Gini Eastwood

(1974----As Maureen in PICK-UP)

Gini Eastwood (August 2007)

Interview  by Richard R. Anasky with the beautiful and talented, Ms. Gini Eastwood, co-lead actress of PICK-UP.

Richard R Anasky-  Alright, how about we start by having you introduce yourself...

Gini Eastwood - : I played Maureen in the 1975 film Pickup.I wanted to sing dance and act for as long as I can remember My earliest recolection of being on stage, was at the age of four as a Bon Bon to the sugar plum fairy in a Dance School Production of The Nutcracker Suite.

There were dance, acrobatics,violin, and guitar lessons. I never missed an opportunity to be involved in play acting. At the age of twelve, my parents sent me to a drama camp/summer theatre, run by Columbia pictures, hoping the compitition would discourage me. Instead, I came to the attention of Columbia, and was added to their Talent Farm Stable. I returned to the Talent Farm, two more summers, where I was able to perfect my craft, with lessons, performances, and back stage apprenticeship.

Columbia would test me from time to time with a project. Two that come to mind, were the T.V series' "Gidget" and "The flying Nun" both done by Sally Fields .


R.R.A. - Ok... I know that prior to doing PICK-UP, you were a singer and even released a single... How did all this come about? What was it that initially attracted you music and what steps did you take in order to make that dream a reality?

GE - At the age of fifteen,Columbia discovered I could sing. Thanks to the influence of the Beatles, Dusty Springfield, and other popular artists of the day, my musical intrests expanded from mostly Musical Comedy and the Classics to include Pop and Rock and Roll. Instead of signing with Columbias' Label Colpix, I cut a Deal with a subsiduary of Capitols' label called Tower Records. I released my first record while I was in high school in upstate N.Y. entitled "With The World At My Feet". Though not a big hit, It made the Billboard Charts, around the same time as "Downtown",and provided me with a valuble and incredible experience.


R.R.A. -  So what was it like getting a record released when you were in high school? Had to do wonders for your popularity, eh?

GE: So far as the popularity question, having a record out in high school, I was anything, but popular, I came from a small town, and was considered very "diffrent" in those days. I was a far cry from the girls in the "clique". They even kicked me off the cheerleading team for having to spend time in N.Y. and on the road promoting my record. Kids can be so cruel, when it comes to trying to understand anything out of thier sphere. I was a little too artsy fartsy.


R.R.A. -  Any particular musical artists that inspired you?

GE: - Judy Garland, Dusty Springfield, The Beatles, Billie Holiday, I could go on and on.


R.R.A. -How was your overall experience in the music biz?

GE:  - It was great, I loved everything about it. I toured with a 60's folk singing group, "The New Christy Minstrals",Recorded a couple of albums on Decca with a 60's Pschyedelic Rock group called "The Hobbits", did numerous T.V.Variety Shows, toured across the country singing the role of Mary Magdaline, in the origional "Concert Tour" of Jesus Christ Superstar, (That was REALLY a trip) and stared in a post "Superstar" Rock Opera on Broadway called "Hard Job Being God". I also spent time as a Studio Session Singer, doing back-up vocals and commercials. At one time, I was the golden Voice of "McDonalds".


R.R.A. -  What was it like trying to make it as a young actress/musician like in early 70's NYC? What was it like to be part that 'scene' during that amazing period in time?

GE: - It was great! Wild! Being part of the 60's and 70's Music Scene, I was privilaged, to meet many of the great artists of the time. Some I worked with, some I played with. All in all, it was living musical history. What more can I say.


R.R.A. -  So how'd you get involved in film?

GE: - PICK-UP, was not my first film, I did a low budget film in 67' that was not any great shakes, but it brought me to the attention of a European "Spaghetti Western" producer, and I filmed "The Wanted Ones" in Spain in 68'. I haven't come across that one on the net, as I did PICK-UP.


R.R.A. -  So when did PICK-UP come into play? How was this oppurtunity brought to your attention?

GE: - PICK-UP, came into play, shortly after I finished "Hard Job" on Broadway. Stan Handman was managing my career at the time, and he introduced me to Bernie and Jack to read for the part of Maureen. After getting the role, I was supprised to run into my Bass Player from "Hard Job" Peter Gries, as part of the crew.


R.R.A. -  Do you recall much from your audition? What was it like to go in and read for Bernie Hirschenson?

GE: - I immediatly felt comfortable with Bernie.not only is he a great talent and a great guy, he's so imaginative and fun. The scene I read for the audition, was the "Church Scene". Bernie and Jack laughed and smiled, and I knew I had the part.


R.R.A. - What was your impression of the 'Maureen' character? How much of yourself did you (or were you allowed to) bring to the part?

GE - I loved Maureens' "mysteriousness". Bernie gave us a tremendous amount of freedom to play with, and bring as much of ourselves to the role as we wanted. As I've mentioned to you in our conversations, I still read the Tarot, play guitar, and have the "jeans" I embroiderd and wore for the film.


