Joseph Bottoms

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Horror, She Wrote: Piper Laurie in “Murder at the Oasis”

Published May 27, 2014 by biggayhorrorfan

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(Exploring the horror film actors who, happily, dominated episodes of Murder, She Wrote, the show that featured everyone’s favorite 80s/90s female detective, Jessica Fletcher.)

Even when covered in pink frosting and wearing a strawberry tutu on my head, I aim for a regal nature. Funny, somehow it never quite works out.

Maybe I should take some lessons from that magnificent theatrical dame known as Piper Laurie (Ruby, Possession, Dario Argento’s Trauma and Twin Peaks). Playing the distinguished Peggy Shannon on the first season Murder at the Oasis episode of Murder, She Wrote, Laurie practically drips with royalty. Unlike her more famous counterpart, Margaret White in 1976’s Carrie, Laurie/Shannon also beams with understanding compassion for her children, here, each thought to be responsible for their aggressive comedian father’s murder.

piper josephSaid children are, also, played by actors with a number of terror credits to their names. Most fun is Linda Purl (Visiting Hours) who clearly is relishing playing the seductive and willful Terry, a lass who dates bad boys (such as Saturday Night Live’s Joseph Cali) just to anger (her soon to be dead) poppa. Supernaturally handsome Joseph Bottoms (The Intruder Within, Blind Date) counters Purl with more sensitive instincts as a musician who never quite got the needed paternal seal of approval.
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With a cast of supporting Rat Pack like characters and obvious nods to Frank Sinatra’s nefarious dealings, the episode, as a whole, is a mildly enjoyable one. Although, a little bit more involvement from the distinguished Laurie (who virtually disappears in the second half of the proceedings), would have definitely helped this one along.

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

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Genre Legends in Other Mediums: Kelli Maroney in Celebrity!

Published February 23, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

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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.

celebrityMaroney, 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.

005Her 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.josephbottoms

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!