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‘Corn Connection’ finds A-lister among ‘Harvest’ players

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Every actor has to start somewhere, and somewhere is often low-budget horror.

There are plenty of examples; Leonardo DiCaprio in Critters 3, Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander in The Burning, and Jennifer Aniston in a film Now Playing Podcast donors can hear about very soon.

As for this week’s Now Playing Podcast review of Children of the Corn III: Urban Harvest, we managed to find some famous faces among the cast. Okay, make that one star, some genre actors and a couple of extras you might recognize if you watch a lot of bad flicks.

But I’m not here to reprint IMDB resumes; the Corn Connection shows you where to find the actors and actresses within the Now Playing archives. So let’s get going.

Charlize Theron (Young Woman/uncredited) – Alien Retrospective Series

Harvest was Theron’s first film, before she went on to become a superstar in movies like Mighty Joe Young, The Legend of Bagger Vance and Aeon Flux. Also Monster.

It’s crazy to think that an actress like Theron was only referenced on Now Playing Podcast once, but it’s true; back during the 2012 donation drive, when the hosts covered Prometheus as part of the Alien Retrospective Series. Unfortunately, that series is no longer available.

Michael Ensign (Father Frank Nolan) – Superman Retrospective Series

Ensign is an actor you’ll recognize, although maybe not for his role as a newscaster in 1978’s Superman. I’m sure he gets more looks from fans who loved him as the snooty hotel manager in Ghostbusters, or in his role as the evil bus driver in License to Drive.

Ed Grady (Dr. Richard Appleby) – Children of the Corn Retrospective Series

Does it count if your Now Playing moments came twice in the same retrospective series? Because that’s the case with the late Mr. Grady, who played the same character in the second installment, Children of the Corn II: The Final Sacrifice. Maybe someday the hosts will cover Grady’s role in The Notebook.

Rance Howard (Employer) – Psycho Retrospective Series

Howard, like Theron, has had roles in major blockbusters (his son is Splash director Ron Howard). Howard, like Theron, only appears once in the entire history of Now Playing Podcast (1998’s Psycho). And Howard, like Theron, appeared in a donation series that’s no longer available on the main feed (bummer).

Rif Hutton (Arnold) – Star Trek Retrospective Series

Hutton’s resume includes a long list of television and film credits, but only one of those movies was featured on Now Playing Podcast. So look for his role as a Klingon guard the next time you sit down to watch Star Trek: Generations.

Anthony Hickox (Hans, also executive producer) – Return of the Living Dead Retrospective Series

Hickox appeared as Dr. Hickox in Return of the Living Dead 3, another film that’s currently locked in the Now Playing Podcast archives. But he’s also a director, with a resume that includes Waxwork, Waxwork 2: Lost In Time and Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth.

Brian Peck (Jake Witman) – X-Men Retrospective Series, Return of the Living Dead Retrospective Series

Peck’s resume lists a number of genre films, but his role as Hot Dog Stand Patron in X-Men and News Reporter in X2: X-Men United made him part of the Now Playing universe. He also appeared in the first three Return of the Living Dead films as the characters of Scuz, Special Zombie and Ballistic Technician, respectively. Unfortunately, those Living Dead shows are locked away in the vault.

So there you have it. A few more recognizable actors than the previous Corn film, but many who only have connections to Now Playing donation series’. Wondering how you can become a donor? This way.

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 3, 2014 Posted by | News, Now Playing Podcast | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on ‘Corn Connection’ finds A-lister among ‘Harvest’ players

Corn Connection: Terminator, Living Dead, and Garbage Day!

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 | News, Now Playing Podcast | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on Corn Connection: Terminator, Living Dead, and Garbage Day!