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

susan
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

012

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.

010

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.

016

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

022

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

032

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

029

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!

Tuesday Knight – “Faith”

Published December 7, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

faith
As Big Gay Horror Fan stumbles down the rocky path of his daily existence, he has often dreamed about musical backgrounds to highlight all of his sharp adventures.

Finally, with Tuesday Knight’s brilliantly eclectic collection Faith, I have found the perfect sonic expression for all of my many moods.

Anchored by Knight’s dusky, expressive growl, the tracks on Faith run the gamut. From perky pop, limb rousing dance, dramatic rock and (even) country, Knight proves she is a woman of many seasons here and the singular goddess of every last one!

Horror fans are most likely to gasp with happiness over the inclusion of Nightmare, the potent (legendary) opening track to Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master. Knight exposes herself in all her glory, though, throughout the set list. Fun resolve is the name of the day on kinetic Out of Control while heartache is mined with potent skill on superior Throw Me Away. If It Takes All Night and Little Things would fit perfectly at a 50’s sock hop. Title track, Faith, meanwhile rings with subtle modular changes that ultimately delight.

Faith (which is comprised of 18 total tracks) is available, for a limited time only, from http://www.mp-ent.com/

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

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

Zombie Eye for the Living Guy!

Published December 6, 2012 by biggayhorrorfan

zombie-eye-for-the-living-guy-01
Finally! Reality television has done something besides produce magazine covers with people that Big Gay Horror Fan has never heard of. Obviously inspired by the antics that Queer Eye for the Straight Guy brought to our societal ranks, Zombie Eye for the Living Guy is a comic, beautifully photographed look at surviving with style when the zombie invasion arrives.

zombie-eye-for-the-living-guy-02With bright text by J.M. Hewitt and hauntingly stylistic images by Alexander Colby, Zombie Eye is a limb chewing, good bet for hours of fun!

Check out the trailer for the book at:

You can, also, ramble along with the antics of Colby, Hewitt and undead crew at:
http://www.facebook.com/ZombieEye!

Meanwhile, Big Gay Horror Fan is always shambling along at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, too!

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