New wave wouldn’t be the same without Blondie. Their infectious blend of pop, disco, and punk, topped with Debbie Harry’s captivating stage presence, took the music world by storm. Hits like “One Way or Another” and “Heart of Glass” are ingrained in pop culture history.
But Harry’s talents extended beyond music. A recent interview revealed a surprising facet of her tastes – a love for science fiction! Discussing her favorite films, she shared an unexpected sci-fi pick that might surprise even the most dedicated Blondie fan. It turns out, the punk rock goddess has a soft spot for an iconic sci-fi film.
During an interview with Vulture, Harry revealed that the neo-noir masterpiece Blade Runner was “one of my favourite pictures”.
Debbie Harry on Femininity and Exploration
In her memoir, Face It, Debbie Harry reflects on her groundbreaking role in rock music. “I was playing up the idea of being a very feminine woman while fronting a male rock band in a highly macho game,” she wrote.
This deliberate image challenged the rock scene’s expectations of female performers. Harry’s lyrics defied the norm as well: “I wasn’t submissive or begging him to come back, I was kicking his ass, kicking him out, kicking my own ass, too.” She empowered women with her music, expressing a strength and agency rarely seen in rock at the time.
Harry’s career transcended music. While leading Blondie to success and embarking on a solo career in the 80s, she actively pursued acting. The 70s saw her exploring arthouse films, showcasing her artistic depth. The following decade brought a shift towards more popular, albeit unconventional, film roles.
A Flair for the Strange
Debbie Harry’s artistic talents stretched beyond music. In 1983, she teamed up with director David Cronenberg for the mind-bending sci-fi film Videodrome. This body horror explored reality’s fragility as a man becomes entangled with a disturbing broadcast. Harry’s role as a radio host with unconventional interests showcased her acting range and was met with critical acclaim.
A few years later, Harry took a comedic turn in John Waters’ Hairspray. Here, she embodied the hilariously villainous Velma Von Tussle, a blonde bombshell with equally bigoted views. Despite the character’s unpleasantness, Harry infused her performance with humor, making Velma a standout.
These diverse roles proved her acting chops, but music remained her primary focus. This limited her film opportunities, leading her to miss out on a dream role in Ridley Scott’s Blade Runner, released in 1982.
She Missed Out on Blade Runner Because She “Was Touring so Much”
Debbie Harry’s jam-packed schedule with Blondie ultimately limited her film pursuits. “I was touring so much,” she explained, “it was virtually impossible for me to step out of that. It really was a circus.” This unfortunately meant she had to pass on Blade Runner, a film that would become a sci-fi landmark.
Speculation suggests Harry had her sights on the lead female role, Rachael, ultimately played by Sean Young. The film follows Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford) as he reluctantly hunts rogue Replicants, bioengineered androids. His mission takes an unexpected turn as he develops feelings for Rachael, unaware of her true nature.
While a Debbie Harry-led Rachael would have been a fascinating on-screen presence, it would have come at a significant cost. Ultimately, Harry’s commitment to her thriving music career with Blondie took precedence.