wanted to accomodate his schedule, and I think in the end it worked out. |
| BBO: We gotta talk about Ben's mock "Six Million Dollar Man" poster for a sec here... |
J.C: The "Six Million Dollar Man" Poster, was so well done, but, in my opinion, they needed to focus on it in the scene longer. The poster is featured in a record/novelty store. The scene shows "Lee" looking at records, while his poster is immediatly taken down, only to be replaced by his wife's poster. Two kids start fondling the poster making Lee mad...after all, it is his wife.
I wish the poster was shown a bit longer. And there was never a real "Six Million Dollar Man" poster for sale that looked like the faux Ben one. That image was actually just the opening stock scene for the original series. |
| BBO: And last but not least..Any other secrets, tidbits or ever so small story you can share with us Ben Browder fans ? |
| J.C: just what I said, a lot of personality, very comical, always joking and trying to make his short time on the set a memorable one. |
| BBO: Good luck for the premiere of the movie and thank you for the interview. |
 "Behind the Camera: The unauthorized Charlie's Angel's Story" will premiere on NBC March 8,2004 at 9/8pm
THE CHARLIE'S ANGELS CASEBOOK
By David Hofstede and Jack Condon
Forword by Jaclyn Smith
336 pages; Color and Black & White Photographs
Amazon Price: $13.97
ISBN 0-938817-20-5
Color and Black & White photographs
You can buy the book here at amazon.
Also catch the Jack Condon feature in the upcoming/current TV-Guide. |
No part of this interview may be used without permission
Thank you to Ann White for providing images
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