Tag: Film

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Rest in Peace, Reggie Bannister

I never had the pleasure of meeting Reggie Bannister at a horror convention, but friends of mine who had attested to what I’ve always suspected: that the unlikely hero in the amazing Phantasm movie franchise was pretty much the Reggie in real life, maybe without the ice cream man outfit. Phantasm creator Don Coscarelli confirms this in his lovely, heartfelt tribute to his friend and collaborator. Reggie the man inspired Reggie the character, which is probably why he became such a singular, unforgettable character: a true icon in the horror pantheon. Reggie earned that place. 

Since the first time I watched Phantasm at a drive-in as an impressionable high school kid, I became an instant fan. I’ve seen the original film more than a hundred times — even taught it in one of my film classes to the delight of my students. Coscarelli’s Phantasm has the mark of a young and talented filmmaker who is a true American auteur. Even in the digital age, where you can make a film with your buddies in a weekend, few films carry the imprimatur of authenticity and wacky weirdness as Phantasm does. You can tell there was no production company oversight, and that’s a good thing. 

Phantasm has meant a lot to me over the years, maybe because it imprinted my mind back in 1979. I’ve spoofed it, and I’ve created an homage to it in my web series Gemini Rising. It’s never left me. Reggie was a true original, the ultimate cool best friend, and popular with the ladies too, despite the balding mullet. Aura such as Reg’s can’t be faked. He’ll be greatly missed, but his legend lives on–hot as love forever!

Watch my Phantasm discussion video from a few years back HERE.

Phantasm tribute
Phantasm homage in Gemini Rising
Featured

New Horror Novel Release!

It’s curtain time for FINAL DRESS, my latest adult horror novel set in my favorite world- the theater! Having worked in the theater my entire life and continuing to work part-time at my local regional theater, it was a thrill to explore this environment in a slasher story. I’ve been thinking about writing a horror story set in the theater since the 80’s when I was a young Thespian experiencing the thrill of my first starring role. The play was Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, and I played the role of Miss Casewell to the hilt, complete with a man’s suit and tie and fedora, a cigarette dangling from my lip. I’m sure my English accent was dreadful, but I know I gave it my all and had a blast doing it.

The author as a young Thespian, making the most of her role.

The theater was in an old barn on a country road; as far as I know, it’s still standing. As a young Thespian, I recall navigating the backstage environs, including the costume stock stored in the old hayloft, and thinking it would be a perfect location for a horror movie. My older sister, a fellow Thespian, and I discussed, over many clove cigarettes, writing a screenplay called Horror at Summer Stock. The story had some hilarious scenes, including a runaway killer forklift as the ultimate Deus ex machina.

Our fantasy screenplay vanished with the summer winds, and the forklift didn’t make it into Final Dress, but a backstage Genie lift did, along with some other theater “inside jokes” that my theater friends will giggle at, but which any reader can hopefully appreciate. Final Dress, along with my hillbilly vampire romp, CODE RED, definitely lands under the category of “fun” horror, in the same way those old 80s slasher classics are good for a laugh but never fail to give a thrill.

So, buy a ticket to FINAL DRESS, and try to survive till the curtain falls!