Hopelessly Devoted To: Marilyn Maxwell

Published May 16, 2020 by biggayhorrorfan

Marilyn Maxwell

Whether mocking the heroics of action cinema in 1956’s Forever Darling or reacting perfectly to the antics of comic Red Skeleton as the two explored a haunted house on his long running variety show, Marilyn Maxwell was always on the mark. One of those eclectically zaftig blondes that never got the attention she deserved despite her multiple talents, Maxwell has probably been best known, and then only to aggressive cinephiles, as the agreeable accomplice to such legends as Bob Hope, Lucille Ball and Skeleton.

Marilyn Maxwell Swing Fever Beginning her career as a beautiful background artist, often cast as supple showgirls, in such MGM epics as Presenting Lily Mars and Du Barry Was a Lady (which featured both Ball and Skeleton), Maxwell eventually graduated to leading roles in such silly efforts as The Show Off (again with Skeleton) and The Lemon Drop Kid (with Hope). Her first major role as entertainer Ginger Gray in 1943’s Swing Fever even had a bit of a genre connotation as it revolved around the ridiculous exploits of a band leader cursed with an evil eye.

Skilled as a singer and dancer, Maxwell was also a hit in USO shows for the troops during WWII and the Korean War. Apparently, she was a hit with Rock Hudson as well and, thusly, has been sporadically entering the news again as Hudson’s public profile blossoms due to Ryan Murphy’s recently released Hollywood series. Apparently, after initially being set up as one of the gay actor’s beards, the two quickly grew close and even contemplated marriage. Some reports even claim that their relationship may have gone past the friendship stage. Marilyn Maxwell and Rock Hudson 2

But more than anything, Maxwell, who died at the very young age of 50 due to heart problems, deserves to be remembered for her magnetic performances and joyful spirit. She was definitely one of kind. In fact, one can even imagine her spirit sprinkling out into the starlight, creating glittery energy and hopeful wanderlust for all those weary small-town kids living only for their future dreams.

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

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Maxwell haunted house hunting with Red

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Bruce Davison

Published October 21, 2018 by biggayhorrorfan

bruce davison willard

Beloved by the queer community for his Oscar nominated work in Longtime Companion, an acclaimed look at the effects of the AIDS crisis, the eclectic Bruce Davison has also worked with a number of classic film’s acclaimed divas.

Bruce-Davison-Mame-1974 In the skittering horror of Willard, Davison shared significant screen time with Elsa Lanchester, the Frankenstein Monster’s favored bride. A few years later, he played the nephew of comedic genius Lucille Ball in the celluloid version of the musical Mame. In that project, he added the role of vocalist to the many notches on his creative belt.

Nicely, Davison is still providing layered and passionate support to many of gothic filmdom’s talented divas. His recent work opposite Lin Shaye in Insidious: The Last Key provided both performers with the chance to connect with subtle yet deep emotion. He also provided a glow of kind energy against the more nefarious outpourings of such genre pros as Meg Foster and Dee Wallace in Rob Zombie’s very personal Lords of Salem.

Bruce and me

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

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Music to Make Horror Movies By: Lucille Ball

Published October 14, 2018 by biggayhorrorfan

lucille ball lured

Known to many as the queen of comedy, the adventurous Lucille Ball was also movie royalty. Her many projects ranged from dramas (Stage Door) to musicals (Ziegfeld Follies) to smart amusements (Room Service). She also conquered the blacker edges of cinema with The Dark Corner, a popular film noir, and Lured, a gothic horror piece that had her showgirl facing down a Jack the Ripper type and a very neurotic couturier, played with nervy zest by Boris Karloff.

Admired for her enthusiastic appearances on a number of variety programs, Ball teamed with Mel Tormé to spoof the rock and roll flecked beach films. Nicely, The Surfboard Came Back By Itself also provides a bit of Jaws flair for all animals gone wild diehards.

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

lucille glamour

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Genre Legends in Other Mediums: Kimberly Beck in Yours, Mine and Ours!

Published February 8, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

According to various published reports – Big Gay Horror Fan was cute as a child. Of course, this has never been truly confirmed.

There is proof positive that genre goddess Kimberly Beck (Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, Nightmare at Noon, Massacre at Central High, In the Deep Woods) was adorable as a kid, though. All you have to do is check out her winning performance as Janette North in popular 1968 comedy Yours, Mine and Ours.

Remade in 2005 with Dennis Quaid and Rene Russo, this frothy family adventure starred icons Henry Fonda and Lucille Ball as a naval couple, whose marriage combines their respective offspring making for a huge family unit of 18 siblings – (7 boys and 11 girls). Of course, there is much tumultuous mayhem and discord among the children until Ball’s unexpected pregnancy forges them all together in one solid bond.

Granted, with a bevy of youngsters –including (then 18 year old) Tim Matheson (Impulse, Buried Alive, Sometimes They Come Back, Wolf Lake), Suzanne Cupito (AKA Morgan Brittany of Dallas fame – and Death Car on the Freeway, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat), Eric Shea (The Poseidon Adventure) and Tracy Nelson (Fangs, Killer Bees!, The Perfect Tenant) all fighting for attention– there isn’t much screen time to go around.

But, Beck manages a few fun moments. Whether she is helping Ball prepare for her first date with Fonda, complaining about lack of phone privacy, engaging in a pillow fight with her newly found stepbrothers or helping make sandwiches for her numerous siblings – she is always charming and engaging here.

To check out a fun video of Ball and Beck in ‘affair making’ mode, check out the below video:

http://movieclips.com/VGmK-yours-mine-and-ours-movie-a-teenybopper-dress/

You can like the Facebook page for Yours, Mine and Ours at: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Yours-Mine-and-Ours-1968/189233064441901?fref=ts and the Fan Page for the beyond amazing Beck is http://www.facebook.com/#!/kimberlybeckfans?fref=ts!

Big Gay Horror Fan, meanwhile, is always paying homage to the originals at http://www.facebook.com/#!/BigGayHorrorFan, as well.

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