Original-Cin Q&A: Queen Bees' Ann-Margret in defence of seniors homes and a shout out to The Flintstones' Ann-Margrock
“Age before beauty,” goes the saying. Although sometimes the two are in a tie.
Queen Bees, coming to select theatres and VOD on Friday, stars the cream of a very ripe crop.
In the film Oscar Winner Ellen Burstyn, 88, plays Helen, a fiercely independent senior who - while her house undergoes repairs - moves into a nearby retirement community. You know, just temporarily.
Behind the doors, she encounters lusty widows and a hotbed of bullying “mean girls” ― like high school all over again. Joining Burstyn in Queen Bees is the legendary Ann-Margret, 80, Loretta Devine, 71, Jane Curtin, 73, James Caan, 81, and Christopher Lloyd, 82.
Our Bonnie Laufer had a short and sweet ZOOM call with Ann-Margret about the film and her memorable role in the animated series, The Flintstones.
Ann-Margret in Queen Bees
CLICK HERE to see Bonnie’s video interview with co-star Loretta Devine.
ORIGINAL-CIN: Greetings from Toronto Ann-Margret. It is an absolute thrill to talk to you today. How are you?
ANN-MARGRET:: Well, I thank you. I feel great and it’s wonderful to talk to you today. I love Toronto, it’s one of my favourite cities.
O-C: So once the borders are open, you've got to come back. It was a joy to watch you in this film. The chemistry between you and your co-stars felt real. Was it?
ANN-MARGRET: It really was. This is actually the third film that I have been in with Ellen Burstyn, but this is the most screen time I’ve had with her. In two films, I was the other woman (including 1985’s Twice in a Lifetime with Gene Hackman) and we did not have any scenes together. So, working on Queen Bees gave us an opportunity to really work together and it was so much fun.
PROUDLY SUPPORTS ORIGINAL-CIN
O-C: Tell me a little bit about bonding with these ladies. Was there anything special that you had to do? I know you had to learn to play Bridge and that is not an easy game.
ANN-MARGRET: Well, I'm not really a card person so you’re right, it wasn’t easy! (Laughs) I did know Canasta when I was 10 years old, but I'm from a family of non-card players! We didn't really play cards or games when I was growing up.
However, a couple of my friends are very good, so I spent a lot of time with them and I took notes and tried very hard to not be shocked by anything that went on. I had great fun with these ladies, we laughed a little too much!
Ellen Burstyn, Loretta Devine, Ann-Margret and Jane Curtin take their medicine.
O-C: The one serious message of this film is the topic of retirement homes. There are a lot of seniors who are scared to go to these retirement communities because it signifies coming to grips with aging. All I have to say is, if there's a Pine Grove in my future, sign me up!
ANN-MARGRET: Good for you. Oh man, good for you. It’s lovely to hear that you got it! Truly, if you can do it, do it. You can make so many new friends, you can maybe fall in love with someone. The possibilities are endless and it’s a whole new life just waiting to be explored.
O-C; Yes, and I love that your character Margot got her flirt on with Christopher Lloyd.
ANN-MARGRET: I know, he was so sweet. I thought he was very shy because he is a man of few words. But he made me laugh and always made me smile. Oh my gosh. It was lovely.
O-C: Ann-Margret, before I wrap up I need to tell you something. When I was a little girl, I used to come home every day at lunch from school and watch The Flintstones. I have to tell you that you will always be Ann-Margrock to me.
ANN-MARGRET: (Laughs) That's right. I'm Ann-Margrock and don’t you forget it!
O-C: I want you to sing me a lullaby one day.
ANN-MARGRET: Happy to, can you be Pebbles?
O-C: Are you kidding? I can put up my hair and be Pebbles in a minute!
ANN-MARGRET: Well then, that's great! Any time!