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Sandra Peabody

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Sandra Peabody
Peabody in 1965
Born
Sandra Lee Peabody

(1948-01-11) January 11, 1948 (age 76)
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Other namesSandy Peabody
Sandra Cassell
Liyda Cassell
Sandra Cassel
Sandra Stubelek
Alma materCarnegie Mellon University
Occupations
Years active1965–present
SpouseTimothy Stubelek
Children1

Sandra Peabody (born January 11, 1948) is an American producer, writer, acting coach, talent agent, and retired actress. Peabody is best known for her role as Mari Collingwood in Wes Craven's directorial debut horror film The Last House on the Left (1972), as well as her subsequent career as a producer of children's programming on cable television, which earned her accolades including an Emmy Award and a CableACE Award.

Peabody began her career as a teen actress in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. First appearing in the professional stage production Enter Laughing (1965) as Wanda during her senior year of high school, Peabody later forayed into acting in feature films, such as the South Florida shot films Misfit (1965) and The Horse Killer (1966). In 1966, Peabody began studying drama at Carnegie Mellon University and began training in the Meisner technique directly from acting teacher Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.

Peabody appeared on stage in The Odd Couple, Stop the World – I Want to Get Off (both 1969), the off-Broadway folk rock musical Tarot (1970), which opened at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and most notably Minnie Oakley in the musical Annie Get Your Gun (1973), starring opposite of Barbara Eden. Peabody had roles in films such as the drama film Love-In '72 (1971), the horror films Voices of Desire (1972) and Massage Parlor Murders! (1973), and the cult sex comedy Teenage Hitchhikers (1974).

Peabody retired from acting by the mid-1970s and taught theatrical training for children at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts before moving to Portland, Oregon and launching a successful career in cable television as a children's television producer, beginning in 1982. Her producing and writing credits include the show Get Movin' (1982) and the award-winning series Popcorn (1984-1992).

Early life

[edit]

Sandra Lee Peabody was born on January 11, 1948, in Portland, Oregon.[1] As a teenager, Peabody lived in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she attended Stranahan High School, in which she succeeded in academics, was a varsity cheerleader, and developed an interest in acting—becoming involved in school plays and began to get cast in local professional theatre productions.[2][3]

Acting career

[edit]

1960s: Feature films and stage work

[edit]

In 1964, Peabody got cast in another one-act play, Riders to the Sea, which opened at Florida State University in July.[4] Burgeoning as a teen actress, Peabody got cast in a leading role as a drug-addicted teenager in Bob O'Donnell's religious educational film Misfit (1965), which was her feature film debut.[5] The film got produced by a New York-based production company and although Peabody wasn't the original choice for the role, she got cast after the leading actress became sick before filming began.[1]

During her senior year, Peabody got cast in another professional play Enter Laughing (1966), as Wanda, the girlfriend of the main character.[6] The play opened in January 1966 at the Hollywood Little Theater in Florida to favorable reviews, with her acting in the cemetery scene highlighted.[6] Peabody subsequently portrayed Beauty in a play adaptation of Beauty and the Beast and Katie Brown in the play Calamity Jane (both in 1966).[7][8] Peabody's next film role was in Luke Moberly's mystery film The Horse Killer (1966), in which she portrayed the best friend to the main character.[9] In a retrospective interview, Peabody described the film as having an unusual story and her scenes involving a lot of horseback riding.[1]

After graduating high school in 1966, Peabody had a scholarship in dramatics to attend Florida State University.[10] However, she decided to attend Carnegie Mellon University to study drama.[11] In 1967, she was selected to do summer stock at the Priscilla Beach Theater in Plymouth, Massachusetts as an actress-in-training.[11] The same year, Peabody was selected to study the Meisner technique with acting teacher Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre.[12] In 1969, she had a role as Gwendolyn Pigeon in Neil Simon's The Odd Couple.[13] Critic Mariruth Campbell of The Journal News described her as being a "competent" actress.[13] Peabody was later a part of the stage plays Celebration, Little Mary Sunshine, and Stop the World – I Want to Get Off (all in 1969).[14][15][16]

