Much to my delight, I recently had the pleasure and privilege of chatting with Stu Perry.  As we all know, Mr. Perry is the actor/musician who portrayed Teddy in "The Poseidon Adventure".  Although his roll was minor, it was certainly memorable. Mr. Perry was kind enough to answer several questions (many provided by the frequent visitors to this website), and you can read his answers below.  I think you will really enjoy what he had to say about his experience working on TPA.  Even the most die-hard fans will likely learn something that they didn't know before.  I certainly did!

Many, many thanks Mr. Perry for taking the time to share your thoughts and memories about
"The Poseidon Adventure" with all of us!

Q:  What is your fondest memory of working on “The Poseidon Adventure”?

                  A:   My fondest memory of “ The Poseidon Adventure” is the people I had a chance to work with.  Having had no previous experience in film making, to suddenly be in the company of that many movie stars was almost overwhelming.  Also the chance to see how a film was made from the inside so to speak.

 Q:  What is your least fond memory of working on “The Poseidon Adventure”?

             A:  I really don’t have a least fond memory.  The whole experience was enjoyable.  I will say this, making a movie involves a lot of sitting around waiting for your parts to be filmed.  I read a couple of good books during the periods of inactivity.

 Q:  Do you recall how many days you worked on the film?

             A:  I had a Screen Actors Guild contract for six weeks, although I wasn’t required to be present on the set everyday.  

 Q: Obviously you worked very closely with Carol Lynley.  Was that an enjoyable experience?             

            A:  Working with Carol Lynley was great.  I had seen her in earlier films and was one of her many admirers.  She is one of the most beautiful women in the world but also very real and down to earth.  She gave me some advise that was very helpful.

 Q:  There has been some talk that the character’s of Teddy and Nonnie were based on Sonny and Cher, or possibly The Carpenters.  Any truth to that as far as you know?  And what do you personally think of that notion?

             A:  I wouldn’t know the answer to that question.  Where they on a ship that capsized too?

 Q:  I was always impressed that you never flinch even the slightest bit during the long scene of you in Nonnie’s arms when she realizes that Teddy has died.  Was it difficult to “play dead” for that length of time?

             A:  That was the hardest part for me. And  Carol helped me.  The line “Did you like his music?”  Carol to Red buttons, and his reply  “I would have danced to it if I could” or something to that effect, caused all three of us to have to control ourselves so as not to break out laughing at any second.  Actually there was some slight eye movement on my  part in the original release, but when the film came out on video, they fixed it somehow.

Q:  As we all know, Teddy doesn’t have any dialogue in the film.  However did you have any lines that ended up on the cutting room floor?

             A:  Carol and I had some dialogue in the first scene of the band rehearsing for the New Year’s Eve Party.  It went very well except that the guitar player was supposed to act like he was seasick, and that part did not come off as believable, so the whole scene was cut.

 Q:  Do you recall if there were any scenes filmed of you, the band, or anything in the dining salon that didn’t make it into the final cut of the film?

             A:  I only know about what I was involved in.  The dialogue was cut as described above.  As for scenes in the dining salon, I would have no knowledge of that.  One other scene was cut, not from the original release, but from the subsequent video release.  What I would call the clean up version.  Remember the scene where Gene Hackman delivers his sermon?  I had been off for a few days and had developed a stye in one of my eyes.  It was red and puffed up, and watering.  When I came on board The Queen Mary that morning I showed Ronald Neame what my eye looked like, I asked if I should wear sunglasses?  He said no, so they filmed Carol and I sitting together in the congregation.  I looked like I had just been in a fight.  Now when you see the video version only Carol is visible.  I guess that’s just as well.

  Q:  There has been a lot of debate as to who’s voice we actually hear in the film singing “The Morning After”.  Some insist that it is Carol Lynley.  Others insist that it was someone else, and that Carol only lip-synced the lyrics.  Since you were at the recording session, can you please tell us who it really is?

