 |
|
|
Ted Mikels
Film Making Legend
by Jonathon Green at My-Vegas
September 12, 2002
"Blood Orgy of the She Devils", "Mark Of The Astro Zombies", "The Corpse
Grinders", "Girl In Gold Boots". What images do these movie title’s bring
up. Maybe a Friday night at the drive in theater, or maybe a Saturday
afternoon double feature. I had the opportunity to sit down and interview a
film making legend, Mr. Ted V. Mikels, the sole reason we have such
classics.
I walked into his studio near Industrial and was bombarded with
movie posters, pictures and an array of movie making equipment. At this
point Ted took me back to the stage area with all of those fancy gadgets
that I know nothing about. But it sure looked impressive. There were
microphones, cameras, lights, sound equipment, props and lots of cords.
Most of the time when a movie is made there are many people involved,
writer, producer, director, editing, audio, etc. But with Ted‘s movies he
does 100% of it himself. Of course there are actors but that is about it,
and Ted usually pitches in there too. He has also shot over 300
commercials in his long career. The wonderful thing about living in Las
Vegas is we share this town with such colorful people as Ted.
Jon: There has been talk that your movie "The Doll Squad" was the inspiration for
the TV show "Charlie's Angels". How do you feel about that?
Ted:
Well, I’ve never heard the end of it. Aaron Spelling came to my screening
at 20th century fox and 4 years later out comes Charlie’s angels. The
girl’s have the same names, the friends are the same, Charlie was my senator
in my movie, and of course the similarities are so totally obvious that
sometimes when people see "The Doll Squad" people call it "The original
Angel’s". I don’t care.
|
Jon: So Aaron Spelling was at the screening?
Ted:
Yea, Hollywood is small. I think Francine or Tory invited him to the
screening, but Hollywood is small. That's why I have learned over a period
of many many years, 40 years or more. Not to just write a script and pass
it around Hollywood, because pieces of it appear in everybody’s movies.
|
Jon: What is your favorite place around Las Vegas other then a casino?
Ted: Probably my studio. I kind of live here.
Jon: What is your favorite Las Vegas Restaurant?
Ted: At one time it used to be the Maxim. Since my lady, Dr. Wendy Shanti is a
vegetarian, rather then go to places where she can’t get the right kind of
food, we prefer the buffet’s.
Ted Mikels Interview Continued: Page 2
|
|
