The following is an interview with Chris Wade, the author of Malcolm McDowell: On Screen, a fascinating look at one of the most daring, dynamic, controversial and powerful film actors of all time. Malcolm McDowell: On Screen can be ordered from Amazon and many other online book retailers.
What were your main goals as you set out to write this biography?
It isn't a biography as such. I wanted to bring Malcolm's obscure work to people's attention. Most people know him from a handful of films but the truth is he has made a hell of a lot of movies and some of them deserve more attention than they have. The book is basically an homage to one of the world's most underrated actors.
What was the first Malcolm McDowell film you ever watched?
It was Royal Flash I think. Or maybe "Star Trek Generations" on the TV when I was younger.
Why is McDowell your favorite film actor? What makes him so interesting to you as an actor?
When he is on screen he is addictive to watch. Like Christopher Walken and other powerful character actors he is always the most interesting thing to watch on the screen. His voice, his manner, his movements. Also the fact he is always having so much fun on the screen; it makes him fun to watch. This is the key to his appeal I think. Plus when I was a teenager going through depressing times, films like If... and O Lucky Man really cheered me up. I owe him a lot really on a personal level too. But also, seen as he was instantly controversial in his career and he showed us everything, it meant in his later years he had nothing to hide. He played a child killer in a recent movie called Evilenko, and I couldn’t imagine anyone else having the nerve to play the role. His bravery, to me, is also what makes him so great as an actor.
What was McDowell's breakthrough film?
It was If... (1968), directed by Lindsay Anderson. It really established him, in the UK at least, as a rebellious, romantic figure that appealed to the youth. His real breakthrough had to be A Clockwork Orange though; this film shook the world, and it meant that forever he would be branded the villain. He has never really escaped the grip of this film to be honest.
Which are your three favorite McDowell films and why?
Three favourites are O Lucky Man (1973); It’s such a positive, uplifting and funny film that I never tire of watching. It’s a lesson in how to achieve happiness at eyes length, not being distracted by material values and accepting yourself. It is a film about the world, the dangers and the beauty of the world and I think the message is important. A Clockwork Orange (1971) is also a favourite, simply because Kubrick made the perfect film here. The imagery really enhances the plot and the message about the lack of free will and the states control. Plus McDowell’s iconic performance in it is just unforgettable; charismatic, evil and charismatic. My other favourite has to be If... (1968). Malcolm was great in the film and you can see why he became a star after this. Those three are his best films, and are probably his three most influential movies. I would also like to put Gangster Number One, a gritty British crime film up there too, because it is so brilliant.
What do you feel is McDowell's worst performance and why?
To be honest he has made some real crap, and he is the first to admit this. In the '90s he made some awful B movies. I would say his worst performances were in films like Jezebel’s Kiss, where he was simply on auto pilot (he knew the film was awful so he gave up). Or his performance in The Void, simply for the same reason. Thankfully these type of films are obscure and no one will see the bad performances. Plus I can still watch him in a bad film normally for his charisma.
Why was If... such a controversial film for its time?
The time it was made it just stuck two fingers up to the British class system, public school, the establishment. You name it, If... ripped it to bits. Britain liked order, certainty and hated people who asked a lot of questions. Director Lindsay Anderson was a patriot alright, but the kind of patriot who was furious about the flaws in his country. The controversy of If... was enhanced when it was compared to the shootings at a college, Virginia Tech where pupils were shot on the roof. When Malcolm and his friends open fire on the teachers on the roof at the end of If..., it was supposed to be a fantasy, a surrealist release after all the oppression. The reality was much different. Another controversial factor was the homosexual references and how they hinted that prefects got sexual favours off younger boys. If was basically bringing out stuff we weren’t meant see, stuff we knew existed but never talked about. This was the 60s, man! It was a typical sixties film, not in the way that everyone was off their mush on acid shouting “everybody freak out baby,” but because it knocked down a lot of barriers.
How was McDowell's relationship with Stanley Kubrick on the set of A Clockwork Orange?
They got on really well, even when Stanley was ignorant to the pain Malcolm’s had (for example his scratched cornea after the Ludovico scene). He actually got on better with Malcolm than any other actor. Usually when Stanley has an actor in mind for a film, he called them and invited them over to his house and after hours of small talk or ping pong, he mentioned the film part. It is a Kubrick legend. When he called Malcolm, Malcolm invited him over to his house and asked him “So what is this about? You want me to do the film?” This was totally unheard of, so perhaps Malcolm’s forwardness warmed him to Stanley. Unfortunately, after filming they never spoke again. Malcolm regrets this, but that was Stanley for you, a recluse and a bit of an enigma.
What is the cultural legacy of A Clockwork Orange and how does McDowell feel about his performance in the film?
Well the cultural influence of ACO is everywhere. The outfit is worn every year at Halloween or fancy dress parties, many bands or artists have adopted the Droog costume; The Addicts base their whole image on the Droogs. Moloko, a big band in the UK, are named after the drink in the film, and Heaven 17, a shit band from the 80s, named themselves after a fictitious band in the film. It had influences on punk, fashion, everything. It also had negative influences on some of the more fucked up members of the public; copycat violence because of the film, people dressing as Malcolm and going out and raping someone. I am not saying it had cultural influences on rapists but it did have bad effects on society. It had influences beyond any pre conceptions really, and still does to this day. Malcolm was sick of hearing about it for a while, calling it a cross to bear but now he accepts its brilliance. He likes the appeal of Alex, the way he enjoys all the vile antics. He also admits how he could never match the brilliance of A Clockwork Orange and his other early work.
