[Note: This interview was originally posted on Mutant Reviewers back in 2003.]

Thomas Mitchell played the tall lunk B.D. in the film PCU. As a rather dim-witted sidekick to David Spade’s snarky character, B.D. gave us a fair share of memorable quotes from this beloved flick. Several years ago, Mitchell recently wrote to us to say he appreciated the fan support:

DUUUUUUUUUUDE!!!!! Thank you for keeping the ‘PC’ alive. Working on this film was a fantastic experience. The director, Hart Bochner, was/is a great person to work with, as was David Spade, Jon Favreau (the clown that George bowls over when the fire breaks out in the Seinfeld episode), Jeremy Piven, Jake Busey, Alex D. etc. I can’t believe that was almost 10 years ago. Maybe it’s time for a reunion/ sequel. I’ve got some killer ideas about that. I thank my girl for finding this site for me. And I thank you for your enthusiasm regarding the movie. As an actor up here in Canada, I’m just waitin’ by the phone, peeling an orange and playing my guitar, waitin’ for the next big gig. That sure was a nice one and I’d love to do it all again. Thanks for the forum and I’ll be sure to write again soon.

Yours, Bantam Draper ‘ 94 a.k.a. Thomas Mitchell ‘ 89

As we can never suppress enthusiasm from cult film stars, we sent a specially-trained squad of interrogators over to Mitchell’s abode to get the truth out of him, in any way possible. Thumbscrews were involved. We had to sound-proof the kitchen. It was truly, higgely-piggely. But in the end, the man behind the frat gave up the information we sought for so long.

Mutant Reviewers: Thomas, you played B.D. in PCU. Let’s get this out of the way first — what’s it like being the dumb bad guy in the movie?

Thomas Mitchell: One word. Easy. Being dumb comes naturally and if you’ve seen my acting you know that I’m quite bad.

Mutant Reviewers: How did you get to be involved with PCU?

Thomas Mitchell: Interestingly, I just happened to drop by my agency after a rather long day on the set of a Canadian war film titled Dieppe about a failed landing by the Allied Forces during the summer of ’42. A precursor to the ‘D-Day’ invasion. Anyway, I walked into the agency and my agent frantically asked me just what the hell I was doing there when I apparently had a “call-back” across town for this film that I had auditioned for a few weeks back. I had no idea that she had been trying to reach me all day. It was pure luck that I had gone by the agency. So, off I went to the audition running late and not really thinking that I had much of a chance. I did the read and went home.

A couple of weeks later I was on location filming the war pic when the phone rings. I’m just getting’ out of the shower with nothin’ on but a face cloth and it’s the wardrobe department from PCU wonderin’ what my measurements are. That was the first time that I had heard that I had gotten the role. Usually your agent calls you, but instead I’m hearing it from some lady in the wardrobe department. Despite the miscommunications and through the sheer luck of it I was onboard.

It was a very exciting time for me and once I got on set the fun never stopped. I had previously worked with Alex on a television show called “The Heights” in Vancouver the year before so that was also a great surprise to see him again. A fantastic guy. I felt real lucky to be a part of this film!

Mutant Reviewers: Share with us a memorable memory (or two) from your PCU experience.

Thomas Mitchell: Throwing the football around with Hart Bochner between takes and getting into trouble from the hair/make-up people and the wardrobe people because my Brooks Brothers’ suit was getting’ mangled. But I just didn’t care cause if you give me a football and a field to throw it around, I’m gonna have toss the ol’ pigskin. I think we actually broke some of the crews’ equipment once…or twice. Also I should mention the joyous memory of getting slapped in the face about 150 times from Jeremy during the cocktail scene. And let’s not forget that we were filming a “college” movie, which meant lots of pretty girls about!

Mutant Reviewers: Were you wearing protection when Katie drove a sign into your groin?

Thomas Mitchell: Yes. If you look very closely you can see that I am wearing earplugs. I honestly don’t remember but my ‘fellas’ still seem a little swollen. OUCH!!!!

Mutant Reviewers: What was your favorite line from PCU?

Thomas Mitchell: Partly because I was in awe of the great Jessica Walter. She was so nice, as well as being such a superb actress. The scene with her and David Spade, “I’ve done a little collage work myself.” Her reaction as she’s backing away. The absolute fear and abhorrence at my utter stupidity. She is a dream of a lady.

Mutant Reviewers: Do you keep in touch with any of the other cast/crew members from that film?

Thomas Mitchell: I wish. Hart sent me a note with a CD of the soundtrack a few years ago. In the note he went on to say that his arm was still sore from tossin’ the ball around. I regret not having spent more time with David Spade. The next year I saw Tommy Boy, and I’ve seen it probably a dozen times since. I think that the Spade/Farley team was one of the absolute best. Chris Farley is the funniest man I have ever seen and I miss him dearly as I am sure many of his fans do. There will be many who try but NO ONE will ever come close to his energy, his charm, his wit, his very being. Quite simply, I feel that he is without peer. Such a loss.