             A:  The sound track version of the song “The Morning After” was sung by a studio singer named Rene Armond.  The fact that a lot of people think Carol Lynley actually sang the song herself just shows what a great actress she is.

Q:  Another question that has been debated for quite a while is if you, and the members of the band were a “real band”.  Or were you actors hired to play the parts of the musicians?  Or were you individual musicians who did not play together as a band other than for the film?

            A:  We were all professional studio musicians.  Some of us had played together on other recording sessions, but we were not a real band that you would see performing live and had no identity as such.

  Q:  If you were a real band, did you provide the accompaniment for “The Morning After” and the other music during the New Year’s Eve celebration?  Or was that provided by other musicians and added to the film in post production?  (I realize that the music, regardless of who provided it was likely added in post production.)

             A:  The recording session at 20^th Century Fox Studios was actually the first thing done for the movie.  For all of us this was just another recording session.  Some of us did four or five of these a day.  We recorded  “The Morning After” for the soundtrack, and it was only then that we were asked if we were interested in appearing in the movie.  We recorded the music for the New Year’s Eve party live on the set.

 Q:  If you were a real drummer, do you still play?

             A:  Yes I am a “Real Drummer”, and yes I do still play.

 Q:  As far as we can tell, the other band members are never seen in the dining salon after the capsize.  Do you know if they were there as either survivors or casualties of the capsize?

             A:  All band members would have been presumed to have been killed in the capsizing, including me.

 Q:  Did you personally know the other members of the band?  If so, do you keep in contact with them, or do you know what they’re doing now? 

            A:  The guitar player, the bass player and I were friends, having worked together in the past.  I did happen to see the guitar player Waddy  Wachtel a few years ago when he was playing with Keith Richards & The Expensive Winos, Great band.

 Q:  Did you have the opportunity to chat one-on-one with the other principal cast members?  If so, who?

             A:  I did have a chance to speak to all principal cast members at one time or another.  It was very enjoyable.

 Q:  Who was your favorite person (cast or crew) that you worked with on Poseidon and why?

            A:  My Favorite cast member was Jack Albertson.  For some reason Jack and I hit it off right away.  One day I happened to mention a great little restaurant called The Apple Pan located near the studio.  They had good burgers, and lunch with Jack became a regular event.  I will always think of him and miss him.

Q:  Do your friends and acquaintances today know that you are Teddy from "The Poseidon Adventure"?

            A:  All of my old friends from that time do know that I was in the movie.  That was over 30 years ago, and something I would not tell everyone I know today, but every so often someone will come up and say “Hey I saw you in The Poseidon Adventure is that really you?”  Of course then they want to know all about it.

 Q:  Most of us would have given just about anything to have actually been on the set of the dining salon.  Was it as impressive as it looks in the film?  Right side-up, and upside-down?  Anything else interesting that you can tell us about it?

            A:  Yes the set was very impressive.  What I remember as a highlight is the capsizing scene when they used hydraulics to jack up one side of the set so that tableware and plates, tables and people all fell, the noise was incredible.  The set then had to be rebuilt upside-down.

Q:  Were there any last minute changes to the characters, script, or storyline that you are aware off?

             A:  The only last minute change to the script that I am aware of is that in the original Teddy was supposed to be a guitar player but Waddy had brown eyes and mine were blue and since Carol was blue eyed it was decided that I could pass more easily for her brother. And so I became Teddy.

 Q:  One of my regular visitors wants to know how much you got paid and if you receive royalties.

             A:  Without going into detail, I will just say I was compensated very well, and yes I still receive royalties.

 Q:  Were you personal friends with anyone involved with the production of Poseidon?

             A:  No.

  Q:  One of my regular visitors is a huge fan of actor Fred Sadoff who played Linarcos.  She wants to know if you had the opportunity to meet him, and if so, if you would share your thoughts about him.

