Something to Scream About

Jason Paul Collum got it right with this one, a documentary probing the scream queen phenomenon that tackles real topics instead of going the easy route with hot tubs and lingering cheesecake shots.

Collum reveals all the actresses interviewed to be intelligent and sensible, something that goes against the popular ideology of the scream queen since the 1980's. Fans should be pleased to see that the public will learn that there's more to their favorite actresses then just good looks - brains too.

Topics range from public perception of their respective personas to enjoyment of the genre that made them famous. Some of the ladies look back on their time with fondness while others seem to have some disdain for where the industry is headed.

Well worth tracking down.

At the very top of my list of "Reasons Why the 80's Sucked" is the emergence of the so-called "scream queen" in low-budget horror and genre movies. While there were obviously always pretty girls in horror movies, before the 1980's they were usually either genuinely talented actresses (like Jamie Lee Curtis, Lynn Lowry, Pamela Franklin, or Edwige Fenech),or even when they were talentless bimbos they were at least not the leads but were only there to take their clothes off and then exit stage left. In the 80's though these talentless bimbos (aka "scream queens") not only became lead actresses, but starred in a glut of bad horror movies that were little more than sorry excuses to get them naked. And while some feminists claimed these woman were exploited victims, the real victims were the pimply-faced, hairy-palmed ceiling painters sequestered in their mothers' basements watching these crap movies (not to mention genuine horror movie enthusiasts like myself).

I felt a little bit a schabenfreude therefore watching this doc. and seeing someone like Julie Strain complaining about how pathetic her career has become. It is a statement on the pathetic state of low-budget genre films that someone as talent-free as her ever had a career to begin with. Most of the other actresses in this documentary are much more upbeat if also much more obscure. Denise Duff, for instance, is very cute and apparently not only stars in crap movies but directs them as well. Interestingly, a couple of the actresses profiled (including the colorfully named Lilith Stabs)don't do nude scenes, which doesn't necessarily mean they are talented or that their movies are any good, but it's interesting. Curiously, this documentary shies away from showing any nude scenes, which is admirable I guess since it makes it a more serious and less exploitative work; still it would have been nice if they had shown some of these actresses nude if for no other reason than it might save some poor slobs from having to sit through their movies.

I also admired the candor of this documentary. This is is the first time, for instance, I've ever heard "scream queens" admit that some of their male fans are stalkers (frankly I can't imagine why anybody BUT a seriously deranged stalker would want to watch some of these movies). It was also fairly non-judgmental--it was not exploitative but also didn't have a feminist ax to grind. It let some of the actresses (like the aforementioned Strain) make an ass of themselves, but it was neither mean-spirited nor was it an advertisement/apology for the whole scream queen phenomenon. Watch this mildly interesting "scream queen" doc., and forget about the "scream queen" movies.

Something to Scream About (2003)

*** (out of 4)

Brinke Stevens hosts this documentary that takes a look at various Scream Queens as we hear their stories on how they got into the business, their thoughts on what is required of them, their fans and of course their thoughts on the films themselves. Those interviewed include Stevens, Julie Strain, Judith O'Dea, Lilith Stabs, Debra DeLiso and Felissa Rose.

If you're a fan of these Scream Queens then you'll certainly want to check this documentary out. Running just over a hour, the documentary does a pretty good job at covering a wide range of topics including the stuff I mentioned but also that subject of nudity, which is one major thing that runs through a lot of horror movies.

The film features some fun interviews including the stuff with Rose and O'Dea who are of course best known for their roles in SLEEPAWAY CAMP and NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD. Both of them tell some great stories about seeing those films for the first time as well as what they did after those movies.

The film certainly would have been better had it been a bit more detailed. At just 65-minutes the film is obviously rather short and to the point but a bit more details would have been nice. Even with that said, the film is still very much worth watching if you're a fan of the actresses.

J.R. Bookwalter's Tempe Entertainment scares up this documentary tapping the experiences of several horror starlets (aka 'Scream Queens'). Brinke Stevens (a scream queen in her own right) is mistress of ceremonies that includes interviews with: Julie Strain (Penthouse Pet, Heavy Metal 2000), Felissa Rose (Sleepaway Camp), Debbie Rochon (Dead & Rotting), Judith O'Dea (the original Night of the Living Dead), Denice Duff (Subspecies 2 + 3) and a few others.

Although it isn't a detailed study of the iconic screen scream queen (say that 6 times fast) 'Something' do a pretty decent job portraying the mantel from the actresses' perspectives and experiences. Not strictly a 'talking head' piece it's peppered with clips, footage and photos. Most of the usual topics are addressed: nudity, violence and the inevitable effect the genre has on 'normal' people. 'Scream' is a solid view for the fanboy in all of us.

I was pleasantly surprised by this feature which was sent to me by a friend who knows I attend a lot of horror cons. Most of the girls I have met at one or other of these outings. It is amazing how how all of them came off so close to what was my impression of them from meeting them. The best I feel were Judith O Dea & Debbie Rochon. You can feel the sincerity in Judith & the endless energy in Debbie. You get a feel for the genuine niceness of Brinke Stevens who always has time for fans. Ariauna Albright comes across as the knowledgeable actress she is & a real person besides. The honest answers by Felisha Rose show her to be a strong woman & Denise Duff is just a pleasure to listen to. Lilith Stabs lived up to her reputation of not really appearing to appreciate anybody asking her anything & seemed to have her mind in some other galaxy. But apart from her all the others came across as really nice down to earth women who are very approachable & first rate performers. A video worth seeing.