Genre Legends in Other Mediums: Kelli Maroney in Celebrity!

Published February 23, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Oh, how many days did Big Gay Horror Fan lounge around, wearing nothing but a loose fitting dress shirt, in his boyfriend’s college dorm room? Well – NONE!

Therefore, it’s wonderful that I can live vicariously through Kelli Maroney’s Joanne as seen in the 1984 blockbuster mini-series Celebrity.

Maroney, of course, is beloved by countless terror titans from her roles in such genre flicks as Night of the Comet, Chopping Mall, Not of this Earth and Zero Boys. But her eclectic talent has landed her in a variety projects over the years and Celebrity was a 3 part NBC must see event in the mid-80’s.

Her role as the first girlfriend of leading character Klebar Cantrall, enacted by soap favorite Ben Masters, is brief – encompassing one scene in the first episode, but she fills it with her characteristic spunk and sense of humor.

Celebrity, meanwhile, is noteworthy for its focus on one of national television’s most fully realized gay characters. As portrayed by breathtaking Joseph Bottoms (The Black Hole, Blind Date, Open House, The Intruder Within), Mack Crawford is an athlete-film star in the Rock Hudson mold. Tortured by his natural tendencies due to the story’s era (1950’s – 1970’s), Bottoms also brings a sense of proud defiance and self respect to the role.

Of course, all confident horror fiends can keep up with Maroney’s interesting activities at www.kellimaroney.com.

Big Gay Horror Fan is always on the look-out for proud queers and their ultra-fabulous allies at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

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

Review: The Leaf Blower Massacre

Published February 21, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

“Do you see that?”
“Yeah, but I don’t know what the ‘ho-ho’ that is.” – Doomed couple, The Leaf Blower Massacre

The melding of that ancient Doberman pincher and the top shelf of that rickety bookcase in Big Gay Horror Fan’s 8th grade shop class had absolutely nothing to do with a leaf blower. Swear! (It was actually probably because of the escaped mad scientist who was hired to teach that lab).

But thankfully, director/writer Anthony Cooney and co-producer/co-writer Josh Stephenson’s 12 minute The Leaf Blower Massacre is all about the mass destruction and murder caused by that titular instrument. Cooney finds hilarious ways to make a fairly innocuous garden tool into a weapon of mass slaughter while also playing homage to the 80’s video age and taking some mild jabs at misogyny in film, as well.

The film’s opening sequence is its proudest achievement with a truly funny kill scenario taking place in broad daylight in a nicely manicured city neighborhood. But, all the aspects of this adventurous short are well executed –from the soundtrack to the editing to the sharp witted surprise ending.

Impressively, the seemingly nonprofessional cast is also pretty on target – with everyone coming off fairly naturally. There is little of the awkward interplay here that usually comes from casting family and friends.

Be sure to keep up with all of the mind shattering garden mayhem of The Leaf Blower Massacre (which is currently riding the waves of various movie festivals) at http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Theleafblowermassacre!

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always welcoming lovers of vicious lawn implements at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well!

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

Presenting: Pretty Spooky Handmade!

Published February 19, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

If you are like Big Gay Horror Fan you are ALWAYS thinking about shopping. “What am I going to get myself for my birthday?” “What am I gonna buy myself for Christmas?” “What am I gonna to purchase because it’s Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?!”

Thankfully, for all us grand consumers, there is Pretty Spooky Handmade! Stunningly cool owner Rachel Dysangco Thieme has designed awesome pins ‘n pendants, mirrors ‘n handbags and t-shirts galore – all crazily and imaginatively horror themed! Pretty Spooky has been an exciting presence at scare conventions across the country, but in the best news ever catogory, now the eclectic Thieme is stepping it up, online, too!

So, be sure check out all that Pretty Spooky Handmade has to offer at http://www.facebook.com/prettyspookyhandmade!

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is always welcoming all those with frighteningly depleted pocketbooks at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well!

All wise Big Gay Horror Fans wear Pretty Spooky!

Fern Emmett: The Grand, Uncredited Dame of Old School Horror!

Published February 19, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Hanging out on the sidelines while everybody else is seemingly having the major fun – this is a situation that Big Gay Horror Fan knows well.

Of course, awesome individuals like veteran character actress Fern Emmett (1896-1946) are able to rise, grandly, above such situations. With over 200 films to her credit, Emmett often made a strong impression in small (and frequently uncredited roles) in the golden age of horror.

Dying far too young from cancer, Emmett provided hysterical back-up to Monty Wooley during the final year of her life in 1946’s big budget exploration of Cole Porter in Night and Day. In an office setting, Wooley references her secretary character every time he sings the word Madame in the song “Ms. Otis Regrets”. Emmett’s arched eye acknowledgements of his gesture secure this sequence’s place as the fictionalized film’s highlight.

But, while she often decorated big budget projects with calculated humor, one of Emmett’s largest roles was in the PRC’s poverty row production of Dead Men Walk in 1943. Featuring horror regulars George Zucco and Dwight Frye, Emmett played Kate, a woman well aware of the undead experimentation occurring in her village. Of course, locals doubt her observations, chalking them up to grief stricken cries for help – until it is too late!