             A:  I did meet Fred Sadoff, but that was it.  I have no personal thoughts about him, except that I hope he doing well. (Note: as some of you know, Mr. Sadoff passed away in 1994)

 Q:  It is commonly known that Irwin Allen and Ronald Neame had their differences while filming.  Did you ever personally witness any disagreement between them? 

             A:  No.

 Q:  What are your thoughts about Ronald Neame?

             A:  Mr. Neame is an extremely talented director, and I have always had a fondness for Englishmen.

Q:  What are your thoughts about Irwin Allen?

             A:  The first time I ever saw Irwin Allen was after we had finished recording “The Morning After” and he said to me “Hey you, come here”.  When I walked over to him, he offered me a part in the film.  After that he was always very cordial to me.

 Q:  It’s also common knowledge that Shelley Winters was occasionally difficult on the set of Poseidon.  Did you witness that yourself?

            A:  Shelly Winters was always very nice to me.  Whatever disputes she may have had with anyone else is none of my business, and I have no knowledge of it.

       Q:  What do you think in general about the popularity of “The Poseidon Adventure” all these years later, and are you surprised by it?

             A:  There are other films that have remained popular over the years.  “The Poseidon Adventure” appealed to everyone young and old.  So I guess it is not surprising.

 Q:  What did you think about the film when you first saw it?

             A:  I loved it.

 Q:  Were you surprised by how successful it was at the box office?

            A:  With an all star cast I knew it would be a box office success.  Shortly after the film was released in the U.S. I went on tour with a rock band.  I arrived in Australia.  I took a taxi from the airport to the hotel.  On the way I saw a huge billboard for “The Poseidon Adventure”. I guess that’s when I knew just how big it would be.

 Q:  Did you feel proud that you were part of it?

             A:  Yes, very much so.

 Q:  Do you have any personal memorabilia from the film?  (I would love to think that you have your drum set, the cowbell, or your costume.)

             A:  The costume came from wardrobe.  All musical equipment, the drums, cowbell, etc. were property of 20^th Century Fox Studios.  I’m glad it wasn’t one of my drum sets that was crushed when the piano fell.  I did have the boots I wore in the film for a few years until one of my dogs chewed them up.

 Q:  “The Poseidon Adventure” was recently named “The Best Disaster Movie Ever Made” by Entertainment Weekly here in the US, and The Sun newspaper in the United Kingdom.  Do you agree?

             A:  I haven’t seen every disaster movie ever made.  If that’s what the critics say that’s great.

Q:  I saw on the Internet Movie Database that you are also credited in the film, “O Lucky Man” with Malcolm McDowell.  Did you work on any other films or in television while you were working in Hollywood?

            A:  I have appeared in other films, but not that one.  I found out years ago that another actor and I share the same name, after the Union got our paychecks mixed up.

Q:  Would you consider attending one of the annual fan club reunions as a special guest? (Several extras from the film that had much smaller rolls than yours received very warm welcomes at past events.  The next one is scheduled for Saturday, July 17 at the Beverly Garland Hotel in North Hollywood.  Ronald Neame, Stella Stevens, and Carol Lynley will be in attendance.)

             A:  I would love to attend one of the reunion events.  I have a prior commitment on July 17, and will not be able to attend.  If Kevin lets me know in advance about next year’s party, I will try to make it.  Please give my warmest regards to Mr. Neame, Stella Stevens, and Carol Lynley.

 Q:  What are your thoughts about the remake by Wolfgang Peterson that is scheduled for release in 2005?  Would you do a cameo in the new film if asked?

             A:  This is the first I have heard about a remake by Wolfgang Peterson.  I would be very interested in a “cameo” or any other role in the film.  I would not know how to go about that.  Maybe Kevin can help.

 Q:  Anything else you would like to add about your experiences working on “The Poseidon Adventure

             A:  Working on “ The Poseidon Adventure” was a once in a lifetime experience.  I just played a small part, but it is something I’ll never forget.  It’s nice to know that there are so many fans out there.  I hope this interview will be of some interest to you.  Just remember “Help is on The Way”.