MovieChat Forums > It's Alive (1974) Discussion > Michael Ansara

Michael Ansara

posted 9 years ago by badge7213
2 replies | jump to latest

Finally saw the movie for the first time this weekend (Sept. 2015). It's great when TCM runs the 60's/70's oddities in the middle of the night.

Michael Ansara, one of those character actors (I remember him as 'Kane' on "Buck Rogers" reruns) with a respectable 50-odd years in Hollywood to his name, was credited as a "It's Alive" co-star with fifth or sixth solo billing in the opening . . .

. . . and then his 'role' consisted of three lines in one brief scene at the 35-minute mark. 

Weird.

[–] Ex-Player 8 years ago

Nothing "weird" about it. It was a low budget movie, so the actor was guaranteed a sizable credit in lieu of his usual salary which not only helps sell the film in foreign territories where that actor's name is popular but it also helps with their pension and union benefits from the Screen Actor's Guild . .

The only thing "weird" is someone who doesn't understand the nuances of the film industry deciding to place negative comments online because it doesn't fit his personal idea of proper crediting etiquette.

[–] mikethemartian 8 years ago

I was suprised they didn't use him more. I was born in the 60s and grew up in the 70s so I had likely seen him in plenty of shows but he never stood out to me. Now as an adult I watch a lot of MeTV and have gotten to know his work and really enjoy his performances.

The thing is, Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care.