Best wrong-but-really-right number ever

In 2013, I was prepping round 2 of my "girl in the video" series for which I tracked down and interviewed 50 or so iconic 1980s MTV ingenues from "Sister Christian" to all five women in the "Addicted to Love" band. 

I was looking for Cindy Horn, the woman in the video for Ray Parker Jr.'s "Ghostbusters."

On a public records site I have often used for research, I found what was listed as her number and called. Her husband answered. Mildly annoyed yet still polite, he said I was actually using his private home line. I apologized and told him where I got it. He said he hates when that happens. I understand.

Her husband is Alan Horn, Chairman of Walt Disney Studios.

But he took my info and gave Cindy the message.

Interview: Jennifer Runyon (Venkman's test subject in "Ghostbusters")

What were you doing professionally prior to Ghostbusters?

I was working as an actress. I had done a horror movie, To All a Goodnight [1980], and worked a few years on Another World, a soap in New York, playing Sally Frame. I had just finished Up the Creek [1984 film] and the Charles in Charge pilot prior to Ghostbusters.

How old were you when you were cast in the movie?

23.

How did you get the role?

I auditioned for it and was put on tape. I went back in and met with Ivan and the producers. I just played it straight. I guess they liked it.

Any funny anecdotes about your Ghostbusters experience?

Steven Tash and I were in New York for weeks waiting to film. We were [under] the cover set in case it rained [NOTE: a cover set is just as it sounds, a cover over a set in case of bad weather]…it didn't rain. LOL. I remember production inviting us to come watch the street scenes where the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man comes. It was crazy—until I saw the scene on film, I had no idea what the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was going to look like…

While working on it, did it seem like just another script to you, or did it feel like something special?

I really thought the script was fun, but I had no idea how big this movie was going to be. I loved this part. I really wanted it...I wanted to work with Bill Murray.

What was your impression of Bill Murray?

I adore Bill Murray. He was so fun to work with. He took me to dinner once, as friends, after the movie came out. We ended up driving an Amtrak train at Union Station in L.A. Bill asked the conductor if we could drive it…only Bill Murray could make that happen.

How far did you drive the train?

A few feet. LOL.

Impression of Dan Aykroyd?

I remember Dan being very kind and very funny.

Do you remember what you earned?

I have no idea. That was a long time ago…

How often were you recognized on the street? Any funny stories about that?

I still get recognized from Ghostbusters...it's pretty sweet.

Did you attend the premiere?

I didn't attend the premiere, but was at the wrap party, which was really fun.

Did your opinion of the movie change after it opened?

My opinion of the movie changed greatly after seeing it. I had no idea it would be as good as it was. It was so good I had to see it several times.

Have you been interviewed before about this specifically, and if so, do you have those clippings (particularly from back then)?

I have done several interviews about Ghostbusters, but they have all been in the last five years. I have no clippings from back then.

Do you have any photos from the set, wrap party, etc.?

I have a Polaroid of Bill and myself on set. I need to look for that. [she did, couldn't find it]

What was your favorite acting gig?

I have a lot of favorites, Ghostbusters being definitely at the top. I would love to find a little movie I did with Karen Black, Jack Kehoe, and Dennis Christopher called Flight of the Spruce Goose [1986]. That would be amazing. I also love a character I played in a little movie called A Man Called Sarge—FiFi LaRue was so much fun.

What are you doing these days?

I am busier today than I ever thought I'd be. I work with teenagers in a program called Tilly's Life Center (TLC). Our program gives teens the tools to get through those confusing years and helps to build positive, happy lives.

Any interest in acting again?

I did a little low-budget movie (Silent Night, Bloody Night 2: Revival) in Nebraska a couple of years ago. I had a great time. I'm doing one this December. I love acting, and if I can keep my toe in the water I would love it.

Where do you live?

Southern California, near Dana Point.

If you have children, how many and ages?

I am the proud mom of Wyatt, 23, and Bayley, 20. They are the best thing I've ever done.

Are you still in touch with anyone from the cast?

I'm in touch with Steven Tash. We lost contact for many years but we are reunited. I will be doing a convention with Steven in October in Bangor, Maine called Bangorefest.

I'm good friends with Robin Shelby (Slimer in Ghostbusters 2). A few months back I saw her for dinner with her husband Sean Spence. I was with Annie Potts for two days at a convention.

I did two documentaries about Ghostbusters. The first one is called Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters, by brother and sister producing team Claire and Anthony Bueno out of the U.K. I'm not sure when the release of that is. The other is Ghostheads—very fun documentary about diehard fans who are actual Ghostbusters. These franchises are all over the world and they do amazing work with charities visiting sick kids in hospitals. They are awesome.

