I recently purchased a copy of this video and it was incredible, all these ladies are fun to watch and listen to. Mary Woronov is the best of them all, followed very closely by Janus Blythe. The way they talk to the camera these two ladies make you laugh with their stories as if you were actually face to face with them... Also Michelle Bauer and Elizabeth Kaitan look lovely.
5 Reviews
Horror Fans Will Enjoy
Michael_Elliott2 March 2017
Invasion of the Scream Queens (1992)
*** (out of 4)
Donald Farmer directed this early documentary that features interviews with several women who make their careers appearing in exploitation and horror movies. Michelle Bauer, Janus Blythe, Marya Gant, Ruth Collins, Martine Beswick, Melissa Moore, Elizabeth Kaitan, Deborah Stern and Brinke Stevens are among the ladies who are interviewed for the documentary.
If you're a fan of the various direct-to-VHS titles that were so popular back in the 1980's then you'll certainly enjoy this documentary even though there's no question that it appears to have been filmed on a very cheap camera. What makes this film work is the fact that there are interviews with some lesser known actresses so it's great getting to hear their stories. There have been several documentaries on Scream Queens that came after this and they are actually much better but there's still something about this one that makes it worth watching.
All of the actresses interviewed talk about the same subjects, which include their first movie, their thoughts on acting in these types of films, the subject of nudity and just random thoughts on horror movies. As I said, there have been better made documentaries since this was released but this one remains entertaining because it does feature interviews with ladies who are lesser known today and who aren't seen in the future movies.
*** (out of 4)
Donald Farmer directed this early documentary that features interviews with several women who make their careers appearing in exploitation and horror movies. Michelle Bauer, Janus Blythe, Marya Gant, Ruth Collins, Martine Beswick, Melissa Moore, Elizabeth Kaitan, Deborah Stern and Brinke Stevens are among the ladies who are interviewed for the documentary.
If you're a fan of the various direct-to-VHS titles that were so popular back in the 1980's then you'll certainly enjoy this documentary even though there's no question that it appears to have been filmed on a very cheap camera. What makes this film work is the fact that there are interviews with some lesser known actresses so it's great getting to hear their stories. There have been several documentaries on Scream Queens that came after this and they are actually much better but there's still something about this one that makes it worth watching.
All of the actresses interviewed talk about the same subjects, which include their first movie, their thoughts on acting in these types of films, the subject of nudity and just random thoughts on horror movies. As I said, there have been better made documentaries since this was released but this one remains entertaining because it does feature interviews with ladies who are lesser known today and who aren't seen in the future movies.
Hugely enjoyable and informative documentary
Woodyanders17 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
This documentary offers a series of nice and entertaining interviews with various actresses who have achieved scream queen status in the horror genre. Brinke Stevens admits that she was a weird nerdy kid growing up and states that she refuses to do non-union films. Michelle Bauer talks about how her role in The Tomb launched her career in horror cinema and how her husband didn't recognize her in a fat suit for her role in Nightmare Sisters. Ruth Collins discusses studying acting at the Stella Adler Conservatory and stage work. Mary Woronov not only expounds upon working with Andy Warhol and Paul Bartel, but even displays and critiques her paintings. Martine Beswick tells a great story about her fight scene with Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C. Monique Gabrielle is hilarious as she flubs her introduction. However, it's the interviews with several lesser known actresses that provide a few of the best and most savory moments: Janus Blythe talks about dating Jonathan Demme and picking up a snake in a scene for The Hills Have Eyes, Elizabeth Kaitan cheerfully reminisces about growing up in a small town in Hungary and dying her hair brown for Friday the 13th Part VII, Vivian Schilling reveals she started writing scripts so she could acquire more substantial parts in films as well as discusses the real-life near death incident which served as inspiration for Soultaker, and Melissa Moore relates an amusing anecdote about her first meeting with Leslie Nielsen on the set of Repossessed. Of course, the subject of nudity gets brought up: Stevens is comfortable with it, Woronov likewise has no issue about it, and Gabrielle considers nudity a natural everyday part of life. Loaded with cool trailers and choice clips, this one overall rates as essential viewing for fans of low-budget fright fare from the 70's, 80's, and 90's.
A Much-Needed Record of the Scream Queen Era
gavin69429 June 2014
Women who have made a career out of starring in the B horror and science fiction genres are interviewed, and clips and trailers from their films are shown.
Who better to get such a record from than Donald Farmer, who has directed a plethora of B-movies of his own? We have Michelle Bauer explaining how she broke into B-movies through Fred Olen Ray and David DeCouteau. DeCouteau is also featured and looks much younger than one might expect. The names Jim Wynorski and Roger Corman are, of course, tossed around, though neither appear here.
