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Carole Lombard is Supernatural!

Published December 18, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

carole lombard supernatural
Oh, the things that Big Gay Horror Fan wishes he never knew: Love in a rectory with the bulbous priests of destruction – The wraith of the Dragon Lady as she paraded, shoeless, through the offices of hell – The call of the self hating id as it wakes him early in the morning and hounds his every waking second! All are things that I wish I could forget! But the discovery that Golden Age screen goddess Carole Lombard appeared in a Universal horror film? That’s a fact that I want to treasure forever!

Best known as the snappy comedienne in such treasured flicks as Twentieth Century, My Man Godfrey and Nothing Sacred, 1933’s Supernatural was Lombard’s only attempt at an occult flavored offering. Directed by Victor Halperin, coming off the grand delights provided by 1932’s White Zombie, Supernatural has all the components of being a runaway success – including a powerful feminist stance provided by Vivienne Osborne’s sadistic murderess, Ruth Rogan. Yet, despite it moments of intense enjoyability, this Supernatural is a bit of a structural mess.

Supernatural 1Quite simply, there is too much going on for a solid aura of creepiness to establish itself. 1941’s The Wolf Man had its quaint, gypsy laden countryside with gothic overtones while 1931’s Frankenstein mixed a bit of laboratory madness into that mix. But, Supernatural features a friendly ghost, a mad scientist type, a female serial killer, a murderous charlatan psychic and a possession subplot, and bops from set piece to set piece, ultimately producing a movie that never quite gels.

Still Lombard, whom apparently felt ill-at-ease away from her more comic playing grounds, delights with grisly glee once Roma, her heiress character, is taken over by the recently executed murderess, played in the film’s opening moments, with chilling ease by character actress Osborne.

More enjoyable, though, are the subtle Pre Code touches, including roaches scattering about a cackling landlady’s sink and Lombard’s breast being groped AND one grand, glass enclosed set piece that is introduced in the latter part of the film. carole_lombard-theredlist

Determined to stop Rogan’s ghostly influence after her death, Carl Houston, a concerned doctor played by H.B. Warner, is experimenting on her corpse in a window coated laboratory, located in a penthouse suite in the heart of the city. Halperin brings all the glorious mood that would have made this movie truly memorable to this sequence. As Lombard and the handsome Randolph Scott discover what Houston is up to, Rogan’s influence is truly felt and one wishes that screenwriter Garnett Weston would have found a way to focus more of the story here.

Still, true fans of women in horror are sure to delight in sassy Lombard’s appearance in a dusty horror flick and the movie (available only on VHS) is definitely worth tracking down if only to gander at all of its (too) plentiful elements of spook.

Be sure to check back as Big Gay Horror Fan often uncovers the femmes of fright. Keep a (well arched) eye on http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

In Memorium: Susan Stursberg, 1967-2012

Published December 16, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

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Susan Stursberg was the kind of person who could meet you once and remember all the details of your life when you bumped into her two years later.

An animal lover and a horror fiend, Stursberg made many people feel at home in Chicago, as the co-owner and primary bartender at the Gold Star Bar in Wicker Park.

A huge fan of Anthony Perkins and John Carpenter’s Halloween, Susan recently got to meet Brian Andrews, the original Tommy Doyle at the Horror Hound convention in November 2012. Despite being weak from her efforts battling pancreatic cancer, Stursberg’s powerful energy and joy lit up the convention hall and the charmed Andrews spent a lot of time with her, regaling her with stories about life on Halloween and beyond.

Susan was, also, quite the raconteur, herself, sharing a smartly decorated ghost story or two as the Huffington Post piece honoring her life attests: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/13/susan-stursberg-gold-star_n_2288413.html.

More significant than the date of her death (December 10th, 2012), though, are the memories of her face, flushed with excitement at Chicago’s annual zombie walk or filled with warmth upon welcoming another stranger into her bar (and into heart).

Here’s hoping Perkins has donned his matron’s dress and is doing his ‘mama’ voice for you, right now, and into eternity, Susan! RIP, our dear Chicago Horror friend.

Be sure to keep up with the memorials for Susan and for news on beloved Gold Star Bar at:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Gold-Star-Bar/51401086607

Overview: Terror in the Aisles – Frankenhooker

Published December 15, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

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On Friday, September 14th, 2012, Chicago’s always exciting Terror in the Aisles welcomed Patty Mullen from Frankenhooker in for an exclusive showing of that iconic piece of cult entertainment.

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Things began with a sense of popping action as Mullen took a handful of lucky winners on a soda date. Here, she discusses the in’s and out’s of the horror of outdoor chores with The Lawn Blower Massacre director Anthony Cooney and others.

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Above, Mullen’s talented manager, James Howard, shows off the bust he created in Mullen’s honor.

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Here, Howard helps Mullen sign a purple bra for the show’s auction.

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Even a certain blonde someone, very sure in his sexualty, will begin to doubt himself standing next to the gorgeous, personable Mullen.

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As an extra bit of show excitement, Mullen taught a handful of devoted fans the Frankenhooker walk.

Be sure to keep up with future Terror in the Aisles events at http://www.facebook.com/terrorintheaisles.

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always available at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

Big Gay Horror Fan Interviews Meg Foster!

Published December 15, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

Big Gay Horror Fan has finally found something better than a punch in the face from Peter Weller – interviewing the divine Meg Foster (They Live, The Osterman Weekend, Leviathon, Masters of the Universe)! Here we discuss early cannibal epic Welcome to Arrow Beach, bloody sequel Stepfather 2, cult favorite Shrunken Heads and gay themed A Different Story!

