zer0hal0: Can you please tell us one memory that you had on or
behind the set of The Evil Dead?

I remember it being cold, cold, and more cold… and miserable
conditions. Remember, we shot at night, in a cabin with no heat or
electricity, running water, or a bathroom.  And no motorhomes or
trailers to escape to, either.



zer0hal0: Over the years you probably had met a lot of strange but
interesting people who are huge fans of The Evil Dead. What is the
weirdest thing that they have ever said or done to you?

We have lots of fans that come to see us with their creative mementos,
including wood and bricks from the actual cabin, handmade replicated
jewelry, posters in foreign languages, license plates, and more… all
wanting to be autographed.  But the most interesting of all, was a large
tattoo at the top of man’s thigh, of the 3 of us looking down into the
cellar.  That was interesting, but then he asked us each to autograph it
under our images.  Ok.. that was interesting. But then we saw him the
next day, and, you guessed it.. he had gone and gotten our signatures
tattoed as well.  hmmmmmmm….

zer0hal0: In the 80s horror and sci-fi films where pretty much a played throughout the local drive inns. Even today i can
remember watching Evil Dead at the local drive inn with my parents, when i was a child. Did you ever attend/sneak into a
cinema or drive inn, just to see what type of reaction from those who watched Evil Dead?

Only a couple of times in the early 80’s. Remember, for a long time, ‘Evil Dead’ was not a huge hit.  By the time it had taken on
cult-esteem, video stores and cable tv were a big hit worldwide.


zer0hal0: Around Halloween, everyone in America seams to get right into the spooky holiday season. Have you ever
dressed up or got into character for family/friends/guests or fans at a special event? Is so what happened?

Uh, no.  So…. Nothing happened.  I often chose to go to a party as ‘A Mom’…. In the last 20 years.  Surprisingly, always a big
hit.  It’s so simple. No makeup, curlers, and flannel shirt. Easy.
20th Anniversary Cast Reunion of 'The Evil Dead' at Detroit, February 2002
Left: Theresa Tilly (Shelly)          Middle: Betsy Baker (Linda)          Right: Ellen Sandweiss (Cheryl)
zer0hal0: In some of the scenes where Cheryl, Linda and Shelly were possessed. Sam use other actors (titled as Fake
Shemps) that were brought to play the your roles. Was it to do with budget restraints, refusing to do certain scenes, last
minute ideas add in or something else?

Ha!  I’m sure all 3 of us have similar answers.  The truth?? By the time they shot those scenes, we had either left the set, left
the movie, or they had forgotten to shoot it while we were there, so they had to scramble and bring in a shemp.


zer0hal0: Have any of you ever been asked to appear or be cast in a cameo in the Evil Dead films, including the new Evil
Dead 4 film?

I was asked by Sam, Bruce, and Rob to appear in EVIL DEAD 2… as Linda, in recurring ‘dream scenes’, since, well, as you know….
But at the time they were making the film, my husband and I were expecting our first child, and so…. Looking like I was…. Well,
you know…. And that’s the story.


zer0hal0: Did you manage to see the Canadian off-Broadway show Evil Dead: The Musical. If so what did you think of it,
the actors who played your characters and was it as gory as the film?

We saw a production in New York City… they flew us all out for a show and a panel afterward.  FUN!!!  And the actress???? Thin,
young,  and beautiful.  What more could I ask for?? Works for me.  LOL!!
zer0hal0: Being a actress/mother, is it hard to juggle to family life,
work and acting in a day to day schedule?

Yes. Yes, and more yes.  Now, go finish your dinner, before I have to
put you in the cellar. You’ll see how hard it is to do your homework
down there, young man. And clean your plate.


zer0hal0: Are there any new projects or films we should know
about?

I just finished starring in a psychological thriller, ‘2084’.. about a world
that’s quarantined due to the West Nile Virus.  I portray a character
that’s quite unlike Linda.


Shu Tang: According to sources, Word of Honor, a thriller/drama
about a reporter unwilling to reveal his source in the case of the
murder of a young girl, was your first film (release date Jan.6,
1981) you appeared in for a TV movie and followed that up by being
cast in The Evil Dead, which came out Oct 15th of that same year.
Were you acting in both films back to back?

