ACTRESS LINDSAY BLOOM INTERVIEW ON 'COVER GIRL MODELS'

LINDSAY BLOOM in COVER GIRL MODELS

In the 1970's, exploitation director Roger Corman produced/distributed what are often referred to as three-girl-stories: low-budget films centering on a trio of pretty female characters, ranging from school teachers to nurses to, in this case, COVER GIRL MODELS (directed/produced by Cirio H. Santiago) that, like many of these vehicles, was shot entirely in the Philippines... 

Where actress LINDSAY BLOOM (starting in b-movies while guesting on mainstream television before an important role opposite Stacy Keach on THE NEW MIKE HAMMER) plays perky and resilient model Claire, who, ironically, is striving to be an actress, within the movie itself: co-starring Pat Anderson and Tara Strohmeier.

LINDSAY BLOOM (with John Kramer) in COVER GIRL MODELS

How did you get the role for COVER GIRL MODELS? I was able to get an acting agent after I finished the Dean Martin Show (Fall of 1974). He submitted me and I guess he did a good sales job since I got the role (having never auditioned)!

Also, since I didn’t have any prior SAG credits, I was able to Taft Hartley this movie since I had been in AFTRA for two years. That hotel was near the Makati shopping area! I often went there to get items I needed Tara Strohmeier and I hung out quite a few times: sightseeing, shopping, and even took a canoe ride to see the Pagsanjan Falls. She was friendly and easy to get along with...

LINDSAY BLOOM and Tara Strohmeier in COVER GIRL MODELS

How was it working on a movie in the Philippines? While I was excited about my first movie role, as I stepped off the plane in Manila, I was overcome by the heat and intense humidity! (I had just left winter temperatures in LA.) The taxi cab driver kept looking back at me as he drove me to the hotel and finally asked, “Are you a beauty contest winner? Or American actress?”

I laughed and then said “Both!” Marcos was in power then and I learned you couldn’t be out after 10pm without a pass! I also learned that if they caught you without a ‘pass’ they’d arrest you, and make you cut grass all night. I was always concerned about my safety because my looks made me stand out in their culture...

LINDSAY BLOOM in COVER GIRL MODELS

One day, while filming at the plain near a volcano (also near Pagsanjan Falls) we were overrun by 2 buses of Japanese tourists…like ants at a picnic. The director, Cicero Santiago, yelled cut and told us to go to our trailers. Needless to say, the ‘tourists’ took pictures of EVERYTHING and EVERYONE…

One morning I woke up itching my legs and arms…I realized I had over 50 mosquito bites from night shooting while waiting for my hotel shuttle I learned of a local product which worked very well to stop the itching… I also had to work while sick (later on) and they had a cot for me to lay on in between takes! The doctor had given me nasty-tasting large black tablets. But they worked… And I just wanted to add the what was great doing a movie in this foreign country because all the Filipino’s spoke English I also loved their food: Lumpia, Siopao, and Calamansi Juice (their Lemonade, which takes 12 of their very small lemons to make it)! 

LINDSAY BLOOM in COVER GIRL MODELS

How was it working with the other cast members? It was nice to have three other American actors to work with and be around. Roger Corman sent four of us and everyone else was hired in the Philippines! 

The four of us often went to Disco clubs on the weekend. Since I loved to dance anyway (from my previous training in Omaha, Nebraska) and also being on The Dean Martin Show (as the last ‘Ding-a-ling Sister’ they hired)...

LINDSAY BLOOM (kidnapped in a wig) from COVER GIRL MODELS

What other things about the location do you remember? I really enjoyed the club, “Where Else” in the bottom of the Intercon Hotel. They played great music and we even got to meet Jose Feliciano. I discovered the Filipino people were very nice to work with! 

I was also asked to do a local TV Talk show by Yolanda Dominguez, who I knew from the Miss International Beauty Pageant in Tokyo, Japan 1972. She placed 2nd and I got 4th as Miss USA. It was wonderful to see her again and do the interview.

LINDSAY BLOOM in COVER GIRL MODELS

Any scenes that stand out? It’s the scene where I’m modeling a beautiful flowing dress — I’m also dancing. The crew has chained a water buffalo to a broken tree limb...

As I was dancing and turning near him…he blew snot out from his nose which landed on my beautiful dress. I guess he didn’t like seeing red because, the next thing I know, he broke loose from the tree and started chasing me I ran like a maniac while the animal handler tried to get the water buffalo under control: That was a close call for sure!!!

LINDSAY BLOOM in COVER GIRL MODELS

Roger Corman made so many of these films… some were hands-on productions, others he bought and distributed… Was he there during filming? The short answer is ‘No’. He was not on location with us. Not sure he had much to do with the production because [producer/director] Cicero Santiago oversaw everything and had their own trucks, crew, etc…

Perhaps our movie was edited in LA but I’ll have to recheck the movie credits. Roger Corman was a formulaic producer and definitely focused on the distribution of multiple movies as fast as he could (to my recollection)!

Recent photos of LINDSAY BLOOM... Thanks for the interview!

What's been happening lately? I’ve been married to actor-singer-songwriter, Mayf Nutter, for 45 years… We have 3 children and 5 grandchildren… I’m a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. I’ve been a sales and Marketing Consultant for 25 years. I also came out of acting retirement to play the Mayor, Aurora Cox, in the movie Charlie’s Christmas Wish which Lions Gate released in December 2020 on DVD and Streaming Services (due to theaters being closed during Covid)…

I’m currently enjoying researching my Swedish/Irish/Scottish Genealogy, playing with my grand-kids (ages 3-13) and auditioning for TV/Movies when I’m right for a part.

Left: Lindsay Bloom with broadcaster Yolanda Dominguez R: Lindsay with Tara Strohmeier

Lindsay Bloom in the Philippines with Tara Strohmeier

Lindsay Bloom in the Philippines with Tara Strohmeier

Lindsay Bloom in the Philippines during COVER GIRL MODELS