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Pride Month Crush – Michael Philip

Published June 27, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

Michael CharmedGrowing up in a small farm town of 600 in the ‘80s, most of my crush material was derived from soap opera broadcasts and late-night horror flicks on HBO. Oftentimes, there was cross pollination of the genres – Steve Bond (General Hospital, The Prey), Brian Matthews (The Young and the Restless, The Burning), Kevin Bacon (Friday the 13th, Guiding Light), Christopher Goutman (The Prowler, Search for Tomorrow), David Oliver (Another World, The Horror Show), David Wallace (Days of Our Lives, Mortuary) and so many others significantly participated in both mediums.

The grave voiced Michael Philip, who played Donna Logan’s bad boy boyfriend Mark Mallory for a year on The Bold and the Beautiful, was one of my favorites of that era. With his smooth chest, masculine demeanor and deep vocal rhythms, he seemed like perfect fantasy husband material to me.

His follow-up appearances since that dramatic heyday have been sporadic, but truly unique. He pops up as a depression era protestor in the Roger Corman produced Big Bad Mama II and hosted the short-lived science fiction series Welcome to Paradox, as well. His distinctive qualities also found outlets in such comedies as Married…with Children and Police Academy: The Series. Michael Frday

Television terror aficionados are sure to recognize him from his appearances on Friday the 13th: The Series and Charmed, as well. As a murderous lifeguard beguiled by a body swapping amulet in The Long Road Home (3/15), he quickly met his end on F13:TS. His screen time as Stefan (main photo), an essence evaporating photographer, on Charmed was a bit more significant and fans of that show hold him in high regard as one of that popular production’s wiliest demons.

In the years since, Philip has continued his career as a successful voice over artist, business man and father…and would probably be very happy to know that I still own that 8×10 that he sent me decades ago!

Michael Autograph

 

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Ella Fitzgerald

Published May 3, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

ella-fitzgerald-1940

Supernaturally talented, the divine Ella Fitzgerald shunned the more ostentatious aspects of show business, putting her complete concentration on the music. Known for her historic jazz stylings, she also added shades of other genres into her repertoire, including pop and country. In particular, her late ‘60s Capital LP Misty Blue featured her upbeat take on the Nashville sound.

Appropriately, Evil On Your Mind, a track off that offering, explores the horrors of love gone on the prowl, earning her a spot on every sympathetic terror freak’s playlist forever.

Naturally, they’re in good company.  Even the musically eclectic Melissa Manchester is a fan!

http://www.ellafitzgerald.com/

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

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Ella

Music to Make Horror Movies By: The Del Rubio Triplets

Published April 12, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

Del Rubio Triplets

Of all the female powered groups that ruled the ‘80s, The Del Rubio Triplets had to be the most unique. Originally performing with bandleader Xavier Cugat in the ‘40s, they achieved cult status in the neon decade via their appearances on Pee Wee’s Playhouse and other television shows like Night Court, Married with Children and Sliders.

While best known for their enthusiastic covers of songs by Devo, Pointer Sisters and The Bangles, they also brought out all the best Halloween razzmatazz for their version of The Wizard of Oz’s Ding Dong, the Witch is Dead.

With their uniquely bright personalities shining like a supernatural spotlight, Milly (1921-2011), Elena (1921–2001) and Eadie (1921-1996), will unsurprisingly live forever in our hearts.

Del Rubio 2

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By – June Havoc

Published February 9, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

June Havoc

Sporting one of the most unique life resumes for a performer, the unstoppable June Havoc was a vaudevillian, playwright, film actress and the owner-landlord of an entire town during her lifetime. Perhaps best known as the inspiration for the character of Baby June in the classic musical Gypsy, a theatrical offering she always emphasized was a fable not reality, Havoc also gave vampirism a distinguished glow in Larry Cohen’s A Return to Salem’s Lot. June Havoc Salems

Of course, her vampishly dynamic performances in a series of Hollywood musicals left quite an impression on a generation of young men, as well.

Sinful Cindy Lou from Sing Your Worries Away paired her with the rubbery Buddy Ebsen and comic legend Patsy Kelly.

Meanwhile, The Man With the Big Sombrero from Hi Diddle Diddle allowed her to sonically compete with herself.

The maverick Havoc, who died in 2010 at the age of 97, actually has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was nominated for a Tony Award as the director of Marathon ’33, a play that she also wrote.

June Havoc signed

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

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Va-Va-Villainess: Jeanette Nolan

Published February 6, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

Jeanette Nolan Big Heat

Very few performers have been able to achieve the cold, lascivious evil that Jeanette Nolan is able to generate in the classic 1953 noir The Big Heat. As Bertha Duncan, the conniving wife of a corrupt police official, this distinguished performer uses steely silence and manipulative tears to ensure her character’s chance at a life of wealth and opulence. An unmoving witness to suicide and murder, Duncan is ultimately one of the iciest dames ever to be featured in dark crime cinema, a testament to Nolan’s sophisticated skills. Jeanette Nolan Big Heat 2

Not surprisingly, Nolan’s first major onscreen role was Lady Macbeth in Orson Welles’ adaptation of the classic Shakespearean piece Macbeth. Her work in The Big Heat, though subtle, definitely carries shades of the poetically operatic, earning herself the distinction of being one of the finest actresses who has ever committed herself to the celluloid art form.

