Actress Jessica Harper — And She Can Cook, Too!

Posted by medusamorlock on March 17, 2011

I don’t know how many of you fell in love with the winsome and talented Jessica Harper back — well, back nearly 40 years ago, longer than many of you have probably been alive — but if you were among the legions of fans she garnered when she starred in 1974′s Phantom of the Paradise, you may not realize that she has metamorphized into something quite remarkable and wonderful. More wonderful than she was in Phantom of the Paradise? Probably not possible, but something maybe unexpected and totally delightful.

If you’re a parent, you’re probably aware that she has for many years juggled her acting career with a very accomplished additional calling as an author of acclaimed children’s books and writer/singer of children’s music. I knew not having kids would one day bite me in the ass — I had somehow missed this whole renaissance of hers! It’s not my world, but she became incredibly well-loved and honored for her contributions in these areas, and yet who would be surprised? Anyone who heard her in director Brian DePalma’s Phantom of the Paradise, singing songs written by the multi-talented Paul Williams, knew that she had a lovely voice and quite the way with a song. The movie has a strong and ongoing cult following, including cast reunions at yearly gatherings dedicated to the film, where Jessica revisits her musical moments from the movie, to the attendees’ delight. (Note: We are temporarily unable to embed videos here, so you’ll have to click on the links to see them.)

Jessica always had a bent for appearing in films that tended toward the unusual and often generated devout followings, such as Phantom…, or director Dario Argento‘s supernatural thriller Suspiria, or Herbert Ross’s brilliant and under-appreciated 1981 musical Pennies from Heaven co-starring Steve Martin and Bernadette Peters, or the early Hollywood-set X-rated comedy Inserts with Richard Dreyfuss and Veronica Cartwright. We also can’t forget Shock Treatment, 1981 the follow-up of sorts to 1975′s cult classic Rocky Horror Picture Show, where Jessica played RHPS‘s Janet opposite Cliff De Young’s Brad and an interesting British cast, including funnymen Barry Humphries (better known now as the unforgettable Dame Edna Everage) and Rik Mayall (famous from The Young Ones TV series.) Let’s also not omit her important roles in two Woody Allen films, the first in 1975′s Russian Revolution comedy Love and Death, and later in 1980′s introspective Stardust Memories, and her great work in the Steven Spielberg science fiction adventure Minority Report from 2002.

Also along the way from the then until the now, Jessica dipped into many TV roles, including a stint as a semi-regular on comedian Garry Shandling’s much-lauded early Fox network comedy It’s Garry Shandling’s Show, and other roles on mainstream network hits like Hawaii 5-O, Moonlighting, The Equalizer, Wiseguy, Chicago Hope, Ally McBeal and many others.

She’s always been known as a terrific actress with great depth, not a cookie-cutter type who could be made to fit into just anything, and that’s why any time you see her name in a movie you know you’re going to see something special. Jessica Harper is mesmerizing onscreen, and she’s no less so in her other endeavors.

So maybe I missed her fame as a first-class celebrity parent, but her latest accomplishment is definitely right up my alley. She’s written a cookbook with a comedic slant, entitled The Crabby Cook Cookbook, combining her love of cooking with her witty takes on feeding her sometimes recalcitrant family. (She’s been married to Fox studio exec Tom Rothman for over 20 years and they have two daughters). What’s even more entertaining is that she’s made a series of short videos to go along with the book, and you can watch them on YouTube and other places, including her website. They’re hilarious, too, and adorable.

Jessica’s currently making the rounds of talk shows to promote her book, and I just caught her on a local Florida interview program this morning, in fact. She’ll all over the place, so keep an eye out and you might be able to catch her. As you can see from the bookcover, The Crabby Cook Cookbook comes with a heavy sprinkling of humor and Jessica’s unique combination of talents perfectly fit the task at hand.

Who would have thought that Phoenix from Phantom of the Paradise would turn out to be an amusing cook with a resume full of children’s books and CDs? Not me, probably, but I’m so glad she did. It’s very satisfying to see a wonderful actress who’s also decent person and a talented writer and a great mom and a funny lady. I’m not usually somebody who craves a happy plotline, but boy, I like this one!

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10 Responses Actress Jessica Harper — And She Can Cook, Too!

Posted By Jeff H. : March 17, 2011 2:33 am

Let us not forget her humorous turn as the object of Mark Lynn-Baker’s affection in MY FAVORITE YEAR. The scene where they have their first date watching an Alan Swann swashbuckler classic is still a very sweet scene. Her work in PENNIES FROM HEAVEN is also incredible.

Posted By Medusa : March 17, 2011 9:21 am

Yes, I should have mentioned that and you’re right! That sweetness she had is a big part of her lasting appeal. Thanks for bringing up “My Favorite Year”!