When was the last time you watched the movie?

I don't remember the last time I saw it all the way through, but if I'm surfing channels and it's on, I have to stop and watch no matter where it is in the movie. When my kids were young [but] old enough to watch, I think the funniest experience was them watching for the first time when my scene came on and one of their little friends says "Hey, she looks like your mom!" My kids didn't have any idea I was in the movie. They kept looking back and forth from me to the screen. So cute.

Did you see the 2016 Ghostbusters?

I'm sure I will see the new movie at some point. I haven't yet [as of mid-August 2016].

Do you have any mementos from the shoot, such as the script or anything from the set?

I think I have a few; I believe I have my script and my earrings from the shoot.

How do you look back on your Ghostbusters experience?

I look back with awe. I am so proud to be a small part of this classic. It's amazing the amount of love and respect that is shown in so many ways all over the world, as strong today as the day this movie premiered.

Anything you'd like to add?

I would like to thank all the fans. I'm always so humbled by your kindness and love. I have the best fans.

Superheroes who aren’t CALLED superheroes

With help from my network, I compiled a list of characters (from film/TV/literature) who are for all intents superheroes, but who

• weren’t called superheroes (and in most cases did not have costumes/secret identities)
• originated outside of comic books

Though there is no universal definition of “superhero,” these are the three elements on which purists tend to insist:

• enhanced power (even if it’s human, such as superior intellect or exceptional hand-to-hand combat skills)
• a costume
• a secret identity

A further distinction must be made between “hero” and “superhero.” Every traditional movie has a hero, but not every hero is a superhero. Not every action hero is a superhero. James Bond and Luke Skywalker are heroes, but (as I see it) not superheroes.

Early 20th century characters of various media whose origins are now indistinguishable from superheroes (Tarzan, Zorro, Buck Rogers, Flash Gordon, the Phantom, the Shadow, Doc Savage) are not included.

On the following lists, the entries are films unless otherwise noted and the dates are first appearances.

Superheroes who aren’t called superheroes:

The Little White Bird (book, 1902), but more commonly known from Peter Pan, or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up (play, 1904)—Peter Pan
The Scarlet Pimpernel (book, 1905)
The Public Defender (1931)—Pike Winslow/The Reckoner (Richard Dix)
Pippi Longstocking (book, 1945)
King of the Rocket Men (movie serial, 1949)—Rocket Man (Tristram Coffin)
Escape to Witch Mountain (book, 1968; movie, 1975)—Tony and Tia Malone (Ike Eisenmann and Kim Richards)
The Six Million Dollar Man (TV, 1973)—Steve Austin (Lee Majors)
The Bionic Woman (TV, 1976)—Jaime Sommers (Lindsay Wagner)
Tron (1982)—Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges)
Manimal (TV, 1983)—Jonathan Chase (Simon MacCorkindale)
Starman (1984)—Starman/Scott Hayden (Jeff Bridges)
RoboCop (1987)—Alex Murphy/RoboCop (Peter Weller)
Edward Scissorhands (1990)—Edward Scissorhands (Johnny Depp)
Darkman (1990)—Darkman/Peyton Westlake (Liam Neeson)
Powder (1995)—Powder/Jeremy Reed (Sean Patrick Flanery)
Early Edition (TV, 1996)—Gary Hobson (Kyle Chandler)
Phenomenon (1996)—George Malley (John Travolta)
Kill Bill (2003)—The Bride (Uma Thurman)
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children—the peculiar children (book, 2011)
Frozen (2013)—Elsa (Idina Menzel)
Lucy (2014)—Lucy (Scarlett Johansson)
Stranger Things (TV, 2016)—Eleven (Millie Bobby Brown)
Upgrade (2018)—Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green)

Novocaine (2025)—Nathan Caine (Jack Quaid)

Characters who are intended to be superheroes (more deliberately than previous list):

Space Ghost (1966)
Fartman (National Lampoon, 1979)
Hero at Large (1980)
Super Fuzz (1980)
Condorman (1981)
The Greatest American Hero (TV, 1981)
The Powers of Matthew Star (TV, 1982)
The Beastmaster (1982)
Automan (TV, 1983)
The Toxic Avenger (1984)
My Secret Identity (TV, 1988)
Meteor Man (1993)
M.A.N.T.I.S. (TV, 1994)
Blankman (1994) 
Unbreakable (2000)
The Specials (2000) 
Danny Phantom (TV, 2004) 
The Incredibles (2004)
Sky High (2005)
Heroes (TV, 2006)
My Super Ex-Girlfriend (2006)
Hancock (2008)
Bolt (2008)
Super (2010)
No Ordinary Family (TV, 2010)
The Cape (TV, 2011)
Chronicle (2012)
Sweet/Vicious (TV, 2016)
Sleight (2016)

