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Mary McDonough as Robin Prentiss in Midnight Offerings

 

 

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Q&A with Mary McDonough about Midnight Offerings

How were you cast in the movie?

Mary: I was cast in MIDNIGHT OFFERINGS after meeting with the director Rod Holcomb. They had contacted my agent about the MOW and I was thrilled to get the part of Robin Prentiss.

 

Melissa Sue Anderson mentions that she had to arrange the shooting of the movie around her schedule for Little House.  Were you working on The Waltons during the production of Midnight Offerings?

 

Mary: Yes, I was filming THE WALTONS while shooting MO. The production company arranged my schedule around and I went back and forth. They rewrote some scenes for THE WALTONS to exclude me so I could do MO. I think Melissa worked the first 10 days only so she could go to Little House. We worked another few weeks after she was finished.

 

Do you have any memories of shooting at Mira Costa High School?  It seems to be a popular setting for television and movie production (The O.C. and CSI Miami).

 

Mary: I have a LOT of memories of filming there. I write about them in my book, LESSONS FROM THE MOUNTAIN, WHAT I LEARNED FROM ERIN WALTON. The fog, the school, working there at night, the bonfire where Melissa tries to burn me at the stake! LOL… too fun.  I loved doing that movie and was so excited to work with Melissa. The fact that we were witches was even better, so different from our Walton and Prairie roles. I remember they stood me by that bonfire after I “escaped” with the help of Catherine Damon. They had me run into a shot and threw burning logs at me. They were supposed to be the ones Melissa had “thrown” at me with her powers. So there I was with a crew member throwing burning logs and I had no fireproof clothes on! Such a great time.

 

How was your working relationship with Patrick Cassidy?  You had a lot of scenes with him and had great chemistry.

 

Mary: Thanks. It was one of Patrick’s first roles, so he wanted to rehearse a lot. We ran lines the whole time up until the cameras rolled. He was great fun and I write about them in the book too. There are even a few pictures. At the wrap party we bought the crew a cake with the movie witch theme on it. Lots of fun. Patrick and I stayed friends and I saw him on Broadway and in Pirates in San Francisco. Our kids even went to the same school. He’s a good guy.

 

I enjoyed the scenes of your first meeting on the football field with Melissa and the confrontation in the shop with you and Melissa.  How was your working relationship with Melissa?  Had you met before the shooting of the movie?

 

Mary: I don’t think I had met Melissa before the movie. It seems like we should have been at the same party or parade events, but I think MO was our first actual meeting. We only worked together a few days. The cheerleader scenes were first. There’s a WHOLE story about the bonfire scene in my book and I don’t want to be a spoiler, but I had a great time. I hope she had as much fun.

We had a funny night together.

The scene in the woodshop was hilarious. We kept cracking up when we shot the PR stills. It was fun to figure out how our “powers” would work. Did we fling things across the room with our eyes, or our hands, or our fingers…or the twitch of a nose, oh wait that’s another witch show. It was cool to work with Rod to decide how to work out “powers,” and then have special effects step in and do the magic. It seemed kooky and made us laugh.

 

How long has it been since you have seen the movie?  What was your impression of the movie when you first saw it?

 

Mary: I haven’t seen the movie in many years. I loved it when it was on. Years later, as I traveled to schools as a speaker with Young Artists United, I found many kids didn’t know me as Erin at all, but remembered me as Robin. It seems MO became a favorite at pajama sleepover parties.

 

Do you include anything about the movie Midnight Offerings in your new book coming out on March 29th, Lessons From the Mountain: What I Learned From Erin Walton?

 

Mary: See above. There is a whole section about it. I tell of a night we spent during filming and more!

 

Thanks for all your help Michael. Your FB expertise has been wonderful. I am grateful for all your help and tips. Can’t wait to see the clips of MO  etc. SO FUN! Hope to meet you in TX someday!

 

Thanks, Mary. Hope to meet you also.

 

 

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Mary McDonough's books

Mary McDonough's autobiography is available now. There are five pages on the movie Midnight Offerings in the book.

