“Welcome to my vampire boudoir…” Not even Big Gay Horror Fan can refuse such an invitation from the succulently versatile Vanity as voiced on Flipping Out, the first track on her 1984 Motown album, Wild Animal. On top of the erotic bloodsucking images from that number, the LP also includes the deliriously fun title track in which Vanity, in seeming homage to Tanya’s Island; the nudity strewn ape frolicking B-movie that began her career, makes very descriptive love to King Kong. Yep, refusal resistant, in my world!

And while the divine Vanity (aka DD Winters), best known to many music lovers as an early Prince protégée, graced the screens in everything from slashers (1980’s Terror Train) to action flicks (1986’s 52 Pick-Up, 1988’s Action Jackson) and small screen terrors (making a bone chillingly efficient appearance as an assassin in 1990’s Memories of Murder with Nancy Allen), her most unusually interesting horror offering occurred on an 1989 episode of Friday the 13th, The Series entitled Mesmer’s Bauble.

Appearing as successful pop star Angelica, the sultry Ms. Winters essentially was playing herself, here. But, viewers expecting a simple tale of a stalked and endangered singing queen found something else beneath the surface of Bauble – an ultimately haunting tale of transgendered confusion.

The particular tale centers on a gawkily unattractive record store clerk named Howard (sensitively played by Martin Neufield), whose obsession with Angelica leads to murder when he discovers that the titular trinket allows him to better his physical appearance with each offered death. Quickly gaining direct access to his idol, it seems at first, that Howard’s main goal is to bed her. But when that situation ultimately presents itself, he stumbles upon the realization that he doesn’t want Angelica – he wants to actually be her.

Taking over Angelica’s skin fills him with delight (and Vanity very willingly portrays this duality with joyful passion), but of course all is destroyed when the series’ resourceful leads snatch the bauble from Angelica/Howard’s neck, mid-performance, and he begins to transform, grotesquely, back to his former self in front of a passionately frightened audience.

The episode is bookended with Vanity’s subtly performed version of the haunting classic Nature Boy, a perfect complement to the episode’s themes. The lyrics (“There was a boy. A very strange enchanted boy. They say he wandered very far, very far. Over land and sea. A little shy and sad of eye. But very wise was he.”) and Vanity’s sweet tones create a sensitive undercurrent to Howard’s sympathetic need, allowing us to care for his character long before thoughts like transition and reassignment surgery were more readily acknowledged or understood.

The opening scene from Mesmer’s Bauble, containing Vanity’s version of Nature Boy, can be viewed here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsGTuJOdF8M

Memories of Murder, which was written by John Harrison, of Creepshow and Tales from the Darkside fame, can be seen, in its entirety at:

http://media.allisvanity.us/play.php?vid=85

Be sure to check back each Monday for a Pulitzer Prize worthy Goddess of Horror!

And until the next time –

Sweet love and pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan

Rich, beautiful, traumatized. Big Gay Horror knows – well, nothing about those. Except for maybe that last one. But as for beautiful sophisticates Barbara Parkins, Lori Saunders and Kathleen Beller? Well, they all played nervous monied lasses whose family and loved ones tried to drive them just a bit bonkers in the below, wild and wacky heiress horrors!

In 1971’s A Taste of Evil, Parkins returns home after nine years of therapy, to find herself haunted by visions of a stalking mad man. Is it a ghost – or is it momma? For her part, Parkins plays comatose fear well, and Barbara Stanwyck glowers with vain evil as her jealous mother. What is most interesting here is how issues of rape and pedophilia are addressed without ever being expressly stated.

Shimmeringly gorgeous Saunders is another lovely returning from the asylum in 1973’s Visions of Evil (AKA So Sad About Gloria). Described as featuring “the romance of Love Story with the terror of Psycho” – this film obviously compares to neither of those classics.
But, it does contain a grainy, low budget drive-in vibe and Saunders looks positively glorious being emotionally abused by her ‘concerned’ husband.

Lastly, Beller plays a sculptress whose evil stepmother tries to drive her crazy – and out of her fortune in 1981’s No Place to Hide. Containing plotline twists that closely resemble A Taste of Evil, this telepic features a mysteriously ominious ending and was, perhaps, most notable for the sunny Mariette Hartley, best known then for a series of cherry camera commercials with James Garner, playing a very twisted and manipulative matriarch.

For those interested, A Taste of Evil is available in it’s entirety at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz0h3UNbELE !

Otherwise, watch out for you bank accounts and your sanity, sweeties!

