Interview with Gary Smart and Christopher Griffiths (HOLLYWOOD DREAMS AND NIGHTMARES: THE ROBERT ENGLUND STORY)

Cinedigm will release the horror documentary HOLLYWOOD DREAMS & NIGHTMARES: THE ROBERT ENGLUND STORY on Screambox and Digital on June 6, 2023. The film which was shot over the course of two years, highlights the life and career of the classically trained actor and director.

SYNOPSIS:
A classically trained actor and director, Robert Englund has become one of the most revolutionary horror icons of our generation. Throughout his career, Englund starred in many well-known movies, but shot to super-stardom with his portrayal of supernatural serial killer Freddy Krueger in the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET franchise. This unique and intimate portrait captures the man behind the glove and features interviews with Englund and his wife Nancy, Lin Shaye, Eli Roth, Tony Todd, Heather Langenkamp and more. 

Hi, how are you both doing? This documentary is amazing. It was amazing to see Robert Englund is such a different light. He is SO MUCH MORE than Freddy Krueger. Why did you decide to make this film?

Thank you.

Thank you for thanking us. 

How did this manifest for both of you? 

Gary- So, we have already made some documentaries on some cult classic films including, Talking “Fright Night”, “Pennywise: The Story of It. We wanted to do something different. I’ve always wanted to do something with Robert, and we never got the chance. Chris and I were discussing it, and we wanted to do a narrative about somebody’s career. The only person we could think of was Robert. I’ve been a fan of Robert since I was a small child. I was allowed to watch horror films, so that was it really. For us he is an icon, he is right up there with Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing, and Vincent Price. Chris will discuss that briefly. 

Chris- I can’t do briefly. What dumb founded me was nobody had done a documentary on Robert Englund yet. He is probably the biggest horror actor of this generation. For my involvement this is Gary’s baby. I had half of a hand in the project. We resided in this very room that you can see behind me (NOTE: They are both in amazing horror rooms filled with awesome horror collectibles. IT WAS AMAZING.) We would work until four o’ clock in the morning.

Do either one of you have a favorite moment from this project?

For me, again it’s so cliché but when we would engage with Robert’s wife Nancy to pitch the idea to Robert. She is the gatekeeper to get to Robert. I have been a fan of Robert since I’m a little kid. I’ve been following his career for a long time. It was a surreal moment to talk with Robert. He wanted to work with us.

I think for me… We screened the documentary and it went well. Robert was happy but there was a part of me that thought, oh, I could have done this a little bit better. We managed to make a dramatic shift and we got to film extra interviews and extra content with Robert. We managed to get a little more personable. We made something we were happy with.

I see all of the horror stuff in the background. I grew up watching horror movies and the alley scene where he is walking in the alley is one of my favorite scenes. Being a horror fan has not always been so acceptable but horror is such a vast genre. Did both of you grow up loving horror? Do you have a favorite Robert Englund role of all-time?  

I think for both of us, horror has been there from the start. My grandad loved horror movies. I was always watching horror movies as a kid. Freddy has always been there since I was a kid. It’s always going to be Freddy. Robert is such a horror icon.

Same for me I think in terms of A Nightmare on Elm Street. I feel bad saying that but it’s kind of what we tapped into in this documentary. He is such a diverse actor.

I thank you both so much. It was a beautiful film. Thank you.

Thank you, Janel.