Thirteen years before this film, Emmett appeared in Majestic Pictures’ similar outing The Vampire Bat (1933), starring the elegant Lionel Atwill and the ever humbled Frye. Best known as one of the films that secured lead actress Fay Wray’s title as the original scream queen, Emmett has a couple scenes as Gertrude, the concerned companion of the film’s first female victim, an elderly woman of status.

Smaller roles in the Universal classics came towards the end of her life. In 1942’s fun and atmospheric The Mummy’s Tomb, Emmett plays dressmaker to the beautiful Elyse Knox’s Isobel, the film’s endangered heroine.

In 1943, Emmett achieved grand victimhood by taking one for genre goddess, Evelyn Ankers, whom was portraying Beth in Captive Wild Woman. As Aquanetta, in savage ape form, storms Beth’s room with murder on her mind, Emmett’s neighbor emerges from her room. Soon Emmett’s concerned citizen is meeting her squealing fate at the hairy hands of Aquanetta’s re-focused fury.

But, whether appearing just to enact a frenzied death throes or to offer up some quick comic goodness, Emmett always made a memorable presence – proving, that while her name may not rank up with there with the Garbo’s and Dietrich’s of her era, it certainly should.

Be sure to check back often as Big Gay Horror Fan frequently examines the glorious wonders of women in horror.

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is always welcoming friends of the towering femmes of terror at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well!

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

Review: A Chance in Hell

Published February 12, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Thankfully, the only dangerous experiments that Big Gay Horror Fan suffered through as a child were his mother’s efforts in the kitchen! Director/writer Tony Wash’s explosive short A Chance in Hell, though, explores some insidious experimentation gone wrong with body chewing results.

A haunting opening sequence details how a mad WWII Nazi doctor and his brainy tinkering with a young Jewish girl bring about a zombie apocalypse. This is not so bad for the Nazi’s – who deserve everything that they get. But, it does have some unfortunate consequences for a group of young American soldiers who find themselves up against some vicious undead German enemies.

Taking place in a (mostly) abandoned warehouse, this second feature from Wash and the inventive Scotchworthy productions is rich with atmosphere and perfect 1940’s period mayhem. This has won the piece much notice and a handful of greatly deserved awards (Best Short at the 2012 Action on Film Festival and at the 2011 Chicago Horror Film Festival).

Director Wash works with simplicity and focus here. The growth from his first, fun feature It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To is substantial, leaving one truly looking forward to his further efforts. He is greatly aided here by director of photography, Mitch Martinez, and art director, Andrew Nathan Anzen.

Meanwhile, Kyle Anthony Silveira, Kevin Zaideman, Bradley Fowler and Doug Heiar all excel as the combative yet frightened Yank military troupe while Chad Meyer’s spooky Dr. Bucher rivals them with evil intensity. It is Kendyl Lynch as the doomed and deadly girl who makes the grandest impression, though. Her zombie child is haunting and scary, at once. She leaves a lasting impression and the hope that we haven’t seen the last of this fascinating character.

Both A Chance in Hell and It’s My Party and I’ll Die If I Want To are available for purchase from www.scotchworthy.com.

You can, also, view the official trailer for A Chance In Hell here:

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always hiding from the war torn undead 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: Tim Matheson in Impulse!

Published February 11, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Big Gay Horror Fan can count the jaw-dropping moments of his youth on one finger: the moment he witnessed dreamy man-on-the-job Tim Matheson hop out of bed with a young Meg Tilly (One Dark Night, Psycho II, Body Snatchers) in 1984’s environmental horror opus Impulse – and walk across the room butt naked!

Matheson and Tilly portray a boyfriend and girlfriend who return to a small town gone crazy due to a crisis in her family. A toxin spill has turned old mom suicidal and soon Matheson’s Stuart is affected as well. This edge turns decidedly creepy when he takes up a small town Lolita’s offer for oral pleasure.

The other true notable in this ABC Motion Pictures’ production is the legendary Hume Cronyn’s (1943’s Phantom of the Opera, Hitchcock’s Lifeboat) decidedly creepy turn as the town doctor. Meanwhile, Bill Paxton rivals similar early turns in Mortuary, Night Warning and television slasher Deadly Lessons by showing up as another twisted townsperson.

But while those performances deserve mention from a creative standpoint, for those remembering their man starved youths, this film still resonates for another reason. It will always be Matheson’s cheeky jaunt across the floor that makes this portrayal of psyches gone astray one of most memorable viewing moments of our still explorative lives!

You can check out an electronic scored trailer for Impulse here:

Then be sure to check back often for further explorations into revealing acts of male flesh in fright flicks.

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

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

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Kyle Greer and the Closet – Skeleton Key

Published February 11, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Finances crumble, friendships topple and the nuns of the apocalypse escape from their velvet tombs – but in Big Gay Horror Fan’s world there is always one solace filled constant – music!

Of course, it’s even better when our favorite tunes contain small quirks of horror. Eclectic piano pop maestro Kyle Greer’s Skeleton Key EP is one such work.

