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

Blu-ray Review: COUNTESS DRACULA (1971)

  
COUNTESS DRACULA
Directed by Peter Sasdy
Distributed by Synapse Films and CAV

  Thank you Synapse Films for another gorgeous release of another classic horror film.  The latest Hammer Horror film from Synapse is the great COUNTESS DRACULA starring the beautiful Ingrid Pitt.  Here is the plot synopsis from the Synapse Films website:

  The beautiful Ingrid Pitt (The Wicker Man, Where Eagles Dare) stars as Elisabeth Nádasdy, an aging Hungarian Countess who discovers she can reverse her aging by bathing in the blood of young women. While in her youthful state, the Countess falls for the handsome Lt. Imre Toth (Sandor Elès), and impersonates her own daughter to win his affections. Soon, girls in the village go missing… kidnapped and murdered by the Countess and her steward, Julie (Patience Collier) to satiate her horrifying bloodlust. Can Elisabeth live a life of deception with her grotesque lust for blood to stay eternally young, or will her ghoulish secret finally be revealed? Co-starring Nigel Green (Jason and the Argonauts, Zulu).

  Considered “one of the more underrated films from the latter days of the Hammer Films dynasty“ (Donald Guarisco, Allmovie.com), Countess Dracula is based on the real-life Hungarian Countess Elizabeth Bathory, a woman accused of torturing and murdering more than 600 girls.

 I am huge fan of Hammer Horror films.  They had such a unique vibe to them.  I can't really explain it, but there is a certain style you can see when watching a Hammer film and I love it.  COUNTESS DRACULA was another very enjoyable Hammer film.   The movie was shot well and acted well, and I loved the story.  I have always enjoyed stories and movies about the infamous Elizabeth Bathory, and this is another one I can add to my list of enjoyable films.  Ingrid Pitt did an amazing job as the title character in this film.   She is a joy to watch on screen, and really makes this movie.   Some people will say that this film is slow, and I can see that.  It is slow at some points but even then if you are a fan of Hammer horror films, you will probably enjoy the dialog like I did.   This film won't be for everyone, but if you are a fan of Hammer films, you will definitely want to add this one to your collection!

  COUNTESS DRACULA is out now on Blu-ray/DVD combo pack and contains the following special features:

*  Audio commentary with actress Ingrid Pitt, director Peter Sasdy, screenwriter Jeremy Paul and author Jonathan Sothcott
*  Immortal Countess: The Cinematic Life of Ingrid Pitt – Featurette
*  Archival Audio Interview with Ingrid Pitt
*  Still Gallery
*  Theatrical Trailer
*  Reversible Cover Artwork


CLICK HERE to watch the trailer
CLICK HERE to purchase the Blu-ray/DVD combo pack