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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Jane Wiedlin

Published August 25, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

Jane Wiedlin Clue

Known as one of the most dynamic musicians to emerge from the punk scene, long term Go-Go’s rhythm guitarist Jane Wiedlin has also had a much appreciated cult film career. Her appearances as actress include fun bits in Clue, Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure and Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.

Horror geeks, meanwhile, definitely got a vibrant case of ear worm after hearing her song Blue Kiss, from her debut solo album, used in the party scene of Fred Dekker’s cult horror classic Night of the Creeps.

Wiedlin, a bisexual animal activist, atheist and self confirmed “Reverend Sister Go-Go” keeps those experiencing life on a similar, ultra-cool wavelength in tune with her activities at http://janewiedlin.com/ and https://www.facebook.com/janewiedlin/.

Jane Wiedlin guitar

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

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Review: Straight Edge Kegger

Published August 20, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

SEK Duo

Too much of a good thing can be deadly. Just ask me after I’ve eaten too many of those chocolate frosted cake donuts from the corner 7-11. Meanwhile, writer-director Jason Zink explores how honorable intentions can turn eviseratingly militant in his survivalist horror effort Straight Edge Kegger.

Here, our hero Brad (Cory Kays) has started to grow tired of the violent antics of James (Julio Alexander), his straight edge brother in arms. While once James had protected the streets and defended the innocent, he now uses his leadership to violently squash anyone behaving in a way that he doesn’t like. Thus, Brad falls under the influence of a happy go lucky party hound named Sean (Sean Jones). When James discovers that Brad is attending a house rave with his newfound companion, he and his crew set out to punish their former associate with maniacal precision. Locking down the home, they soon are brutally killing off the formerly blissful drunk and drugged revelers. It is up to Brad, who understands James’ mindset, Sean and Maybe (Evey Reidy), a girl that Brad has developed a crush on, to find a way to defeat the unrepentant slaughterers before they join the other unfortunate victims of James’ murderous rage. SEK Main

Nicely, akin to Chris Moore and his 2018 savagely fun effort Triggered, Zink skillfully exposes how being too extremist in one’s views is never a good thing, no matter the intentions. Ultimately, James, magnetically played by Alexander, and his throng remind one of our current political leaders whom have established a social landscape where aggressive behavior is encouraged against anyone falling outside of the straight, white norm.SEK 1.jpg

As with many genre exercises, one does have to let go of disbelief a bit as James and his crew make their way steadily through both punk rock celebrants and law enforcement officials with ease. But the gore is swift and vicious and executed with a sense of glee. The performances, particularly those of Kays and Alexander, are also solid, making this low budget offering both a thrilling exploitation ride and a potentially powerful think piece, as well.

More information on Straight Edge Kegger is available at https://www.facebook.com/StraightEdgeKegger/.

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Dietz and Schwartz

Published August 18, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Composed for the 1931 Broadway show The Bandwagon, Howard Dietz and Arthur Schwartz’s classic tune Dancing in the Dark has found its way into many films, including a self titled offering in 1949 starring William Powell. Of course, many of these movies feature the song with an emphasis on its classic, moody jazz tones – much like this live version by the irreplaceable Sarah Vaughan.

The gloomier implications of its title, though, have helped this distinguished number find a home in a number of horror projects including 1988’s Twice Dead and 1995’s Lord of Illusions. Nicely, the version in the latter film was dominated, ominously, by avant garde singing sensation Diamanda Galas.

Meanwhile, Dietz and Schwartz, whose other well known compositions include That’s Entertainment and I Guess I’ll Have to Change My Plans, are given a nice career overview at https://masterworksbroadway.com/artist/howard-dietz-and-arthur-schwartz/.

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

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Duo

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Tina B

Published August 11, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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One of the most talented ladies of dance and pop music in the’80s, the magnetic Tina B should have had a much bigger career than she was allowed. Her hit Honey to the Bee showed her off to great advantage…

She also gave horror fans a sonic tease by co-writing Wake Up Call, performed by Ian Hunter on the soundtrack for the cult classic The Wraith.

Thankfully, this talented mistress o’ tune is ripe for discovery and still hitting the online airwaves at www.tinab.tv/.

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

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Tina B cover

Deb, Creepozoids and Hope!

Published August 10, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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It’s hard to find the gratitude sometimes, right?!? Money worries, career concerns, the state of the world, seasonal depressions… But you grab what you can when you can and sometimes the littlest things can turn you around.

My friend Deborah Dutch was visiting this past weekend. As we chatted and prepped for our evening adventures, I noticed my copy of the recently released Creepozoids soundtrack on vinyl. I asked her to pose with it…and, suddenly, life seemed kind of cool again.

As an overview, I was lucky enough to interview horror queen Linnea Quigley for the liner notes for this Terror Visions product. The fact that Deb is often associated with her, having appeared as an actress in such projects as Hard to Die, Sorority Girls and the Creature from Hell and others, made this photo pairing seem like electric kismet. (Deb and Linnea actually even appear together in a scene in the cult slasher film Graduation Day!) This simple photo op made me realize how cool my life is. I have some amazingly creative friends and have been able to work on interesting projects. I’m also sure I’m not the only one in this position. I have a hopeful feeling that any person reading this right now can say the same about their life.

So, here’s to the vibrant connections that make our existences special!

Meanwhile, if you have exploitation soundtrack fever, Terror Vision is always uncovering amazing, rare celluloid tunes. http://www.terror-vision.com/.

