"I met him, fifteen years ago. I was told there was nothing left. No reason, no conscience, no understanding; even the most rudimentary sense of life or death, good or evil, right or wrong. I met this six-year-old child, with this blank, pale, emotionless face and, the blackest eyes... the devil's eyes. I spent eight years trying to reach him, and then another seven trying to keep him locked up because I realized what was living behind that boy's eyes was purely and simply...evil."
Donald Pleasence has remained an integral part of the Halloween legacy for genre fans the world over. His portrayal of Dr. Sam Loomis is one of the most iconic roles of any horror film...ever. He's professed in several interviews his love for the character of Loomis and has likened him to a close friend. Unfortunately, he passed on at the age of 75 due to heart complications. But, his destiny is forged in the imaginations of us all. And just like any great story where the light will always be around to vanquish the darkness, Dr. Loomis will forever be around to defeat his arch nemesis, Michael Myers.
It is necessary for every darkness to have its light. Good vs. Evil. In 1978...Carpenter wanted either Peter Cushing or Christopher Lee to play the role of Dr. Samuel James Loomis. The light to Michael Myers darkness. However, both veteran actors had other shit to do in 1978 (code for: show me the money!). Lee later admitted that declining to play Loomis was the biggest career mistake he's made. I love both actors...but, fuck 'em! They say that destiny finds its way to those most deserving. Well...destiny found its way to the doorstep of Donald Henry Pleasence...where he agreed on a $20,000 paycheck for the role of Dr. Loomis.
Prior to Halloween, American audiences primarily knew of Pleasence as the arch enemy with the scar from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. However, Pleasence was a classically trained actor and has been in several films before Carpenter even considered him for the part.
Prior to Halloween, American audiences primarily knew of Pleasence as the arch enemy with the scar from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. However, Pleasence was a classically trained actor and has been in several films before Carpenter even considered him for the part.
Pleasence was quoted in an interview done around the time Halloween V came out as saying: "Loomis has always felt himself responsible for the fact that he did not stop Michael when he first murdered his sister, and so he's got that guilt to live with," Pleasence goes on. "The guilt has turned him from a thinking psychiatrist into a paranoid who's only anxious to stop this force of evil. Stopping Michael is Loomis' mission in life, and because Michael is out there, Loomis is not a nut case yelling about the boogeyman. It's just that nobody believes Loomis until Michael shows up. And then it's too late."
SEE YOU TOMORROW!
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