Mary McDonough's new book Lessons from the Mountain

Mary will sign her book and photos at this link.

Facebook Fan Page

Mary McDonough's Offical Web page

 

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Radio Interviews

Inside Out Live! 3/23/13


Behind the Mic Radio 8/11/2013


On Screen & Beyond 3/28/2011

LA Talk Radio - The Sheena Metal Experience 4/11/2011


David's Book Talk 4/12/2011

Behind the Mike Show, 4/12/2011


Face to Face with Brian Holland, 4/12/2011


Roaring Success Radio Hour 4/13/2011


Brainstormin' with Bill Frank, 4/18/2011


The Stuph File Program with Peter Anthony Holder, 4/18/2011


Across America on KGAB 650 AM


Interview on PMP Network


Cole & Noble: People of Distinction


TV Confidential


Wait, I Know This Interview (8/7/2011)

 

 

Television or Video Interviews

 

Home & Family 8/3/15


Oprah: Where Are They Now! 4/2015


Home & Family 8/20/14


Home & Family 11/25/13


A Waltons Family Reunion on INSP


Mary McDonough on Headline News with Brad Pomerance 3/8/2011


Connie Martinson Talks Books 3/23/2011

Part 1

Part 2


Real Orange PBS, December 2009


Mary McDonough talks from Waltons Mountain


Actress Mary McDonough Shares Secrets About Her Memoir (KCAL9, July 14, 2011)


Mary McDonough LupusFeature (August 2011)


Interview with Mary on 726 Harrison (08-17-2011)


Mary McDonough on the Today Show, 9/4/2011


‘TV’s Good Girl vs. Bad Girl’ Square Off In Santa Monica (11/9/2011)


Waltons' Still a Happy Family After 40 years (12/2/2011)

 

 

 

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Articles

 

JA Kerswell talks with Mary McDonough who did Final Girl duties in MORTUARY (1981) 2011 interview


The Bride Wears Her Mother's Dress (The Pittsburgh Press, 2/21/1982)


McDonough's Been Acting More Than Half Her Life (Cedar Rapids Gazette, April 1981)


Double Life of Mary McDonough (The News and Courier, South Carolina, 11/22/1980)


TV 80


Actress Had to Deal with 'Stupid' Part (Daily News, Bowling Green, 2/12/1980)


Growing up on 'The Waltons' (The Milwaukee Journal, 10/29/1978)


'Waltons' Daughter Normal Teen (Boca Raton News, 4/24/1975)

 

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Filmography with Video Clips

Television


Christmas on Honeysuckle Lane (2018)


Lake Effects (2012)


Christmas at Cadillac Jack's (2007)


The New Adventures of Old Christine (2006-2009)

Season 1, Episode 9 clip

Season 2, Episode 7 clip

Season 2, Episode 11 clip

Season 3, Episode 3 clip

Season 4

Season 4, Episode 12, clip 3

Season 4, Episode 19 clip

Season 5, Episode 6 clip


Boston Legal (Smile) (2006)


American Dreams (2006)


The West Wing (2002)


TV Road Trip (2002)


Will & Grace (2002) Clip 1

Will & Grace (2002) Clip 2


The Division (2001)


Ally McBeal (1999) (Only the Lonely)


Walker Texas Ranger (1999)


The Pretender (1998)


Diagnosis Murder (1998)


ER (Random Acts) (1997)


Picket Fences (1996)


Promised Land (1996)


The Secret World of Alex Mack (1995)


Bodies of Evidence (1993)


Hunter (1989)


Impure Thoughts (1986)


The Love Boat (1983)


The Love Boat (1982)


All-Star Tribute to Mother's Day (1981)


The Merv Griffin Show (1973)


Film


Mom (1991)


Snowballing (1984)


Mortuary (1983)

Part 1

Part 2

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Audio Interviews


The Insana Quotient (3/14/2011)


Your Time with Kim Iverson (3/19/2010)


Videos for Family.com audio interview

(Includes other Waltons cast interviews)


Live Channel 2 on pmpnetwork.com


"Flashback" with Carey Fisher 11/14/2009

 

 

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