My world has not been the same since this eye haunting encounter – neither will yours.

Be sure to check out http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well!

Until the next time – SWEET and pink GRUE – Big Gay Horror Fan!

Blog Review: Wolfman Cometh

Published December 15, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

wolfmancometh
While Big Gay Horror Fan has gotten himself out of many hairy situations in his past – that gig as a leatherclad go-go boy subjected to the whims of the witches who lived in my teenagehood closet, for one – there is only one hairy situation that I long to dive into and that is awesome site, The Wolfman Cometh!

This creative blog is filled with humorous looks at everything from the recent Maniac remake to an amusing take on 1998’s The Faculty. An amusing backstory for its creator on the title page, meanwhile, definitely makes The Wolfman Cometh worth a look – every day of the week!

Be sure to find your inner beast at www.thewolmancometh.com.

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is always getting bloody with the Chaney types at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, too!

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE – Big Gay Horror Fan!

Lounging with Linnea Quigley!

Published December 13, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

Big Gay Horror Fan is still choking on goddess fluff and smiling through his golden tears after this wickedly fun interview with scream legend, Linnea Quigley. Quigley talks about such upcoming projects as Disciples and The Trouble with Barry while simultaneously giving Big Gay Horror Fan the geeky thrill of his life! Check this beauty out!

Rabbit Room’s Una Chiave di Ghiaccio in un Campo di Lillà

Published December 13, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

rabbit room productions
Usually Big Gay Horror Fan is feeling fairly horizontal, but on those occasions when he is feeling upright and continental he heads over to the amazing Rabbit Room Productions (http://www.facebook.com/#!/RabbitRoomProductions)to engage in everything cinematic – especially things that are violently Italian in nature.

In fact, their fun, awesomely titled trailer to a giallo that never was (or has yet to be),Una Chiave di Ghiaccio in un Campo di Lillà (A Key of Ice in a Field of Lilacs), has just hit YouTube. Featuring appearances from such Midwest film regulars as Jason Coffman (Underground Multiplex productions), WildClaw Theatre’s Coye Vega, Chicago Cinema Society’s Neil Calderone and the always amazing, incredibly versatile Michelle Corvais (looking ALL hot mama here), Una Chiave features gorgeous scenes of mayhem amidst a constantly shifting Goblin-esque score. But, why am I still talking about it? You can check it out here:

Be sure to check out Big Gay Horror Fan, whom is always waiting like a frozen bird in a purple sea of fire, at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

Big Gay Horror Fan Interviews Michael Perez of “More Brains!”

Published December 12, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

There are a couple things that Big Gay Horror Fan can’t shake – this early winter cold and the excitement over interviewing producing genius Michael Perez about his documentaries More Brains! and the upcoming Friday the 13th celbration, Crystal Lake Memories!

Be sure to keep up with More Brains! at www.getmorebrains.com and get the bloody teenage scoop on Crystal Lake Memories at http://www.facebook.com/#!/CrystalLakeMemoriesDocumentary!

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is always welcoming wounded campers at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well!

Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

The Backside of Horror: Yuzna’s Society and Initiation

Published December 4, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

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Big Gay Horror Fan has always believed balance should be more than just a nutrition bar in the health aisle at your local store. Of course, this rarely happens in real life, so I am forever grateful to director-writer-producer, Brian Yuzna.

Inspired by surrealism and working with a sure artist’s eye, eclectic auteur Yuzna has never shied away from showing male flesh as a delicious counterpart to the female nudity that has graced his exploitation epics

In fact, in an amusing antidote about Return of the Living Dead III (1993) on a feature in the More Brains! documentary, actor Trevor J. Edmund relates how Yuzna wanted to frame a shot using his bare ass as a focal point. The young actor only declined because he was afraid that his mother would kill him.

005Of course, Yuzna’s 1989 directorial debut Society is full of slimy gelatinous male nudity during that film’s notorious shunting sequence. But, lead actor Billy Warlock, at the height of his youthful beauty, is also often seen in lingering states of mouth watering undress.

tommy hinkleyPerhaps in homage to Psycho’s opening moments, movie buff Yuzna films an athletic lunch break motel rendezvous between his leads Neith Hunter and Tommy Hinkley in the beginning minutes of his goopy bug laden 1990 treatise Initiation: Silent Night, Deadly Night 4. Flipping their bodies amidst the sweaty sheets, both the beautiful Hunter and the buff Hinkley allow us ample views of their flesh – including a prime shot of Hinkley’s taut and healthy butt cheeks!silent night

Here’s a wet, but slightly less erotic clip from Initiation featuring Hunter and co-star Clint Howard:

http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi4004380953/

Be sure to check back every other Monday as Big Gay Horror Fan exposes the backside of male horror. Of course, Big Gay Horror Fan is shaking it, every day of the week, at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan – so check him out there, as well!

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!!

Deathscribe 2012!

Published December 3, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

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To Big Gay Horror Fan “One Night Only” is not (just) a song Sheryl Lee Ralph sang in Dreamgirls, but it’s what you get from amazing Chicago based WildClaw Theatre, once year, with their inspired Deathscribe event.

Bringing to life 5 twisted ‘n horrific radio plays, this amazing evening is a one of a kind theatrical celebration (of the spook!) and truly one of the best produced evenings of Midwest entertainment.

And tonight(December 3, 2012) is the night! So, if you are like Big Gay Horror Fan and prescribe to the better late than never theory – then check it at wwww.wildclawtheatre.com and get your blood loving butts down there!