Characters who have some kind of power/ability (some I feel don’t qualify, the rest I am not familiar with): 

“The Grey Champion” (short story by Nathaniel Hawthorne, 1835)
A Christmas Carol (book, 1843; Ebeneezer Scrooge “could talk to ghosts and travel through time”)
Peter Pan (play, 1904)
The Saint (book, 1928)
Mary Poppins (book, 1934; film, 1964)
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939)
James Bond (book, 1953; film, 1962)
The Fly (short story, 1957; films, 1958 and 1986)
The Warriors (book, 1965; film, 1979)
Star Trek (TV, 1966)
Blade Runner (book, 1968; film, 1982)
The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes (1969)
Brewster McCloud (1970)
Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (book, 1971; film, 1985)
Carrie (book, 1974; film, 1976)
The Fury (book, 1976; film, 1978)
Star Wars (1977)
Mad Max (1979)
Alien (1979)
The NeverEnding Story (book, 1979; film, 1984)
C.H.O.M.P.S. (1979)
Rock ‘n’ Roll High School (1979; Riff Randall)
Thundarr the Barbarian (TV, 1980)
Jason Bourne (book, 1980)
Firestarter (book, 1980; 1984, film)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981)
Scanners (1981)
Time Bandits (1981)
Modern Problems (1981)
Escape from New York (1981)
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
Knight Rider (TV, 1982)
Voyagers! (TV, 1982)
The Phoenix (TV, 1982)
Krull (1983)
The Terminator (1984)
Ghostbusters (1984)
Splash (1984)
Dreamscape (1984)
Iceman (1984)
The Ice Pirates (1984)
The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension! (1984)
The Brother from Another Planet (1984)
Teen Wolf (1985)
Cocoon (1985)
Legend (1985)
Ladyhawke (1985)
D.A.R.Y.L. (1985)
The Goonies (1985; Sloth)
The Last Starfighter (1985)
The Last Dragon (1985)
Misfits of Science (TV, 1985)
The Equalizer (TV, 1985)
Street Hawk (TV, 1985)
Forrest Gump (book, 1986; film, 1994)
Captain EO (1986)
Big Trouble in Little China (1986)
The Boy Who Could Fly (1986)
Short Circuit (1986)
“Crocodile” Dundee (1986)
Highlander (1986)
Memoirs of an Invisible Man (book, 1987)
Mannequin (1987)
Innerspace (1987)
The Monster Squad (1987)
Die Hard (1988)
Willow (1988)
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
Quantum Leap (TV, 1989)
Teen Witch (1989)
Hudson Hawk (1991)
The People Under the Stairs (1991; Roach)
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film, 1992; TV, 1997)
The Lawnmower Man (1992 film, not the largely unrelated Stephen King short story)
Jumper (book, 1992; film, 2008)
Pulp Fiction (1994; the Wolf)
The Secret World of Alex Mack (TV, 1994)
Game of Thrones (book, 1996)
Harry Potter (book, 1997)
Jack Reacher (book, 1997)
The Fifth Element (1997)
Charmed (TV, 1998)
The Matrix (1999)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
Angel (TV, 1999)
Dark Angel (TV, 2000)
Frequency (2000)
Alias (TV, 2001; “she’s pretty much Batman”)
Donnie Darko (2001)
K-PAX (2001; prot/Robert Porter)
Firefly (TV, 2002; River Tam)
Underworld (2003)
Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow (2004)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Night Watch (2004)
Percy Jackson (book, 2005)
The Covenant (2006)
Next (2007)
Avatar (2009)
Splice (2009; Dren)
Push (2009)
Inception (2010)
Black Swan (2010)
I Am Number Four (book, 2010; film, 2011)
The Boy Who Couldn’t Sleep and Never Had To (book, 2010)
Super 8 (2011)
Sucker Punch (2011; the “unwilling prostitutes”)
Drive (2011)
Limitless (2011)
Cross (2011)
Looper (2012)
Elysium (2013)
Pacific Rim (2013) 
John Wick (2014)
Midnight Special (2016)
Colossal (2017) 
Peppermint (2018)
Fast Color (2019)
Clint Eastwood (“everything he is in”)
Bruce Lee (“in any movie—and real life”)

