My kinda kitsch
I'm a sucker for old 40's and 50's sci-fi and horror movies.
You know those films, back when they were (usually) in glorious black and white and often demonstrated American concern about the nuclear age and the possible annihilation of humankind if the cold war heated up (much as the Godzilla films demonstrated Japanese concerns over possible mutations occurring from the fallout from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs). Wow, buzzkill.
There was something sweet, innocent, and fun in those old morality shows. Goodness generally triumphed over an apparently insurmountable opponent. The cute fellow got to kiss the cute gal in the end. There were monsters who yearned for the heroine. There were creepy haunted houses with acid pits in the basement. Scary aliens wandered around waving zap guns. Even scarier aliens replaced humans with pod people who looked just like us. Giant mutant insects walked the earth. What's not for a girl to love?
Sadly, those films were replaced by and remade into gore-fests that were less thrilling and more stomach churning. (your mileage may vary, of course)
However, there has sprung up a tiny new genre. A tiny new genre created by people who love those old films as much (or more) than I. People who love them and want to introduce them to new audiences by combining them with another virtually extinct movie art form.
That's right, I'm talking about 50's style sci-fi musicals!
Now, I have gotten word, that Dea Vise, a friend of mine from Behind the Celluloid Curtain, is one of the stars of a new 50's style sci-fi musical short film which will be premiering in a few days.
I'm very excited about this because it's my kind of kitsch. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it plays at an art house near me. :)
Here's Dea in the photograph from her website that I thought looked most like her "kitschy mom in a 50's style musical zombie movie." Either that or I just liked the title.
You know those films, back when they were (usually) in glorious black and white and often demonstrated American concern about the nuclear age and the possible annihilation of humankind if the cold war heated up (much as the Godzilla films demonstrated Japanese concerns over possible mutations occurring from the fallout from the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs). Wow, buzzkill.
There was something sweet, innocent, and fun in those old morality shows. Goodness generally triumphed over an apparently insurmountable opponent. The cute fellow got to kiss the cute gal in the end. There were monsters who yearned for the heroine. There were creepy haunted houses with acid pits in the basement. Scary aliens wandered around waving zap guns. Even scarier aliens replaced humans with pod people who looked just like us. Giant mutant insects walked the earth. What's not for a girl to love?
Sadly, those films were replaced by and remade into gore-fests that were less thrilling and more stomach churning. (your mileage may vary, of course)
However, there has sprung up a tiny new genre. A tiny new genre created by people who love those old films as much (or more) than I. People who love them and want to introduce them to new audiences by combining them with another virtually extinct movie art form.
That's right, I'm talking about 50's style sci-fi musicals!
Rocky Horror Picture Show is, perhaps, the most obvious example of this genre.Michael Rennie was ill
The Day the Earth Stood Still
But he told us where we stand
And Flash Gordon was there
In silver underwear
Claude Rains was The Invisible Man
Now, I have gotten word, that Dea Vise, a friend of mine from Behind the Celluloid Curtain, is one of the stars of a new 50's style sci-fi musical short film which will be premiering in a few days.
I'm very excited about this because it's my kind of kitsch. I'm looking forward to seeing it when it plays at an art house near me. :)
Film Adaptation Of Lesser Known 'Zombie Prom' - Starring RuPaul - To Premiere At Big Shorts 2
February 1, 2006 - by Andrew Hartman
The premiere of the independent film adaptation of the hit off-Broadway musical 'Zombie Prom' will take place February 9 at the Big Shorts 2 film festival in Hollywood, California.
'Zombie Prom' started as a 1950's horror comic book turned stage musical in 1993. In 1996, it premiered off-Broadway at the Variety Arts Theatre; a cast recording is available from this production.
'Zombie Prom' stars RuPaul Charles, Darren Robertson, Candice Nicole, David Engel, Katherine Von Til, April Malina, Katy Mixon, Brenden R. Murphy, Russell Taylor, Dominic Nolfi, Michael West, Greg Zerkle, and Dea Vise.
The film is directed by Vince Marcello and mentored/executive produced by Wes Craven ('A Nightmare On Elm Street' and 'Scream'). Choreography is by Lance Macdonald. Film score by Patrick Kirst. Original score by Dana Rowe. Lyrics and script by John Dempsey.
A trailer for the film can be seen by clicking here. Visit the official 'Zombie Prom Movie' website at http://www.zombiepromthemovie.com. Below are some images from the film. Click to open in a larger view. (they kinda forgot to add these -- ET)
Stay tuned for additional film showing locations. By Andrew Hartman, MovieMusicals.net
Here's Dea in the photograph from her website that I thought looked most like her "kitschy mom in a 50's style musical zombie movie." Either that or I just liked the title.
posted by Elizabeth at 2/02/2006 02:00:00 AM
1 Comments:
photograph by Billy DaMota
Post a Comment
<< Home