1970–1972: Breakthrough with The Last House on the Left

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In 1970, Peabody had a supporting role as The Sun in the Robert Kalfin and The Rubber Duck directed Off-Broadway production Tarot, which ran at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.[17] An experimental folk rock-mime musical based on tarot cards, it opened to a lackluster reception: a review for The New York Times describes the show as "pompous, inefficient and amateurish," although the music received praised.[17] One of the first feature film roles Peabody signed onto in New York was the low budget sexploitation satire film The Filthiest Show in Town (1970), a parody of dating game shows.[1] Peabody appeared in the film's fictitious commercial segments as a character named Olga.[1] Peabody later had roles in the drama film Love-In '72 (1970) and Chuck Vincent's Manhattan set horror film Voices of Desire (1971).[18][1]

Peabody's breakthrough role would occur when she got cast as the protagonist Mari Collingwood in Wes Craven's directorial debut The Last House on the Left (1972), a controversial exploitation horror film and a loose remake of Ingmar Bergman's The Virgin Spring (1960).[19] Peabody responded to a casting notice for the film in the New York industry trade publication Backstage and set up an audition at Sean S. Cunningham's office.[20] Craven and Cunningham originally wanted Peabody to read for the role of Phyllis (portrayed by Lucy Grantham); after they met her, they decided to cast her as Mari.[20] Craven's original script for The Last House on the Left was for a hardcore pornographic horror film.[20] Peabody did not want to do the movie based on this script version, and Craven promised her that he would rewrite it as a traditional horror film.[20]

Due to a constantly evolving script, Peabody had little preparation for her role and struggled to film many scenes, particularly the sexual assault scenes in the forest.[21] Although she was uncertain how her scenes would turn out, she trusted Craven and Cunningham and their vision for the film.[21] Craven stated he liked Peabody a lot, describing her as "plucky" and "pretty."[22] Assistant producer Steve Dwork attested that Craven often reassured her on the set.[21] Upon release, the film was a commercial success, earning more than $2 million at the American box office.[23] Peabody believes Craven and Cunningham succeeded with the film given their limited resources.[24] Besides acting in the film, she also performed her own stunts.[25]

1973–1977: Career expansion and retirement from acting

[edit]
Peabody in 1973

In 1973, Peabody had a leading role as masseuse Gwen in the New York shot Massage Parlor Murders! (1973) and a non-speaking bit part as a cult member in Legacy of Satan (1973)—both exploitation horror films.[26][27] Peabody had a sporadic television career in the early 1970s, appearing on the soap operas All My Children, As the World Turns, The Edge of Night, and One Life to Live in supporting roles, along with various commercial appearances for products such as breakfast cereal.[12][1]

Additionally, she also worked as a model.[12] However, she was not fond of these fields of work.[12] In an interview, she described models as being a "bitchy lot" and stating soap operas do not allow people to develop their skills as professionals, believing it to be entirely about pursuing jobs.[12] During this time frame, while pursuing casting calls, Peabody struggled to get acting jobs for characters her age, so she signed with a children's agent.[12] Peabody would later have another career-defining role in 1973 when she returned to acting on stage as Minnie Oakley in Jay Harnick's acclaimed musical comedy Annie Get Your Gun (1973-1974), acting alongside Barbara Eden as the titular Annie Oakley.[12] Peabody's portrayal received praised: writer Jonathan Takiff of Philadelphia Daily News stated that she was believable as an actress.[12]

In 1974, Peabody starred in the sex comedy Teenage Hitchhikers opposite Kathie Christopher.[28] The story is about a duo of teenage runaways traveling West.[28] She played Bird, one of the quick-witted girls.[28] Her performance received positive reviews: one critic, Linda Gross, wrote for Los Angeles Times that her performance was "ingenious,"[29] while a review written for DVD Talk praises her comic timing capabilities.[28] It has since become a cult film and is one of filmmaker Quentin Tarantino's favorite films.[30] It was included in the QT Six Lineup at the Quentin Tarantino Film Festival in 2005—shown in 35 mm movie film.[31] Peabody later worked as the script supervisor for the sex comedy Video Vixens (1975).[32] Peabody's last acting credit is the stage production Tunnel of Love (1977).[33] After retiring from acting, Peabody taught theater techniques to children at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts until 1982.[34]

Producer and acting coach career

[edit]

In 1982, Peabody conceptualized the Cablesystems Pacific local late-night talk show Portland Tonight.[35] She was heavily inspired by The Tonight Show (1962-1992) with Johnny Carson and wanted to make it Portland-oriented.[35] Peabody wrote, directed, and produced the variety show Get Movin' (1982), which earned her a CableACE Award in 1983.[34] Peabody conceptualized the series at a time when networks began to decrease funding for children's programming.[34] Peabody wanted the series to prominently involve children's ideas, asking them to submit their interests in a survey conducted in the November 1982 issue of the Portland Children's Museum newspaper Boing!, in addition to holding auditions at the cable company's studio to showcase local talent.[36] The series lasted for a 26-episode season.[34]

