Short Takes

Now let's get this straight. At first glance, we've got a documentary about "Scream Queens" here, yet the only legit member of that elite sorority is HOST Brinke Stevens? Even her cinematic contributions are only briefly referenced! Where's Linnea Quigley? Where's Michelle Bauer? It's akin to a medical conference only attended by folks who played doctors on TV! Steady. Steady! Documentarian Jason Paul Collum's focus goes a bit deeper, more blue collar: What's it like to BE a work-a-day B-movie actress? The hardships of gettin' nekkid (or worse, NOT!) The measly paychecks. The perilous quest for that NEXT part. All of which, according to this nine-siren panel, seem wholly navigable and even worth it when fans latch on to a particular picture. Such as Judith O'Dea, who prefers the classical stage, but is tremendously tickled by her Night of the Living Dead recognition. Or Felissa Rose who's suddenly found herself the belle of the convention circuit thanks to Sleepaway Camp. However, the doc's brute strength, is the unblinking candidness of CineSchlocker faves Julie Strain ("I had to do the nudity, because I didn't have any acting talent!") and Debbie Rochon ("There is NO MONEY in this business!") Intrigued? A better value would be the double-disc with 1991's Shock Cinema, also hosted by Ms. Stevens and featuring such B-auteurs as David DeCoteau, Fred Olen Ray and Charles Band. (2004, 65 mins, Fullframe, DD 2.0. Various unrelated extras include the director's short film "Julia Wept," a titillating interview with Julie Strain's lil sis Lizzy and Ms. Rochon's student reel.)