Jamie Lee Curtis and Scream Queen?
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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. -
simest — 9 years ago(August 14, 2016 11:47 PM)
I think this should link to it - it's the two part piece entitled "What Really Happened To Pam?".
https://m.facebook.com/PamTheOriginalChainsawGal/about/?ref=page_internal&mt_nav=1
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -
IGetSoEmojinal — 9 years ago(August 18, 2016 12:20 AM)
Texas Chainsaw is every bit as famous and iconic as Halloween and Burns' performance in Chainsaw is actually far better than Curtis' performance in Halloween though she never seems to get credit for it. Curtis was only in one really good horror film herself. The Fog was decent but not great and the rest are mediocre or just plain bad.
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dave626 — 9 years ago(August 19, 2016 08:04 AM)
Yeah, well, here's the thing. One went on to have a phenomenal career while the other didn't. I'll leave it to you to decide who is who. TCM did not inspire Halloween. Halloween inspired the entire slasher genre and many dated/holiday movies. TCM hardly is the merchandising juggernaut that Halloween is. These are facts. TCM, famous or infamous, hasn't had the success of sequels and prequels Halloween has. Burns' performance in TCM is a matter of your opinion, which you are entitled to.
It certainly didn't boost her career. I can honestly say I've never seen another Burns movie. Ever. Going through her IMdb page confirms it. Mostly cameos, TV one shots or movies I've never heard of.
I get that perhaps you are biased about her. Honestly watching it again last night she got annoying at the end. Laurie and JLC only got annoying at the end of Halloween II for me. Maybe I'm biased too, but the fact remains while one went on to rocket to stardom, the other went on to do paying gigs. I don't blame her for that.
I'm just saying TCM gets far too much credit sometimes. It's a decent film, and a classic no doubt, but it certainly hasn't maintained the level of success the Halloween franchise has.
"He came home." - Dr. Sam Loomis from the original HalloweeN -
simest — 9 years ago(August 19, 2016 04:22 PM)
The problem with THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE for it's cast, is that the film gained such a notorious and controversial reputation that many of them found it difficult to find work thereafter.
Teri McMinn has discussed how the film put the kiss of death on her acting career almost immediately. At auditions when asked what else she'd been in, casting agents would respond with "Ooooh.you were in
that?"
when she'd mention TCM. It was looked down upon almost like a work of pornography would be.
The film therefore put McMinn and Burns at something of a disadvantage for securing future roles. Certainly it closed more doors than it opened.
With Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis for a Mam and Dad, Curtis hardly had to burst a gut to get her foot in the Hollywood door. It was somewhat on a plate for her, whereas unknowns like Burns didn't have the benefit of Hollywood royalty coursing through their veins nor enjoy the privileges that would provide.
That's not to say Curtis didn't deserve or earn her success - she did.and she showed a good deal of talent.
But the very real possibility exists that if she had started out from the same humble and obscure origins as young unknowns like McMinn, Burns or countless other hopeful actresses with dreams of stardom that never fully blossomed..then she too may never have enjoyed the achievements and prestige she did.
And Darkness and Decay and the Red Death held illimitable dominion over all. -