Don’t qualify because based on comic book characters:

Asterix (comic, 1959) 

Snowpiercer (graphic novel, 1982; film, 2013)
Mystery Men (comic, 1987; film, 1999)
The Mask (comic, 1989; film, 1994)

The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (comic, 1999; film, 2003)

Characters where the humor, not the power, is the point:

The Beverly Hillbillies (TV, 1962; the Clampetts “have enhanced strength and vision and Granny has exhibited enhanced speed”)
Bewitched (TV, 1964)
I Dream of Jeannie (TV, 1965)
Adam Adamant Lives! (TV, 1966)
Mr. Terrific (TV, 1967; no relation to DC Comics superhero of same name)
Captain Nice (TV, 1967)
Happy Days (TV, 1974; the Fonz can control people and machines)
Mork & Mindy (TV, 1978)
The Cannonball Run (1981; Captain Chaos)
Zapped! (1982)
Zelig (1983; he “can take on other people’s appearance and abilities and uses his powers to rescue women from Nazi Germany”)
Weird Science (1985)
Small Wonder (TV, 1985)
Back to School (1986; “the Triple Lindy”)
Beetlejuice (1988)
Matilda (book, 1988; film, 1996)
Saved by the Bell (TV, 1989; Zack Morris could stop time)
Toy Story (1995; Sheriff Woody and Buzz Lightyear)
South Park (TV, 1997; Kenny is “invincible—he can’t be killed”)
Wreck-It Ralph (2012)

Contributors:

Andrew Carney
Andrew Singer
Bill Davis
Bill Schelly
Brent Frankenhoff
Carolee Davis Eubanks
Craig Byrne
Dan Trudeau
Dani Ward
Darren Sapper
David Bushman
David Seidman
David Weitzer
Debi Cohen Himelfarb
Eric Reid
Gregory Okshteyn
Howard Nobleman
Jen MacNeil Danenberg
Jill Koufman
Jim Shelton
Jody Feldman
Joe Oesterle
John Dudas
Jonathan M. Berman
Jonny Bentwood
Joshua Liebster
Justin LaRocca Hansen
Kevin Danenberg
Kevin Meister
Kristina Johnson
Leah Bee
Mark Fogelberg
Mark Friedman
Mark Hughes
Mark R. DeFrancesco
Mike Zitomer
Nick Bruel
Paul Tolksdorf
Richard Gibbs
Robert Greenberger
Ross Garmil
Samantha Berger
Scott Kittredge
Stacey Wesley Giddis
Stefan Blitz
Steven Thompson
Timothy Young
Ty Templeton

Thank you all.

Am I missing any entries? Did I miscategorize any?

“New” photos of Mick Smiley of “Magic” (from “Ghostbusters”)

I was happy to receive an email from a Phil Z., the guitarist of a late 1970s band out of Hawaii called Hamlet. The band also featured Mick Smiley…before he became Mick Smiley. (I’m not at liberty to reveal his original name.)

You may not realize that you already know Mick—if you’ve seen Ghostbusters, that is. And who hasn’t?

Mick was the mind and voice behind a distinctive song from its soundtrack and one of the more hypnotic songs you’ll ever hear: “Magic.”

After years of having the pleasure of listening to that song, I had the privilege of interviewing Mick.

Phil mentioned a few songs by Mick’s follow up band—the Mick Smiley Band: “Hello There,” “Big Brown Eyes,” Oh Linda! 461-7264,” and “Room at the Top.”

“I remember being a youngster backstage between shows in the green room with Mick Smiley and Lou Reed,” Phil wrote. “It was such a cool time! I was just a kid.”

And who wasn’t?

at the Troubadour in Hollywood, 1979

Super ‘70s and ‘80s: “Ghostbusters”—Mick Smiley, singer-songwriter of “Magic”

Introduction to series “Super ‘70s and ‘80s.”

This is the 71st and last installment of this series, which began in July 2011.

This post is perhaps the most far removed from the others, and from my work in general, because it is about a musician. Yet this is a musician associated with a fantastic—and hilarious—ghost story, and I have dabbled in ghosts myself so perhaps you’ll be charitable about the reach.

But more to the point, the song still has a big following yet I have found nothing online about its background.

Mick Smiley was yet another in this series who was not easy to find. But he was well worth it. Many a summer day in 1984, I was eager to get home from camp to listen to the Ghostbusters soundtrack, but only two tracks mattered to me. One was the title track, but since that was on the radio constantly, it came down to “Magic.”

