Horror Anthology Films

All posts tagged Horror Anthology Films

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Elisabeth Welch

Published November 15, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

The stunning Elisabeth Welch is a major part of the success of the classic 1945 anthology Dead of Night. As the fun and vibrant Beulah in the film’s most popular segment, The Ventriloquist’s Dummy, she is one of the first characters to react to the fact that something is off with Michael Redgrave’s Maxwell and his devious puppet partner Hugo.

Welch was much more than a sympathetic terror conspirator, though. One of the most sophisticated stars of the British theater and Broadway, she often introduced songs that went on to be classics.

Cementing her status as a cult icon, Welch also fabulously worked with auteur Derek Jarman in the late ‘70s.

More can, but need not be said!

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

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Unsung Heroines of Horror: Googie Withers

Published November 13, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

The height of English elegance, the distinguished Googie Withers made appearances in everything from Alfred Hitchcock adventures (The Lady Vanishes) to multiple, stagey dramas with Michael Powell (the director of the controversial Peeping Tom).

If they search their memories, classic horror lovers would find they remember her fondly, as well. As Joan Cortland in the acclaimed 1945 anthology Dead of Night, Withers proved herself to be a cunning adversary for a maniacal spirit that dwells within a mirror in one of the film’s most haunting tales. As Cortland’s husband Peter (Ralph Michael) suffers greatly due to the visions he sees within the spectral looking glass’ reflection, Joan wisely uses her investigative skills to determine its history, learning simultaneously how to defeat it. Working with subtle economy and grace, Withers proves herself to be truly modern, gracefully victorious heroine of horror here.

Nicely, Withers showed the extent of her range by playing the connivingly determined Helen Nosseross in the moody 1950 film noir Night and the City, as well. Teaming up with Richard Widmark’s wild eyed con man, Wither’s spits out Helen’s dialogue with spite and vitriolic vinegar, her disdain for her corpulent businessman husband (Francis L. Sullivan) visible in every frame of film that she imbues with her commanding presence.

Indeed, with dozens of theater projects and distinguished cinematic adventures to her credit, Withers, who died in 2011 at the age of 94, is definitely worthy of significant rediscovery by today’s always hungry celluloid masses.

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

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Scarewaves in Chicago!

Published August 28, 2015 by biggayhorrorfan

scarewaves
Got your bloody boogie board ready? Well, then you’re all set to take on a few Scarewaves!

Ohio based filmmaker Henrique Couto and screenwriter John Oak Dalton will be attending a special screening of their horror anthology Scarewaves at Chicago Filmmakers, 5243 N. Clark, in Chicago (naturally) on Saturday, September 12th.

Described as Talk Radio meets Creepshow, this seems like one movie event that Midwest terror freaks won’t want to miss.

https://www.facebook.com/events/1651191138451375/

And if you aren’t Illinois bound any time in the future, be sure to check out the fun official trailer at

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

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Review: Hole in the Wall

Published May 15, 2015 by biggayhorrorfan

hole in the wall
During a panel at 2015’s C2E2 this past April, comic creators Tim Seeley, Mike Norton and Joshua Williamson, the forces behind such books as Revival and Nailbiter, asserted that horror stories that take place in the wide open spaces of rural communities are twice as scary as those that take place in urban settings.

Bearing this out, Rabid Child Films’ indie horror anthology Hole in the Wall perfectly captures the tree whistling creepiness of small town madness and mayhem over 7 different pieces, skillfully edited by producer Derrick Carey and all directed by Wisconsin based writers and directors.

While the focus here is on graphic horror, often revolving around serial killers types, such pieces as Carolyn Baker’s Siren and Greg Johnson’s Last Dance, also, add a little arty flair and John Waters’ style perversity to the mix.

HOLEINTHEWALLJohnson, known for his passionate contributions to Cory Udler’s Incest Death Squad series, also, appears across multiple segments here, handling his many acting duties with humor and wild eyed finesse. He is, ably, supported by the enthusiastic Draven Wagner whose curious Eli provides the linchpin to the telling of many of the tales. Of course, terror purists will thrill to the inclusion of Night of the Living Dead’s Judith O’Dea in Udler’s Ed Gein D.D.S. O’Dea is riveting in her brief bit as Gein’s mother, applying all her velvety theatrical power to her short spot, here. Indie horror queen Heather Dorff, also, offers up some flair in the same segment, bringing passionate focus to the expected girl-in-jeopardy quotient.

