Malcolm McDowell Photo Credit: Steve Vukasovic

Malcolm McDowell, who starred in the 1971 film directed by Stanley Kubrick, will greet fans and sign autographs in Naperville, Illinois at Hollywood Palms Cinema and host a special screening of “A Clockwork Orange”, August 12, 2011 at 9:00PM.

First a novel, “A Clockwork Orange” was written by British author Anthony Burgess in 1962. Stanley Kubrick wrote the screenplay and produced the film in 1971. McDowell stars as the main character Alex, who’s portrayed as a juvenile delinquent in a futuristic world.

I chatted with McDowell via phone on Monday afternoon prior to his visit. He enlightened me on several elements of the film.

McDowell said Kubrick cast him in the film after he had appeared in a movie directed by Lindsey Anderson.

“I was cast in “A Clockwork Orange” by Stanley Kubrick after he saw my work in the film ‘If’. I consider Lindsey Anderson my mentor. I enjoyed my work with Kubrick, but Anderson was more of a mentor to me,” McDowell said.

When the controversial film debuted in England it was so shocking that it was ultimately pulled from theaters. I wondered how McDowell felt.

“I was very proud of the film when it came out, it crossed over into so many genres it is difficult to pigeon hole it, and I’m not sure that it should be. It’s part black comedy, horror and science fiction. Certainly similarities in the humor can be seen in another film Kubrick directed, ‘Dr. Strangelove,’” McDowell said.

The mention of Peter Sellers as the lead in the hysterical Dr. Strangelove film, got us both laughing at this point, especially when discussing our favorite scenes.

McDowell continued, “Kubrick was a genius and went on to make several amazing films, including “2001: A Space Odyssey.”

And whom does McDowell find to be mesmerizing onscreen as an actor?

“(Leonardo) DiCaprio is someone that is a wonderful actor, I truly enjoy watching him onscreen. Robert Downey Jr. is another actor who is one of this generation’s most talented actors. He get’s it, he really does,” McDowell said.

Does McDowell enjoying meeting his fans?

“You betcha! I’m certainly not out every weekend signing autographs, but I do enjoy meeting fans of ‘A Clockwork Orange’ and sharing a few stories with them,” McDowell stated.

Chatting with Malcolm McDowell was a very pleasant experience. He was funny and charming. He continues to appear in movies today, such as last year’s “Easy A,” and has recurring roles in HBO’s “Entourage” and TNT’s “Franklin and Bash.”

Sarah Adamson © August 8, 2011