(The Carrie remake will be upon us on October 18th– thus we celebrate the strong women in horror, science fiction and exploitation with Countdown to Carrie!)
It can be rough being a woman in horror and exploitation. Take the Brides of Fu Manchu in The Brides of Fu Manchu, for instance. Prime focus of the film, they are, yet not one actress portraying a bride receives billing in the opening credits. Bum rap!!
Janet Lockwood, who was the director of the Michigan Film Office from 1992 – 2010, makes up for previous femme negations in exploitation with her portrayal of the powerful, often nasty Cassandra Dregstone in 2003’s low budget (multi-pack orphan) Terror at Baxter U, though. In a film that features an idiotically murderous janitor and a monstrous chupacabra, Dregstone is by far the scariest thing on display. Whether cutting down errant students, scheming behind the backs of bumbling professor types or engaging in ancient ceremonies, Lockwood’s Dregstone steals the show, here, proving that even in overacted, micro-budget terror, women can rule the roost!
Until the next time, continue to worship at the altar of volatile women in horror – and
SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan
Big Gay Horror Fan 