Horror, She Wrote: Kim Darby

Published July 3, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Horror, She Wrote explores the episodes of the ever-popular detective series Murder, She Wrote, featuring Angela Lansbury’s unstoppable Jessica Fletcher, that were highlighted by performances from genre film actors.

Oh, paranoia! If you are anything like me, then you are eternally certain that when that office door closes, your managers are always talking about you.

In the 7th episode of Murder, She Wrote’s first season, We’re Off to Kill the Wizard, poor Kim Darby (Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark, Halloween 6, Teen Wolf 2, Circle of Fear) actually does have a boss that is out to get her. In one of that initial season’s best episodes, Darby plays Laurie Bascomby, the quivering secretary of the maniacally mean Horatio Baldwin, enacted with confirmed gusto by beloved character actor James Coco. (While mostly known for comic fare, one of Coco’s last roles was as a kindly, if misguided, social reformer in the 1988 prison based horror flick, The Chair.) While imbued with the trembling mousiness that viewers often expect from a Darby role, this veteran actress also supplies some layers of spine and a mild sense of humor to her role, here. Her character, ultimately, connects with the series’ grand dame Jessica Fletcher, who gladly assists her when her character is accused of murdering Coco’s.

Taking place in a haunted theme park, owned by Baldwin, this quickly moving story has plenty of shadowy encounters – and one of the best set pieces of the entire series, a huge prop head of Coco as a grinning vampire. One can only hope that item is still floating around the storage vaults of Universal Television!

On an interesting side note, this spooky jaunt also features a young Joaquin Phoenix as Fletcher’s great-nephew – but this show truly belongs to the sensitive Darby and the devilish Coco, who appears to be truly having a blast being so incredibly nasty.

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

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The Backside of Horror: J. Adam Brown, “Joyride 3: Road Kill”

Published July 2, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Let’s face it, half the fun of horror and exploitation is seeing some hot bodies frolicking around in the buff. And while I worship the female form, I believe exploitation definitely veers into the exploitive when only gorgeous women are on display while their male counterparts remain chastely buttoned up. Therefore, The Backside of Horror salutes the filmmakers and actors whom even up the score a bit by showing us instances of hot and juicy male flesh in their bloody celluloid fantasies.

Warning! Apparently, it is no longer just premarital sex and flagrant drug use that can get you viciously slashed in a horror film – attempted robbery is now, also, a no-no!

In the recently released Joy Ride 3: Road Kill meth addicts Candy (Sara Mitich) and Rob (J. Adam Brown) try to pull a heist on the revenge filled Rusty Nail (now embodied by Freddy Vs Jason’s Ken Kirzinger). But, of course, things do not end well for them.

Fortunately for inspired viewers, this less-than-dynamic duo are able to enjoy a spastic romp just before Mr. Nail comes barging through the door. And – while most directors would have concentrated, solely, on the Mitich’s much available flesh, here, the divine Declan O’Brien, also, gives us a gander at everything Brown has to offer, as well.

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

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Book Review: Combustion by Daniel W Kelly

Published July 1, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Warm hearted, silly and, most importantly, filled with tons of outrageous sex, Daniel W. Kelly’s novel Combustion combines supernatural activity, social commentary and fiery vampire lore with giddy aplomb.

Concerning the efforts of Deck Waxer, a burly PI, who finds himself in plenty of hot and horror-ific action in a burgeoning gay village known as Kremfort Cove, this queer terror entry is fast paced and adventurous. Most importantly, Kelly incorporates plenty of messages of positive self-image, here. Waxer, in particular, is painted as someone without the club boy body type. But he is, also, highly desired and intensely sexual – proving that wherever one falls on the physical spectrum, there is never any reason to doubt your desirability. A gentle giant named Milkman Stan, whose sexual activities are some of the more unusual covered here is, also, one of the book’s more enjoyable, body positive characters, as well.

Of course, with a multitude of interesting characters and several dangling plotlines at this tome’s end, it is no surprise that Kelly has revisited the world he has created here in his second novel, No Place for Little Ones.

You can gather more information about Kelly and his writing at http://www.danielwkelly.com. Kelly is, also, the majestic force behind Boys, Bears and Scares. Check that out at http://www.facebook.com/boysbearsandscares.

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

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Rediscovering Stonewall with (Artist) Sasha Steinberg

Published July 1, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

I, recently, had the chance to meet bodaciously talented (NYC based) artist Sasha Steinberg. Here, we chat about his vibrant new comic book series celebrating the glorious personalities that participated in the historic Stonewall Riots:

Further information on Steinberg and his art is available at http://www.ahsasha.com.

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

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Pride Weekend Report: Remembering the UpStairs Lounge Tragedy.

Published June 28, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Nobody much looks, anymore, as I swing down the street in razor blade stilettos, howling I Need A Man in a bad Kermit, the Frog voice. Unfortunately, it wasn’t always this way.

This Pride Weekend will mark the 41st Anniversary of what has been labeled one of the deadliest attacks on LGBT people in US history. On June 24th, 1973 in New Orleans, thirty-two people, horrifically, lost their lives when the UpStairs Lounge was set on fire.

