Rupert played Bobby Phillips in if..., his only major movie role. I asked Paul who went to college with him in Boston in the late 1970s to talk about Rupert because at the time he was believed dead - thanks to Lindsay Anderson telling David Sherwin. This in turn put me in contact with Frank, an old band mate of Rupert's. He put me in touch with Karen a recent band mate who put me in touch with Rupert's fiancé and then finally Rupert himself! This took place over the course of November 2001 to February 2002.
How did Rupert end up in Boston?
Paul: I believe he was originally a student at the Royal College in
London - the RC had an exchange program with Mass Art, so a handful of British
pupils would come to study in Boston each year and a group of Boston students
would go across the pond.
I think Rupert liked Boston and decided to stay on. In 1977-8? when we were
hanging out, the Boston rock 'n' roll scene was quite active, so I suppose that
was attractive to a guitar player such as himself. Plus, he met and married Tina
while still a student at Mass Art. Actually, I believe that they got hitched in
London, but continued to live in Boston.
How did you find out he was in if.... ?
When either he or Tina told me about it - I forget which.
Did he ever talk about if....?
Rupert rarely talked about "if..." and when he did it was usually because his wife at the time brought up the subject. He was generally vague about what the experience of acting in the film was like for him. He seemed both embarrassed and proud of the fact that he had appeared in a major film. He did recount the time that Lindsay told him that "this is your big scene." Which scene he was referring to, I don't know. But he seemed to feel that he pulled it off well and the director was quite pleased with his work.
Did he ever talk about Malcolm McDowell?
Not one to be a name-dropper, I don't believe that Rupert ever talked of Malcolm. I'm not sure if they were friendly during the making of the film or not.
Why didn't he ever act again?
I'm not sure why Rupert never acted again. I believe he auditioned for other roles; it seems to me that he did some television in the UK, but that's not usually noted in the online databases. His mother was a noted stage actress. I remember that she was in Canada acting in a play called "The Severed Head." Unfortunately, I can't remember what her stage name was. I think that Rupert was a bit of a perfectionist and was critical of the work that he did in "if...." Perhaps that's what made his hesitant about seeking out more roles.
What else can you tell me about him?
We met at art college in Boston, the Massachusetts College
of Art. We both majored in painting. Rupert played guitar with several rock 'n'
roll and blues bands in Boston, including the Willie Alexander band. He was a
guitar collector and a talented musician and painter. For a while he worked as
manager of a delicatessen in downtown Boston after finishing college. He was a
quiet and humble guy who, like just about everybody fresh out of art school, was
struggling to find a way to express himself and make his way in the world.
If I were to hazard a guess, I suppose the reason why Rupert
stopped acting was his shyness. I doubt that he fully comprehended what he was
doing when he acted in "if...." I can only imagine that he was truly
blown away by seeing himself up on the screen. He and Tina would occasionally go
to see the movie when it played in Boston theaters that showed second-run art
films. They'd sit at the back of the theater and giggle at Rupert's
scenes.
The other distinct memory I have was seeing
"if...." once, late at night on TV, some time after I became friends
with Rupert. What stuck in my mind was that as an adult, he still looked just
like the young teen that he was back when the film was made. I remember
chortling to myself when he came on screen. I said half aloud, "Yup, that's
Rupert, all right." I think the film captured something of his off-screen
personality - his shyness and sensitivity. I would appreciate speaking with any friends or family
members who may read this to learn more about his years up to the mid-1990s when
I had lost touch with him.
I also talked to Frank in December 2001. He played in a band with Rupert Webster.
Are you still in contact with Rupert?
I have not talked to Rupert since 2000 and also have not seen him since he spent a week with me here at my home in June of 1992, but he has sent me pictures, tapes and CD's of the current band(s) he's in and Karen keeps in very close contact with him.
What band were you in with him?
I have played with Rupert in two bands, well 1 1/2. We played in a small band named BlueStone. From there it was Sniper to Siren to Girl On Top and lastly to Willie. Shortly after doing the album with Willie, he moved back to the UK. He lives there now outside of London with wife and child. Sorry I can't recall either of the names right now.
Do you have any stories from those days?
I remember back in the Sniper/Siren days, going over his apartment in the Fenway section of Boston. Nothing big, just two rooms. He pulled out 5 or 6 guitars out of the woodwork. Our old drummer Ron Hilickie (sp?) had gone one day with Rupert to his ex-wife's house somewhere near the cape to pick up a couple of guitars. He recalls seeing many guitar cases in the basement. hen ever we'd ask him how many he owns, he'd reply in his British accent, "A Few". Never could get the exact amount and I really don't think he knew.
What happened the last time you saw him?
Last time I saw Rupert in 1992 he spent a week here to pick up his guitars. All I can tell you is he shipped like 23 guitars (I have a list somewhere of each) back by sea. He took three on the plane with him. I kept 2 here, a 64 SG and a black and gold three pickup Ibanez PF230. Karen kept 2, Bobbie 1, and the producer from Willie's album 1. And I know there we're a couple more kicking about. Go figure.
Any way I can buy a copy of any albums he played on?
There's really only one album that I know of and that's Willies. I'll have to check to see if it's about. I do have some video of not good quality but it's some jam sessions and a video with Willie. I do have some old audio promos from different stages kicking about.
What kind of style does he play?
Funny thing about Rupert, it's his style and sound. I may hear the guitar and know it's him.
Did he ever talk about acting again?
I think his acting days are gone, but he still plays guitar.
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