R.R.A. - Any chance you remember your impressions after reading the original screenplay?

GE: - That this was going to be fun! Easy Rider meets Fellini!


R.R.A. -  Do you recall your first meeting with your illustrious co-stars, Allen Long and Jill Senter?

GE: - I think we all met for the first time, at the initial "read through". We immediatly clicked.


R.R.A. - The three of you definitely had an amazing on screen chemistry.... Did you, Jill and Allen spend much time together after shooting wrapped for the day?

GE: - Sure we did. We were all like a family living and working together having the time of our lives, and wonderful new experiences.


R.R.A. - Ok.... Can you share some memories/thoughts of your co-leading lady, the beautiful Jill Senter:

GE: - Jill was sweet, petite, sensitive and full of life. She and Allen, had a thing going on during the shoot, and Jill and I remained friends for quite a while afterwards, even becoming room mates at one point, until life took us in diffrent directions.


R.R.A. -  Same with the film's main man, Mr. Allen Long....

GE: - Allen was great, alot of fun! A mover and a groover, with a bit of the devil in him. We hung out alot after the shoot. Allen knew everyone. We partied and did the N.Y. nightlife thing, until Allen disappeared, and we went our seperate ways. I only recently realized what happened to Allen, When I bought a copy of his book " SmokeScreen".I'd love to make contact with him again. After the shoot wraped, Allen, Jill and I drove over to his grandfathers place on the East Coast of Florida and spent a couple of days on the beach before returning to N.Y.


R.R.A. - Did you three ever discuss your thoughts regarding the film during shooting? Did you (or any of the others) see it as the potential 'big break' into the acting biz?

GE: - I don't remember any of the particulars, but of course we discussed our thoughts on the film. We had total trust in Bernie. I don't think we saw the film as our great break, as much as we regarded it as a fantastic, fun, valuble experience, we were privilaged to have.


R.R.A. -  What did you do to occupy your time when not shooting? Did Naples, Florida offer much in terms of things to do?

GE: - Bernie and Jack always made it an adventure and fun for us. I remember a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner together,where we spent time on a wonderful old Trumpie yacht in the marina. There was an excursion to the Corkscrew Swamp Reserve (where I saw my first black widow). After the "boar hunt shoot" on a huge cattle ranch outside of LaBelle Fl., we roasted the Boar. Yummm.

Naples was a small town in those days, The whole nature thing of the Everglades was incredible for this Yankee girl to experience.


R.R.A. -  So what was it like working with Bernie Hirschenson? What was his style of directing? How was he with the actors (as well as with the crew) Share something you learned from working with him...

GE: - Working with Bernie was a joy. He made it such an adventure for all of us. He gave us plenty of room, and I don't think I ever saw him express anger, or outward dissatisfaction with anyone. Bernie, saw beauty in alot of things, never lost his sense of humor, or sense of "play".he was constantly creating, taking his cues from all kinds of things. I guess I learned, "There's always more to see". If that makes any sense.


R.R.A. -  My favorite of your scenes (and fav of the film actually) is the segment with Maureen and the Clown... Can you share what shooting that scene was like?

GE: - Ah yes, the Clown Scene. Don Penny, was a very creative actor. He broke me up, as the Politician. As I was running through the palmettos,during the clown scene, I remember falling, and scrapping myself up pretty good. God kwows what was lurking in there, as, I remember one of the gaffers pulling a rattle snake out of there one day. I also remember feeling quite childlike and vulnerable during the shooting of that scene.


R.R.A. -  Speaking of scenes..... What was your personal favorite scene to shoot... How about least fav/most challenging (and what made it such)?

GE: - It's difficult for me to pick a favorite scene. I remember it was fun out on the ranch, shooting the boar hunt. I felt like I was out on Safari in Africa. The most challanging were the alter scenes, simply because, of the nudity involved, and all those people around the set.


R.R.A. -  How about sharing your memories of some of the other fine folks who worked on PICK-UP... Give a shout out to some of the others who helped get this cult classic made....

GE: - What comes to mind, was the morning Bo, (the head gaffer) caught that big ass Diamond back rattler on the set, placed it in a big old barrel, and released it after the days' shoot was done.

I wish I could remember more anticdotes regarding the people on the film, but it was a long time ago. Don Penny was only there a couple of days to shoot his parts. Lee Bost was a real sweetie.Bess was great, and contributed a lot behind the scenes. She and Bernie had a very special relationship. Everyone was great, Jack, Jerry. The woman who played Allens' mom in the film, was Peter Gries's(my ex bass player, and gaffer on the film) real life mom. She had been married to Peters dad, who won an Emmy Award, for directing the film, " The Glass House" around 74'.


R.R.A. -  Oh before I forget... How incredibly uncomfortable was it to be shooting out in the swamps? I'm sure if nothing else, the shooting conditions had to be tough to deal with, eh? How long were your typical shooting days?