A friend of Mick’s told me “[Mick] was like the missing link between Alice Cooper and Green Day. What Billy Joe Armstrong does now, Mick was doing back in ‘79.”

 
At least as of 2010, there was a Myspace page dedicated to finding Mick. Here is what the owner of that page wrote about Mick (it is pasted directly—no editing):

“Currently, all that is known of Mick Smiley is that he is most well known for writing and performing the greatest song of the 1980’s, (Magic) which can be purchased on the newly remastered ‘Ghostbusters’ Soundtrack. Mick Smiley also performed as a musician (bass) with Billy Idol. He also penned Lita Ford’s hit, “Kiss me deadly.” His whereabouts are currently unknown. If you have any information about Mick Smiley please let us know so we can post it here. In addition, this page makes no representation or claim that we are ‘Mick Smiley.” This page aims to honor the man, the legend. If anyone has any additional media, please send it here for review, and if it passes certain standards it may get posted here! Help us locate and honor all that is Mick Smiley!”

Fascinatingly, the woman who was in the “Magic” video wrote in there to ask if Mick would post it. Here it is.

 

And here is the song as used in the movie: 

 

Almost as mysterious as ghosts themselves, Mick nonetheless allowed me to ask him some questions.

What was your background before contributing “Magic” to the Ghostbusters soundtrack?

I was a musician (bass player) in the Mick Smiley Band playing all the LA clubs—Whiskey, Troubadour, Starwood, Madame Wongs, etc.

Did you write the song for the movie?

No, the track was produced by Keith Forsey in the hope of getting me a record deal. I knew Keith and had played bass on his production of Billy Idol’s first single “Mony Mony.”

How did the song end up on the soundtrack?

It was submitted by Mike Dixon to Ivan Reitman, who liked it and lobbied the producers to include it in the film. I was the only artist [with music in the film] not signed to Arista Records.

Did you tour in the wake of the movie?

No, but I continued to play in and around Los Angeles.

Was “Magic” released as a single?

No.

What was your reaction to that?

I was shocked. A video had been shot (no Arista involvement) and had been submitted to MTV; [they] said they would play it as soon as it was officially released as a single by Arista. Arista declined to release it. I was told that since the album had gone platinum and I was not signed as an artist to Arista that it was not in their financial interest to release it as a single.

What was the video shoot like?

It was great. Shot in Santa Monica by my friend Dominic Sena, it was groundbreaking (glorious black and white) and featured a biracial love affair. Cutting edge at that time and his career took off after that.

Do the video ever air on MTV?

As far as I know, it was never played on MTV.

Did you perform “Magic” on any late-night talk shows?

No.

What was your reaction to another song called “Magic” (by the Cars) becoming a smash hit the same year Ghostbusters came out?

No reaction.

What if anything did the song do for you professionally?

Not much. I did get a Grammy nomination (Album of the Year; Purple Rain won and deserved it, too) but I failed to get a recording contract.

What path did your career take after recording “Magic”?

Another song I wrote, “Kiss Me Deadly,” was recorded by Lita Ford and was a big hit (platinum).

What was your opinion of Ghostbusters?

I liked it at the time. I haven’t seen it in many years. Does it hold up?

Did you attend the premiere?

No, however I did see a cast and crew prescreening on the lot.

Did you do any press for the movie?

No.

Are you still writing/recording in any capacity?

I am. I will let you know if I am happy with the outcome.

What was your reaction when you heard why I was contacting you?

Not much really. You seem like a very passionate man so I decided to answer some of your questions.

Have you been interviewed about the song before?

No.

How often do “Magic” fans locate you?

They don’t.

What is your opinion of the song today?

I like the second half of the song. First half is a bit sappy (although it was heartfelt when I wrote it).

Would you be open to “Magic” being used (officially) in a movie, TV show, and/or commercial today?

Yes.

If you keep up with popular music, who are some contemporary artists you like?

The Killers, Muse, Duffy, Phoenix, White Stripes, Amy Winehouse, Lady Gaga…

Anything else about the song you’d like to add?

It worked very well in the pivotal scene when the ghosts escape and invade NYC. You would think it was written for the movie.

Mick Smiley and me

Is Mick Smiley your real name?

[Mick Smiley is not] my given name. “Smiley” is my middle name (a family name) and Mick was my father’s name. I liked the sound of it. Very rock ‘n’ roll, n’est-ce pas?

And so concludes this interview…and this series.

Appropriately enough, it is a Saturday morning.

(July 30, to be precise. Yes, I had to get this in order that far in advance. Thanks for reading!)