Even though all reports suggest that the fire was started by a disgruntled patron of the bar, the city’s lack of response after the attack borders on the criminal. Most news outlets refused to cover the event and when they did, it was merely as a joke. Families refused to identify bodies and one victim, Rev Bill Larson, who perished as he tried to escape through the barred windows, was left on public display for hours, Medieval warning style.

Even now, few know of this heinous incident. But a recent, lovingly detailed article by the Friendly Atheist pays magnificent tribute to those who fell, years ago.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2013/06/24/remembering-the-upstairs-lounge-the-u-s-a-s-largest-lgbt-massacre-happened-40-years-ago-today/

An upcoming documentary film is, also, a potent reminder of all that was lost that day.

Here’s hoping that as people whisk through this weekend in drunken delight, they take a moment to acknowledge Larson (and all others) who paved the way – – and perished due to much less accepting climes.

Big Gay Horror Fan

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Review: Scum

Published June 27, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

After working all day at Big Bo’s Big Body Parts Shack, I often feel particularly filthy.

My outsides could never look as corrupted as the insides of the lead character in Zach Schildwachter’s potent short, Scum, though. Utilizing testimonials from real life serial killers to populate his killer’s thoughts, Shildwachter creates a very potent, nearly poetic examination here.

Nice editing, solid performances and a sure sense of filmic purpose mark Scum as a vital calling card, making viewers eager for more fine, independent horror from the shores of Ohio, where this mini-opus was filmed.

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

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Astro Radio Z: The Last of Witchcraft!

Published June 25, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

So, this is just like the time I went out with the drooling maniac that my mother (the lesbian prostitute nun) wanted to marry. Even though she didn’t realize it at the time, I was doing her a favor.

Likewise, the charming gents of the amazing podcast Astro Radio Z and myself have taken a bullet for all cinematic voyeurs out there by diving into the entire Witchcraft series! Yes, watching the oftentimes unbelievably boring entries in this soft core horror enterprise was both a horror and a joy – something we all point out in this the (gasp!) final episode covering the last two (ahem!) films in the series.

So, dive in – and if you find that you need a warlock to help pull you out of the mucky abyss – please DON’T call someone named Will Spanner!

http://astroradioz.tumblr.com/post/89509938852/the-final-witchcraft-episode-its-over-listen

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

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Sexy Witch, Dark Side of the Moon!

Published June 24, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Acting like a witch isn’t always a bad thing – especially when you are talking about Charlie Irving and Aaron Cammack, the two versatile performers playing seductive witches in New American Folk Theatre’s Dark of the Moon. I, recently, had the chance to talk with this fabulously talented duo and I am still feeling beguiled and fascinatingly charmed!

Dark of the Moon runs until June 29th, 2014 at the Den Theatre in Chicago. More information is available at http://www.newamericanfolktheatre.org.

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

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

The Unexpected Father – A Memoir Piece.

Published June 24, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

Me and my real dad.

This is probably my favorite photo of us. We’re in costume for (my first summer stock show) American Primitive.

There is an interesting, vaguely unsettling (to my childhood mind) stage dad story with this, as well. This was 1976 and for the 1.5/2 weeks of rehearsal, a young, very handsome blonde actor had been playing my father in the show. Suddenly, a day or so before we opened, the director (a darker, heavyset guy) took over the part. If I’m not mistaken, that was the plan all along – but I was never told.

Honestly, I don’t think I ever said a word to the first guy off-stage, being enamored and much too shy, but I had definitely bonded with him, theatrically, and didn’t like the change. I was bewildered yet exceedingly polite about the situation – but not happy.

As the show came to a close, the imposter stage dad became increasingly emotional before every performance – stating each night, loudly and dramatically, to me (& to all that were near) that “In two days…one day…tonight…I’m losing a son!!!”

I thought it was the strangest thing ever. I knew we were just acting!

Anyhow, all these years later, I do hope that my second fake dad eventually had plenty of kids who truly loved him – or, as the case may be (bachelor actor!!!), had plenty of fictional theatre children who adored him in all the ways that I certainly couldn’t!

But…

Next time, let a kid know, yo!!!!

Big Gay Horror Fan
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Kelli Maroney Talks!

Published June 23, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

She’s overpowered tiny yet vicious rolling robots, post apocalyptic zombies and a murder happy madman or two – now eclectic genre actress Kelli Maroney is taking over the airwaves.

Along with Rick Farmiloe, Amanda Raymond and Jerry McCarty, Maroney (Chopping Mall, Zero Boys, Night of the Comet) is one of the co-hosts of the truly fun podcast, Rick’s Martini Bar. The show’s most recent guest is the (pictured) legendary Chuck McCann (Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Cameron’s Closet), but you can catch up with previous episodes featuring folks like Maroney’s CM co-star Tony O’Dell and former drive-in cutie Kristine DeBell (Meatballs, Cheerleaders Wild Weekend) at the link below, as well!

http://www.mccartymetro.com/podcast.html

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

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan