THE OBLONG BOX 10

Kinta Zertuche

2013-03-29T19:11:00.000-07:00

Thw Works of Kinta Zertuche

For article on Kinta Zertuche :
http://kbzorka.hubpages.com/hub/Whatever-Happened-To-Kinta-Zertuche

Dottie Pearl: Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974)

2013-03-24T18:16:00.001-07:00

For More on Dottie Pearl and the scene she made famous, see article bt KB Zorka at: http://kbzorka.hubpages.com/hub/Dottie-Pearl-Makeup-and-The-Meathook-Texas-Chainsaw-Massacre-1974

Gale Anne Hurd: From Roger Corman To Aliens And The Walking Dead

2013-03-24T10:31:00.001-07:00

Photo: Valhalla Entertainment

Gale Anne Hurd is the award-winning producer of ALIENS, Terminator, and many more. Her start in film was with Roger Corman and she is CEO of Valhalla Entertainment, which produces the popular series, The Walking Dead

For More on Gale Anne Hurd: See KB Zorka's article at Hub Pages: http://kbzorka.hubpages.com/hub/Gale-Anne-Hurd-From-Rock-n-Roll-High-School-to-The-Walking-Dead

1999 Virus (producer)

1997 The Relic (producer)

1991 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (executive producer)
1990 Tremors (executive producer)
1989 The Abyss (producer)

1988 Alien Nation (producer)
1988 Bad Dreams (producer)
1986 Aliens (producer)
1984 The Terminator (producer and co-writer)

1980 Alligator (production assistant)
1980 Humanoids from the Deep (production assistant)
1979 Screamers (location manager:US version)

Verna Fields: JAWS (1975)

2013-03-23T21:14:00.001-07:00

Verna Fields at the 1976 Academy Awards

.

" In the record business, you have Berry Gordy and Ahmet Ertegun. They're executives who actually made records. In the movie business, as an executive who's worked with film, you have only Verna. She saves Universal a fortune...every day."
---Joel Schumacher (1982)

Link to KB Zorka's article on Verna Fields: http://kbzorka.hubpages.com/hub/Verna-Fields-Editing-Sorceress-of-JAWS

JAWS: Hollywood's First Summer Blockbuster and Highest Grossing Film: http://suite101.com/article/jaws-more-than-just-a-classic-film-a260730

Jacqueline Pearce: The Reptile Photos (1966)

2013-02-10T12:25:00.001-08:00


Jacqueline Pearce in Hammer's, 'The Reptile'

Changes at The Oblong Box 10

2013-01-29T17:47:00.002-08:00

IF YOU SUPPORT THE OBLONG BOX : Just wanted to let you all know that I am officially starting a book about the lovely ladies here at "the Box." So, since many of the articles will be similar in writing style, as well as information, I have deleted a number of the articles as well as the information therein. It will predominantly be photos, film trailers and mentions of the actresses. Also, I have noticed that a lot of the information I've provided, as well as full posts, have appeared without my permission in other places on the net.

Would make no sense for me to publish a book when a lot of the info. can be found at my blog....or someone else's page. So, with all of that said, I wanted to thank you all for your support and hope that you look forward to the book as much as I am. Is going to be a lot of hard work but, all worth it in the end. ♥

The Snake Girl and The Silver Haired Witch (1968)

2013-01-14T07:55:00.002-08:00

Hammer's First Female Monster: Prudence Hyman (The Gorgon, 1964)

2013-01-05T15:53:00.003-08:00

Prudence Hyman as Hammer's, 'The Gorgon' (1964)

"No living thing survived and the spectre of death hovered in waiting for her next victim."
-'The Gorgon,' (1964)

It's only natural that when we think of the ladies of the classic Hammer Horror films, we think of the countless, beautiful women that will forever be as associated with the studio's name as that of Christopher Lee or Peter Cushing. We think of names such as Ingrid Pitt or, First Lady of Hammer: Hazel Court. However, the first woman to become anything but beautiful for the studio, was the unknown, Prudence Hyman. Subsequently, it was after the release of The Gorgon, that Hammer would begin a long legacy of these dangerous females. And all of it began with an ex-ballerina and ENSA performer named, Prudence Hyman.

