One Lucky Penny: Actress Penny Drake is Definitely One to Watch by Owen Keehnen

Penny Drake is one young actress to watch. The tall redheaded Texan made her film debut in the moody 2005 Robert Rodriguez/Frank Miller hit 'Sin City'. Since then she's made a name for herself costarring as Sox opposite Jenna Jameson and Robert Englund in the hit 'Zombie Strippers'. She's also starred opposite James Kyson Lee, Tiffany (Yes, THAT Tiffany), and John Berryman in the horror flick 'Necrosis' in which she battles the ghosts of The Donner Party amidst a blizzard at a secluded cabin - yikes! Most recently she has starred as Annette DeFour in the upcoming thriller 'Dreamkiller' with John Savage and Tyrone Power Jr. The lovely Ms Drake is also adept at comedy and has starred in three horror comedies - Norman Thaddeus Vane's 'You're So Dead!' , 'The Slaughter', and 'The Cook' as well as a bit part in 'The 40 Year Old Virgin'. Ms. Drake's upcoming projects include her work as Astrid in 'Star Chicks' with Shannon Malone and Laura Bach about three shape-shifting aliens who come to Earth to learn what life is like for 21st century women. Despite her hectic schedule, Penny was kind enough to take time for this exclusive www.racksandrazors.com interview.


  Penny, did you make any New Year's resolutions for 2010?

Yes, to live life to the fullest and constantly in a state of discovery and newness. I actually challenged all of my closest girlfriends to join me in a new adventure each month. Game on!

I want to hear all about your new movie 'Necrosis' costarring James Kyson Lee and Tiffany. Can you give me a teaser that is going to make it irresistible to the www.racksandrazors.com fans?

I get to go toe-to-toe with James Kyson Lee at the climax of the movie. It was a fight sequence shot over two days and I was left bruised and wobbly afterwards. And my weapon of choice???? A screw driver.

You were Sox in 'Zombie Strippers!' opposite Jenna Jameson and Robert Englund. If you were to take one moment from the filming of that movie and put it into a time capsule what would that be?

It would be the moment when I watched Jenna Jameson dance (in awe... she's amazing). Afterwards, I asked her for tips and her response was, "When all else fails, flip your hair." Best advice EVER.

I am fascinated by the fact that in your relatively brief career you've been in 3 horror/comedies - ''The Cook', 'The Slaughter'', and 'You're So Dead'. Is that just a coincidence or is this a sort of sub-genre that you are drawn to?

Well, I love comedy (had a sketch show BIKINI NEWS for over a year and a half) and I fell into the genre of horror/comedy pretty easily. It's just a fun environment to work within.

Right out of the gate - the first movie you made was 'Sin City' in 2005 for Robert Rodriguez. What was that experience like and what was the biggest lesson you took away from your time on the set?

My first day ever on a set was on a 50 foot green screen with Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller directing and Mickey Rourke yelling at me in an improvisational scene... it was surreal. The biggest lesson I learned was while being one of nine Old Town Girls and being crammed into half a trailer, in full leather costume for hours at a time, is that I was happy to be there. No matter what the situation called for, I would rather be cramped on set, following my dream, than be at home saying, "I wish"...

Do you have any other upcoming projects you want the racksandrazors readers to know about?

I’m currently working on a webisodic called “Star Chicks” brought to you by Scream HQ, who made Zombie Strippers. It’s a sci-fi sketch comedy starring Shannon Malone, Laura Bach and myself. Scream HQ actually has several projects that I am lucky enough to be included in. They are my “family” in many ways here in LA.  If you would like to be part of "Star Chicks," please visit the link below and become a backer and get "Star Chicks" info, merchandise and updates before the rest of the universe!!!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/screamhq/star-chicks-a-web-series-from-the-creators-of-zo

If you were a cannibal and/or zombie what part of whose body would be your ideal morsel?

Hmmmm.... if I got to munch and crunch on a tasty human morsel, it would definitely have to be Johnny Depp. I know, so predictable... but the man is gorgeous!!! But not the toes, I would never eat the toes. That's just unsanitary.

Vampires, werewolves, zombies, witches, creatures, aliens, telemarketers...what does it for you horrorwise Penny and why?

Gonna be a toss up between werewolves and vampires. I loved the 'Underworld' movies. Just the predatory nature and the Hollywood glorification of the species. I'm a sucker for it.

What was the first movie to scare the shit out of you?

I was around 8 years old and I watched 'The Devil's Hand' with my family. Holy crap! I had to sleep in my sister's room and had nightmares for weeks. Now I look back and it was a cheesy, low grade movie with poor special effects... but I was terrified at the time!

And what was the last horror movie you saw that really annoyed you?

I saw the remake of 'Halloween' and I hate suspense filled films. It KILLS me. I jumped every freakin' 10 seconds of that film... didn't matter what sound or what character was responsible. I was a little scared rabbit in the theater.

Okay, we're pulling into the Penny Drake Drive In. What three horror flicks are on the triple bill for tonight and what goodies are they going to be serving up at the concession stand?

'Underworld 2', 'Mary Shelley's Frankenstein' and 'Bram Stoker's Dracula'
There will be Sour Patch Kids, soft pretzels w/cheese and IBC Cream Soda.

And your favorite horror flick death scene?

An oldie, but a goodie, shower scene of 'Psycho'.

What's the best Halloween costume you ever had?

This year I had two! The first was for a Vampire Ball and instead of going the cheesy route, I went for a Helena Bonham Carter inspired flow, complete with ball gown, white satin gloves dipped in blood and fangs. The second costume was a cat... but I went beyond simple kitty ears and a tail and wore a prosthetic cat mask over my mouth and nose that I applied myself... people were FREAKED by my kitty face.

What scares you in real life?

Bugs. Got a massive bug phobia, specifically spiders and roaches. Gives me the heebie jeebies.