Sorry I haven't posted in a week, I was volunteering at a camp for kids with heart conditions ( I am a former camper myself). It's always an amazing experience and I am truly honored to give back to a camp who gave me such amazing and memorable life experiences.
So here is the Horror Histories for May 24th- May 31st
May 24, 1960
On this day in Horror History, Doug Jones was born. Arguably one of the
most talented character actors of all time, his prowess results from a
perfect storm of abilities to accommodate his unique and terrifying
personification of so many roles. A contortionist and former mime, the
Indiana native has blessed such characters as Billy Butcherson in Hocus
Pocus (1993), Abe Sapien in Hellboy
(2004), both Fauno and Pale Man in Pan's Labyrinth (2006), and the Ice
Cream Man in Legion (2010). A resume that is filled with countless cult
films and beloved television shows, Jones has a beautiful gift for
conveying heart wrenching and chilling roles without muttering a single
word.
“For the last 20 years of my life, I've been wearing
something unrecognizable. I've been acting for 20 years now and I've
been under the radar. I was completely under the radar until Hellboy
came along. And I did notable roles before, Billy Butcherson in Hocus
Pocus which became like a Halloween classic over here on the Disney
Channel, and I had smaller parts in lots of films like Batman Returns,
Mystery Men, Adaptation, Three Kings, and they were even things with my
own face in them. But I was basically actor of the day and I didn't get
much recognition, and guest-starring on TV shows that come and go and
commercials that come and go. But Hellboy was the one that had real
staying power, in terms of its notoriety and the size of the role I had.
I guess I became a speck on the radar then, but now it's Pan's
Labyrinth and Silver Surfer. Finishing Fantastic Four and Pan's
Labyrinth coming out with these Golden Globes and Oscar nominations has
been a press frenzy for me. I've never been thrust in the public eye
this much with me, Doug Jones, as name recognition which is happening
now, which is new for me. It's very exciting but still it's nice to go
to 7-11 and still be me. Nobody has to know, right?” –Doug Jones
May 25, 1979
On this day in Horror History, Alien made it’s theatrical debut. In the
34 years since the cult film would terrify audiences for the first
time, it has seen 3 sequels, 3 prequels including Prometheus (2012), and
several popular video game adaptions. Undoubtedly one of the most
renowned science fiction horror films to date, it has burst from the
chest from countless pop culture references.
Everything from Rob’s poster in Poltergeist (1982) to Killer Klowns
from Outer Space (1988) paraphrasing "In space no one can hear you
scream" as "In space, no one can eat ice cream", Alien was as close to
cinematic perfection as the genre will ever hope to achieve.
“Final report of the commercial starship Nostromo, third officer
reporting. The other members of the crew, Kane, Lambert, Parker, Brett,
Ash and Captain Dallas, are dead. Cargo and ship destroyed. I should
reach the frontier in about six weeks. With a little luck, the network
will pick me up. This is Ripley, last survivor of the Nostromo, signing
off.” -Ripley
May 26, 1913
On this day in Horror History, Peter Cushing was born. One of the most
adored talents associated with Hammer Film Productions classics; Cushing
blessed such roles as Dr. Frankenstein in The Curse of Frankenstein
(1957), Dr. Van Helsing in Horror of Dracula (1958), and Sherlock Holmes
in The Hound of the Baskervilles (1959). Later in his career he would
play the role Grand Moff Tarkin in Star
Wars (1977), ultimately retiring from acting to write an autobiography
and to pursue several hobbies including painting and Bird Watching.
August 11, 1994 would prove a sad day, as the world would lose the kind
hearted and loving soul that gave us countless laughs, chills and
moments which will never be forgotten.
"People look at me as if
I were some sort of monster, but I can't think why. In my macabre
pictures, I have either been a monster-maker or a monster-destroyer, but
never a monster. Actually, I'm a gentle fellow. Never harmed a fly. I
love animals, and when I'm in the country I'm a keen bird-watcher."
