Jamie Lee Curtis and Scream Queen?
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IGetSoEmojinal — 9 years ago(August 18, 2016 11:17 AM)
"When you're young, you try and get your footing in show business. And for me, I landed on a mountain-top at 20 and what supported me was a genre that I don't particularly like. I am not a horror film fan." - Jamie Lee Curtis
So, no, she isn't a horror fan at all though she is grateful that Halloween (and the fans) helped her get started. Crampton and Quigley however ARE horror fans. Crampton says she watches more horror than any other genre in her off time and Quigley has been a huge fan since she was a kid. Not saying they weren't victims of typecasting because they were but they're both fine with doing mostly horror films. I'm not even going to compare these three on talent since that's all subjective.
Quigley, for example, has a lot of acting credits to her name. But, she was only in one bona fide classic
A lot of people would say the same thing about Crampton with Re-Animator. I love From Beyond but I doubt most would consider it a bona fide classic, plus Quigley was also in Silent Night, Deadly Night and Night of the Demons, which are just as well known. Both were popular enough to spawn numerous sequels and eventually be remade. And then LQ has a number of other movies that have cult followings like Hollywood Chainsaw Hookers which Maxim chose as the fourth best B movie of all time.
I would rather give praise to an actress who was in more good movies and gave better performances, even if the filmography is comparatively small.
Again, the "good" and "better" are subjective. I'd personally rather re-watch Sorority Babes in the Slimeball Bowl-O-Rama or Chopping Mall than I would Prom Night or Terror Train. But since we are talking about Scream Queens here, Quigley WAS the Queen of her time and of the entire video revolution whether one likes it or not. She made an entire career out of horror and her dedication to the genre for decades counts for something and more than earns her the Scream Queen title. She was even the very first female to be inducted into the Fangoria Hall of Fame. For the record, Curtis was inducted in 1997 and Crampton was just this year and both deserve it. But so does Quigley. -
vulturelivessrs — 9 years ago(August 18, 2016 11:32 AM)
Sure. I'm not trying to revoke Quigley's status as a 'scream queen.' But, like you said, there's a subjective element to the discussion, here. I personally don't care for Quigley or most of her films. I prefer other horror actresses for the reasons that I stated previously.
For whatever it's worth, it seems like we have a similar take on Curtis. -
IGetSoEmojinal — 9 years ago(August 18, 2016 12:36 PM)
I like both Crampton and Quigley but I can see how one or the other may or may not appeal to certain viewers. I view Quigley as more comedy-horror (sort of like a female Bruce Campbell) and Crampton as being a more serious actress. Either way, I'm happy to see BC's been making a comeback in recent years and is finally getting some respect.
As far as Curtis is concerned, I think she's kind of a mismatch for the genre, just fell into it because of her mother and never really liked being there. Halloween is one of the greatest horror films ever but it's not because of the acting. When you look at something like Texas Chainsaw Massacre, the movie requires convincing performances in the lead roles or it wouldn't have worked at all. Marilyn Burns is a big reason for the film's success. -
dave626 — 9 years ago(August 18, 2016 04:38 PM)
Crampton and Quigley showed way too much skin to be taken seriously by me. Softcore porn in a lot of their films. Same with Chambers. Curtis was a legit actress who didn't show off the goods til Trading Places. I'm not a prude by any stretch, but once you open that showing skin door you get taken less seriously in Hollywood. Which is why so many wait to establish themselves before they do it. Plus quality of films. Those 2 would be likely more seen in Rhonda Shear's USA Up All Night than a local TV station. That's where I first saw them.
Curtis had little help beyond her pedigree to get where she is. Halloween, Fog, both weren't gimmes. Even though Carpenter did like to use is former stars. Watching TCM again tonight. I will admit Burns was the best of that bunch, but given it's own pedigree that didn't take much. Still a classic, though.
"He came home." - Dr. Sam Loomis from the original HalloweeN -
kmags84 — 9 years ago(August 08, 2016 10:38 AM)
She's the Scream Queen because of the AMOUNT of Horror films she was a part of that literally reinvented the Genre. That's the main idea behind it all. Within 5 years, how many was she in again? The title was basically a "Thank You"
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dave626 — 9 years ago(August 08, 2016 03:48 PM)
Ok, then. Name one woman who was not in a B movie schlock Skinemax horror film, I mean, legit horror mainstream media coverage wide release other than Curtis? Adrienne King? Love her, but no. Langenkamp long after JLC got out. Halloween, Prom Night, 2 Canadian filmed horror movies, Road Kill and Terror Train?, The Fog I think and of course, Halloween II. Tell me one mainstream big name actress who even comes close. Soles did Carrie and Halloween.
As for reinventing the genre, Halloween gave birth to many rip offs, competitors etc. Friday, Nightmare, slashers in general, and who was the female lead of Halloween? JLC. It sure wasn't Pleasence or Carpenter.
So I'd say she had a pretty big hand in it. One timers don't count.
"He came home." - Dr. Sam Loomis from the original HalloweeN -
vulturelivessrs — 9 years ago(August 08, 2016 04:30 PM)
The majority of the horror movies in Curtis' filmography are 'B-movie schlock.' In fact, Halloween was a B-movie that just so happened to be exceptionally well made by a talented director. Your argument is flawed, anyway, because the best horror films usually aren't found in the Hollywood mainstream. Curtis' most Hollywood horror movie is probably Halloween H20, and that movie sucks, which helps prove my point.
And, I already said that Halloween was highly influential and played a large role in reinventing the genre. We agree on that point. But, aside from Halloween, and maybe The Fog, Curtis' other horror movie credits range from disposable to crap. So, she's more or less a one-off herself.
Ultimately, it all depends on the criteria we're using for best 'scream queen.' If the criteria is number of horror movie credits, then Curtis wouldn't be anywhere near the top. If the criteria is starring in an iconic/influential horror film, then there would be a strong argument for Curtis. If the criteria is best performance by a leading lady in a horror film, then that would be entirely subjective. Or, maybe the criteria is a combination of all of the above. I'm sure that we all define it differently.
My favorite 'scream queen' is Marilyn Burns for a few reasons. She starred in an iconic/influential horror film. She gave a performance that I like better than any other 'final girl' performance. And, no other actress can compete with her screams. Period. -
simest — 9 years ago(August 14, 2016 01:00 AM)
Indeed.and her performance in that horror classic, for me has not been topped by any of the subsequent scream queens that have come along since.
Her co-star Teri McMinn (red shorts) is also another very sweet person and the two were like sisters right up til Marilyn's passing.
McMinn paid her a lovely tribute on her Facebook page.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -
simest — 9 years ago(August 14, 2016 03:22 PM)
I met Gunnar here in the UK about 7 years ago. He was such a friendly chap, very humble and down to earth with a lot of time for his fans.
Teri has shared many fascinating insights on the film and has even written a short story about her character (Pam)'s survival of the events in the film!
She has a seperate Facebook page called Pam - The Original Chainsaw Gal with all the TCM stuff in one place.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all.