Sprinkled with small tastes of gothic and the macabre, this work is layered with cascading musical variations on such propulsive tunes as Loverboy for Louisa and Dogkiller. Meanwhile, Little Arsonist would fit perfectly in a comedy about dysfunctional serial killers or coming out of the speakers of a party van in the latest retro-slasher.

Reaching dramatically, into the highest levels of his vocal register, Greer’s penultimate moment here is the fun, sweetly beautiful Mother. A ballad song in the voice of Norman Bates, this is musical theatre and arch comedy at its finest. Let’s hope Greer has a whole Psycho musical up his white and black colored sleeves.

To find more about Kyle and to purchase Skeleton Key be sure to visit www.kylegreerrocks.com!

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always busy exploring the film oeuvre of Anthony Perkins at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

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

Getting Graphic with CMac!

Published February 9, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Like many horror fans, Big Gay Horror Fan loves it when it gets graphic.

But our graphic opuses need smart graphics to sell them to the public and that is where Chris MacGibbon and his CMac Custom Designs come in. CMac has recently designed some amazing covers and posters for such projects as the Sugar Hill and The Video Dead, as shown here. Not surprising because this awesome up and coming company specializes in horror based designs.

To keep up with MacGibbon’s artistic mayhem, be sure to follow all the limb strewn adventures at:
http://www.facebook.com/CMacCustomDesigns.

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always showing off at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

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

Mark of Cain: Post Impact

Published February 8, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Whenever Big Gay Horror Fan is faced with unrepentant gasps of fire, dangerous space aliens, hostage taking malcontents or biological creatures gone mad, he thinks one thing – if only Dean Cain was here!

Yes, after his star making turn as Superman and his mild reporter alter-ego in Lois and Clark (1993-1997), Cain has appeared in countless low budget genre flicks, generally as the well regarded hero. So, as our political, financial and social climates continue on their crazy states of flux, there seems no better time to celebrate the man, the hope, the product of a breathless nation – the mark of Cain!

In 2004’s coldly CGI ridden Post Impact, Cain plays military hard gun Tom Parker. Stationed in Berlin with his wife and young daughter, Parker/Cain is forced to leave them behind by a violently by-the-book superior when an out of control comet threatens the earth’s safety.

Years later, the planet is apocalyptically stressed while Parker/Cain crosses frozen tundra after frozen tundra, along with his faithful mutt, trying to get back to his family. A surprising attack, originating from what was formerly Germany, on a governmental plane gets our hero back into the game – under his hated former employer, of course.

Soon enough, Cain/Parker is showering (with butt discretely hidden) with a sexy fellow officer, getting shot out of the sky, discovering an underground European village of survivalists and uncovering conspirators and plot twists aplenty. Along the way he develops feelings for the comely daughter/scientist of the man who could bring the world back to its former glory and for a young girl found surviving by ingenuity and wits in what was once Berlin. Who says a cheap Sci-Fi, apocalyptic horror epic can’t have family values?

You can check out a bit of Post Impact and its interesting mix of CGI, miniatures and real locales in the trailer, here:

Then be sure to check back often for more Mark of Cain, as well.

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always worshipping actors of superhumanly bad films at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan!

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

Genre Legends in Other Mediums: Kimberly Beck in Yours, Mine and Ours!

Published February 8, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

According to various published reports – Big Gay Horror Fan was cute as a child. Of course, this has never been truly confirmed.

There is proof positive that genre goddess Kimberly Beck (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Nightmare at Noon, Massacre at Central High, In the Deep Woods) was adorable as a kid, though. All you have to do is check out her winning performance as Janette North in popular 1968 comedy Yours, Mine and Ours.

Remade in 2005 with Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo, this frothy family adventure starred icons Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball as a naval couple, whose marriage combines their respective offspring making for a huge family unit of 18 siblings – (7 boys and 11 girls). Of course, there is much tumultuous mayhem and discord among the children until Ball’s unexpected pregnancy forges them all together in one solid bond.

Granted, with a bevy of youngsters –including (then 18 year old) Tim Matheson (Impulse, Buried Alive, Sometimes They Come Back, Wolf Lake), Suzanne Cupito (AKA Morgan Brittany of Dallas fame – and Death Car on the Freeway, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat), Eric Shea (The Poseidon Adventure) and Tracy Nelson (Fangs, Killer Bees!, The Perfect Tenant) all fighting for attention– there isn’t much screen time to go around.

But, Beck manages a few fun moments. Whether she is helping Ball prepare for her first date with Fonda, complaining about lack of phone privacy, engaging in a pillow fight with her newly found stepbrothers or helping make sandwiches for her numerous siblings – she is always charming and engaging here.

To check out a fun video of Ball and Beck in ‘affair making’ mode, check out the below video:

http://movieclips.com/VGmK-yours-mine-and-ours-movie-a-teenybopper-dress/

You can like the Facebook page for Yours, Mine and Ours at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Yours-Mine-and-Ours-1968/189233064441901?fref=ts and the Fan Page for the beyond amazing Beck is http://www.facebook.com/#!/kimberlybeckfans?fref=ts!

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always paying homage to the originals at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

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