And until the next time –

Sweet love and pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan

While Big Gay Horror Fan cringes at all the shrieking children and pouting lovers that he encounters on a daily basis, he imagines if you actually lost one or the other that you might get a bit cranky. Hence, honors for Girl Heroes of the week go to the gorgeous and glorious Anika Noni Rose and the always incandescent Cynda Williams for their portrayals of some pretty nasty revenge seeking spirits.

In the 2011 television mini-series Bag of Bones, Rose brings a powerful sensuality and glorious rage to her ghostly jazz and blues singer, Sara Tidwell. Raped by a group of well-to-do cads in a small town, Rose’s Tidwell is forced to listen to the last gasping breaths of her drowning daughter before having her skull bashed in. Pretty, no? And with the help of skilled director Mick Garris (who actually seems to feel the loss of Pierce Brosnan’s primary widower character), Rose (whom, brilliantly, recorded an EP as Tidwell to promote the film) allows a simmering brutality to seethe throughout her curses and within the poltergeist like actions she uses to carry them out. You understand and fear her, all at once.

Meanwhile, in 1996’s Spirit Lost (http://xfinitytv.comcast.net/movies/Spirit-Lost/47944/597232111/Spirit-Lost/videos), Williams’ love sore Arabella conjures up some major sheet stained magic on the frequently shirtless Leon. Abandoned to die, years before, by her white slave trader lover, Arabella eventually finds comfort in a reverse Entity scenario when Leon and wife purchase the house in which she haunts. Radiating with a moist fervor, Williams is beautiful and deadly, a perfect role model for those who like a little vengeance with their heartbreak.

Be sure to check back every Monday for a new Girl Hero.

And until next time –

Sweet love and pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan

The world knows Big Gay Horror Fan loves his presents – so screw Christmas in July – Here’s Christmas on the last day of June with a bunch of cool offerings.

All around awesome, horror loving dude Billy Renner has a new band, Billy3(above). His tunes embrace the rockabilly aspects of fandom including a lot of horror and Science Fiction references, so be sure to grease ‘em up and check him out at:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Billy3/431565293532770

StrangeHouse Books has an awesome compilation out – Strange Sex: A Strange Anthology. I was supposed to review the actual book, but lost the link in a fit of uncontrolled email deleting! (Blonde fingers, y’all!) But, I am doing my part by pushing this throbbing, sensuous and truly grotesque sucker (with some incredible cover art) here!
http://www.facebook.com/#!/strangehousebooks

Hormonal Activity is a new queer horror short with tons of gay and bi actors/characters, so check it out at:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2378283/

And if you aren’t out of breath, give another horror film, Make Believe Time, an FB ‘like’ here:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/MakeBelieveTimeFilm
Until next time, Sweet love and pink Grue, Big Gay Horror Fan

How wretchedly Big Gay Horror Fan remembers the day when, shrieking, he watched as his younger brother axed a maniacal, never stopping killer in the head!

Wait. I am confusing myself with this week’s fabulous Girl Hero, Kimberly Beck from Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter. Again!

And while she may be best known to blood fiends as Trish in that seminal slasher sequel, Beck’s career actually began as a youngster and includes an appearance in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie and a hit pop single as a teen in Australia.

Beck, whom for awhile was actually Paris Hilton’s aunt by marriage, also claims further genre credits with such films as the cult hit Massacre at Central High and the Wings Hauser vehicle Nightmare at Noon among her many accomplishments. She has, also, collaborated with such as directors as Luc Besson (The Big Blue) and her co-stars haved included Linda Blair (Roller Boogie), Anthony Perkins (In the Deep Woods), Jimmy Stewart (The FBI Story) and Morticia herself, Carolyn Jones (the soap opera Capital).

Most impressively, she has, also, made a series of cameo appearances sing with pep – whether it is a screaming mother in the blockbuster Independence Day or a perky secretary in mid-range horror flick Playroom.

Most gloriously, her appearance as Piety Beecham (LOVE –THAT – NAME!) in the Charles Bronson epic Messenger of Death is to die for! Dressed in her frontier best, Beck gives her all as a member of a religious sect whom, eyes blazing in terror, enters the opening scene and is immediately assassinated! Role – – done! But — who wouldn’t want to say that they played the equivalent of a religious martyr in an over-the-top Chuck flick?!? That is why we freaks love these movies — and is a prime reason why Kimberly Beck IS the Girl Hero for ALL ages! I researched!

Be sure to check back for a new Girl Hero every Monday!

Sweet love and pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan

As Big Gay Horror Fan browses through the constant internet updates of friends and (more often than not) complete strangers’ successes and seemingly upwardly personal advances, he often wonders why he feels so out of rhythm with everyone else.

Of course, this lament of otherness is pretty common for all of us and a poignant reminder of why the passing this week of two genre icons is so important to celluloid worshipping freaks everywhere.