Long before she would become Hammer's Gorgon, 'Megaera,' Prudence Hythe was born in London,

England on February 2, 1914. She was a classically trained ballerina who studied in England and Paris,

and made her dancing debut at the age of seventeen in 'Twelfth Night.' Between 1934-1935, she toured with various ballet companies, and during the second World War, she was a member of ENSA; a traveling group of artists whose purpose was to entertain the troops. It was while she was a member of the ENSA group, that Prudence and her fellow members were once flown to safety during a harrowing adventure through a horrible storm. The group's hero was a young, Royal Air Force Lieutenant that, interestingly, she would manage to meet-up with many years later: None other than Christopher Lee.

In 1960, Prudence played a small, uncredited role alongside the once brave pilot in Hammer's, The Two Faces of Dr Jekyll. She played the part of a tavern woman, while Paul Massie took on the dual role of the mad scientist. However, it would be four years later that Prudence Hyman would make horror history: She would be the first female monster in Hammer's long, Gothic-style film legacy.

The Gorgon was one of the last films to have been produced by Hammer during their six-year distribution deal with Columbia Pictures. Seeing as their last two films had been shelved by the distributor, the studio needed something new and exciting that would bring audiences back to the theater. To do so, they went straight to the public itself. An advertisement was placed in 'The Daily Cinema' magazine, in which the film company was soliciting stories from anyone with a good idea.The last line of the advertisement read as follows: "Because good, compulsive selling ideas with the right titles are what Hammer are looking for right now." Of the many submissions, a story by J. Llewellyn Divine was selected. It was a rather involved and lengthy story. But, after a bit of re-writing and initially naming the script, "Supernatural", the script was rewritten a second time and given the name, The Gorgon.

Shooting began in December of 1963 at Bray Studios,where The Evil of Frankenstein had just

wrapped production. Due to budget and time constraints,as well as to give the set the look and feel of 1910, many of the same interior sets from The Evil of Frankenstein were redressed and used for The Gorgon. The film starred Christopher Lee, Peter Cushing and Hammer's most famous female star of the time.The "First Leading Lady of British Horror," Barbara Shelley. On board as director was, in my humble opinion, the man who made Hammer Horror what it is: The legendary Terence Fisher (February 23, 1904-June 18, 1980).

In the role of 'Carla Hoffman', Barbara Shelley had wanted to simultaneously play the role of the title character. As the film's possessed, amnesiac heroine, she felt that the dual role would make the storyline more sensible and fluid; that it should be she who "gorgonized" the film's victims. She also had a few ideas for producer Anthony Nelson Keys on how to make Megaera more frightening and realistic as well. Her idea consisted of using real garden snakes, and to find a way to humanely weave them into a special wig. However, due to the film's budget and short production schedule, Nelson rejected her idea, and chose instead to use another actress to play the part: Prudence Hyman. Nelson also felt that with a different actress playing the part, it would help to conceal the Gorgon's alternate, "human" identity. Although, after seeing The Gorgon herself on screen, the producer had regretted his decision about Shelley's wig idea. It's difficult to say if it was Hyman herself, or the costume which disappointed Nelson. Nonetheless, Christopher Lee's opinion of Megaera was also less-than-flattering: "The only thing wrong with The Gorgon, is The Gorgon!" Fortunately, fans today are less forgiving.

To create the look of The Gorgon and her snakes, makeup man Roy Ashton applied the hideous skin and makeup to Hyman, while special effects engineer, Syd Pearson, had a bit more of a challenge by creating the snakes themselves. Pearson had twelve plaster moulds made, and from each mould he cast latex rubber snakes. Cables were then placed through each of the snakes' bodies for movement, and were then woven through the actress' wig. Each snake was then individually attached to cables which ran down Hyman's back. The cables trailed approximately twenty-five feet behind her where they were controlled by a large contraption which contained pegs. As the pegs were turned, the tension gave the effect of each snake moving individually.

