Hipster-Restaurant Regan & the Queer Book of Horror

Published December 31, 2023 by biggayhorrorfan

As with many physical media collectors, my stacks of films are ever growing and sometimes years will pass before I watch something that I purchased at some dusky garage sale or found for supercheap online. Naturally, my bounty was further enhanced with the unfortunate decline of neighborhood video stores. I, for one, could not resist even the shoddiest looking homegrown horror flick if it was only going to cost me a buck or two. One night, while at my restaurant gig, one of my tables commented on whatever movie related t-shirt I was wearing at the time. We started chatting about films and I discovered one of them had appeared as an extra in one of the low budget terror extravaganzas that I had recently picked up. “I was the girl who pukes at the frat party in Terror at Baxter U,” she informed me, somewhat sheepishly. Photo ops, naturally, ensued.

Due to that encounter, I sped up my timeline for viewing this particular oddity. I found it to have its own set of weird, low budget charms – the most significant being the strange reveal of a May-December romance between an aged professor and one of his male pupils, resulting in a kind of extreme take on the Billy-Stu dynamic from the original Scream. Furthering the story, I was asked, soon after, to be one of a several essayists for an encyclopedia style book about queer characters and themes in horror films. Naturally, Baxter found itself a major place in my writing for that.

Flashforward almost 10 years and that book is finally almost ready for release. Thus, I send a word of thanks out to my very own hipster-restaurant Regan and, wherever she may be, I hope she is proud, in her own way, of the literary conduct that she inspired.

Meanwhile, more information on Queer Horror: A Film Guide is available from the publisher at:

Queer Horror – McFarland (mcfarlandbooks.com)

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

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Gay Shit in Horror: Terror at Baxter U!

Published November 13, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Erik Hill (Chet) and Bill Vincent (Moxie). Terror at Baxter U’s happiest couple?

My kindergarten teacher sure was surprised when she walked in the girls’ room at recess and discovered that I was the one who was sacrificing all those classroom kittens to the Goddesses of Methodical Crayon Worship! (See what being raised by a delirious coven of lesbian prostitute nuns will do for you!)

Likewise, viewers of 2003 zero budget schlock piece Terror at Baxter U were probably just as surprised at this film’s truly interesting climax.

Painted as the piece’s doddering hero, Bill Vincent’s Professor Moxie seemingly expires while racing off to stop the chupacabra monster that has been slaughtering countless students. As his mournful charges carry on, eventually killing the faculty member they believe is responsible for unleashing the beast, a half naked Moxie re-emerges with the chivalrous group’s loud mouthed faction, Chet (Erik F. Hill), on his arm.

“There’s gold in them there hills, no??”

It soon becomes clear that, despite the 40 year age difference, something special is going on between Moxie, who reveals he is the mastermind behind the hungry creature’s escape, and Chet – especially as the younger man leans down to lick the older man’s nipple. This occurrence is so out-of-left field, though, that repeated viewings may be necessary to determine that you have just actually seen what you thought you saw.

Already over-the-top and strangely bad-enjoyable, this queer twist only adds to the film’s very unusual appeal.

Because one good nipple shot deserves another!

So, until the next time, be sure to practice naked joy with all your devious mentors — and, as always, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Countdown to Carrie: Janet Lockwood as Cassandra Dregstone, “Terror at Baxter U”

Published October 17, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

(The Carrie remake will be upon us on October 18th– thus we celebrate the strong women in horror, science fiction and exploitation with Countdown to Carrie!)

It can be rough being a woman in horror and exploitation. Take the Brides of Fu Manchu in The Brides of Fu Manchu, for instance. Prime focus of the film, they are, yet not one actress portraying a bride receives billing in the opening credits. Bum rap!!

Janet Lockwood, who was the director of the Michigan Film Office from 1992 – 2010, makes up for previous femme negations in exploitation with her portrayal of the powerful, often nasty Cassandra Dregstone in 2003’s low budget (multi-pack orphan) Terror at Baxter U, though. In a film that features an idiotically murderous janitor and a monstrous chupacabra, Dregstone is by far the scariest thing on display. Whether cutting down errant students, scheming behind the backs of bumbling professor types or engaging in ancient ceremonies, Lockwood’s Dregstone steals the show, here, proving that even in overacted, micro-budget terror, women can rule the roost!

Until the next time, continue to worship at the altar of volatile women in horror – and

SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan