OK, here's the scoop regarding Night Shift...
In the early 80's, I was living in LA, after filming a small speaking role in the 007 film 'For Your Eyes Only' and being featured in Playboy's pictorial for the film. My agent sent me to a casting call for a part of a prostitute in a film called 'Night Shift'. I'd heard Henry Winkler and Shelly Long were cast as the leads, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity of possibly working with them.
I was told to dress casually, so I wore the typical jeans/white blouse, casual casting attire. I walked into an office and there were several people in the room and my mouth fell open. Behind the main desk sat Ron Howard (Night Shift's director). Now mind you, I'd enjoyed parties at the Playboy Mansion and met and partied with every A list celebrity, etc., you could imagine...but, THIS was "Opie" from 'The Andy Griffith Show' and I was in awe. (BTW, he was the nicest guy and didn't screw around with the talent, which is VERY rare in show biz.) I read my lines and he said, "I'm sorry, but you look too sweet and not like a prostitute."
Not one to give up easily, I was determined to get the part. So, my devious/ingenious mind, went to work. One of my favorite films of all time was 'Irma la Douce', a romantic comedy directed by Billy Wilder, which starred Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine (whom I adore). It was a story set in Paris, of an ex-cop that falls in love with a prostitute. "Irma"/Shirley MacLaine, wore the cutest outfit in the film...sexy top, mini-skirt, fishnet stockings, high heels, short hair-do with pink bows, and she carried her tiny poodle. I had just purchased a little Shih Tzu, and yes, you can guess the rest. The next day I went back in, using a fake name and walked in looking just like "Irma la Douce", carrying my puppy. Ron starting jumping up and down and LOVED it, as it was one of his favorite films, too. My puppy and I were hired on the spot, and then I pulled off my short wig. Ron started laughing and said, "Now that's what I call perseverance". So, that's how I got the part in 'Night Shift'...Yayyy!!!
I left, and received a call from the producer, Brian Grazer (who has since teamed up with Ron Howard, and they've won numerous Academy Awards). Brian (he was single, BTW) invited me to dinner and that was the beginning of a torrid affair throughout the many months we filmed 'Night Shift'. He was super fun, nice, sexy as hell, and we had great times together.
Bummer, my speaking lines were edited from the film, but I still made a LOT of money because Brian wanted me on set 24/7 and it was a S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild) union film. I also met many famous celebrities, who visited the set. One being, a precocious but adorable child by the name of Drew Barrymore, who had just finished filming E.T. (BTW, her mother played one of the hookers in 'Night Shift' and her name is, Ildiko Jaid AKA Jaid Barrymore.) Drew was accompanied by her E.T. director, Steven Spielberg...yeah, like WOWZA.
Since I was dating the producer, I got to sit in on many meetings and that is when I first heard of a relatively unknown actor named, Michael Keaton. John Travolta's career was at a low point, at that time, and his agent was REALLY pushing him for the part of "Billy Blaze". Ron Howard was against casting Travolta, and at that moment in strutted...Michael Keaton, who blew everyone away as he ad-libbed his audition and had us all rolling on the floor with laughter. The film was now cast and production began. M-A-N-Y months of filming ensued (thank God, more $$) because Henry Winkler and Shelly Long, did NOT get along at all...Ekkk. But, Michael Keaton seemed to always keep everyone laughing and the ball rolling, so production continued.
One exceptionally long day of shooting took place during the Morgue, Frat Party scene. I stood next to a VERY handsome/HOT young man, who was hired as an extra. You won't find his name listed in the credits, and mine is...and a few years ago as I sat ringside at a boxing match (BTW, I adore boxing) he was seated next to me. I leaned over and re-introduced myself and teasingly said, "You know, my name is in the credits of 'Night Shift' and yours isn't". Kevin Costner, gave me a big smile and said, "Yep, so what, I'm a famous movie star now and you're not". LMAO, I love it when someone tells it like it is!!! We had a great night reminiscing of fun times.
OK, that's my silly movie trivia for today.
Robbin
xoxo
Robbin Young -IMDb Film Credits:
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0949999/
(FYI: I contacted IMDb and requested they add Kevin Costner's name to their list of actors that performed in Night Shift, and they did...but, his name doesn't appear in the original film credits. :-) hehe)
