"An Interview with Julie Newmar"
from The Pet Tribune
by Kareem Tabsch
When I was preparing for my interview with Julie Newmar,
I knew I was in for a treat. Not only is Julie in my opinion
one of the most talented actresses in the business, she is
also one of the most beautiful. Besides being the Catwoman in
the Original BATMAN series, she has guest stared in some of
television's most beloved shows including Melrose Place,
Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, as well as many others. She
recently did a cameo in the Steven Speilberg film named
after her, To Wong Foo Thanks for Everything Julie Newman which
starred John Leguizamo, Wesley Shipes, and Patrick Swayze. In
1994 she also had a role in the film Oblivion. Some of her
other films include Seven Brides for Seven Brothers, The
Rookie, Ghosts Can't Do It, as well as many others. She has
starred on Broadway in Silk Stockings, Lil Abner, and the
Tony award winner, Marriage Go Round and has performed in
various off Broadway show. After taking a 20 year hiatus
from Hollywood, she is back and is better than ever. She
models periodically for Thierry Muglier and travels constantly.
I guess Hollywood is like riding a bike. It only takes a little
bit to get back in the Habit.
KT: How many pets do you have?
JN: I have four cats. My favorite is Bird. I brought her back from
Romania.
KT: Do your pets tavel with you?
JN: No. But once they decided to go for a walk with me. The only
thing is that they forgot to mention it to me. They found their
way out of the house and followed me through my power walk around
the neighborhood. They really did suprise me how well they kept up
with me.
KT: How would you describe your cats?
JN: They are hunters. They constantly are bringing home trophies.
In fact, the other day they brought home another trophy, this time in
the form of a mouse and my maid screamed. I said, "Take it easy." I
got some foil and gave the mouse his burial.
KT: Do your cats sleep with you?
JN: Well, they used to, but they no longer do. I did, however, have
a very interesting experience with Bird. One night at around 4:00 AM
Bird began to give birth in between my ear and the end of my neck.
I fortunately did not turn over till I heard a little squeak. Then out
came another and finally a third. She did a fine job in making a mess
of my Egyptian cotton sheets.
KT: Would you ever get another pet?
JN: More Cats! What else would the Catwoman have?
KT: What intrigues you most about cats?
JN: Well, having to become one for BATMAN gave me some insight into
their mannerisms and the way they moved, and their agility. I think
I appreciated them more after being the Catwoman.
KT: How did you prepare for the role of the Catwoman?
JN: Mostly by choreographing the words. There are many cat references.
The brilliant writer Stanley Ralph Ross turned to C-A-T in the dictionary
and used that word constantly. Like "Catalog", or anything that starts with
Cat. I knew nothing about cats in the beginning. So I had to learn. I
found two cats and studied them for my role.
KT: If you could be any animal which one would you be and why?
JN: At cat, because I know how they think by now.
KT: What did you think of Michelle Phieffer's protrayal of the Catwoman
in Batman Returns?
JN: I think she is absolutely brilliant in everything she does. However,
I feel that the sound and special effects as well as the costumes
overwhelmed the actors.
KT: What would you like to be remembered for?
JN: For being the Catwoman. Because it was one of the premier parts for
women. I was a symbol of independence for woman, because as you know
cats are very independent.
KT: What characteristic did the Catwoman have that made the role so memorable?
JN: She's sassy, sexy, quick, alert, smart, canny. She is a trickster,
stunning, gorgeous. She has an intelligent body, and she dominates. Much like
a cat you see. I once received a fan mail, describing the Catwoman and I was
amazed people felt this way. It read, "The Quintessential female. The
sizziling superstar. The dominiatrix of one's dreams. You could explore
your psyche for decades with this broad. Catwoman is beyond politically
correct anything. Catwoman is wicked, not evil. Catwoman has a black lace
mentality. Cats own everything they walk on, over, or under. Your house,
wardrobe, or lap." One lady wrote, "Your portrayal of the Catwoman was
cat-like in a refined way. Through speech and mannerism. Yet your Catwoman
stands out like one of the few criminals in television history that at the
end of the episode the audience hoped would get away."
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