What is the most interesting bit of trivia you came across about A Clockwork Orange during your research?
I didn’t know Andy Warhol had filmed a version of it in the 60s called Vinyl. To be honest it is very loosely based on it and is quite typical of Warhol’s films – shite in my opinion. There was also a funny story I found out after that I regret not putting in the book. You know Malcolm rapes a woman while singing the old song "Singin’ in the Rain"? Well, at a party in the late 70s, Malcolm was introduced to Gene Kelly. When he looked at McDowell, this expression of horror overtook his face. He ignored McDowell and walked away. I thought that was quite funny. I also like the idea that The Rolling stones could have starred in the film and Ken Russell could have directed it. Yuk! That would have been horrific wouldn’t it? Imagine Jagger as Alex, strutting about the place like n insane chicken. Ay ay ay!
Was McDowell allowed to improvise with his portrayal of Alex or did Kubrick retain complete control over the character?
Well McDowell, at one point, asked him for advice on the part and Kubrick replied, “Gee I’m not RADA.” He kind of gave McDowell free reign. McDowell made a lot of the stuff up to be honest and Kubrick always liked whatever ideas Malcolm had to offer.
What is your favourite scene from O Lucky Man?
I love O Lucky Man. I like when he gets breast fed at the altar, that is pretty disturbing seeing him sucking those boobies like a baby. I also like the ending when Lindsay tells him to smile, then whacks him round the head with the film script. The message of the film is in that one moment.
Caligula has been widely panned by the critics; was McDowell's acting career negatively affected by his appearance in the film? What do you think of his performance in the film?
He made two films, Caligula and The Passage, that really damaged his career. He says Caligula was a career derailing mistake, but sometimes waxes lyrical about how it did his career a lot of good in the long run. Caligula is still a mucky, filthy pervy film even today and appearing alongside all that stuff (sex romps, fisting, knobbing etc.) doesn’t look good really for a credible thespian. I would say initially that it put a dint in his credibility, but come one, he was hardly Mr Golden Boy before was he? This was the man who killed a woman with a giant knob for god’s sake, ha ha. I think he is brilliant in Caligula; pissed on power and loving every minute of it. He plays him more of an anarchist really, but at times the madness of him is so excellently played. I love his performance in Caligula.
What do you feel is McDowell's most underrated performance (I vote for his portrayal of H. G. Wells in Time After Time)?
Time After Time is great because he plays a soft, sensitive character so I would put that up there. But in Evilenko, a Russian made film form 2004, McDowell is totally amazing. He is mesmerising in that film, simply because he is not physically the McDowell we all know. It is the only role he has played where there seems to be none of his personality in it. I recommend this film to anyone who likes McDowell, but be warned as it is pretty disturbing. It is based Chikatilo, the real life cannibal killer, and McDowell embodies the man completely. A great, overlooked performance.
What are some of the factors that led to McDowell's career slide during the 1980s?
His alcoholism, his drug addiction and the way he sort of wound up appearing in mostly B movies and foreign films. He sort of slipped out of serious contention.
Did you discover any examples of acting roles that McDowell regretted turning down?
You’ll find Malcolm never expresses any regret, he says regret is a waste of time. He turned down Cabaret simply because his role didn’t have a song in it (the part went to Michael York) but that is the only one I discovered.
What was the single most interesting aspect of McDowell's biography that you found out during your research?
I suppose the fact he was a coffee salesman in Yorkshire, where we all drink tea! That was in the early 60s, and I find that interesting as it was a kind of real life precursor to his acting career. As a salesman trying to get on people's good side, he would have altered himself from customer to customer. This is interesting.
Who were some of McDowell's own acting influences?
James Cagney is his favourite actor. I guess he likes the natural style, the method that comes straight from the gut; no heavy makeup, costumes, ridiculous accents, no massive research, no method acting. Just the pure natural style. In this way he is much like Cagney.
What is your favourite McDowell quote?
I like when he was asked how he felt about killing Kirk in "Star Trek Generations" and he replied “send me the bald one, I’ll do him as well,” referring to Patrick Stewart. My fave movie quote is in If... “What I really hate about you Rowntree is the way you give coca cola to your scum and your best teddy bear to Oxfam. And the way you expect us to lick your frigid little fingers for the rest of your frigid life.”
Have you contacted McDowell about the biography and if so how has he responded? Were you able to interview any of his friends or relatives?
I interviewed his son Charlie which was cool, and that whole thing is transcribed in the book to go alongside Charlie’s short film that Malcolm appears in (as well as Ted Danson who is Charlie’s step dad and his mum Mary Steenburgen). I live in Leeds, England and Charlie lives in California, so we were on the phone for about an hour. He was really cool and expressed great appreciation for me doing this book. He said he was honoured that I wanted to do it and proud of his old man. I got a call from McDowell’s agent to ask what this book was about, and I just said it was a study of his films, not a revealing biography per se. I have sent out two copies for Malcolm and his son who requested them, so hopefully Malcolm will like it. I think he will, it is basically a homage to a long, varied, occasionally brilliant career.
How can readers order your book?
From Amazon, Borders, Waterstone's, it is on loads of book sites. I hope people will like it and won’t be disappointed that it isn’t revealing about his life. I didn’t want to do that, I wanted a book about his work which is basically all I am interested in. Fans should love it, I know I would!
Malcolm McDowell Interview Video