memorial: Kevin McCarthy (1914-2010)

Dana Winter (left) and Kevin McCarthy (right)
in 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' (1956)

If you're a regular follower of other horror blogs like ourselves, then it's likely that you've heard the recent news of actor Kevin McCarthy's passing last Saturday. To the horror community, as well as science-fiction fans, he will be best remembered for his starring role in the 1956, black-and-white film 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers', which would later on inspire a lineage of remakes, parodies, and comparable adaptations.

Much to our regret, we admit not having seen this original feature of classic cinema. But even then, the influence of 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' is so predominant that it's made its way into other films, such as 'Gremlins' (1984). Kevin McCarthy's close-up and haggard face, yelling, "They're here, already! You're next!" from Billy Peltzer's television set is an iconic image and one, which we're sure was heightened all the more in its black-and-white medium, that is truly haunting.

"They're here, already! You're next!"

This isn't to say that Kevin McCarthy didn't step out of the horror/science-fiction circle, though he was certainly talented enough that he could have remained, had he chosen to do so. Fortunately, McCarthy put his talents to use in other genres, such as drama and comedy. Certainly those of us who went through the Weird Al Yankovic phase remember him as R.J. Fletcher, the conceited arch-rival of George Newman (Yankovic) and his channel crew of upstart underdogs in 'UHF' (1989). But always McCarthy kept one foot in the former, familiar circle and 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' kept especially close by, even into the remaining years of his acting career.

'Looney Toons: Back in Action' (2003)

Apparently director Joe Dante loved 'Invasion of the Body Snatchers' and Kevin McCarthy, incorporating them into both 'Gremlins' films, 'Piranha' (1978), 'The Howling' (1981), 'Twilight Zone: The Movie' (1983), 'Innerspace' (1987), and the aforementioned movie, seen above.

Kevin McCarthy, at the admirable age of ninety-six, passed away from pneumonia. His life was long, and we're sure that his legacy in cinematic history will live on even longer.

Additional Kevin McCarthy memorials:

• The Vault of Horror - Kevin McCarthy 1914-2010
• Classic-Horror.com - Kevin McCarthy (1914-2010)
  

birthdays and memorials

This past week marks a number of birthdays for both living and deceased actors, as well as a recent death, who have played a role in horror cinema. So for this post we're going to briefly touch on each, highlighting certain parts that they have played, respectfully. Normally we wouldn't mark the birthdays of deceased actors, mind you, but because of the close dates it seemed too conspicuous to ignore.

PETER CUSHING
(May 26, 1913 - August 11, 1994)

Cushing seen here as Van Helsing in 'Dracula' (1958)

For Don and myself, Peter Cushing will be best remembered in the role of Grand Moff Tarkin from 'Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope'. After all, we were sci-fi geeks first, branching out into horror fandom later on. Especially Don in regards to the former, who had, and still does have, a love for 'Star Wars'. Lucas aside, Cushing had a history with Hammer Film Productions, cast as Baron Victor Frankenstein in 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957) and Doctor Van Helsing in 'Dracula' (1958). Cushing continued these parts on into the sequels that followed. Regrettably, neither Don nor myself have seen any of the movies released by Hammer Film Productions as of yet, but will eventually rectify this.

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CHRISTOPHER LEE
(May 27, 1922 - present)

Lee seen here as Lord Summerisle in 'The Wicker Man' (1973)

Like Cushing, Christopher Lee has a long-standing history with Hammer Film Productions, cast in similarly iconic roles as the Monster in 'The Curse of Frankenstein' (1957) and Count Dracula in 'Dracula' (1958). Furthermore, Lee continued these parts on into the sequels that followed, making Cushing and himself regular colleagues and sensibly led to their friendship. Again, while Don and myself haven't watched the Hammer Film Productions' movies, we have seen him in a number of other roles, be they purely horror or horror comedy, such as 'The Wicker Man' (1973) and 'Gremlins 2: The New Batch' (1990). And of course during the past decade we've become familiar with Lee's contributions to 'The Lord of the Rings' and the newer 'Star Wars' trilogies.

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VINCENT PRICE
(May 27, 1911 - October 25, 1993)

Price seen here as the inventor in 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990)

Sharing the same birthday as Christopher Lee, May 27th also marks the late and great Vincent Price's birthday. Where do we even begin? Price has done it all, from hosting PBS' 'Mystery!' television series to starring in many, many horror films to lending his talents as a voice actor (ex: Tim Burton's tribute, 'Vincent') to even appearing on family programs such as 'The Muppet Show'. Talk about a healthy work ethic. For myself, and likely for Don as well, it's bittersweet each time that we watch 'Edward Scissorhands' (1990), knowing that his part as the kindly old inventor would be one of his last, reverberated by the inventor's own saddening death. I'll confess, I've choked up during that particular scene.