Deb is also creating her own projects on the spectacular, as well. https://www.facebook.com/hollywoodwarrioress/

Until the next time, cherish your life (and those amazing people in it) and SWEET love & pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Hopelessly Devoted to: Jill Whitlow

Published August 2, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

Jill Main

Not many people can say that they were kidnapped by a soap opera king, but Jill Whitlow, who supplied a refreshing presence to a number of television and films in the ‘80s and early ‘90s, can actually lay claim to that cinematic honor. On the Short Walk to Freedom episode of Airwolf, the popular television show that featured Jan Michael Vincent and Ernest Borgnine, her spoiled Kay Freestone finds herself a captive of John Aniston’s Colonel Arturo Alzar. Aniston, known primarily to network comedy lovers as Jennifer’s father, has spent the last 30 years intriguing daydream believers as the venomous Victor Kiriakis on Days of our Lives. Here, he spreads some of that poisonous energy out onto Whitlow and crew.

Jill KidnappedAdmired, widely, for the sweet courageousness she brought to Cynthia, the heroine of Fred Dekker’s Night of the Creeps, it is fun to see Whitlow portray the more unsavory aspects of Kay’s character here. After being taking hostage during a Latin American excavation trip, Whitlow fully embraces the pouty antics of her role…faking illnesses and taking extra sips of rationed water with a silver glint in her eye.

Whitlow also brought the same kind of expressiveness to the Mother’s Day episode of Freddy’s Nightmares. She gives Barbara Gamble, the troubled character she plays, a jaunty air as she explores the house where Freddy Krueger committed his most heinous crimes. But even more so than Airwolf episode, the script here, by well traveled television writer David Ehrman, allows her some depth.Jill flirt

While her mischievous nature is in fine form when flirting with cute co-star Byron Thames, she supplies true sorrow to her moments with the accomplished Judith Baldwin (The Stepford Wives), who plays Barbara’s successful yet neglectful radio psychologist mother.

These moments here prove that beyond her most popular roles – arguably in Creeps and Weird Science – Whitlow did impressive work that is well worth seeking out. Be sure to check out her other credits at https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0926114/ and….

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

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Hopelessly Devoted to: Rose Marie

Published July 26, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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Beginning her career as an infant in vaudeville, the distinctive Rose Marie was probably best known for her snappy work on the iconic Dick Van Dyke Show in the ‘60s. Thankfully, for horror honeys everywhere, she made a number of appearances in projects that relished terror filled antics, as well.

Her best known work in genre films may her memorable appearance as Mrs. Moses, the inquisitive landlady in Kevin Tenney’s popular Witchboard, but she also found time to appear in 2000’s Shriek If You Know What I Did Last Friday the 13th, a ridiculous parody in the style of Scary Movie. Rose Marie witchboard

Another of her ghoulish outings is 1985’s fun Jack the Ripper inspired Terror at the London Bridge (AKA Bridge Across Time). As Alma Bellock, the curious clerk at a rundown hotel, she interacts with a mysterious tenant – who just may be the world’s most notorious serial killer sprung fully back to life in another century! Ever the professional, Rose Marie imbues her moments here with a suspicious sense of fun.

Rose Marie and guestIn her final moments she even shares the screen with ‘80s era action hunks David Hasselhoff and Randolph Mantooth, giving those (then) famous youngsters a crash course in how to handle a scene!

Nicely, even though this indomitable spirit passed away in 2017 at the age of 94, her family and friends are keeping her memory alive at http://missrosemarie.com/.

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Joan Blondell

Published July 21, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

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She was one of Warner Brother’s brightest, sassiest dames in the ‘30s. The distinctive Joan Blondell also found recognition in such ‘70s MFTV horror flicks as The Dead Don’t Die and Death at Love House. Joan Death at Love

But whatever era she found herself in, she was always her simply irreplaceable self…most particularly in this production number by the influential and equally singular Busby Berkeley.

Also of significance here are the haunting vocals of Etta Moten. Moten appeared in a number of fun Warner Brothers pictures, including the WIP epic Ladies They Talk About, but was never allowed to reach her full potential, cinematically, due to the racism inherent in that (and, unfortunately, every) decade.

Etta

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Martha Davis

Published July 14, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

328544CB-1210-4548-8F22-52AD352601CAShe possesses one of the most unique and powerful voices in pop and New Wave music. Thankfully, The Motels’ irreplaceable Martha Davis also lent her talents to Dreams, a song featured in Night of the Creeps, Fred Dekker’s genuine horror cult favorite.

Thankfully, akin to Terri Nunn from Berlin, Davis’ popularity has recently surged due to an elastic stretch of ‘80s nostalgia. She and other members of The Motels are consistently touring and creating new music.

https://www.facebook.com/TheMotels/

A49B6DB6-43A4-4DDA-934E-7B195F72A8D3.jpegUntil the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

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Horror Mash-Up: Richard Masur and James Remar

Published July 12, 2019 by biggayhorrorfan

3CBC5FB3-7726-4FA8-9894-CBC2DD56CA89Many may assume that is Liza Minnelli and Dionne Warwick who provide the diva power in 1987’s ridiculously fun crime caper Rent-a-Cop.  In actuality, the truly extravagant team up of this flick occurs between acclaimed character actors James Remar and Richard Masur. Here, Masur is a crooked former cop on the take while Remar is a twisted assassin. Of course, Remar’s Dancer also just happens to be a former summer stock hoofer turned deadly ballroom instructor.

Masur, of course, is best known to terror freaks as the frightened, incredibly damaged Stanley in the original television version of It and as Clark in John Carpenter’s beloved remake of The Thing. Remar meanwhile has amassed such horror film credits as Hellraiser: Inferno, Tales from the Darkside: The Movie, Fatal Charm, Night Visions and many others.

7407280A-108F-4D47-88B9-D9FD257DA77FThe two here play a classic dance of cat and mouse with one of their more evocative sequences occurring when Masur’s Roger confronts a sweaty, post workout Dancer. In this moment, Masur’s affable every man contrasts perfectly with Remar’s more mysterious qualities.

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

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