Kristine DeBell

Those of you who best-remember Kristine DeBell as the titular innocent-but-quick-learning lass in the 1976 adult feature film Alice in Wonderland: An X-Rated Musical Fantasy (arguably one of her best-know roles), and expect to hear some of the lowdown on it from her in this interview, may be disappointed. Kristine agreed to do this interview for Idol Features under the condition she wouldn't be asked any questions regarding that film. However, you can get the answers to pretty much all the questions I would have asked her about Alice and the film, from the March 22, 2015 article at The Rialto Report.

After "Alice," which was her first film role, Kristine went on to have a successful mainstream acting career, that included both film and television. Her long list of big screen credits includes Blood Brothers, The Main Event, and Meatballs, alongside such names as Richard Gere, Ryan O'Neal, and Billy Murray, respectively. Her TV credits include prominent guest roles on Barnaby Jones, CHiPs, Night Court, and a stint on the long-running daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless. Of course, there were some parts she narrowly missed getting during her heyday, such as the part of Vickie La Motta in Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull, but those at least lend themselves to some good audition stories.

After pretty much retiring from show biz in 1990 to raise a family, Kristine returned to acting a few years ago, and after the 20-plus year hiatus, took on the new challenge of playing characters quite unlike those she played when she was in her 20s and early 30s. In this recent interview, she talks about what that's been like. We also touch on what Hollywood was like for her back in her 70s and 80s heyday, and drop a few names along the way. Above photos, circa 1978 and 2016, courtesy of Kristine, herself.

June 27, 2016 interview with Kristine DeBell

Film Director Chandra Gerson

Chandra Gerson started out in show biz doing extra work in front of the camera, which led to her taking acting classes at the famed Lee Strasberg acting school. However, Chandra soon found that her true passion in films, was working behind the camera. She subsequently founded her own production company, Kitnkat Productions, in 2009, and has since produced some award-willing shorts, as well as one feature length film, a 2015 psychological drama entitled Book of Choices, which will be shown at the Delhi Women's International Film Festival in India this October. She also produced a fun documentary on the 40th anniversary of Knott's Scary Farm, the horror attraction of the famous Knott's Berry Farm, where Chandra has been regular visitor for years.

Last month, Chandra attended the annual Marché du Film ("Film Market") in Cannes, where three of her short films were shown: Burning Distortion (2012), a story about a man's dark side coming to light, Salvation of One (2014), about a young man who gets out of the mob and wants to right his wrongs, and A Gracious War (2014), about a police detective who finds out he has much more in common with a suspect he's interrogating, than he thought. Hear more about her aforementioned works, as well as more about Chandra herself, in her recent interview with Idol Features. Above photo by Carrie Cavalier.

June 10, 2016 interview with Chandra Gerson

Nadia White

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Rachael Robbins - Behind the Scenes with Mike James

At my request, my friend, esteemed pinup photographer Mike James, once again delved into his photo archives to come up with some candid, behind-the-scenes shots of another one of the lovely ladies who's worked with him over the last several years.

Rachael Robbins, who was included in my first James Girls feature and a subsequent solo interview, has compiled a long and impressive modeling and acting resume that includes Playboy magazine to, more recently, her outstanding performance as the leader of the Van Houten sisters in Ken Del Vecchio's horror Bleeding Hearts. The above 2007 shot of Rachael relaxing while Mike was setting up for a shoot, as well as all of the following photos, are being published here for the first time, anywhere.

Deborah Funes

May 23, 2017 Author's Addendum: It is with a heavy heart I write this, as I learned today of Deborah’s passing, just one year after I had the pleasure of interacting with her for this interview. Deborah was one of the few ladies I stayed in touch with after her interview published and it honored me that she considered this to be one of her best interviews ever. Even though I can’t say I was one of her close personal friends, Deborah, with her optimism, love for life, and knowledge about what she believed in, was someone I could even turn to for help, and she was happy to give it when I did. Rest in peace Deborah and I’m sure that someday soon, your spirit will oversee the completion of Touch My Heart.

– Chris Charles

Actress and model Deborah Funes began her career performing in elementary school plays in her native Argentina, where she acted to an audience of teachers, parents, and nuns. As an adult, she  began modeling professionally at 18 and went on to appear in television commercials and popular shows on Latin TV before moving to the US. Now calling Miami home, Deborah has appeared in several independent films, alongside some big names in the industry, while making quite a name for herself. Her growing list of credits include a lead role in Jim DeVault's Jebadiah's Axe, as well as prominent roles in Joe Hollow's Disciples and Lawrence W. Nelson's You Found Me.

Probably the most noteworthy of Deborah's accomplishments, wasn't before the camera. Two years ago, doctors found a cancerous tumor in her breast. Despite recommendations from her doctors to undergo conventional treatments, which involved chemotherapy, Deborah recovered using natural remedies. After a long road and dedication to her course of action, in March of this year, she is cancer free and the tumor is almost completely gone. She's currently working on a film based on her experiences and her healing process entitled Touch My Heart. Read on to learn more on this and other topics covered in Deborah's exclusive interview with Idol Features. Above photo by Dmitry Chernomazov.

Tina Krause - Behind the Scenes with Mike James

Actress Tina Krause was featured in my second installment on the models of prominent pinup photographer Mike James. She first shot with Mike in 1997 and has done shoots with him almost every year since. She's appeared with Mike at trade shows and events as the official spokesmodel for Azimuth Design, as well as appeared in print ads for the company. In essence, James Girl Tina is to Azimuth Designs, what Hooters Girl Lynne Austin was to Hooters restaurants.

Friday the 13th Victim, Judy

Throughout the Friday the 13th franchise (except for the first one, of course, since it was mom doing the killing in that one), Jason Voorhees has always been an innovative and resourceful murderer. A prime example of that is this scene from Friday the 13th Part VII: The New Blood, in which Jason uses the sleeping bag that Judy seemed to think would keep her safe from him if she just tucked her head inside of, as a tool to pummel her against a tree. A little more can be learned about Judy at the Friday the 13th Wikia.