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DENNIS HOPPER

(May 17, 1936 - May 29, 2010)

Hopper, seen right, as Kaufman in 'Land of the Dead' (2005)

Yesterday, due to complications with prostate cancer, Dennis Hopper passed away at age seventy-four. We remember Hopper best for his contributions to horror cinema, though the late actor has worked in various other genres over the years. Lieutenant "Lefty" Enright in 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2' (1986) and Paul Kaufman in George A. Romero's 'Land of the Dead' (2005) are two horror roles that specifically come to mind. Horror aside, we also remember Hopper in Quentin Tarantino's 'True Romance'.

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LINNEA QUIGLEY
(May 27, 1958 - present)

Quigley seen here as Trash in 'The Return of the Living Dead' (1985)

Last on our list of birthdays, but certainly not least, we have Ms. Quigley to mix things up a little. Definitely standing out from these older gentlemen, perhaps fate does have an odd sense of humor.* A scream queen, B-movie actress, Linnea is most memorable in her role as Trash, the pink-haired, punk rock chick in Dan O' Bannon's 'The Return of the Living Dead' (1985). ...And if you're interested, we just so happen to have a postcard-sized print of zombie Trash available for purchase. *cough* shameless self-promotion *cough*

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Coincidentally, Peter Cushing, Christopher Lee, and Vincent Price starred together in the 1983 horror-parody, 'House of the Long Shadows'. Three out of five; not bad.

See also: The Vault of Horror's "The Vincent Price/Christopher Lee Birthday Throwdown!"

*excerpt from 'The Return of the Living Dead'
Trash: Do you ever wonder about all the different ways of dying? You know, violently? And wonder, like, what would be the most horrible way to die?
Spider: I try not to think about dying too much.
Trash: Mmm. Well for me, the worst way would be for a bunch of old men to get around me, and start biting me and eating me alive...
Spider: I see.
Trash: First, they would tear off my clothes...
Chuck: Hey, somebody get some light over here; Trash is taking off her clothes again!

memorial: Frank Frazetta (1928-2010)

Frank Frazetta

Monday it came to my attention that Frank Frazetta, an artist whose work has made him a veritable titan in comics, died yesterday at a dignified age of eighty-two. It comes with some sheepish admittance on my part that I am not especially acquainted with his artwork, a double-strike as an illustrator and one interested in comics as well. Regardless, even my substantial ignorance recognizes the importance of such a man to the art community, in addition to the broader fantasy and science fiction community, and the loss with his passing. The Vault of Horror wrote a respectable article in remembrance of Frazetta, which I would encourage you to read, here. So instead of writing a few words about the artist, it seemed more fitting to post a handful of horror-related, cover artwork from 'Creepy' that I have seen and can admire.

On a side note, I've learned of a documentary entitled 'Frank Frazetta: Painting with Fire', so if you find yourself in a similar situation as myself perhaps you will give it a watch.

memorial: Corey Haim (Dec 1971 - Mar 2010)

Corey Haim as Sam Emerson ('The Lost Boys')

There seems to be a sense of nostalgia with the eighties-born generation surrounding the passing of Corey Haim. Living a rather sheltered childhood, I find myself outside the loop and cannot express the same sentiment. However, I have seen Haim's performance later on when I was older in 'The Lost Boys' and after that in King's 'Silver Bullet'. Though I had no particular interest in his personal life, which is why I haven't watched 'The Two Coreys' television series. From what I can gather, Haim has struggled for years with substance abuse and seems to be partly the cause of his early death, dying at only age thirty-eight. Most can agree that it wasn't the best life choice, and that there is a degree of personal responsibility to account for, but addiction is one hell of a beast to leave behind. Even those that can move on know how easy it can be to backslide, the beast always never too far behind. To that extent, I can sympathize for Corey Haim. Addiction, added to the early pressures of childhood stardom, especially during the eighties, is a hard road. Hopefully Haim has found the rest that has eluded him.

memorial: Zelda Rubinstein (May 1933 - Jan 2010)

Zelda Rubinstein as Tangina Barrons ('Poltergeist')

It was brought to my attention that actress Zelda Rubinstein, best known for her role as medium Tangina Barrons in the 'Poltergeist' films, as well as guest appearances in the 'Poltergeist: The Legacy' television series that followed as seer Christina, passed away yesterday at age seventy-six at Los Angeles' Barlow Respiratory Hospital. 'Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon' (2006) was the last film that she appeared in, meaning that from her earliest film debut, 'Poltergeist' (1982) being preceded by 'Under the Rainbow' (1981), her acting career spanned twenty-five years that began in her late forties and continued into her early seventies. That's impressive by my standards. Aside from her contribution to the AIDS/HIV public awareness campaign during the 1980s, which could have jeopardized her career, Rubinstein is commendable for her lifelong effort to help little people like herself. A woman whose height was overshadowed by an ample heart, Zelda Rubinstein will be missed.