Steve Martin and Frank Oz have each launched statements this weekend disputing an account from Miriam Margolyes’ new memoir, wherein the Harry Potter actor writes that Martin was “unlovely and unapologetic” on the set of Little Store Of Horrors, leaving her “repeatedly punched, slapped, and knocked down.”
Margolyes seems in a single variety of Oz’s 1986 movie adaptation of the comedy-horror musical: “Dentist!” wherein Martin’s Orin Scrivello, DDS, rampages via his personal dental workplaces. That features punching his assistant (Margolyes) within the face, and later slamming her with a door. In Margolyes’ account—revealed in her new guide Oh Miriam!, and as reported by Variety—she writes that “Throughout my solely musical quantity (‘Dentist!’) I used to be hit all day by doorways opening in my face; repeatedly punched, slapped, and knocked down by an unlovely and unapologetic Steve Martin. Maybe he was methodology performing – and [I] got here dwelling grumpy with a splitting headache.” (She later provides that Martin is “undeniably good” however that he was “horrid to me….Let it not be mentioned that I’ve by no means suffered within the identify of Artwork.”)
Martin has issued an announcement that disputes Margolyes claims’—and particularly the implication that he ignored her security or well-being whereas filming collectively:
Once I first learn Miriam Margolyes pejorative account of our scene in Little Store Of Horrors, I used to be stunned. My reminiscence is that we had a very good communication as skilled actors. However when it’s implied that I harmed her or was in a roundabout way careless about doing the stunts, I’ve to object. I bear in mind taking EXTREME warning relating to the pretend punch – the identical warning I might use with any comparable scene. She assured me she felt positive, and we did a couple of profitable takes and stopped. There was by no means any bodily contact between her and me, unintended or in any other case, on this scene or every other we shot.
Martin’s representatives additionally handed alongside an announcement from Oz, who’s labored with Martin on a number of movies:
I at all times rehearse bodily actions in sluggish movement. The scene was supposed to incorporate a pretend punch. It’s puzzling what she’s speaking about. It’s not the Steve I do know or anybody is aware of. He’s at all times been skilled and respectful of everybody on all of my shoots.
Margolyes—a veteran actor with almost 200 credit to her identify, together with enjoying Professor Sprout within the Harry Potter movies—has by no means been apologetic about voicing points with different actors. Which, sure: Consists of that point she says Arnold Schwarzenegger farted on her face whereas making Finish Of Days. (Schwarzenegger has by no means commented on that specific allegation.)