Brinke Stevens says she looked like a werewolf before they filed her teeth. She expresses a real love for science fiction and Hammer horror, which is a joy to hear. The legendary Mary Woronov is great, as she has probably been the most successful, coming from the ranks of Andy Warhol and going everywhere since then. (Does she have an autobiography? She should.) Talk of Allan Arkush, Joe Dante, Roger Corman...
Even lesser-known actresses discuss their careers with plenty of behind-the-scenes tales of how B-movies are made. Seeing Janus Blythe, "Ruby" from "The Hills Have Eyes", is a special treat, as she seemingly has not done many interviews or conventions. Elizabeth Kaitan from "Friday the 13th Part VII" was also a new face for me.
"Soul Taker", which was later lampooned by "Mystery Science Theater 3000", is given a fair presentation. In fact, it almost seems as if it was a precursor for the "Final Destination" franchise. Maybe it is time to give this dud another look.
Unfortunately, the film seems to be a VHS transfer and uses lots of low grade footage. Whether a better quality version of the interviews could be made or not is unknown, but certainly many of the films featured have since been released in better-looking versions and could have been edited into this new release.
This should be viewed as a companion piece to Jason Paul Collum's "Screaming in High Heels". Collum's is the superior film, and has the added benefit of featuring Linnea Quigley, but together these might be a one-two punch. This has plenty of interview footage from the scream queen era, whereas Collum's film is much more after the fact. No one who is interested in the B-movies of the 1980s should go without seeing this.
Who better to get such a record from than Donald Farmer, who has directed a plethora of B-movies of his own? We have Michelle Bauer explaining how she broke into B-movies through Fred Olen Ray and David DeCouteau. DeCouteau is also featured and looks much younger than one might expect. The names Jim Wynorski and Roger Corman are, of course, tossed around, though neither appear here.
Brinke Stevens says she looked like a werewolf before they filed her teeth. She expresses a real love for science fiction and Hammer horror, which is a joy to hear. The legendary Mary Woronov is great, as she has probably been the most successful, coming from the ranks of Andy Warhol and going everywhere since then. (Does she have an autobiography? She should.) Talk of Allan Arkush, Joe Dante, Roger Corman...
Even lesser-known actresses discuss their careers with plenty of behind-the-scenes tales of how B-movies are made. Seeing Janus Blythe, "Ruby" from "The Hills Have Eyes", is a special treat, as she seemingly has not done many interviews or conventions. Elizabeth Kaitan from "Friday the 13th Part VII" was also a new face for me.
"Soul Taker", which was later lampooned by "Mystery Science Theater 3000", is given a fair presentation. In fact, it almost seems as if it was a precursor for the "Final Destination" franchise. Maybe it is time to give this dud another look.
Unfortunately, the film seems to be a VHS transfer and uses lots of low grade footage. Whether a better quality version of the interviews could be made or not is unknown, but certainly many of the films featured have since been released in better-looking versions and could have been edited into this new release.
This should be viewed as a companion piece to Jason Paul Collum's "Screaming in High Heels". Collum's is the superior film, and has the added benefit of featuring Linnea Quigley, but together these might be a one-two punch. This has plenty of interview footage from the scream queen era, whereas Collum's film is much more after the fact. No one who is interested in the B-movies of the 1980s should go without seeing this.
A Good & Charming Looks Back At Filmdom's Most Unique Sub-Genre
ncc120516 June 2014
Warning: Spoilers
As I've mentioned before, I grew up at a time when the home video revolution was taking place all across America. Mom & pop video stores were cropping up on every corner, and the latest greatest schlock was available for a mere 99 cents (if even). So very much of what hit those shelves was largely forgettable garbage – the kind of thing that looked dynamic on the packaging but once you got home you realized it was shot with one shaky camera in some abandoned warehouse in South L.A. But one of the things this revolution did was provide a wealth of talented ladies the chance to show up and scream for dear life whether they were running from monsters, aliens, or slashers. They were called 'scream queens,' and nothing in the cinema has even been like them ever since.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you're the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you're accepting of a few modest hints at 'things to come,' then read on ...)
From the product packaging: "Invasion of the Scream Queens takes you back to a time when the term 'Scream Queen' was brand new and promised the hottest actresses in the best horror movies. Directed by cult horror icon Donald Farmer and featuring interviews with legendary Scream Queens Michelle Bauer, Brinke Stevens, Mary Woronov, Melissa Moore, Elizabeth Kaitan and more."
Of course, there's more to the product synopsis, but methinks you get the picture. If you were there and you experienced the revolution firsthand, you know exactly what it is you're about to get with this 20th anniversary release (the original production hit the marketplace in 1992). This issuance is the first time it's available for larger consumption on DVD, and, as such, it does come with a bevy of special features.
As for the movie? It's a lean, 85-minute exploration of that memorable trend in home video. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't hold up quite that well stylistically; it was no doubt shot on video, and I'm not sure if the master hasn't been preserved or so much of the hazing and graininess was a directorial choice. (Personally, I think the former and less the latter.) Still, there's something almost wholesome about a celebration of VHS schlock looking, sounding, and playing like itself is a piece of the same schlock, so maybe it's artistic.
