[on being directed by
Sean S. Cunningham in
Sexta-Feira 13 (1980)] He's underrated as a director; he also doesn't give himself any credit as one. He kind of shirks it off as, "I just needed the money," or "I was about to lose my house so I made a scary movie." But the fact is, he surrounded himself with the best casting people from New York City,
Julie Hughes and
Barry Moss, who knew all the best young talent in New York. The pool of people they brought in, and of course Betsy [
Betsy Palmer] and
Walt Gorney, they were fabulous actors; so he was smart enough as a director. It was a long casting process; Sean was looking for certain dynamics, the kids next door. He realized that it's not going to be scary if you're not invested in the characters. Now you watch movies, and you hope they die. Right from the get-go you care about our characters, from the time Annie jumps in the truck.