The Gorgon finished production in January, 1964, and was double-billed with Curse Of The Mummy's Tomb. Although we only see The Gorgon herself for less than twenty minutes throughout the entire film, each shot of Prudence Hyman's 'Megaera' is a treat, to say the least. The cinematography of Michael Reed is simply superb and, in true Hammer form, the sets are gorgeous. Hyman herself moves with a grace and elegance that one would expect from a former ballerina. Incredibly, she went back to playing uncredited roles for the studio. She was given small parts in Rasputin: The Mad Monk, and The Witches, which were both were released in 1966.

It is truly interesting to know that an unknown actress with no starring roles, or major parts, made horror film history as one of it's first female monsters; and the first for Hammer. Sadly, the name Prudence Hyman remains rather unknown, and The Gorgon has only recently become appreciated as one of Hammer's lesser known and hidden gems. Very little has been written about Prudence Hyman, or her incredible contribution to the horror genre. As is normally the case with so many important people throughout history, it is not in their lifetimes that they are appreciated, or even understand what they have accomplished while they're alive: such was the case with Prudence Hyman. She died at the age of 81 on June 1, 1995 and was put to rest in her birthplace of London, England.

Olga Baclanova: Tod Browning's 'Chickenlady' (Freaks 1932)

2012-12-28T21:54:00.000-08:00


Olga Baclanova in 'Freaks' (MGM 1932) Known as "The Russian Tigress," Olga Vladimirovna Baklanova ( August 19, 1986-September 6, 1974) is best known for her portrayal as the beautiful trapeze artist, 'Cleopatra', in Tod Browning's notorious Freaks. But more so than her beauty, it's the film's ending sequence featuring the actress as the "Chickenlady," that fans remember most. Her image has become as recognizable and as the film itself. She remains one of the most fascinating creations in early horror history.

The Alien Queen: ALIENS (1986)

2012-12-14T17:59:00.003-08:00

The Alien Queen (ALIENS, 1986)

The Queen Works Her Magic on screen, and tears Lance Henriksen apart

Leona Anderson: House On Haunted Hill (1959)

2012-12-09T16:18:00.001-08:00

Leona Anderson in William Castle's, House On Haunted Hill

Although not a well-known name within the horror genre, Leona Anderson continues to scare as the blind caretaker/ghoul, 'Mrs. Slydes', in William Castle's 1959 classic, House On Haunted Hill.

Susan Cabot:The Wasp Woman (1959)

2012-12-04T23:12:00.000-08:00

Susan Cabot (July 9, 1927-December 10, 1986)

The Lovely Ladies Of The Evil Dead Franchise: A Photo Album And Guide

2012-11-23T13:09:00.000-08:00

THE EVIL DEAD (1981):

Ellen Sandweiss as 'Cheryl'

Betsy Baker as 'Linda'

Theresa Tilly as 'Shelly'

Film Editing: Edna Ruth Paul

Assistant Sound Editor: Dolores Elliott

THE EVIL DEAD 2: DEAD BY DAWN (1987):

Denise Bixler as 'Linda'

Honorable Mention Goes to Ted Raimi as 'Henrietta'

Dancer: Snowy Winters Wardrobe: Vicki Graef

Film Editing: Kaye Davis Foam Fabricator: Teresa Burkept

Set Decoration: Elizabeth Moore Production Assistant: Mary Ann Creamer

Makeup Artist: Wendy Bell Production Coordinator: Elaine Dysinger

Prop. Master: Blanche Sindelar Dance Choreography: Susan Labatt

Assistant Sound Editor: Yvonne Preble Production Assistant: Karalyn Parsons

Foley Artist: Julie Spears

Detail And Painting: Margaret Prentice

Visual Effects Production Assistant: Vicki L. Engel

Stunts: Sandy Gimpel (aka, Sandra Lee Gimpel)