Subsequently, Peabody produced the children's public broadcasting series Popcorn (1985–92) for the television station KATU, which debuted as a prime-time special in 1985 before being picked up as a weekly series in September 1986.[37] For this series, Peabody signed a contract with KATU.[34] The series received critical acclaim, with writer Judy McDermott of The Oregonian stating it is "an unabashed celebration of children."[34] Peabody said in an interview that the inspiration for the series came from her believing, "There's still a lot of the kid left in me."[34] As a producer, the series earned Peabody an Emmy Award, a NAB award, and two Iris Awards.[38][39][40] In 1993, KATU canceled the series, and Peabody was laid off.[41]

In 1988, Peabody developed A Time to Care (1988), a television documentary film that focuses on local nursing homes and the positive effects that community volunteerism has on the residents.[42] She stated that it's "a neat idea for a series because what they're basically saying is that more than ever people are reaching out to help others."[42] The broadcasting division Group W picked up the series for distribution and syndication.[42] In 1994, Peabody served as the casting director for the children's musical home video Wee Sing: Under the Sea.[43] Peabody wrote and produced the educational public television series Zone In (2001) revolving around "tough issues for kids."[1]

Since the 2000s, Peabody has worked as an acting coach and talent agent at theater schools such as Northwest Children's Theater.[44] Peabody has taught the Meisner technique she was trained with during her youth to a younger generation and has helped launch the acting careers of several child actors such as Bret Harrison and Alicia Lagano and has provided guidance to those studying under her with both entering and navigating the industry.[44][45][46] In 2015, Peabody directed the first episode of LTC TV—a series detailing events occurring at Lakewood Center for the Arts in Lake Oswego, Oregon.[47]

Personal life

[edit]

In the early 1970s, she lived in The Village.[1] In the summer of 1971, Peabody embarked on a cross-country road trip from New York to the West Coast.[20] In 1973, Peabody stated that she studied both free-form jazz dance and Transcendental Meditation.[12] While filming The Last House on the Left, Peabody developed a close relationship with cinematographer Victor Hurwitz.[48] She described Hurwitz as being a "fatherly kind of guy" towards her and was saddened by his death on a bicycle a few years after the release of the film.[48] Peabody says, "He told me, 'Have something else in your life besides acting because it's a terrible business."[48] After filming Teenage Hitchhikers, Peabody continued communication with director Jerome S. Kaufmann through letters.[49] Peabody has lived in Portland, Oregon since the 1980s.[34] Peabody is married to Timothy Stubelek.[50] They have a son together.[50]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes References
1965 Misfit [a] Credited as Sandy Peabody [51]
1966 The Horse Killer [9]
1970 Love-In '72 Linda Uncredited [1]
1972 The Last House on the Left Mari Collingwood Credited as Sandra Cassell [1]
Voices of Desire Anna Reed Credited as Liyda Cassell [52]
1973 Massage Parlor Murders! Gwen Working title was The Seven Deadly Sins [1]
Legacy of Satan Cult Extra Cameo [27]
The Filthiest Show in Town Olga Credited as Sandra Cassel [1]
1974 Teenage Hitchhikers Bird [53]
1975 Video Vixens [b] Script continuity [32]
1988 A Time to Care Producer, documentary film [42]
1994 Wee Sing: Under the Sea Casting director, home video [43]

Stage

[edit]
Year Title Role References
1965 Enter Laughing Wanda [54]
1966 Beauty and the Beast Beauty [7]
Calamity Jane Katie Brown [8]
1969 Celebration [a] [14]
The Odd Couple Gwendolyn Pigeon [13]
Stop the World – I Want to Get Off Little Chap's Daughter [16]
Little Mary Sunshine Young Lady of the Eastchester Finishing School [15]
1970 Tarot The Sun [17]
1973–1974 Annie Get Your Gun Minnie Oakley [12]
1977 Tunnel of Love [a] [33]