Mutant Reviewers: Was PCU’s box office a big disappointment? How about your feelings on its resurgence as a cult hit?

Thomas Mitchell: As long as no one lost money on this film, I couldn’t care less about the box office. This entire film experience was so incredibly positive. The executive producer, Paul Schiff, held a special screening up here in Toronto the following spring just before it‘s theatrical release. It was held at a private cinema house with all kinds of refreshments and goodies. That is not the way that people usually do business but it’s a testament to the great people who were involved and it’s indicative of why perhaps people continue to write in in support of the film whether they be fans or actors or crew etc.

I come from a small town just down the road from Toronto, and I took a few of my friends to see the show. They loved it. We were the only ones there and I thought to myself… Hmmmm, I hope that it does better elsewhere than it’s doing here, as we made up over half the house and there were only five of us. But really, how many great films are there that no one’s seen? Plenty, I’m sure!

Like I said, as long as nobody lost money making it. I think that this wonderful cult following says a lot more about this film than dollars and cents. Kudos to you guys for keepin’ it alive.

Mutant Reviewers: Moving on to other projects… what have you been involved with in the past decade? Are you acting full-time?

Thomas Mitchell: I started in this business when I was just nine months old. My mother is an actress and my father an artist so I feel that I’ve come by it honestly. When I left university, I knew that I wanted to be an actor. I still do. It hasn’t been easy, to say the least.

And in the meantime I’ve had to work many different jobs: bouncer, Greenpeace canvasser, motorcycle instructor, renovator, courier, painter, mover, trade-show rep, lock installer, tree-planter, driver, etc., etc., etc. However that seems to be the nature of the beast sometimes. I’ve become a helluva stonemason and I play a pretty mean guitar. I’m playing guitar/singing gigs throughout the city. Playing everything from Johnny Cash to Velvet Underground. So at least I’m still getting’ up on the stage and rockin’ out! I’m not acting as much as I’d like, but who is? It’s a different deal up here in Canada, let me tell ya!! Always a struggle, but I’m still in the game and happy to be.

Of late, I’ve enjoyed some great on-screen moments. Romances with the likes of Brittany Murphy and THE Donna Mills can be seen on the small screen. I’ve enjoyed the good fortune of working lead and principal roles on over half-a-dozen films with Canada’s national television station, C.B.C. (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation). Playing everything from rogue cops to Bikers, lovesick husbands to terrified lumberjacks, (having just been assaulted by Bigfoot).

When I’m not working or avoiding the creditors, I’m usually playing hockey or riding my motorcycle. The very same bike that I road to and from the set of PCU while filming on the campus of the beautiful University of Toronto.

Mutant Reviewers: What are some of your favorite movies?

Thomas Mitchell: I could go on and on but I’ll give you my Top 20: Anything with James Cagney, especially The Public Enemy or Angels with Dirty Faces, The Searchers, Shane, One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest, Mad Max, The Terminator, Life of Brian, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Sexy Beast, Unforgiven, Easy Rider, The Deer Hunter, Heat, Tommy Boy, Blazing Saddles, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, The Sand Pebble, and how ‘bout PCU as # 20?

Mutant Reviewers: Finally, the 10th anniversary of PCU is coming up next year… if they made a sequel to PCU, what should it be about?

Thomas Mitchell: Wow, when I’m breakin’ rocks in the hot sun, I think about this all the time. A quick taste:

Still David Spade’s right-hand man… doin’ his dirty work. He’s still the snidely snotty little worm who now runs a used car dealership in some greasy small town. The big fish in the small pond, so to speak. I wanna play a wrench spinnin’ biker who’s too dumb to do anything else but I’m still trying to make the worm happy. Word leaks out that Jeremy Piven’s character, who is now a big Hollywood-type, a director or producer is coming to Spade’s town to make an art film/movie. The stage is set for either the ultimate revenge or a repeat of further shenanigans. Piven’s character doesn’t realize that Spade is one of the town’s inbred fathers until it is almost too late as the film is plagued by poor luck such as disgruntled locals, permit requirements, sabotage (that’s where I come in), and Spade’s master plan for his ultimate revenge. Still an on-going affair between Piven and the lovely Sarah Trigger as Jon Favreau could perhaps play himself as the movies’ lead. There would be plenty of other characters blasting in from the past perhaps but as I said, that’s just a taste.

I’m thinkin’ State and Main meets PCU meets Breaking Away meets Grosse Point Blank. Obviously, I have too much time on my hands some days. It’s been an absolute pleasure boys and girls. I can’t thank you enough. Take care, hope to hear from you soon. All the best.

Mutant Reviewers: Thanks, Thomas, we appreciate your time!