Stunts: Debbie Lynn Ross

Stunts: Blanche Sindelar

Second Assistant Camera: Brigette Alexander

Electrician: Maribel Rodriguez

Main Titles Animator: Kathy Kean (aka, Katherine Kean)

ARMY OF DARKNESS (1992):

Embeth Davidtz as 'Sheila'

Patricia Tallman as 'She-Bitch' (aka, Possessed Witch)

Sarah Shearer as Old Woman In The S-Mart

Shiva Gordon as a 'Pit Deadbite'

Nadine Grycan as the 'Winged Deadbite'

*Courtney Pakiz as 'Deadbite (no pic. available)

*Monique Yates, Jr. as Graveyard Wench (no pic.available)

Assistant Director: Heather Ling

Second Assistant Director: Sarah Addington

Scenic Artist: Barbara A. Bordo

Assistant Property Master: Charlotte Garnell-Scheide

Model Builder: Jane Kilkenny

Foley Mixer: Linda Corbin

Foley Artist: Ellen Heuer

Foley Artist: Joan Rowe

Sound Editor: Cathie Speakman

Assistant Sound Editor: Gayle Wesley

Special Makeup Effects Coordinator: Susan Mallon (K.N.B. EFX Group)

Seamstress: Karen Mason (K.N.B. EFX Group)

Hair Technician: Becky Ochoa

Costume Design: Ida Gearon

Assistant Hair Stylist: Rebecca Alling

Key Hairstylist: Jeri Baker

Makeup Supervisor: Camille Calvet

Key Makeup Artist: Anne Hieronymus

Assistant Makeup Artist: Karen Keener

Second Hair Stylist: Julie M. Woods

Foam Cosmetics: Carolyn Oros

Special Effects Makeup: Carolyn Oros

Special Effects: Tanya Ridenour

Rotoscope Artist: Heather Davis Baker

Stunts: Donna Keegan

Stunts: Janet Lee Orcutt

Second Assistant Camera: Carolyn Chen

Second Unit Photographer: Andrea Dietrich

Still Photographer: Melissa Mosley

Extras Casting: Julie Calman

Extras Casting: Diana Carroll

Extras Casting: Mariann H.W. Lee

Set Costumer: Marisa Aboitiz

Wardrobe Assistant: Jill Halbreich

Set Costumer: Dena Matranga

Assistant Costume Designer: Leslie Daniel Rainer

Costume Supervisor: Karyn Wagner

Title Designer: Jennifer Grey Berkowitz

Assistant Swordplay Choreographer: Jan Bryant

Sword Fighter: Dana Fredsti

Sword Fighter: Bridget Hoffman

Production Coordinator: Anna-Lisa Nilsson

Wrangler: Carol Sonheim

Laboratory Technician: Melanie Tooker

Ingrid Pitt: Happy Birthday To Hammer's Queen Of Horror

2012-11-21T04:56:00.000-08:00

Ingrid Pitt (Born: Ingoushka Petrov)
(November 21, 1937-November 23, 2010)

Ingrid Pitt. What can you say about her? Not enough, I'm afraid. The truth of the matter is that I am doing this blog at the last minute; as I am running quite low on time. I planned on writing a nice, long piece about her last night. But, between work, a cat needing lots attention and the fact that it is the week of Thanksgiving, the last twenty-four hours of my life have been quite busy. Nonetheless, I just could not allow this special day to go by without recognizing Ingrid on what would have been her 75th.. In another month or so, I plan to give her due credit here on this page. Until then, this is my small attempt at a small tribute to this amazingly talented creature.