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes References
[c] All My Children [a] Undisclosed number of episodes [1]
As the World Turns
The Edge of Night
One Life to Live
1982 Portland Tonight [d] Producer [35]
Get Movin' 26-episodes; writer, director, producer [34]
1985–1992 Popcorn Writer, director, producer [34]
2001 Zone In Writer and producer [1]
2015 LTC TV 1 episode; director and editor [47]

Awards

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominated work Result References
1983 CableACE Award Excellence in Local Programming Get Movin' Won [34]
1987 NAB award Service to Children Award Popcorn [55]
1989 Iris Award Excellence in Children's Programming [56]
1990
1992 Emmy Award Outstanding Public Service Announcement or In-House Campaign Category [38]

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d While Peabody is confirmed to have appeared, her role is undisclosed.
  2. ^ Peabody does not act in this film
  3. ^ Year date unknown.
  4. ^ Peabody does not act in this series

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Szulkin 2000, p. 197.
  2. ^ Allen, Judy (May 15, 1963). "Cheerleaders Selected". Sun Sentinel. p. 59. Retrieved 16 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Jackson, Nancy (April 5, 1964). "Tribute to the Bard". Miami Herald. p. 61. Retrieved 20 May 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ From staff (12 July 1964). "Dramas Are Slated This Week At FSU". Tallahassee Democrat. p. 36. Retrieved 24 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Premiere of 'Misfit' Scheduled". Sun Sentinel. September 11, 1965. p. 19. Retrieved 24 May 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b Dale, Marian (January 12, 1966). "'Laughing' Does End With a Laugh". Sun Sentinel. p. 37. Retrieved 2 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b Behrens, David S. (March 5, 1966). "Beaut of a Beastly Tale—And the Kids Love It". Miami Herald. p. 71. Retrieved 16 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ a b From staff (June 25, 1966). "'Calamity Jane' Cast Is Set". Sun Sentinel. p. 17. Retrieved 16 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ a b Freund, Bob (September 20, 1966). "Luke Moberly Directs First Feature". Sun Sentinel. p. 23. Retrieved 3 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Dale, Marion (7 January 1966). "Spotlight Not New Here". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 72. Retrieved 24 January 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. ^ a b "17-Year-Old Gets $1000 Scholarship From Restaurant Owner". Sun Sentinel. June 8, 1967. p. 31. Retrieved 2 September 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Takiff, Jonathan (August 10, 1973). "Kid Flexibility Pays Off for Sandra Peabody". Philadelphia Daily News. p. 33 – via Newspapers.com. Free access icon
  13. ^ a b c Campbell, Mariruth (July 3, 1969). "Fireworks Abound in 'Odd Couple'". The Journal News. p. 33. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ a b Campbell, Mariruth (July 10, 1969). "'Celebration' for the Very Young". The Journal News. p. 29. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ a b Campbell, Mariruth (July 25, 1969). "'Mary Sunshine' Is Bright and Fun-filled". The Journal News. p. 19. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. ^ a b Campbell, Mariruth (August 22, 1969). "Cornwall Play Done Sharply". The Journal News. p. 20. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b c "Stage: A Musical by The Rubber Duck". The New York Times. December 13, 1970. p. 84. Retrieved August 27, 2017.
  18. ^ McKinney, Justin (September 6, 2013). "Voices of Desire (1972)". The Bloody Pit of Horror. Retrieved 7 April 2016.
  19. ^ Ellinger, Kat (January 30, 2018). "Ingmar Bergman, folk horror pioneer". British Film Institute. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  20. ^ a b c d e Szulkin 2000, p. 41.
  21. ^ a b c Szulkin 2000, p. 50.
  22. ^ Szulkin 2000, p. 79.
  23. ^ "The Last House on the Left, Box Office Information". The Numbers. Retrieved January 21, 2012.
  24. ^ Szulkin 2000, p. 189.
  25. ^ From staff (October 1, 2018). "Exploiting Exploitation: The Last House on the Left". Morbidly Beautiful. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  26. ^ Orndof, Brian (July 28, 2013). "Massage Parlor Murders Blu-ray". Blu-ray.com. Retrieved April 23, 2018.
  27. ^ a b Lentz 1994, p. 494.
  28. ^ a b c d Jane, Ian (June 29, 2010). "Teenage Hitchhikers". DVD Talk. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