The entire film, which visually revels in its attempts to disgust, particularly in Rob Michels’ churning Scumbag segment, is given a huge opening boost via the presence of Georgia based filmmaker Andrew Shearer, as well. Playing a William Castle style showman, Shearer welcomes you to the gruesome festivities with an ingratiating yet slightly demented smoothness. He provides a great start to a truly twisted DIY ride.

Be sure to keep at eye level with all of Hole In The Wall’s screenings at https://www.facebook.com/GORYHOLE and/or purchase it for download at http://rabidchildfilms.storenvy.com/.

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

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Review: The Horror Network, Volume 1

Published October 22, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

horror network
I’ve never been accused of having an international flair. Hell, I’m lucky if I don’t knock over half my collectibles when stumbling awake in the morning. Therefore, I am thankful that reel EPIC entertainment provides a true continental experience, for everyone, by including haunted offerings from Spain, England and America in their latest terror anthology, The Horror Network, Volume 1.

Nicely, the five short subjects included are beautiful directed, filmed and acted. The production, also, sets itself apart from other offerings by allowing its fright fueled antics to originate from very real life horrors. Thus, such subjects as war crimes, pedophilia, child napping and domestic violence are given fantastical and, occasionally, true to life treatment, here. horror network poster

Therefore, those expecting the goofy antics of Creepshow or old school Amicus collections may be slightly put off, but those wishing to experience some genuine and emotionally viable horror will find plenty to intrigue them with these smart and often ultra-artistic nightmares.

Be sure to become a part of The Horror Network at:
https://www.facebook.com/themacabremovie

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

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Our Doom? Hole in the Wall Trailer Unleashed!

Published August 27, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

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Brutal? Disgusting! Delightful!??!!

Yes, the official trailer for Wisconsin based anthology film Hole in the Wall has been unleashed upon the world. That sound you hear out your apartment window? Why, the cheers of delighted gore hounds from near and far!

Check ‘er out!

Be sure to keep the chunks flying at https://www.facebook.com/GORYHOLE, as well!

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

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Sally Ann Howes: The (Truly Natural) Queen of Horror!

Published July 31, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

NPG x14112; Sally Ann Howes by Cecil Beaton
As a kid, actress-singer Sally Ann Howes meant my grandparents’ television soundtrack LP of Brigadoon. For many, of course, she was (the awesomely named) Truly Scrumptious from kiddy classic Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. (Chitty, of course, featured one of the most menacing figures of tiny tot horror, Robert Helpmann’s truly malevolent Child Catcher.)

sally donBut Howes has a pretty impressive terror pedigree, as well. Significantly, she played (naturally enough) a girl named Sally in the classic 1945 British anthology feature Dead of Night. Perkily, Howes recounts Sally’s tale of a supernatural encounter at a holiday party at a swanky mansion. But Howes, also, nails her character’s bone deep fright upon discovering the small boy she, innocently, tucked into bed was actually a ghost. The honest emotion that she brings to this story makes it just as significant a contribution to the film as its most famous tale, the story of an overpowering ventriloquist’s dummy featuring the legendary Michael Redgrave. M8DDESH EC003

Years later, Howes brought a sense of true maternal concern to her role of Margaret Mitchell in 1980’s Death Ship. While no Gone with the Wind, Death Ship features plenty of spooky activity (including blood spurting shower heads and skeleton baths) taking place on a mysteriously drifting vessel, innocently boarded by the survivors of an aquatic wreck. sally george

Howes does spend most of her time, here, either nurturing the actors playing her children or reacting in horror to being accosted by co-star Kate Reid’s bubonic prosthetics and/or George Kennedy’s maddened sea captain. But, her extreme naturalness makes all the extraordinary circumstances of this Nazi-tinged, water bound horror ring with truth, as well.

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

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Tales of Poe (Official Trailer)

Published July 31, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

TOP's Donaldson (Curtains, Funeral Home)

TOP’s Donaldson (Curtains, Funeral Home)


Dine at the Scream Queen Buffet?!? With appearances by (femme horror film regulars) Debbie Rochon, Adrienne King, Amy Steel, Caroline Williams, Lesleh Donaldson, Susan Adrienson, Amy Lynn Best and Zoe Daelman Chlanda that is exactly what Bart Mastronardi and Alan Rowe Kelly’s upcoming Tales of Poe invites you to do!

…and the official trailer makes the whole shrieking affair look like bloody awesome fun, as well!

Now that you’re heeding the raven’s call, be sure to entomb yourself with all this awesome (literary based) project has to offer at the following sites:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tales-of-Poe and

http://www.talesofpoe.com

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

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