It was a sad day on November 23, 2010, just two days after turning 73, when the world lost Miss Ingoushka Petrov after she collapsed. For many of us who grew-up on these great films as children in the 1970's, and watching most of our horror on 1980's television screens,we can remember the "pretty lady" that gave us the creeps. As adults, we appreciate the phenomenon that was Ingrid Pitt; the perfect, quintessential blend of horror and sexuality. Perhaps with the exception of Barbara Steele, no other female horror star,before or since, has achieved the same status within the genre as her male counterparts, as the legendary Ingrid Pitt.

Clarissa Kaye-Mason: Salem's Lot (1979)

2012-11-17T11:53:00.003-08:00

Clarissa Kaye-Mason as 'Marjorie Glick' ("Salem's Lot",1979)
(1931-1994)

Although her role was very small, Clarissa Kaye-Mason made quite a memorable impact as the "dead" mother of the infamous, vampire "Glick Brothers" in the 1979 TV Movie, "Salem's Lot."
Based on the 1975 best-selling novel by Stephen King and directed by Tobe Hooper, the film also starred Clarissa's husband; the legendary James Mason. Although, they appear in no scenes together in the film, the same can not be said for the couple in the 1973 TV Movie, "Frankenstein: The True Story", where they can often be seen together.

Just as a bit of interesting trivia: Clarissa Kaye-Mason (aka, Clarissa Kaye) was related to Belinda Carlisle of The Go-Go's, and also appeared in the role of "Mrs. Kelly" alongside Mick Jagger in the 1970 film, "Ned Kelly."

Sign-Up For Email Updates

2012-11-16T13:31:00.001-08:00

Just scroll to the bottom of the page and enter your email address for updates on anything new going-on here at The Oblong Box 10. Thanks!!

Toyoko Takechi: 'The Manster' (1959)

2012-11-14T22:02:00.001-08:00

Actress Toyoko Takechi as 'Emiko Suzuki' in the 1959 classic,"The Manster" (aka "The Split"). Victim of circumstance and another one of those kooky mad scientist.

Toyoko Takechi as Emiko Suzuki

Toyoko Takechi

(August 25, 1908-July 18, 1985)

Thanks For Supporting The Oblong Box 10

2012-11-13T16:03:00.000-08:00

Well, it's been less than two months since I first started this blog, and we're already up to 1,000 views!

I just wanted to take this opportunity to extend my sincerest thanks to all of my readers; those who frequent the page, as well as those just stopping-by on occasion. I truly hope that you all find something of interest here and that you'll keep coming back. I still have a long way to go and there's still lots more to come. If anyone's interested in receiving updates, you can either sign-up here on blogger, or if you scroll to the bottom of the page you can type in your email address and you will receive an update each time I post something new.

Also, please feel free to tell me what you think of the page by typing in your comments at the bottom of the page. Or, if you don't feel like it nor have the time to do that, you can give your reaction to the article(s) in the check boxes that you can also find at the end of each article. I hope to start getting a book together in January 2013, which will feature all of the women that you see here at The Oblong Box 10 discussed in more detail; as well as a number of others. I just need to find a publisher that's interested. So, if you guys have any leads.....

I would truly love to know what you think of the blog so far. If you are unable to leave comments here, you can send me an email at kbzorkasmonstershow@gmail.com.

Thanks so much for your readership and support!

Cheers!
KB Zorka

Elsa Lanchester: Happy Birthday!

2012-10-28T17:00:00.001-07:00

Elsa Sullivan Lanchester
Born: Lewisham, England (October 28, 1902)

Haggis For Halloween: Florence Schauffler: Pumpkinhead (1989)

2012-10-27T13:40:00.000-07:00

Florence Schauffler in 'Pumpkinhead' (1989)

So, it's the weekend before Halloween, and it's time to decide which films to start the season off with. This is always a rather delicate process for horror fans. You can't just start throwing movies into the DVD player! There's an entire psychology behind it. First and foremost and before over-thinking anything, Pumpkinhead is an absolute must!

