In an exclusive interview with AMFM Magazine’s Paul Salfen, legendary actress Patty McCormack opens up about her poignant role in the heartfelt new film STOP TIME, her remarkable career spanning decades, and why hope remains a powerful force even after profound loss.
Directed by Paul Schwartz, STOP TIME weaves the intertwined stories of Peter de Vries (Nelson Avidon), a photographer grappling with the grief of losing his wife, and Adrianna Maier (Tara Westwood), a theatrical lighting designer carrying her own deep sadness. Mutual friends believe these two wounded souls could help heal each other. Over the course of 24 hours in New York City, their lives orbit closer until they converge at the opening of Peter’s gallery show—setting them on an unexpected, transformative path.
McCormack delivers a quietly powerful performance as Adrianna’s mother, appearing in a tender, intimate scene set in a senior living environment. She plays a woman who, despite the fog of memory loss and the weight of time, still finds moments of genuine joy and connection with her daughter and granddaughter.
“I think it’s from Paul,” McCormack reflects on the film’s origins. “A lot of it had to do with his journey… losing his life and all that.” She first encountered the story through a shorter version, praising the tone and the talents of Avidon and Westwood. When Westwood reached out asking if she’d consider playing her on-screen mother, McCormack agreed—and the rest, as they say, fell beautifully into place after approval from Schwartz.
The set, she recalls fondly, was a welcoming New York house where the key scene unfolded in one perfect room. “I was sitting on a chair… Tara on one side and Catherine [Quirico] on the other. I felt like the queen of the room,” she laughs. “And Paul sitting there just calmly orchestrating.”
A child star icon best known for her chilling Oscar-nominated turn as Rhoda Penmark in The Bad Seed (1956), McCormack has navigated the ups and downs of show business for over seven decades. She admits there have been “great stretches of time where nothing happened,” but recent years have brought a surprising creative renaissance. A key spark? A friend who cast her in the stage play Just Another Day, a funny and moving romantic comedy about two comedy writers in assisted living navigating memory challenges and their bond. “It really kicked in my… love of it,” she says. The play has toured various venues, with plans potentially taking it to Ireland.
Reflecting on her long career, McCormack offers sage advice to aspiring actors: “If you love it, go for it. But make sure you have something to fall back on.” She stresses the importance of education and self-sufficiency, noting that acting doesn’t always provide stability. “Then you’ll really be able to be creative.”
When asked about her “Hail Mary” moment—the bold risk that paid off—she points back to childhood. In a pivotal Broadway scene from The Bad Seed, young Rhoda hugs her mother (Nancy Kelly) but flashes a horrible face of reluctance. The audience’s explosive reaction awakened her to the thrill of live performance. “That really awakened me to the fun,” she says. It set her on a path she’s never truly left.
On set today, her mantra remains simple yet profound: “Just to be in it.” Dive in fully, take chances, and be willing to fail. “Everybody fails when they’re being brave,” she notes. She also emphasizes respect for collaborators: “Don’t put down any of the people you’re working with. It’s not helpful… and it shows that you’re in trouble.”
What does she hope audiences take from STOP TIME? “After a tremendous loss, there’s hope.” Even in a senior living setting, with loving family nearby, moments of laughter and connection persist. “Everyone has such tremendous loss in life if you live long enough. That hope is important.”
As for what’s next, McCormack continues performing Just Another Day and remains open to new opportunities. “It’s so wonderful when you get lucky and walk into something written so well,” she says.
In STOP TIME, McCormack once again proves that great acting—and great stories—transcend time. The film reminds us that even when grief feels endless, a single connection can stop time long enough for healing to begin.
STOP TIME premiered at Dances With Films NY and continues its festival journey. Catch it if you can—it’s a quiet gem worth stopping for.
