#black and white horror

[thepumpkin-queenn]

[yoursghouly]

x

[horrorstain]

[singing-not-sleeping-beauty]

I feel like, and hear me out on this one, if Universal is so insistent on remaking their original monster movies, the thing to change is not the practical effects, or the fairly simple plotlines, but rather the blatant misogyny, antisemitism, and racism

[natalliatsuran]

[introvertedfantasies]

[spookyhotmess]

[fushsiaelectrica]

Why The Brain that Wouldn't Die (1962) Is secretly a feminist film

I don’t think The Brain That Wouldn’t Die was intentionally meant to have a feminist message. It was meant to be just another B movie written in an era with many serious biases against women. But it’s the character arch of the titular Brain, Jan. (Or Jan in the Pan as she’s more commonly known.) As well as some well-placed story elements and character choices that give this film a distinct feminist feel. Allowing us to interpret it as such all these decades later.  

For starters, I think the entire concept of a woman's brain alone living on without a body subtly represented how little women were valued for anything outside of their bodies in the 20th century. They were either sex objects or baby-makers. Not only is it stressed over and over how much of monster she is now that she’s just a head.  

“Like all quantities horror has its ultimate, and I am that.” The Brain that wouldn’t die (1962) 

But when her doctor fiancee goes to find her a new body. We see how he lures over the forms of still-living woman like he's shopping for a new car. An example of the male gaze taken to the highest possible extreme. Most of his would-be victims consist of showgirls, beauty pageant contestants, and models.  

He doesn’t care who these women are, and he doesn’t really want Jan back.

He just wants to frankenstein together his version of the “perfect woman”. A quiet, domestic housewife’s brain with a seductress's body.  

But the woman who wanted nothing more than to be his wife is gone. She didn’t die in the crash. She died when she realized she was completely trapped by a man who she thought loved her. (Which eventually might have happened either way) 

Jan is being kept alive against her will. She is horrified with what he’s turned her into and possibly in an insane amount of pain. She wants to die, then repeats it over and over, but her plea falls on deaf ears. He’s a controlling monster who has ignored her will in favor of his own. Once she realizes this there’s a shift in her personality. She goes from terrified and pleading to enraged and vengeful! 

“He had no right to bring me back to this.” The Brain that wouldn’t die (1962) 

She has nobody. So she uses the only thing she has left to fight back, her mind. Her true source of power, quite literally at this point. There’s some kind of creature that’s been locked in the basement with her. An amalgamation of the doctor’s mad experiences with flesh and tissue. Think Reanimator 2 meets Frankenstein. Being hooked up to the same rejuvenation formula has given her a psychic link to the mindless creature allowing her to control it. 

She bides her time with the creature while also trying to manipulate the doctor’s assistant. Trying to get him to turn on the doctor and see him for the monster he is. 

“Him keeping me alive has given me a power he didn’t count on.”  The Brain that wouldn’t die (1962) 

But what I believe truly makes this a feminist piece is how the women always save each other. 

The first woman the doctor goes after is a stripper at a nightclub. She was eager to go with him until a second stripper got between them trying to steal him away. This might have been an act of catty pettiness on the surface. They even end up in a cliche catfight but the woman unknowingly saved her coworker from a murderer.  

His second one is an old former intern. It’s as inappropriate as it sounds. She’s about to drive off with him when another friend of hers walks by and asks to come with her. Another potential witness, putting a kink in his plans and she didn’t even know it.   

His final victim is, perhaps, the most tragic. Doris is an art model whose body is supposedly perfect. But half her face is badly scarred from some horrible assault. She says she hates all men because of it. It’s only when he offers to fix her scar for free that she goes with him. Granted her turnaround time still feels a bit rushed.  

But imagine how much it must have taken for her to learn to trust again. Only for him to drug her. The amount of trauma she must have had to deal with afterward is unimaginable.  

Anyway, it’s when Doris is on the operating table that Jan finally makes her move with the creature! She commands it not only to attack the doctor, but save his would-be victim! The lab catches on fire and she commands it to carry her far away to safety. 

She doesn’t see her as some seductive rival or some sexual deviant getting what’s coming to her like they usually play it in these kinds of films. She sees her as another one of his victims. It might be too late for Jan, but Doris she can save! 

None of the women are shown as deserving of this terrible fate for their promiscuity. 

All the women, no matter who they are and even if they don’t realize it, work together to protect each other. A telling example of how vital it is for women to stick together in a world full of potentially deceptive, dangerous, and controlling men. 

In short, this is a movie about a woman held prisoner by a man. Who uses her mind to take back her power and save another woman from being murdered by her captor. 

They might not have meant it to be. But to me, that’s a pretty solid feminist empowerment flick. Who knows, maybe it was just a happy little accident, or maybe the writers really were aware of what they were doing. It free on a ton of platforms so give it a watch and see what you think for yourself!  

@rhetthammersmith

[f0restpunk]

Witchcraft (1964)

[tazzy-the-eighth]

Franken-jeanie

Thunder claps and lighting strikes. "IT'S ALIVE!!!".

Heloise crosses her arms. "And annoying". She looks over, giving Jean a smug grin.

Jean was ignoring her on her phone . "Whatever, smelly".

She shrugs. "At least people know my name when they mention they mention the monster". Scrolling through.

"Not it's lab rat".

"....".

The sound of butcher's knife being pulled can be heard in the distance.

Jean and Heloise who somehow convinced her to dress up to go trick or treating with her this year.

Though it would obviously involve more tricks rather treats, the mere question at the door is simply out of it.

I'll be reposting some of my of old Jimmy fanart from last year, due to my wrist being out of order, so pardon the late entries.

(Click for better quality).

[creepybitch]

[thepumpkin-queenn]

[yoursghouly]

x

[speaknowtv89]

Hi! I’ve seen so many Taylor intro posts so I thought it seemed fun and wanted to join for the 5 people who may see! I’ve never had a tumblr but I’m excited for a new way to connect with fellow fans!

I’m Becca, she/her, 25

I’ve been a Taylor fan since debut and I saw her open for Rascal Flatts!

Favorite song: The Story of Us

Favorite album: Speak Now

Favorite era(s): Lover/Folklore/Evermore

WENT to KC N2!! (Sobbed to Long Live!!!)

Besides Taylor, my interests are:

Stephen King

Black and white horror movies

Horror/thriller/mystery/suspense books

Gilmore girls

Witchcraft/Wicca/CRYSTALS!!

CATS (the animals)

Musicals

Cooking and baking

[junkyarddemento]

THE LEERIE 

Robert Eggers success  and influence in recent years, has rippled through the landscape when it comes to visual style and storytelling approach. THE LEERIE is just such an example as Eggers trademarks are all over this film. Filmmaker Joseph Daly does a great job in the execution of the story, but also, was fortunate enough to land strong actors like Ian Pirie, who carries the project, delivering a rich and captivating performance in under 15 minutes. Curious to see what else will come from this creative group in the near future.