The first frightening female I ever set eyes on was Linda Blair in The Exorcist. Since the film came-out when I was barely a year old, I didn't have the pleasure of experiencing it until I was around six or so. I remember sitting in my living room, and eating ice cream with my Dad. He always made sure I had a healthy dose of horror and monsters. And with snacks to boot! This was back in the days long before video stores and red boxes. When films of blockbuster status could be seen on television over and over again, and at differrent times throughout the year; not just Halloween. Ahh, the good old days! Like everyone else, 'Regan' scared the hell out of me! And she still does to this day. About three years later , I became fascinated with Ray Harryhausen's 'Medusa' from Clash of The Titans (1981). I still find her to be demonically beautiful, and she continues to remain one of my favorite film characters even today.

Florence Schauffler's 'Haggis' is the last of the classic, iconic female images in horror. When I say classic, I mean twenty or more years old. When I say iconic, I mean that you can look at an image of a film character, and know EXACTLY what it's from.

So, here's to everyone enjoying a little Haggis with your Halloween!

Promos. For KB Zorka's Monster Show on Facebook

2012-10-13T09:02:00.000-07:00

https://www.facebook.com/pages/KB-Zorkas-Monster-Show/443770402340747?ref=hl

Medusa, The Gorgon: Myth's Most Feared Woman

2012-10-05T20:53:00.001-07:00

Werewolf Was A Woman: Nina Foch in 'Cry of The Werewolf' (1944)

2012-10-01T17:09:00.001-07:00

Nina Foch as Celeste La Tour in 'Cry of the Werewolf' (Columbia Pictures 1944)

On January 1, 1944, and at the tender age of 19, moviegoers witnessed the film debut of actress, Nina Foch (born Nina Consuelo Maud Fock) alongside Bela Lugosi in Columbia Pictures, Return of the Vampire. Less than eight months later, the leggy, 5'9" blonde, Dutch beauty, starred in another Columbia Pictures classic.

In 1944's Cry of the Werewolf, Nina Foch plays the role of Celeste La Tour; princess of the Trioga Gypsies and daughter of the (now) deceased, Marie La Tour. Inheriting her Mother's crown and Queenship, along with a "strange" gift, Celeste discovers that the location of the sacred tomb of her Mother has been discovered; information that only she and her loyal, gypsy subjects are to be privy to. So, Celeste uses her talent to transform into a wolf, and sets-out to kill all of those who know the sacred secret of her people. Unlike other werewolf films you may be used to, out antagonist doesn't turn into a hairy-mutant creature. But, instead can transform into an actual wolf.

Cry of The Werewolf (Columbia 1944)

Nina Foch and Bela Lugosi in Return Of The Vampire (Columbia 1944)

Nina Foch

Patty Mullen: Frankenhooker

2012-09-29T22:43:00.002-07:00

Just for fun!!

Patty Mullen in 1990's 'Frankenhooker'

Nice bio. on Patty Mullen:http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0612038/bio

The Bride Sang: Elsa Lanchester's, "Songs For A Shuttered Parlor" and "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

2012-09-26T23:33:00.003-07:00

Many years ago, I had the wonderful pleasure of purchasing a copy of one of Elsa "The Bride of Frankenstein" Lanchester's greatest works;the album 'Songs For A Shuttered Parlor.' Albeit unknown to a number of fans, she recorded a number of songs; both on stage as well as records.

Elsa was a natural and true performer. She left behind such an amazing body of work. On the stage, screen and the recording studio; she did it all! I searched the internet for a recording of my favorite track from the record to share; but sadly to no avail. It's entitled "Glad To See Your Back." However, I was able to find another one of my favorites she sang. Along with hubby Charles Laughton (Quasimodo), they did a version of Frank Loesser's, "Baby, It's Cold Outside."

The track can be heard here, along with a video which features some great shots of she and Laughton:

        Elsa Lanchester: Horror's Leading Lady: http://theoblongbox10.blogspot.com/2012/12/elsa-lanchester-horrors-leading-lady.html