Pretty much.  Funny, just today, I was looking at ‘Word of Honor’ for a
few minutes, remembering that terrific actor, Karl Malden, who
portrayed my father.  We actually shot ED in the fall/winter of 79/80,
and we shot WHO in the fall of 80….
Shu Tang: Did you have any supernatural or superstitious beliefs prior to making The Evil Dead? Did you ever become
frightened with the subject matter that comprises the whole basis of the film-conjuring up evil demons that may take
your soul?

No… however,  I am not a fan of horror books or movies… I get too involved in them, and become frightened.  But conjuring up
demons, while the cameras are rolling, and the people are off to the side of the camera holding fake blood to throw on me??  
Nahhhhh.  


Shu Tang: At one point in the film, your ankle is stabbed by a pencil, Ash (Campbell) drags you by your feet out the cabin
door into the woods, you are in a fierce struggle with Ash (Campbell), and then chained down to a wooden work table to
have your body chain-sawed apart, only to be buried alive (or dead-however you see it!) then pummelled in the head with
a thick, wooden beam, and then finally decapitated. Would it be safe to say that The Evil Dead the most physically
demanding movie you have ever been in?

In a word, YES.


Shu Tang: Betsy, in the film Witches Night (2007), you play a local that decides to give some guys that wish to camp in the
woods advice on how to get to there via renting some boats. Did the scenes you were in bring back any memories to
your start in horror films with woods as the setting while filming in Wisconsin?

MAN!!! YOU GUYS DO YOUR RESEARCH!!! Yes…. We talked A LOT about Evil Dead on the set, while waiting for scene set-ups,
etc.  WN was made with a great group of people, and even better…. We had hot coffee, blankets, and even a motorhome to
change out of blood-soaked clothes  after our bloody stabbing scenes!!!!
Shu Tang: How was it to be re-united with
Ellen Sandelweiss and Theresa Tilly (Sarah
York) again in Brutal Massacre: A Comedy?
Have you, she and Sarah York been keeping
in touch over the years?

Sarah (Theresa) and I have lived in the Los
Angeles area for more than 25 years, and
although we lost touch for awhile while we
were on our ‘Mom’ sabbaticals, we remained
friends.  Ellen was doing the same ‘mom’ thing
in the Midwest, and we had lost touch.  After
Theresa and I were guests of honor at an “ED”
screening, we made a vow to find Ellen…. it
has been absolutely great to reunite since 2001,
with all 3 of us… and work together.
Shu Tang: 2084, the story  of a world-wide virus or epidemic that forces everyone to go inside their homes and stay there
while the government collapses and food becomes scarce leading to total chaos, seems like a very popular theme these
days-the end of the world. While making this film, did it ever get you thinking about the whole 2012 Mayan/Nostrodamus
prophecy may be fulfilled, or at least something like the plot for 2084 may likely happen?

No, never.  But DAYS after we wrapped ‘2084’,  the swine flu came into the news – worldwide. Now that was pretty creepy.


Shu Tang: While filming The Evil Dead, did you at any time feel that you were in over your head and just wanted to give
up and  call it quits? Have you ever felt that way in any film or TV project you have worked on?

Did we ever yell at Sam, or Bruce, or Rob…. And tell ‘em exactly what we felt, after being cold, miserable, chained up, buried,
or swathed in bloody clothing?? Oh yes…. Not a lot of people today, with Sam Raimi’s experience.. can honestly say they got to
yell at Sam and tell him where to go. We did.  But we all made up minutes after.


Shu Tang: What is your favourite genre to be working in? And why?

Hmmm… good question.  I think that whatever genre I’m currently working on…. Is the best.  Honest.  I love doing my live,
onstage one-woman singing/comedy cabaret.  I love doing live theatre.  I love the quick work on a tv commercial or a tv show.  
And I love the entire process of putting a feature film together.
Betsy Baker Interview
Interviewed on the 21st September, 2009