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: EATEN ALIVE (1976)

EATEN ALIVE
Directed by  Tobe Hooper
Distributed by Arrow Video / MVD Entertainment Group

  This is another example of a classic horror film that somehow I had never seen.  Director Tobe Hooper's TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE is probably my favorite horror film of all time.  Actually, it might be my favorite film of all time, period!  It would naturally make sense that I would check up Hooper's follow up to TCM asap!  Why I never have I really couldn't tell you, but better late than never I guess.  I am so thankful to have finally seen this film.  It's not in the same league as TCM, but it is very close and actually has a lot of the feel of the original TCM.  Here is the plot synopsis from the MVD website:

  MEET THE MANIAC & HIS FRIEND. Nearly a decade before he donned Freddy Kruger's famous red and green sweater, horror icon Robert Englund delivered a supremely sleazy performance in Eaten Alive - another essay in taut Southern terror from Tobe Hooper, director of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Deep in the Louisiana bayou sits the ramshackle Starlight Hotel, destination of choice for those who like to check in but not check out! Presided over by the bumbling, mumbling Judd (and his pet croc which he keeps in a large pond out front), the patron of this particular establishment may seem like a good-natured ol' Southern gent - but he has a mean temper on him, and a mighty large scythe to boot... Oozing atmosphere from its every pore (the entire film was shot on a sound-stage at the famous Raleigh Studios, which lends it a queasy, claustrophobic feel) Eaten Alive matches The Texas Chain Saw Massacre for sheer insanity - and even drafts in Chain Saw star Marilyn Burns as the terrorised woman-in-peril, alongside William Finley and Mel Ferrer.

  As mentioned above, this film has a very familiar feel to it.  You can definitely tell this is by the same director that did THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, as it has the same gritty, dirty feeling that TCM did.   In fact, the owner of the motel (played by Neville Brand) could easily be a member of the Sawyer family from TCM, as he has the same crazy feel to him.    Worth noting also is Robert Englund's early performance as Buck.  It was neat seeing "Freddy" in this early role. 

  While this is technically a "creature feature" since it contains a killer crocodile, the real stars of this film are the creepy characters and especially Judd, the hotel owner, who actually feeds the people to the hungry croc.  Judd is the true killer, here....his pet croc being his "weapon" of choice.   

  If you are fan of director Tobe Hooper and especially of THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE,  you will definitely want to add this one to your movie collection.

  Arrow Video has recently released EATEN ALIVE in an awesome Blu-ray/DVD combo pack.   Arrow Video has easily become my favorite film company, as they always do a remarkable job with their film restorations, special features, and packaging/artwork.   EATEN ALIVE is available now from Arrow Video and MVD Entertainment and contains the following special features:

*  Brand new 2K restoration of the film from the original camera negative, approved by director Tobe Hooper
*  High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations
*  Original Mono audio (uncompressed PCM on the Blu-ray)
*  Optional English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
*  Audio commentary with co-writer and producer Mardi Rustam, actors Roberta Collins, William Finley and Kyle Richards, and make-up artist Craig Reardon
*  New introduction to the film by Hooper
*  Blood on the Bayou – a brand new interview with Hooper
*  Gator Bait – a brand new interview with star Janus Blythe
*  Monsters and Metaphors – a brand new interview with make-up artist Craig Reardon
*  The Gator Creator – an archive interview with Hooper
*  My Name is Buck – an archive interview with star Robert Englund
*  5ive Minutes with Marilyn Burns – the Texas Chain Saw star discusses her role in Eaten Alive
*  The Butcher of Elmendorf: The Legend of Joe Ball – featurette looking at the true-life story of the South Texas bar owner on whom Eaten Alive is loosely based
*  Original theatrical trailers for the film under its various alternate titles: Eaten Alive, Death Trap, Starlight Slaughter and Horror Hotel
*  TV and Radio Spots
*  Alternate Opening Titles
*  Behind the Scenes Slideshow
*  Stills and Promo Material Gallery
*  Audience Comment Cards
*  Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Gary Pullin
*  Collector’s booklet featuring new writing on the film by critic Brad Stevens, illustrated with original archive stills and posters

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

THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE 40TH ANNIVERSARY EDITON is coming soon!!