–Peter Cushing
May 27, 1911
On this day in Horror History, Vincent Leonard Price Jr was born. A
limitless talent who blessed such films as House of Wax (1953), House of
Usher (1960), Pit and the Pendulum (1961) and The Abominable Dr. Phibes
(1971), Price lent his incomparable brilliance to countless classic
horror films in a career that spanned half a century. Beloved and an
artery in cinematic history, the world
would lose Price to lung cancer and emphysema on October 25, 1993.
Having a legacy that will forever inspire, entertain, and captivate us
with the soul he poured into some of the most iconic roles of all time,
Vincent Price will forever be missed.
“I don't play monsters. I play men besieged by fate and out for revenge.” –Vincent Price
May 28, 2010
On this day in the Horror Movie timeline, Tucker and Dale find
themselves burdened by a group of college students who have mistaken
them for psychotic hillbillies.
"Oh hidy ho officer, we've had
a doozy of a day. There we were minding our own business, just doing
chores around the house, when kids started killing themselves all over
my property." -Tucker, Tucker and Dale VS Evil (2010)
May 29, 2010
On this day in Horror History, Dennis Lee Hopper passed away. A
brilliant and celebrated actor for more than half a century, he gave the
world some of the most adored roles in cinematic history. Hopper’s
resume gifted us all such films as Apocalypse Now (1979), The Texas
Chainsaw Massacre 2 (1986), Waterworld (1995), Land of the Dead (2005),
and hundreds of cult movies and award winning
performances. Passing away just 10 days after his 74th birthday, Dennis
Hopper will forever be remembered for the brilliance that he lent to
every character he ever epitomized and a legacy that will never be
shadowed.
“I am just a middle-class farm boy from Dodge City
and my grandparents were wheat farmers. I thought painting, acting,
directing and photography was all part of being an artist. I have made
my money that way. And I have had some fun. It's not been a bad life.”
–Dennis Hopper
May 29, 1953
On this day in Horror History, Danny Elfman was born. Perhaps the most
influential songwriter/composers in cinematic history, Elfman has
written some of the most iconic film scores of all time. A resume
including such cult films as Beetlejuice (1988), Edward Scissorhands
(1990), Army of Darkness (1992), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993),
and Mission: Impossible (1996), Elfman’s
brilliance has made the music behind some of cinema’s most beloved
films as adored and recognizable as the motion pictures themselves.
“I don't think there's a trademark Danny Elfman element that has been
consistent in my work. I don't hear many similarities in what I do and I
don't think it's necessary that I have a particular style. Having a
particular style is not bad, but I prefer to push myself in the
direction of being a composer who you never know what he's doing next.”
–Danny Elfman
May 30, 1967
On this day in Horror History, The Invisible Man himself Claude Rains
passed away. Rains also played in such films as Casablanca, Alfred
Hitchcock's Notorious, and countless other classics in the infancy of
the film industry.
"Often we'd secretly like to do the very
things we discipline ourselves against. Isn't that true? Well, here in
the movies I can be as mean, as wicked as I want to - and all without
hurting anybody. Look at that lovely girl I've just shot! I learn the
lines and pray to God."- Claude Rains
May 31, 1977
On this day in Horror History, William Castle passed away. Perhaps
leading one of the most eclectic and legendary careers in the Horror
industry, Castle would get his start while working with Orson Welles in
radio prior to his employment with both Columbia and Universal Pictures.
Not for the faint of heart, the icon of the silver screen would give
the world some of the most memorable and
adored horror films of all time, including Macabre (1958), 13 Ghosts
(1960), and Rosemary's Baby (1968). Forever an inspiration to the
industry which he helped build, Castle's brilliance has stood the test
of time to a new generation of horror fans.
“An expert is a man
who tells you a simple thing in a confused way in such a fashion as to
make you think the confusion is your own fault.” -William Castle