Susan Tyrrell (who died on June 16th, 2012 at the age of 67) and Richard Lynch (who died on June 19th at the age of 72) were of ‘the extraordinary’. Filled with unique energy and undoubted magnetism, these two were definitely not members of the Hollywood beautiful set. Hence, their quirky roles in multiple genre films truly appealed to outsiders everywhere.

Just the thought of the white glare in Lynch’s eyes can still send the fright rate on my pulse line racing. But, the subtle art of his talent, also, allowed him to find the compassion even within a role like Art, a demented weekend killer, in the 1974 shocker Open Season.

Tyrrell, meanwhile, gave every fiber of her DNA to such roles as a crazed aunt in 1983’s delirious, gay themed Night Warning, an inquisitive reporter in 1987’s The Offspring (AKA From a Whisper to a Scream) and as an outrageously costumed bartender/musician in 1990’s Rockula.

It almost seems unfortunate that despite their grand valley of unusual credits (Tyrrell: The Forbidden Zone, the Angel series, Cry Baby; Lynch: Bad Dreams, Necronomican: Book of the Dead, Halloween (2007), the upcoming Lords of Salem) that I can find no evidence of them having worked together. Both were a part of the New York theatre set, each marking stage appearances with Al Pacino within a year of each other in the 70’s. Not an unexpected discovery, considering the range of their work.

So, take a walk across the boards one last time and celebrate two very original and compelling voices. Ones that will never be silenced as their totally essential, often goofy (Alligator 2: The Mutation or The Demolitionist anyone?) work lives on.

Sayonara, my other worldly ones!

And until next time – Sweet love and pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan!

There are days when Big Gay Horror Fan feels like he wants to give all the stray dogs of the world a hug and a spritely pink walk and others, when just like Charlize Theron’s evil Huntsman monarch, he wants to give this wretched world the queen it truly deserves. But – then I wake up.

Lucky Euro-starlet Lara Wendel, however, got to show both sides of those equations, cinematically, with two of her early appearances.

As Daria in 1979’s ludicrously fun Ring of Darkness (aka Satan’s Wife) the then 14 year old Wendel brings a snidely vengeful quality to her true daughter of the Devil. As her frightened mother (almost Hollywood powerhouse Anne Heywood) tries to save her from luscious destruction, Wendel connives, murders and — showers with preternatural abandon. While the copious amounts of skin that Wendel shows may rightfully bring about debates of child exploitation versus European sensibility, she ultimately grounds the film with a snotty menace and a compelling presence.

Three years later as Maria, in Dario Argento’s seminal Tenebrae, Wendel’s victim provides a memorable mid film appearance fighting off an almost supernaturally vicious Doberman while ultimately discovering the identity of the film’s killer. Her backyard end is bloodily memorable and proof that celluloid payback can truly be a major pain in the gut.

Wendel went on to play student-scientist types in 1988 in Umberto Lenzi’s Ghosthouse and Zombie 5: Killing Birds before disappearing from the screen in 1991, but her memorably brief cinematic legacy will forever mark her as one of the brightest Girl Heroes ever in Big Gay Horror Fan’s book.

Be sure to check back for a new Girl Hero each Monday –

And until the next time –

Sweet love and pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan

Seeing as there can be no greater emotional horror than feeling like you are trapped in a stranger’s body (just an honest moment’s thought would bring responses like rage, confusion, self hate and depression into your heads), Big Gay Horror Fan celebrates Laura Jane Grace as his Girl Hero on this blazingly hot, totally progressive Monday.

Born Tom Gabel in 1980, Laura has led politically charged punk-pop band Against Me! since 1997. While creating such propulsive masterpieces as “Miami” and “Searching for a Former Clarity” (in which initial revelations of a transgender orientation were revealed), Grace ignored increasing feelings of gender dysphoria by concentrating on touring, marriage and fatherhood.

But, finally beginning a public transition process with the support of her wife and many fans (who rallied her with joyous cries of “Laura, Laura, Laura” at a recent show, seen in miniature above, in Chicago), Laura has begun the heroic path to self acceptance and, torpedoes and closed minds of certain crowd surfers be damned, has proven herself to be the true essence of punk rock and what it’s all inclusive message should be.

Another gender trailblazer and Big Gay Horror Fan favorite was born George Wilson, reportedly around 1950 in New York City, but set the 70’s and 80’s European exploitation world on fire as the glamorous and majestic Ajita Wilson.