What the picture actually does quite well is it opens a window back to the time when these ladies – who were more than willing to show some skin along the way – reigned supreme in the home video market. Through these various interviews (most of which were taped against the same production backdrop highlighting some of the more famous releases), the viewer learns about the process each of them underwent to break into the entertainment business; and there's even some interesting reflections about what they did as well as minor commentary on the nature of sex and violence in film if you're listening closely.
It's a shame it doesn't look better, but – as they say – it is what it is.
INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS: 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION (2014) is produced by VHS Hitfest (name changed slightly to make it Amazon.com- friendly). DVD distribution is being handled by the reliable Wild Eye Releasing. As for the technical specifications? Meh. I've pretty much covered that above, but – if you're showing up late to the game – this video hasn't quite aged as well as I would've liked. (The audio is still good, but some of the images flicker and break up.) Lastly – if it's special features you want – then you have the following to look forward to: there's a brief newly taped introduction from Director Farmer; an interview with the same; some deleted interviews; a very brief photo gallery; and an excerpt from the out-of-print "Invasion of the Scream Queens" book by Linnea Quigley.
RECOMMENDED. If you're a fan of this genre, then you're in store for some fun. If you're just discovering it, then you might not be best served with INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS. I'd encourage you to watch a few of the flicks you can get your paws on first as that experience will no doubt amplify the enjoyment available for those seeking the scholarship here. A good effort, just not all that grand, nor did it hold up as well as I would've liked.
In the interests of fairness, I'm pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Wild Eye Releasing provided me with a DVD copy of INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
(NOTE: The following review will contain minor spoilers necessary solely for the discussion of plot and/or characters. If you're the type of reader who prefers a review entirely spoiler-free, then I'd encourage you to skip down to the last three paragraphs for my final assessment. If, however, you're accepting of a few modest hints at 'things to come,' then read on ...)
From the product packaging: "Invasion of the Scream Queens takes you back to a time when the term 'Scream Queen' was brand new and promised the hottest actresses in the best horror movies. Directed by cult horror icon Donald Farmer and featuring interviews with legendary Scream Queens Michelle Bauer, Brinke Stevens, Mary Woronov, Melissa Moore, Elizabeth Kaitan and more."
Of course, there's more to the product synopsis, but methinks you get the picture. If you were there and you experienced the revolution firsthand, you know exactly what it is you're about to get with this 20th anniversary release (the original production hit the marketplace in 1992). This issuance is the first time it's available for larger consumption on DVD, and, as such, it does come with a bevy of special features.
As for the movie? It's a lean, 85-minute exploration of that memorable trend in home video. To be perfectly honest, it doesn't hold up quite that well stylistically; it was no doubt shot on video, and I'm not sure if the master hasn't been preserved or so much of the hazing and graininess was a directorial choice. (Personally, I think the former and less the latter.) Still, there's something almost wholesome about a celebration of VHS schlock looking, sounding, and playing like itself is a piece of the same schlock, so maybe it's artistic.
What the picture actually does quite well is it opens a window back to the time when these ladies – who were more than willing to show some skin along the way – reigned supreme in the home video market. Through these various interviews (most of which were taped against the same production backdrop highlighting some of the more famous releases), the viewer learns about the process each of them underwent to break into the entertainment business; and there's even some interesting reflections about what they did as well as minor commentary on the nature of sex and violence in film if you're listening closely.
It's a shame it doesn't look better, but – as they say – it is what it is.
INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS: 20th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION (2014) is produced by VHS Hitfest (name changed slightly to make it Amazon.com- friendly). DVD distribution is being handled by the reliable Wild Eye Releasing. As for the technical specifications? Meh. I've pretty much covered that above, but – if you're showing up late to the game – this video hasn't quite aged as well as I would've liked. (The audio is still good, but some of the images flicker and break up.) Lastly – if it's special features you want – then you have the following to look forward to: there's a brief newly taped introduction from Director Farmer; an interview with the same; some deleted interviews; a very brief photo gallery; and an excerpt from the out-of-print "Invasion of the Scream Queens" book by Linnea Quigley.
RECOMMENDED. If you're a fan of this genre, then you're in store for some fun. If you're just discovering it, then you might not be best served with INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS. I'd encourage you to watch a few of the flicks you can get your paws on first as that experience will no doubt amplify the enjoyment available for those seeking the scholarship here. A good effort, just not all that grand, nor did it hold up as well as I would've liked.
In the interests of fairness, I'm pleased to disclose that the fine folks at Wild Eye Releasing provided me with a DVD copy of INVASION OF THE SCREAM QUEENS by request for the expressed purposes of completing this review; and their contribution to me in no way, shape, or form influenced my opinion of it.
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