Read the April 4, 2008 interview in The Desert Sun.
At 93 years and as many pounds, Mimi Weddell continues to make her mark in the world, as demonstrated in the documentary Hats Off.
"(The film covers) 10 years out of 93, but we'll be here until we're older than God," remarked Weddell with a cheerful chatter.
It becomes obvious that she plans on making each year count. There are not many nonagenarians who would continue to hit the New York City streets for acting gigs and photo shoots, but Weddell does it with style. If her hair is not behaving, all the better excuse for wearing a fabulous hat.
"It sort of depends on the audition," she explained. "If they say, 'Just wear anything,' I will try to find something to complete the costume — something that feels just a little humorous, a little eccentric, a little gay, so that everybody won't think this is just an old lady."
Throughout her years of auditioning, she would occasionally bump into her daughter's childhood friend, Jyll Johnstone, who had also been bit by the acting bug.
"After that phase was over, she called and asked to follow me around with a camera," said Weddell. "I didn't think very much about it."
Hats Off completes a trilogy of documentaries by Johnstone celebrating women of progressing years and progressing talents, including Martha & Ethel and Throwing Curves: Eva Zeisel.
"She is really the sweetest director — unflappable Jyll," Weddell commented. "She's so patient, and I think that is an accomplishment."
Capturing ages 80 to 90, the film follows Weddell as she attends classes for acting, singing and dancing. During the interview she even broke into song while gushing about her love for classic jazz and her addiction to Fordham University's Sunday night jazz radio show.
" 'I'm gonna sit right down and write myself a letter,' " she began. "It must've been painful to (my singing coach), as I used to sing when I was young but didn't take it seriously."
Weddell is also seen in the film hanging over uneven bars. However, the years have begun to take their toll.
"I might arise from the bed with energy, but in 15 minutes it may be gone," she noted. "A teaspoonful of brandy helps if I can't get to the gym to stand on my head."
Often seen in the film smoking with a cigarette holder, Weddell confesses to her only vice.
"They would really gladly slit my throat if they saw me smoke, as my aunt paid me $5 during the Depression to not smoke until I was 17," she said. "I don't know if it sends me back to those days of being so light on my feet and dancing down the street and singing, but I enjoy it as I do coffee."
With roles that span from The Purple Rose of Cairo to Hitch, Weddell has worked with a variety of filmmakers.
"(Johnstone) is totally different (from other directors)," she said. "If you're doing a movie as an extra, (the director's) eye is on the camera and they'll shift their eye from you to the camera or maybe a wink backstage. But I’'ve loved them all."
Including a memorable transgendered role as Miss Mumsley in the 1981 horror spoof, Student Bodies.
"That was the one that I did as soon as my husband died," she recalled, even claiming in the film to attend the audition on her way to his memorial service. "(Director Michael Ritchie) was terribly sweet, working against time and money. I didn't think much about the movie, but it became a cult movie."
In choosing her roles, personality can trump the paycheck. "If I like (the director), I don't care whether they pay me $2 or $200, as long as I have a love of what we're doing," she said.
Weddell attended a screening of Hats Off at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
"Everybody was so sweet and enthusiastic. It was a wonderful audience, and I can't wait to go back," she said. "I never felt better than while being in Palm Springs — maybe it's the atmosphere, maybe it's the air."
Weddell will return to Palm Springs with her daughter Sarah Dillon and Johnstone to attend Camelot Theatre's opening show and reception, which will benefit the AIDS Assistance Program of Palm Springs.