:: and this i know ::

“Tell me in 1 sentence the Corey Feldman obsession…”

This is a question I have been asked quite a few times in my life, more so lately due to finally meeting Corey Feldman a week ago this evening at a book signing for Coreyography: A Memoir. This time it was asked by my friend Rita* in one of my treasured chats with her on messenger. In the case of Rita, I know she is curious, is being serious. Other times I have been asked that question it has been with a slight smile, an attempt at understanding what the person asking assumes is an ironic fandom.

I am unsure why this is, as I am pretty honest about anything that I am a fan of: whether it be the “Roller Disco” episode of CHiPs, the cinematic classic Teen Witch or books on the pornography business,* I will come clean and say “yes, I like this (fill in the blank).” For this reason I am unsure why others think that I am joking when I say that I am excited about Corey.

I am also unsure why others refuse to remember the work he has contributed. Stand By Me is forever remembered as the film I saw for my birthday with friends during our last year of junior high. The Goonies was better than the adult film it was based on (yeah, I did not care for Indiana Jones). Gremlins was a classic (the sequel not so much). The Lost Boys is probably the most current of the vampire films that I enjoy.

Before you mention that these are old works, I LOVE Rock & Roll High School Forever (which I mentioned when I met him), Dweebs was a funny show. He made a great appearance on USA’s Psych (another show I will not miss), Dream a Little Dream was great, as was the film version of Tales from the Crypt. I admit, I have not seen a lot of his current work, mostly due to distribution issues.

Unfortunately, when I bring up these facts people still think I am joking, which to be honest is likely due to the slightly (cough, cough) snarky personality. It is times like that I wish I were able to have a sign that states I am not being sarcastic, however I am sure that some would see my holding the sign as a way of being sarcastic.

For the record: I am a fan of Corey Feldman. An honest fan who had been mentioning to a few friends for quite a few years now that I wish he would write an autobiography, and that if he did I would be in line for the signing. On Thursday, November 7th I found myself asking to get out of work a bit early so that I could leave work early (any guess as to what the boss asked me?) so that I could head over to wait for Corey’s signing.

Was it yet another thing to add to the Araby list? In a way, yes. It was not a matter of being disappointed by Corey – no, he was amazing with his fans. He thanked everyone who asked a question during the audience Q&A and the took time to speak to each and every person who had something signed. Not just a “thank you for buying my book,” but he would ask questions, or if he was asked a question, he would honestly take the time to answer, and provide a bit more information if he could – and then would thank the person for being there. The only downside to the signing was at the beginning.

It was not due to the late start to the evening, but rather to my observing him during the press op at the start where various photographers were there shooting Corey with his book, Coreyography. I have been to quite a few signings in my life, but never have I seen anyone cooperate for the cameras like Corey: he posed in multiple positions, smiled, took off the sunglasses, held the book, put the book beside him, turned to face each and every person taking the photos. Why was this a downside?

This may be due to my reading Coreyography, but I could not help but be sad. Not due to his getting press for his book, but because I could see it. I could see how he was trained from a young age to be accommodating, to smile, to be “on” for the cameras, to make sure that people are given what they want. It is not a spoiler to state that one of the things revealed in the autobiography is that he was unfortunately molested. Seeing him for that brief moment made me realize how he could easily be seen as prey for pedophiles.

What is amazing though is that now he is speaking out, something that is never easy, and facing questions asking about the timing, which should not be a concern as it is a difficult decision he made to speak out publicly. What is amazing is that he is trying, sincerely trying, to be creative, to find an outlet for his feelings. What is amazing is the way his voice softens when he was asked about his son, who he said was not there because his only job is to be “Dad” to him, not to be an actor. Here is someone who is aware of his reputation, of his public perception, and still finds the strength to persevere. How many people can say that?

Oh, before I forget, my answer to Rita’s question:

“I like Feldman’s movies and feel that if not for his eccentricities he would be in indie films a la Crispin.”

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*Rita is not her real name, but “a cool fucking name” that I like to use when either speaking to or about her to others.

*NOTE: I love to read about the business side of the porn industry: whether it be books by the actors or histories of the industry, I find it all very fascinating.

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