GE: - Most of the days were very long. But when your doing something you love, it doesn't matter. I remember, we started taking alot of vitamin B6 or 12, weeks before we went down to Fl., to "ward off" mosquito's and bugs. One night shoot as we were waiting inside the bus, I remember the windows being literaly covered in mosquitos. The other thing, I will never forget, was after we filmed the scene where Allen and I wake in the morning, and we're lying on a bed of palm leaves, I had chiggers (tiny tics) in my butt for three weeks!


R.R.A. -  When you weren't acting (as in during some of Jill and Allen's solo scenes) were you on set helping out behind the scenes or were ya just off hanging out (in the AC) on the bus?

GE: - I think mostly hanging out, but on a low budget, you help out where you can.


R.R.A. - Any funny, bloopery type situations from the shoot that you recall?

GE: - I wouldn't call them bloopers, But, a couple of wild things I remember; Filming the night "alter" scene, three or four poachers, happened to wander upon the set. You can imagine what they must have been thinking ! And secondly, when we were filming Maureens and Pithias meeting, we wandered up on Cuban commandos, practicing training maneuvers with all thier arms. It was a bit tense for a moment. That kind of thing was going on in the Glades in those days, preparation for the counter revolution.


R.R.A. - So after PICK-UP wrapped, what was next on Gini Eastwood's agenda? Did you return to NYC and continue to pursue other acting and singing oppurtunities?

GE: - Yes I returned to N.Y. for a while. As I said, I hung out with Allen and Jill for a while, saw Allen Ginsburg, Peter Gries, until he went back to California, Bernie, Bess, Jack, and some of the production crew for a short while, and attended the first screening. I stayed around N.Y. for a year or two, doing mostly session work in the Music Industry, and singing and writing jingles. Then, I left the "Fast Lane" and persued performing in clubs as a solo act with guitar, and with a couple of bands.


R.R.A. -  Did you ever have the oppurtunity to view PICK-UP on the big screen? What were your thoughts after viewing the finished product for the first time? Were you happy with your performance and with the film overall?

GE: - Aside from the first viewing, about a year or two later after I had left N.Y. I was working with a rock band in upstate N.Y. I noticed it was playing at the drive in. I told the guys in the band, I was taking them on a "secret date". I told them all they had to do was bring a case of beer in the trunk. When we pulled into the drive-in, they said, what a great fun idea (going to a drive-in). Imagine the expressions on thier face, when my face came on the screen in the opening! That was fun. I remember one of the guys trying to tell the lady at the popcorn stand, that I was the star of the movie. Sure buddy she replied.

I thought Bernie made a visually beautiful, trippy, Felliniesque film. As for my work in it, I think one is always thier worst critic. You always feel you could have done more. But I look at it today, and I say to myself, Damn, I was pretty.


R.R.A. - Regarding your acting/singing career.... Knowing everything that you know now (based upon all your experiences in both 'arts')... Is there anything you'd have changed or done differently if you could go back and do it all over...

GE: - Of course!! With age comes wisdom. When you're young, you don't realize opportunity isn't around every corner.But, I have few regrets. My life has been full of excitement. I've been very blessed, and lived an extrodinary life. Hopefully theres lots more adventure ahead.


R.R.A. - So what dreams are motivating Gini Eastwood these days? What keeps ya busy?

GE: - These days, I keep myself in shape by being the Worlds Oldest Singing Aerobics Instructor. I've rejoined Actors Equity, with the hopes of perhaps doing some regional theatre. I amused myself a couple of years ago, doing some work in community theatre, enough to convince myself, I still have it. Other than that, I love to travel, and do as much as I can.


R.R.A. - Any chance you'd consider acting again if the oppurtunity arose? Jack Winter did mention the possibility of writing a PICK-UP 2, ya know... How about with music?

GE: - ABSOLUTELY! How much fun would that be! The music thing, I still love it. If only I could do it without having to deal with the "business" aspect. Just the fun aspect. PICK-UP 2 ,bring it on! If Bernie and Jack gave me a shot, I would definately love to be involved with both writing and performing the music.


R.R.A. -  And before wrapping... I just gotta ask.... Ya ever imagine that you'd be talking about the PICK-UP experience all these years later? :-)

GE: - Other than in passing? Not in a million years! I think it,s just wild, a whole new generation is enjoying, and appreciates the 60's experience. Somthing PICK-UP personified. It's a shame PAZUZU or THE SYBIL, had to become PICK-UP. But then, people had to eat, and the film had to be sold any way It could. That's why I think it's so great you folks see it through our eyes. A trippy, beautiful 60's cult classic.


R.R.A. - Anything you'd like to say in closing? The stage is yours...........

GE: - I partially answered that in your last question. I want to thank you, for getting me thinking about a time in my life that was such a joy. And thanks for getting some of us back in touch again. I always loved Libras!


MASSIVE THANKS to Ms. Gini Eastwood for taking the time to answer these questions for the PICK-UP tribute page. It's been an honor and her time has been much, much appreciated!

And while you're at it be sure and swing by the tribute page here