By: debbie lynn elias
When I spoke with Bailee Madison last year during the press tour for Don‘t Be Afraid of the Dark, she had just completed filming of Cowgirls ‘N Angels. Her excitement was palpable and her face lit up like a Christmas tree when she told me about getting to ride horses, hang out in barns and for once, getting to be a little girl. I promised here then that I would definitely review the film this year but then I got an added bonus with the film’s release when Bailee made her way to Los Angeles for an interview. Always wonderful to get together with Bailee and her mom, she grinned from ear to ear the entire time and really let her little girl enthusiasm shine through as we chatted like girlfriends about hair color, hair cuts (which Bailee only dreams about doing, so don’t worry about her flowing mane disappearing!), being a cowgirl and a horse named Hank.
This is a lovely little film that I absolutely love. In fact, I‘ve already watched it twice. Now having seen the film and knowing your mom was there while you were filming, I have to ask you – Did your mother have a heart attack while you were on the horse?
I think she had about 50 heart attacks every day. She would have my helmet. She’d be chasing after me yelling, “Doesn’t Bailee need a helmet on?” It was so great! But I definitely think she died about 5 times during the filming.
There are some really cool trick riding stunts in the film, including the famous Hippodrome which we see a partial frame of you doing. Did you actually get to do The Hippodrome stunt?
I wasn’t allowed. No. But, listen listen listen!!! During lunch break, the producers and everyone was there and I went up to one of the incredible riders and I said, “Would I be able to do it on your horse during lunch?” So I go, and she puts me on her horse and I DID A HIPPODROME ON HER HORSE! She teaches me! My mom’s taking photos. I’m doing like an Indian Castaway [stunt] too, where I’m totally off [the horse] and I have one of my legs twisted and one of my arms on the saddle and I’m hanging off the horse. I went up to Tim [Armstrong] and the producer and said , “Look at this! Look what I did!” And their jaws dropped. It was great.
We’re not showing the insurance company these pictures, are we? [laughing]
Exactly! I did it all at my own risk. I had so much fun! It wasn’t like full running, but I stood up and [the horse] walked me around. But, these riders are so talented. I always say that the amount of speed they’re going at in this movie does not give it justice as to how fast they’re going in real life. They’re hauling butt, doing these tricks. The entire crew, by the end of it, had so much appreciation for them. And they really took such good care of me.
And you got to ride in the 89’ers Parade! And you got to carry the flag!
I did! That was our first day filming actually. I got to carry the flag which was quite heavier than I imagined. I remember thinking when we’re at the [arena] gates and we’re all holding our flags and we do the drills for that scene, and we’re at the arena, that was my first time really holding a flag and you only have one hand on the reins. That was crazy for me. My hat flew off and I was like “YEE-HAW!” I was like a real rodeo girl. That’s definitely when my mom had a heart attack.
Your poor mother! The things you put her through!
I know. I love her to death. For me, I think she’s almost happy for this film because I get to re-discover and nurture these creatures [horses] and learn about them. When I wasn’t filming I was just so fascinated with them. I wanted to learn more. And the horse named Hank [called Prince in the movie and which Bailee rode] , who I absolutely fell in love with. I don’t think he really liked his name in the movie. I was like, “Oh, Prince Hank”. I love him so much. On my last day, I said to him, “I hope you always think of me like your second mom.”
What is your most favorite thing you learned about working with horses from this film?
My favorite thing I learned about horses is just getting to watch them and see their minds just the way that they work. The nice thing about this film is that when the horses were tired and they weren’t into filming, and they just wanted to go back and eat an apple in their trailers, we would call it quits for the day. We would do that for our schedule because at the end of the day, these are creatures and they have a mind of their own and we really need to take care of them. For me, getting to watch them and see how smart they are, and how loving, and how they never want to hurt one of their owners. Hank took such good care of me, honestly. Everyday I’d say a prayer and I’d get on him and you could just feel the love that he had. Just to see these creatures. It was so nice for me to get to experience. I think every kid should .
What about the real people on set? You got to work with James Cromwell.
I did!
This film is primarily you, Hank and James. So how is it working with a veteran like James Cromwell?
It was a complete honor. A word for this man would be humble. He would walk on set and when I met him – I love his work, but most importantly, I love who he is as a human being – he would really just walk like that [humble]. He was so kind to the cast and crew. He would just be the definition of humble. I hope to one day be as talented as he is and to be able to be like him, and [have] his humble ways, and be down to earth. That’s what you need as an actor, to be humble like that. And I look up to James Cromwell. I love him with all of my heart. He took such good care of me. What a pleasure it was to work with him.
And how fun was it to actually get to be a little girl for this film?
It was SUPER fun! There was no Don‘t Be Afraid of the Dark things happening. Nothing coming after me. Really, for me, there’s no scripts out there like this one. It was full of love. It was full of heart and it was about faith and hope and courage. For me to be a part of it and to be Ida was such an honor. I just love the script. I just love everything about it.
Next up you have a comedy, Parental Guidance with Billy Crystal and Bette Midler. When does that come out?
Christmas Day. I play the violin. I sound like a cat. [screeching]
So what’s more fun? Horse riding or playing the violin?
Horse riding, fer sure! Absolutely!
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