Acknowledged by those in the know as one of the premiere stars of Women in Prison flicks (with solid appearances in such flesh bearing epics as Escape From Hell, Hell Penitentiary and Sadomania), Wilson worked with such hedonistic maestros as Jess Franco (including 1983’s Macumbo Sexual)and Lucio Fulci (in 1980’s Contraband) and appeared in dozens of free-wheeling sexploitation epics, such as 1976’s The Nude Princess and 1977’s Black Aphrodite(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWZrHUyNkAY).

Although there seems to be some mystery and confusion about her life and true background, Wilson (who had her sex change in the mid-70’s and may be best known for 1985’s Savage Island which mashed up her Escape from Hell footage with new scenes featuring Linda Blair and Penn Jillette) is the true cinematic vanguard – someone who found cult success in an era when it wouldn’t have seemed possible.

A nice (slightly muddled) overview on Wilson is available at http://www.cultsirens.com/wilson/wilson.htm and you can keep up with Laura and Against Me! at http://againstme.net.

Be sure to check out a new Girl Hero (or Heroes) every Monday with Big Gay Horror Fan –

And until next time, Sweet love and pink Grue!

In the last five years, Big Gay Horror Fan has undergone changes. Let me see. Oh, yeah. My hair has gotten thinner and my waistline has fluctuated – often for the worse.

Meanwhile, multi-talented director/writer John Pata has grown immeasurably as a creative artist since his charmingly fun 2007 debut Better Off Undead. This observation is proven as fact as Pata, along with co-writer/co-director Adam Bartlett, has given the world a hauntingly poetic look at an obliterated world with this year’s devastatingly good Dead Weight.

After the majority of the world is seemingly wiped out by a mysterious virus, a handful of bedraggled travelers wander the barren landscape trying to find other survivors, while actively avoiding the often violent infected. Focusing on Charlie, a charming slacker, determined to find his girlfriend at a specified destination point, Dead Weight does not dwell on outside monsters. Rather, it concentrates on how adverse conditions can make monsters out of humankind as Charlie (and others he meets along the way) begins to consider actions that not only question his sanity but his decency.

Brilliantly edited and photographed, Dead Weight is solidly led by (first time actor) Joe Belknap as Charlie while Mary Lindberg, as his ambitious love Samantha, brings vivacious charm to her role. It is the supporting actors, like Michelle Courvais and Aaron Christensen, who truly bring out all the subtle nuances in their characterizations, though, ultimately making Dead Weight an emotionally revelatory experience. Courvais, who played a sassy double dealing cop in acclaimed low budget horror The Landlord, particularly brings weight and humorous understanding to her emotionally scarred survivor, proving she is a performer of uncommon depth.

There are some minor flaws. Occasional sequences of dialogue flow awkwardly out of the actors’ mouths and, as in most quickly shot independent features, it is obvious when friends and innocent set visitors have been recruited to play roles. But on the whole, Dead Weight is an inspiring, amazingly complex film, deserving of multiple accolades.

On a side note, Dead Weight was given an emotional screening at Evil Squirrel Comics in Rogers Park in Chicago on June 8th, 2012 (above). Evil Squirrel, owned by openly gay horror lover Sparky Bobby King, has gone the unfortunate shakily financial way of many awesomely creative independent businesses, by having to close the doors of its (physical) shop. Fortunately, Bobby and Evil Squirrel will still be around offering online and delivery service and as an extremely cool presence at various conventions.

To keep up with Dead Weight visit www.deadweightmovie.blogspot.com and to follow the nutty antics at Evil Squirrel go to www.evilsquirrelcomics.com.

And until next time-

Sweet love and pink Grue, Big Gay Horror Fan!

Being possessed and coming out. Well, Big Gay Horror Fan can relate to one of those experiences, but lucky girl hero Joanna Johnson has had encounters with both and has emerged eternally shining.

Before soap stardom, as The Bold and the Beautiful’s innocent Caroline and her unknowing twin Karen, Johnson essayed bright and wholesome final girl Jennifer in 1986 cult slasher Killer Party. Well, final girl with a twist, as sweet Jennifer ends up possessed and wrecking savage mayhem in Killer Party’s juicy final act.

After her initial run(s) on The Bold and the Beautiful ended, the industriously talented Johnson went behind the cameras to produce films like Very Bad Things and to create the popular television show Hope and Faith.

Now, back before the cameras as Karen in The Bold and The Beautiful’s very first same sex storyline, Johnson has confirmed her own lesbianism (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/joanna-johnson-lesbian-bold-and-the-beautiful_n_1515489.html ), publically, making the blood of Killer Party fans around the world flow with glorious excitement!

May you and yours live a life of many happy (un-possessing) soirees, grand Ms. Johnson!

Be sure to check back for a new Girl Hero every Monday –

And until next time, Sweet love and Pink Grue,

Big Gay Horror Fan