  29. ^ Gross, Linda (December 5, 1975). "'Teens': Nothing Over the Rainbow". Los Angeles Times. p. 102. Retrieved August 17, 2018 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ From staff (September 9, 2005). "QT-Six: Start the right conversation, and Tarantino will talk". Austin American-Statesman. p. 60. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  31. ^ From staff (September 7, 2005). "QT 6 line-up announced!!!". Ain't It Cool News. Retrieved December 6, 2023.
  32. ^ a b Henri Pachard (Director) (1975). Video Vixens (DVD). United States: Troma.
  33. ^ a b "Wednesday at Oregon Ridge". The Baltimore Sun. December 4, 1977. p. 146. Retrieved 12 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k McDermott, Judy (December 15, 1985). "Popcorn". The Oregonian. p. 29. Retrieved 18 September 2023 – via GenealogyBank.
  35. ^ a b c From staff (January 21, 1982). "News Article". The Oregon Journal. p. 15. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  36. ^ Jefferies, Pat (December 21, 1982). "Children's talent captured on film for TV showing". The Oregonian. p. 26. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  37. ^ Butterworth, Beverly H. (March 25, 1987). "TV Tryouts". The Oregonian. p. 47. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  38. ^ a b From staff (June 9, 1992). "KGW, KATU Receive Emmys". The Oregonian. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  39. ^ From staff (July 21, 1987). "Broadcast briefs". The Oregonian. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  40. ^ Potter, Connie (March 30, 1989). "Spitball shooting's just show biz, folks". The Oregonian. p. 90. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  41. ^ Schulberg, Pete (February 19, 1993). "Where does news stop, advertising begin?". The Oregonian. p. 46. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  42. ^ a b c d Lopez, Cindy (July 29, 1988). "Sweet Home care center included in documentary". Albany Democrat-Herald. Albany, Oregon. p. 5. Retrieved 20 May 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ a b David Poulshock (Director) (2005). Wee Sing: Under the Sea (DVD). United States: Wee Sing Productions.
  44. ^ a b staff (January 17, 2001). "Harrison: No need to bus tables anymore". The Oregonian. p. 14. Retrieved October 31, 2023.
  45. ^ Owen, Rob (April 7, 2012). "Ex-Portlander Alicia Lagano shows her grit in 'Client List'". OregonLive. Retrieved April 4, 2017.
  46. ^ Yim, Su-Jin (January 17, 2001). "Chicken-Winging It As An Actor". The Oregonian. p. B01. Retrieved 6 February 2024.
  47. ^ a b LakewoodTheatre (July 8, 2015). "LTC TV Episode 1, Jul 2015 - Lake Oswego Festival of the Arts". YouTube. Retrieved 20 February 2024.
  48. ^ a b c Szulkin 2000, p. 47.
  49. ^ Jerome S. Kaufmann (Director) (1975). Teenage Hitchhikers (Blu-ray). United States: Dark Force Entertainment.
  50. ^ a b From staff (April 18, 2002). "Obituaries". The South Hampton Press. p. 18. Retrieved 31 October 2023.
  51. ^ Mangan, Pat (May 6, 1966). "Teen Screen". The Miami Herald. p. 75. Retrieved 3 February 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ Harkness, Jane (July 4, 2020). "Why You Don't See These Horror Stars Anymore". Looper. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  53. ^ Prange, Stephanie (May 19, 2020). "'Teenage Hitchhikers,' 'Ator: The Fighting Eagle' Among Titles on Disc in May From Dark Force and MVD". Media Play News. Retrieved 23 March 2021.
  54. ^ Dale, Marian (January 12, 1966). "'Laughing' Does End With a Laugh". Fort Lauderdale News. p. 37. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  55. ^ From staff (21 July 1987). "Broadcast briefs". The Oregonian. p. 36. Retrieved 18 September 2023 – via GenealogyBank.
  56. ^ Dulken, Diane (February 21, 1990). "Time to have some fun". The Oregonian. p. 33. Retrieved 31 October 2023.

Works cited

[edit]
  • Lentz, Harris M. (1994). Science Fiction, Horror & Fantasy Film and Television Credits. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-89-950927-3.
  • Sumner, Don (2010). Horror Movie Freak. Krause Publications. ISBN 978-1-440-21564-3.
  • Szulkin, David A. (2000). Wes Craven's Last House on the Left: The Making of a Cult Classic. Surrey, England: FAB Press. ISBN 1-903254-01-9.
  • Weismann, Brad (September 5, 2023). Horror Unmasked: A History of Terror from Nosferatu to Nope. becker&mayer!. p. 153. ISBN 978-0-76-037679-9.
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