Posted By Al Lowe : March 17, 2011 2:43 pm

Hi Medusa, I’m back!

Thank you and thank Suzi for the kind words you posted about me. I had a bout of illness but I am slowly getting better.

Jessica Harper seems to be amazing. Apparently, there were many times I watched her work and didn’t realize it. You did a good deed with this tribute to her.

There is something I can recall about Paul Williams and I wonder if someone can help me with this. Years ago, perhaps when PHANTOM came out, Williams was on a talk show (maybe Mike Douglas?) and mentioned his newest project involved appearing as the King in a movie version of the comic strip WIZARD OF ID. I am pretty sure that this never happened. Does anyone know anything about this?

Medusa, I know you are a TV junkie. Lately I have been watching DVDS of 32 Allen Ludden PASSWORD shows. It is great to see Carol Burnett and Ann Bancroft and others when they were young and full of enthusiasm.

My mother’s maiden name was Cassidy and my father was Scotch-Irish. So, Tura Lura Lura and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Posted By Medusa Morlock : March 17, 2011 4:22 pm

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Al, and so great to hear that you are feeling better! Takes a while to spring back, doesn’t it? At least it’s almost the official end of winter and that’s got to be good!

It’s incredible, re: Password, that you could get somebody like Bancroft to play a game on TV, but the game was smart and seemed like something that smart actors and actresses might play. The personalities always seemed at least a little like *real* people, more accessible than the way it is these days, that’s for sure. And Allen Ludden was a terrific host and not the center of attention — and such a great love story in his life with Betty White. Glad you are enjoying these — I would! And the announcer was wonderful, too! I used to have a home password game when I was a kid and loved playing that, too! :-)

In terms of Paul Williams, I did find a link to a “People” magazine article where he references that he was working on a screenplay for “Id” but clearly it never happened. Here’s the link and too bad it never came to be, eh? http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20080749,00.html

I remember seeing “Phantom of the Paradise” in a double feature with ‘The Legend of Hell House” — back when they HAD double features!

So great to see you here again — I’ve also been AWOL here but am going to start contributing more. xoxoxo

Posted By morlockjeff : March 17, 2011 5:59 pm

It’s great to see an article on Jessica Harper and amazing to realize that she is more famous for her children’s books and records than as an actress for many baby boomers. My sister in law wasn’t even aware she had appeared in such bizarre cult items as INSERTS or SUSPIRIA of PHANTOM OF THE PARADISE. And I understand that Harper has little interest in talking about her early acting career much anymore. That’s a shame because I’d love to know about her experience working with, say, Woody Allen on STARDUST MEMORIES or Dario Argento on SUSPIRIA. Still, I’m happy for her success and re-emergence as a cook book author and children’s storyteller. Who would have thought?

Posted By Medusa Morlock : March 17, 2011 6:13 pm

When I saw her on the talkshow the other day, I don’t think the interviewer lady had ANY idea that she was a fascinating actress — just that she wrote a cookbook! Although her bio on the publisher site mentions all her accomplishments, I guess it would take a movie fan to really GET that it was her. Do watch some of those videos she made — she is really hilarious, very droll.

Posted By Jenni : March 18, 2011 5:50 pm

Medusa,
A question, and I don’t know if you would even know the answer, but here goes. Actress Jane Russell died 3 weeks or so ago now, and TCM did not change it’s scheduled movies to showcase any of her flicks. Also, not one mention of her passing or career by any of the morlocks. It almost seems like a deliberate ignoring of the actress. Any answers would be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted By jbro : March 18, 2011 11:27 pm

Many years ago, I worked in a music store on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Jessica Harper was one of our regular customers, and one could not imagine a more genuine, unaffected human being. I doubt most of the other employees even knew who she was — and it didn’t matter. She radiated a quiet sweetness that was most welcome to all of us lucky enough to interact with her.

Posted By JK : March 19, 2011 8:10 am

I can tell you the exact moment that I turned on Steve Martin’s character in PENNIES FROM HEAVEN: when Jessica relents and exposes her lipstick-covered nipples to him. The shame on her face, brilliantly-acted, made me turn on him–and, honestly, turn on the film as well to do that to that girl.

Posted By Medusa Morlock : March 19, 2011 9:41 am

Hi Jenni! I love Jane Russell, too, as do several Morlocks, and TCM certainly does, since they did a wonderful Robert Osborne interview with her several years ago. I see some titles of hers coming up but not on one day. Maybe one of the Morlocks can rustle up some Russell soon! I know I posted “Buttons and Bows” on Facebook when she passed away.

And JK, I agree about that Jessica Harper moment in PENNIES FROM HEAVEN. Such a powerful moment so beautifully played by such a delicate woman!

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