Book Review: CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN by Matt Beckoff

CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN
by Matt Beckoff
Published by  BearManor Media

  As horror fans, I think we are all familiar with the term "Scream Queen".   These are the legendary actresses that have graced countless horror films and have somewhat of a cult following.    CONFESSIONS OF A SCREAM QUEEN by Matt Beckoff is an amazing look into the minds, hearts, and careers of some of the top scream queens of all time.

  Here is a brief synopsis of the book courtesy of BearManor Media:

  In Confessions of a Scream Queen, writer Matt Beckoff interviews fifteen legendary "ladies of horror".  Spanning over nine decades of cinema, Confessions is filled with entertaining and informative recollections and personal insights  about Hollywood's best-loved horror films.  Included are some rare and never before seen pictures.

  Ok, so first off, let me give you the list of the 15 Scream Queens interviewed in the book.  They are as follows:

Carla Laemmle

Lupita Tovar

Janet Anngallow

Elena Verdugo

Coleen Gray

Kathleen Hughes

Judith O'Dea

Karen Black

Ingrid Pitt

Jessica Harper

Marilyn Burns

Betsy Palmer

Dee Wallace

P. J. Soles

Adrienne Barbeau


 Now, I'll be the first to admit, even with such a huge horror fan that I am, I did not recognize all the names on this list.  I knew most of them, but some I honestly had never heard of.  It was still interesting to read about them though, as I had seen many of the movies they had been in.  

  I was a little disappointed that my favorite Scream Queen of all time wasn't included, which is the amazing Linnea Quigley.  Other than that, I think Mr. Beckoff was able to put together an amazing lineup.   My favorite one to read about was probably Marilyn Burns, who played Sally in the greatest horror film of all time, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.   I had heard about the uncomfortable shooting conditions before, but it was eye opening to hear it told from the actresses personal witness of it.  Marilyn describes many times in the filming where things that should have been faked were actually real, mainly to save on cost.  She described one instance in which she actually got cut with what she thought was a fake knife.   Years later she found out it was in fact a real knife they filmmakers used, and they planned on using it and actually cutting her all along!    Many instances like this were described, which will make me see TCM a lot differently next time I watch it.


CLICK HERE to purchase the book

Book Review: DEATH BY UMBRELLA: THE 100 WEIRDEST HORROR MOVIE WEAPONS

DEATH BY UMBRELLA:  THE 100 WEIRDEST HORROR MOVIE WEAPONS
Written by:  Christopher Lombardo and Jeff Kirschner
Published by:   Bearmanor Media

  I don't do as many book reviews on the site as I'd like to, so I am trying to change that.  Expect more book reviews in the coming months, as there have been some amazing horror related books released lately!  

  One of the best I have found lately is the book DEATH BY UMBRELLA, an easy read with 100 different short essays on the strangest deaths imaginable in horror films.  This is perfect for the short attention spanned person such as myself.   Each entry is no more than a page or two, so is nice to just read a few entries whenever I have just a few minutes to spare.

  This is an extremely fun book, with 100 of the best kills from horror movies spanning many years.   The authors split the kills/weapons up into 7 chapters/categories, including kills by weapons found around the home, in the kitchen, sports and recreation, machinery, tight squeezes, and more.

  Here are some of the more crazy weapons described in this book:

*  Umbrellas - used in both SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT 2 and STITCHES
*  Coffee Maker - used in LEPRECHAUN 2
*  Ear of Corn - used in SLEEPWALKERS
*  Electric Toothbrush - used in BOOGEYMAN 2
*  Mounted Deer Antlers - used in SILENT NIGHT, DEADLY NIGHT
*  Condom - used in KILLER CONDOM
*  Basketball - used in DEADLY FRIEND
*  Fishing Lure - used in BLOOD HOOK

  Read about these and  92 other crazy weapons in DEATH BY UMBRELLA!   This book is available now from Bearmanor Media.  I highly recommend this fun book for all horror fans!


CLICK HERE to purchase the Hardcover edition
CLICK HERE to purchase the Paperback edition