The sixth installment in the neverending enduring Children of the Corn series sees the return of a star from the original film. It’s not Linda Hamilton.
It’s no secret either, as the title gives it away; this is the film that brings back child cult leader Isaac (John Franklin). You can hear the actor introduce this week’s episode of Now Playing Podcast, in which the hosts also explain how Franklin played a critical role in getting the 1999 sequel made.
As it turns out, he’s not the only familiar face (familiar used loosely). Children of the Corn 666: Isaac’s Return features a pair of famous genre stars, along with a few names who are returning to the Corn series as new characters.
That turns out to be great news for this week’s Corn Connection, as you’ll be able to get away from the fields and enjoy some of the better films reviewed in the Now Playing archives.
Nancy Allen (Rachel) – Carrie Retrospective, Robocop Retrospective, Poltergeist Retrospective
Nancy Allen is one of those stars who gets a lot of coverage on Now Playing Podcast. Not only did she make an appearance in last fall’s Carrie retrospective, but her work in the Robocop series was profiled earlier this year, and she showed up in the Poltergeist donation series. The latter was available exclusively to donors.
Stacy Keach (Doc Michaels) – Batman Retrospective
Keach’s resume goes back decades, but the actor only appears one other time in the Now Playing archives; he voiced Carl Beaumont and the murderous Phantasm in Batman: Mask of the Phantasm.
John Franklin (Isaac) – Children of the Corn Retrospective, Child’s Play Retrospective
It’s all about Isaac.
Franklin, as mentioned above, returns to the Corn series more than a decade after he starred in the original film. Franklin also did voice work for the first Child’s Play film, which was reviewed on Now Playing but released exclusively to donors.
Gary Bullock (Zachariah) – Robocop Retrospective, Children of the Corn Retrospective
Bullock just showed up in the previous Corn film, credited as “Farmer.”
This isn’t the first time he’s appeared in a series as two different characters; Bullock also appeared as “Hack Doctor” in Robocop 2 and then as “Gas Station Clerk” in Robocop 3.
William Prael (Jake) – Children of the Corn Retrospective
This is where it gets silly. Prael, like Bullock and Franklin, also has a previous Corn film on his resume. He appeared in Children of the Corn IV, where he is credited as “Concerned Father.”
It’s not over, there are still three Corn films to go. And, as Arnie teases in this week’s episode, there’s a very familiar face to look forward to next week.
Did we miss anyone? If you spot an actor or actress with a connection to Now Playing Podcast leave a comment and help a fellow listener!
September 24, 2014
Posted by
Jason Latham |
Now Playing Podcast, Podcasts | Batman, batman mask of the phantasm, Carrie, Children of the Corn, children of the corn 666, gary bullock, isaac's return, john franklin, nancy allen, robocop, stacy keach, william prael |
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As Now Playing Podcast embarks on its nine-part Children of the Corn series, listeners are invited to take part in some behind-the-scenes fun; pointing the stars of the franchise toward their places in the Now Playing archives.
Stars? Actually, yes. It turns out, the cornfields are full of familiar faces. Perhaps the word “stars” is stretching it a bit, but there’s no doubt you’ll recognize some of them.
So, what about that 1984 Children of the Corn film? Which actors and actresses went on to further mention on Now Playing Podcast?
Here’s a look:
Linda Hamilton (Vicky) – The Terminator Retrospective Series
There will never be another Sarah Connor (just try it reboots!). Corn was released in theaters about seven months before The Terminator in 1984, and if it weren’t for her iconic role, it’s likely we wouldn’t be talking about Hamilton again unless Now Playing Podcast ever reviews King Kong Lives.
R.G. Armstrong (Diehl) – Predator Retrospective Series
This actor has a career dating back to the 1950s, with more than 180 credits listed on his IMDB page. But to Now Playing Podcast listeners, he’ll always be remembered as Gen. Phillips, the man who sent Arnold Schwarzenegger and his team of commandoes into the jungle, where they ended up facing the Predator.
Why did he pick Arnold? Cause some damn fool accused him of being the best!
John Franklin (Isaac) – Child’s Play Retrospective Series
Listeners will get to know John Franklin very well during the Corn series, as his turn as Isaac will likely be the role that defines his Hollywood career.
But Franklin did make an appearance in another Now Playing series; he did voice work for the first Child’s Play film. Unfortunately, that’s a series currently locked away in the Now Playing vault.
Courtney Gains (Malachai) – Halloween Retrospective Series and Back to the Future Retrospective Series
Gains is one of those 80s actors that you’ll swear you saw in 100 films. You’re probably right some of the time, the rest of the time you’re mistaking him for Stu Charno or Jason Lively.
But Gains has made a couple of appearances in films reviewed by Now Playing Podcast. He’s got an uncredited role in Rob Zombie’s Halloween and also the first Back to the Future film.
The latter will have you scratching your head, but pop in that disc (or tape?) again and take a look. You’ll see Gains in a pivotal scene. Here’s a hint: Earth Angel.
John Philbin (Amos) – The Return of the Living Dead Retrospective Series
Philbin is another actor that you’ll recognize in several roles, most notably as a member of Patrick Swayze’s gang in Point Break.
But he also played a role in The Return of the Living Dead, which is currently locked away in the Now Playing Podcast vault.
Eric Freeman (Israel, uncredited) – Silent Night, Deadly Night Retrospective Series
Wait, Eric Freeman? That Eric Freeman? Garbage Day Eric Freeman??
Yes, one of the most mocked memorable villains in the annals of Now Playing Podcast makes an uncredited appearance in the first Corn film. Sadly, he doesn’t get the chance to speak his most famous two-word line.
But you can enjoy the best/worst that Freeman offers as an actor during Now Playing’s hilarious 2012 holiday series. Enjoy Arnie’s Christmas jingles!
That does it for Children of the Corn. Did we miss anyone? If you spot an actor or actress with a connection to Now Playing Podcast leave a comment and help a fellow listener!
August 20, 2014
Posted by
Jason Latham |
News, Now Playing Podcast | arnold schwarzenegger, back to the future, child's play, Children of the Corn, courtney gains, eric freeman, garbage day, Halloween, john franklin, john philbin, king kong lives, linda hamilton, Now Playing Podcast, point break, predator, r.g. armstrong, return of the living dead, sarah connor, silent night deadly night, stu charno, terminator |
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