Horror Hall of Fame:

Nolan’s long lasting career included many genre credits. She brought a vibrant glow to 1966’s Chamber of Horrors and a similar spark along with a parade of outrageous hair pieces to 1965’s My Blood Runs Cold (pictured). She added a bit more serious contemplation to such television anthology series as The Twilight Zone, Thriller and Circle of Fear, as well.

Jeanette Nolan My Blood

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: The McGuire Sisters

Published February 2, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

The McGuire Sistes

Their lovely harmonies have found their way into multiple films and televisions shows. Indeed, what would projects like Porky’s II: The Next Day, Mad Men, Come Back to the Five and Dime and (mild terror nudge here) White Noise 2: The Light be without such McGuire Sisters’ songs as Sincerely, Goodnight, Sweetheart, Goodnight and Sugar Time?

1965’s Right Now!, their final album, even featured a bit of a rock and roll edge. The song Truer Than You (from that release) fits more firmly in multi-tracked Patti Page terrority,  but is nonetheless relatable to anyone who has experienced the horrors of the heart.

The worthy recipients of multiple Hall of Fame awards, this familial trio is represented today with solo strength by surviving sister Phyllis.

The McGuire Sisters, Phyllis, Dorothy and Christine

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

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Sharkbait Retro Village: The Spiral Staircase

Published January 31, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

SS1

If the thought of the steel toed Holland Taylor taking over for the unrivaled Ethel Barrymore in matriarchal duties fills your heart with glee – as it should – then the 2000 television film reimagining of The Spiral Staircase will be right up your alley.

This third full length adaptation of Ethel Lina White’s classic Some Must Watch emphasizes the horrific elements of this piece. Revolving around a killer obsessed with handicapped women, its participants are now decidedly stranded on a sheltered island during a powerful storm. Thus, Taylor has much atmosphere to work with as she fills Barrymore’s boots portraying the rich and secretive Mrs. Warren. Joined by gorgeous nighttime soap mainstay Nicolette Sheridan (as her mute nurse) and former glamour boys Judd Nelson and Alex McArthur (Madonna’s Papa Don’t Preach video), Taylor simply and subtly steals the show here.SS2

Appreciatively, screenwriter Matt Dorff applies some new twists, allowing fans of the other versions to surprised by the revelation of the culprit (or culprits) here. Granted, the 1975 theatrical offering with Jacqueline Bissett may have been a bit more gruesome in its displays of violence, but this version does feature some nicely shadowy malevolence and makes crashing use of its titular inspiration in the final moments of this much adapted piece of gothic horror.

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

SS3

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: The Crystals

Published January 26, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

The Crystals

While seemingly bypassed in affection by The Ronettes, their sisters in NYC harmony, the beautifully dynamic The Crystals are often hailed as the finest girl group of the sixties. Experiencing many of the behind the scenes manipulations of that era in music, Barbara Alston, Mary Thomas, “Dee Dee” Kenniebrew, Myrna Giraud, Patsy Wright (and eventually) “LaLa” Brooks, nevertheless left a lasting impression on the world with hits like He’s A Rebel, Da Doo Ron Ron and Then He Kissed Me.

Their first full length album Twist Uptown even featured this homage to everyone’s favorite mad scientist.

Nicely for fans of powerful female vocalists, The Crystals, led by Kenniebrew, are still performing to this day.

www.thecrystals.net

Crystals Twist Uptown

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

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Horror Mash-Up: Lionel Atwill and Virginia Bruce

Published January 25, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

Virginia and Lionel

He was the master of ‘30s and ‘40s movie villainy. She was a musical comedy debutante who invigorated one of Universal Horror’s classic series. Together, they met in one of Abbott and Costello’s silliest comedies.

The film was 1942’s Pardon My Sarong. Here the cupid cute Virginia Bruce, star of The Invisible Woman, and Lionel Atwill, the dark knight of everything from Murders at the Zoo to The Mad Doctor of Market Street, battled it out as feisty heroine Joan Marshall and the diabolical criminal known only as Varnall.

Naturally, Atwill is defeated, as he often was, by the film’s fadeout. Still, surprises abound in this polyglot production. The Ink Spots mesmerize in a couple of first act musical numbers…and Atwill and Lou Costello engage in some energetically physical confrontations as Bruce provides fetching vocal commentary to their erstwhile shenanigans.

Virginia and Lionel 2

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Va-Va-Villainess: Virginia Bruce

Published January 24, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

Virginia Bruce Born to Dance cigarette

As Broadway diva Lucy James in 1936’s Born to Dance, smoldering pixie Virginia Bruce causes much havoc between enthusiastic hoofer Nora Paige (Eleanor Powell) and her shy, devoted sailor beau Ted Barker (Jimmy Stewart).

bruce-stewart-born-to-danceInitially using him as a publicity ploy, James soon grows serious about Barker. This, nicely, gives Bruce a chance to add layers of soft pain to her characterization. This humanity doesn’t stop this character’s out of control anger issues, though. After destroying a hotel suite and getting Paige fired from her understudy job, James is decidedly left on the outskirts of the film’s grand and happy finish. Virgina BTD2

Not surprisingly, the talented Bruce still comes out the winner, though. Born to Dance’s score was composed by none other than Cole Porter and, with sweet elegance, she introduced his classic I’ve Got You Under My Skin, which was nominated for an Academy Award, here.

Horror Hall of Fame:

Bruce filled the title role of 1940’s The Invisible Woman, a more comic take for the classic Universal horror series. This natural celluloid wonder also tangled with eternal mad scientist Lionel Atwill in the Abbott and Costello comedy Pardon My Sarong.

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

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