 When anyone asks me what my favorite horror film of all time is, I usually hesitate for a bit.  It's so hard to choose between all my favorites, but it never fails after a minute or so I come up with the same answer, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE.   I think I am about to love this movie more than ever with this new 40th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray from Dark Sky Films! 

  There are 4 versions of the film coming out, with the best being a rare collectors edition Black Mara Box Set.  Here is some info about these upcoming releases from the press release:

 THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE appears in an all-new 4K digital transfer and with a newly created 7.1 surround sound mix supervised by director Hooper (Poltergeist). This release marks the only transfer of the film to go back to the original 16mm A/B rolls, the actual film that rolled through the cameras. The Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Edition of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE will be released at retail in October but will be available exclusively at www.gorgon-video.com for 30 days starting September 16, 2014. Fans of the film will recognize the unique packaging as a replica of the iconic 'Black Maria' cattle truck that comes to Sally Hardesty's rescue when she's being pursued by Leatherface, a fitting nod to the legions of TCSM enthusiasts who were instrumental in keeping the film at the forefront of the genre throughout for the past 40 years and a true collectible display piece.'

 

 

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40^th ANNIVERSARY BLACK MARIA LIMITED EDITION BOX SET

Street Date: Exclusively at gorgon-video.com only September 16, 2014

Street Date: retail outlets nationwide October 14, 2014

SRP: $99.98

Rate R

4K Digital Transfer, 7/1 Surround audio

 

 This four-disc DVD/Blu-ray combo pack will include a wealth of extras, including:

 

A Leatherface apron

Theatrical mini-poster 

Five audio options

Four feature commentaries with the filmmakers and cast,

Several making-of featurettes

Deleted scenes, outtakes, bloopers, trailers and much more

 

 

A Collector's Edition Bonus Disc is included that contains the following:

* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth

* Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw

* A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen

* Off the Hook with Teri McMinn

* The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman

* New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Grandpa's Tales: An Interview with John Dugan

* Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll

* Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Blooper Reel

* Outtakes from "The Shocking Truth"

* Horror's Hallowed Grounds: TCSM

* Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents "Making Grandpa"

* Still Gallery

* 40th Anniversary Trailer

* Trailers

* TV Spots

* Radio Spots

 

 

 

In addition to the Limited Deluxe "Black Maria" Edition of THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE , the film will also be released as a standard DVD, Blu-ray, and DVD/Blu-ray Combo on September 16 at retail outlets nationwide.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40

^th ANNIVERSARY COLLECTOR'S EDITION DVD & BD COMBO

Street Date: September 16, 2014

SRP: $49.98

Rated R

4k Digital Transfer, 7.1 Surround audio

 

 

 

 

EXTRAS:

Collector's Edition Bonus Disc:* The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Shocking Truth

* Flesh Wounds: Seven Stories of the Saw

* A Tour of the TCSM House with Gunnar Hansen

* Off the Hook with Teri McMinn

* The Business of Chain Saw: An Interview with Production Manager Ron Bozman

* New Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Grandpa's Tales: An Interview with John Dugan

* Cutting Chain Saw: An Interview With Editor J. Larry Carroll

* Deleted Scenes & Outtakes

* Blooper Reel

* Outtakes from "The Shocking Truth"

* Horror's Hallowed Grounds: TCSM

* Dr. W.E. Barnes Presents "Making Grandpa"

* Still Gallery

* 40th Anniversary Trailer

* Trailers

* TV Spots

* Radio Spots

 

 

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40

^th ANNIVERSARY DVD OR BD

Street Date: September 16, 2014

SRP: $24.98 DVD / $29.98 BLU-RAY

Rated R

4k Digital Transfer, 7.1 Surround audio

 

EXTRAS:

4 Feature Commentaries:

* Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper, actor Gunnar Hansen, Cinematographer Daniel Pearl

* Actors Marilyn Burns, Allen Danziger, and Paul A. Partain, and Production Designer Robert Burns

* NEW Commentary with Writer-Producer-Director Tobe Hooper

* NEW Commentary with Cinematographer Daniel Pearl, Editor J. Larry Carroll and Sound Recordist Ted Nicolaou

Now the question is, which one will you get?