Andy Warhol's Interview Magazine, Christina Ricci, Paul Rudnick
Timothy Lightburn
photographer, Bruce Weber) of 50 celebrities with their pets. If a pet
wasn't handy, the stars were set up with a 'Blind Date' beast. This
explains why Christina Ricci flirts with a camel in her portrait.
An essay or interview accompanies each set of photos, usually done by
another celebrity, thus giving both the opportunity to plug something
or not. For instance, Bruce Willis interviews Linda Fiorentino for the
photo of Linda and a white Himalayan cat. She named her cat Nietzsche.
Eric Idle interviews Daryl Hannah.
Some of the highlights (besides Christina Ricci with Lily the
Dromedary) of the issue are:
Rose Mcgowan's Fester and Bug (Interviewed by and photographed with
Rose Mcgowan)
Natalie Portman in a bunny costume, she took off the ears and put 'em
on her dog, Noodles. This picture is from 1997.
Charlize Theron with Delilah her cocker spaniel, Denver.
Gretchen Mol and her rabbit, Louis Mol.
Brittany Murphy photographed with Willow the Pomeranian.
8888888888
The words in quotes were originally italicized.
On the contents page:
THE SMART-MEETS-THE-SASS STORY
138 CHRISTINA RICCI BY PAUL RUDNICK
Even humps don't hinder her
On the Fashion Details page:
"CHRISTINA RICCI" pages 138-139
Silk jersey dress by Versace, about $2,869, available at Versace
boutiques worldwide.
CHRISTINA RICCI
By Paul Rudnick
WHO WOULDN'T WALK A MILE FOR THIS SASS
I first met Christina Ricci when she was ten years old and playing the
role of Wednesday Addams. I rewrote the first "Addams Family" movie
(1991), and the script for the sequel was entirely mine. Christina was
miraculous, everyone connected with both projects marveled at how
effortlessly she mastered stylish, macabre deadpan. She was the most
wittily homicidal child imaginable. Off camera, she was equally
remarkable: ultra-professional, beguiling, and gracious to the bumbling
adults who surrounded her. The only odd moment arrived after the first
film was completed and Christina revealed the secret of her technique
to the director: she was pretending that all the characters in the
movie were dead.
The sequel was tailored for Christina, and the rest of a sensational
cast. I relished providing Wednesday with an opportunity to drop her
baby brother off the roof, play an extremely vengeful Pocahontas in a
summer-camp fiasco, and, most memorably, attempt a wholesome smile.
Christina's agonized death's-head grin was classic, an ultimate
indictment of good cheer. It was always hard to remember that
Christina was then only twelve, since she was by far the most mature
person on the set. Many of the little boy actors nurtured crushes, and
Christina was properly disgusted. I have a press shot of her in the
makeup trailer, approaching my head with a can of hairspray; she
appears to be aiming for my eyes.
Christina never seemed like a mechanical child actor, mimicking adult
emotions for show-bizzy approval. She was clearly the real thing. Her
performances in "The Opposite of Sex", "Buffalo 66" (both 1998), and
"The Ice Storm" (1997). among many others are astonishing; even as a
ringleted blond in "Sleepy Hollow" (she re-teams with her "Hollow"
costar, Johnny Depp, in the upcoming "The Man Who Cried"), she radiates
wicked brunette savvy. She is unflappable: she has costarred with Cher
and Casper the friendly ghost, so as her Bruce Weber portrait reveals,
a camel was barely a challenge.
Paul Rudnick is working on a new play, "Valhalla". Christina Ricci,
photographed with Lily the Dromedary wears a dress by Versace.