It's been almost 20 years since Caroline Williams appeared in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 and managed to bite, claw and scream her way into our hearts. And although she's currently busy preparing for her horror convention debut at Texas Frightmare Weekend in February 2006, she graciously accepted my request for an interview. It is both an honor and a privilege to present that interview to you, her adoring fans. So, without any further ado, here's what she had to say:

Your character and performance in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2 seemed so genuine. Are you simply an incredible actress or was there a little bit of Caroline Williams in Stretch (or vice versa)?

The apple never falls far from this particular tree. The character of Vanita ("Stretch") Brock was supposed to be ambitious and a little self-serious; Tobe and Kit told me long after the fact that they were determined that a Texas girl play the role, and that when I ran in the room, hauled them off their chairs and piled them in front of the audition room door they knew they had someone who took herself a little too seriously and really wanted that part.

Had you seen the first Texas Chainsaw Massacre before you auditioned for the part of Stretch & what were your thoughts about starring in a sequel?

I had seen the original in Austin in 1974. Scared the shit out of me. I knew the sequel would be a big box office draw, because Tobe Hooper was directing. So I was thrilled to be a part of it.

Considering the sheer intensity of your role and the variety of physical and emotional hurdles that your character had to face, were there any scenes that were particularly hard for you?

The entire role was very physical with lots of jumping, running, and fighting. I had never done any stunts before, but I've always been really athletic. I knew that I would be in nearly every frame of film and would be in constant motion. However, I am afraid of heights and never dreamed that in the first week of filming, I'd be twirling through the Chainsaw Dance with a running saw at the edge of a 20 foot drop.

Moreover, since it seemed as if your character was always either being chased, terrorized or otherwise harassed, were there any scenes that you found easy or enjoyable?

Because of the physical demands of the role, it was, naturally, a terrific break to get a little more up-close and personal with the other actors. The action sequences felt a lot like a one-woman show; the scenes with Bill Moseley (radio station tour); Bill Johnson's soulful eyes; every moment with Lou Perry, and the front step scene with Dennis Hopper were enormous fun and it was great to learn so much from so many great pros. It was a lot like dancing. Great dancers make you a little lighter on your feet and when it hits a groove, it's like flying.

What was your most memorable experience while filming The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2?

It's so difficult to single out any moment, it was such a life changing experience. I had never shouldered so much responsibility before, and had certainly never worked long days and nights. Getting to know Tobe, Kit, Moseley, Lou, Bill Johnson, Hopper and the other cast and crew members; watching the work happen all around me, in every department, every day; learning how movies come together from the ground up; watching and hearing about the editing process. It's a mind-boggling, exhausting universe in and of itself. Being transported to another planet and living a lifetime along with others doing the same thing. A journey that can't be reduced to a single memory. But I have two pencil drawings from wardrobe gal, Julia Gombert. They are still hanging in my house to this day, and when I look at them, I remember the wonderfulness of it all.

Were there any experiences that occurred during filming that you wish you could forget?

Getting my inner thigh seared by a steam charge buried underneath the ice in the ice-house scene; totally stopped the show, took me to an emergency room where the doc took a look, slapped on some salve and I walked funny the rest of the day.

Do you have any fond memories of fellow cast and/or crew members that you'd like to share?

I never met so many dedicated, fast-thinking, hard-working creative people in my life. I was in the middle of an energetic whirlwind of wonderful. I'll never forget them.

The script was reportedly a work in progress during filming, which I suspect wasn't easy on the cast, but do you feel that L.M. Kit Carson's creative spontaneity added or detracted from the film?

Actually, Kit Carson's script was a masterwork in itself. I have an original first draft. Cannon Films was exactly the wrong bunch of guys for the style of movie Tobe and Kit were shooting for. It was a crazy-quilt, satire/parody on the page. But Kit is also a volcano of terrific dialogue ("poodling around, burning up your own house!", "No soap, radio". Any and all ChopTop dialogue. The entire scene in the slaughterhouse with LG). I love working on the fly; the atmosphere was seat-of-your-pants/pants-on-fire/spit-it-out. I love that.

What was your impression of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 the first time you saw it on the big (or small) screen?

I was both breathless and pissed off. Golan/Globus (Cannon Films) had hacked the thing to pieces and many of the best stuff was missing. But that's for Tobe to talk about.

Have you seen any of the other sequels? If so, what was your opinion of them?

I have not. Although Jeff Burr shot III and I had a cameo in it (I appeared in Stepfather II for Jeff), I didn't see the finished product. But Jeff is a tremendously talented guy who's going to get the budgets he deserves! So I'll wait until his Big Picture comes out.

To say that you have quite a set of pipes is an understatement, and it's a fairly well known fact that you did some singing with Texas based bands prior to your role in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Is there any way that your fans could give your vocal stylings that don't involve screaming a listen?

I sang backup on a couple garage recordings in the mid and late 70's. I love jamming with friends in the music business, but have no professional plans.

There's quite a bit of speculation about your cameo in Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III. Some say that Stretch had finally gotten her wish and become a real reporter. Others hypothesize that she was just keeping tabs on the Sawyer clan. Is there any truth to either of those theories?

As I recall, both were the reason (besides the fun of it!) that Jeff invited me to appear in III. It sort of brought Stretch full circle and wrapped up that particular aspect of the story.

During the last five years, I've often wondered if you realized how many fans you have and that even though it's been almost 20 years since Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2's release, they still adore you. If you could say anything to them, what would it be?

I had no idea you were here! I've been so busy with family and TV/movie stuff that I sort of let TCMII stay in the past, although it's at the top of my resume. I'm looking forward to meeting all of you when I tour this winter (beginning in Feb. I believe) and enjoying reliving that time again.

Do you have any projects or appearances in the works that you'd like your fans to know about?

Am always in search of the next job. Had a nice meeting with Joel Surnow, executive producer of "24". Also, read for a nice part on "Cold Case Files" at Warner Brothers this week. Feel free to deluge both shows with fan mail and requests for an appearance!

Note From Leatherfacette: At present, Caroline's official site is under construction, and she is not yet selling autographed photos. However, she has promised to keep me posted if and/or when that changes. If you would like to get in touch with Caroline or ask her a question prior to that point in time, you may contact her in The Devil's Playground Forum under the category Cast Members' Corner/K-OKLA.