#carol austin

[shipspassing-archive]

Happy Father’s Day to our on-screen dads! 💙

[chalamet-chalamet]

Timothée Chalamet and Austin Butler with Carol Cheng.✨✨✨

Via The Do Show

[anhed-nia]

BLOGTOBER 10/8/2024 PART 3: ABBY

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: October 8 was another rabbit hole day of my Blogtober program, and I have managed to refrain from slapping a snarky nickname on this little marathon of American race-centric horror movies that raise some uncomfortable questions. Can white guys make compelling movies about Black anxieties? Can Black directors get away with making white actors say things white people shouldn't get away with saying? The answer is…it depends on who you ask!

And if you want to know why I'm capitalizing one word and not the other, it's because I generally agree with the AP statement about the lack of meaningful cultural commonalities between white-skinned people--other than generalized privilege, of course. In my mind, it is useful to talk about whiteness in political contexts, but it is not so useful to talk about a "White" ethnic identity unless you are into white pride, which I would prefer not to validate. I understand that this is not a perfect solution, and many people feel that the lowercase "w" supports the delusion of whiteness as the universal default for humanity. I do not want to invite a big heavy debate on my silly little movie blog, but you should feel free to comment with links to worthwhile discussions on this subject, as long as you are doing it in good faith and you are not a white supremacist asshole. END STANDARD DISCLAIMER

Due to Warner Bros' litigiousness, this poor movie is only available as a version pulled from a badly damaged print--but if you can make it through the fuzz and the scratches, it's pretty entertaining! The great William Marshall plays an archeologist-cum-exorcist who witlessly frees a Nigerian deity to possess his daughter-in-law Abby (Carol Speed), a pious suburban housewife. Abby soon transforms from a devout, hardworking preacher's wife into a sadistic sex maniac, and it will take more than the usual power of Christ to exorcise her.

ABBY is one of those films that reminds me to question what exactly is meant by "blaxploitation". There is a tendency to put that label on any all-Black genre film made between the 1960s and 1980s, though this is misguided. Blaxploitation is actually sort of hard to define. I tend to think of it as primarily describing movies that exploit Black stereotypes to entice audiences--Black or otherwise--who find them appealing; examples are BLACULA (great!) and BLACKENSTEIN (pretty dire). Such movies may be made by Black or white filmmakers. Blaxploitation can also describe exploitation movies made by and for Black audiences; Melvin van Peebles combined exploitation-style entertainment with sharp political messages, and Rudy Ray Moore made delightful vanity projects for himself and his friends from the Chitlin Circuit. You couldn't fairly say that either of those guys mainly exploited stereotypes and the audiences that enjoyed them, even though they did capitalize on them. On the other hand, I always bristle when people call GANJA & HESS a blaxploitation movie; I guess if the only older Black films you watch are in the blaxploitation category then that's what it looks like, but it is way too posh, intellectual, and experimental to participate in any exploitation category.

ABBY was made by William Girdler, who is white, and an interesting character in exploitation history. He turned out nine films in six years, including the incredible terrestrial JAWS knockoff GRIZZLY. Even when he was making a cash grab, he didn't skimp on entertainment value, and ABBY succeeds with its strong characters played by an absolutely stellar cast. This is certainly a blaxploitation film, as an African-flavored coattail-rider of a mainstream hit, replacing THE EXORCIST'S Pazuzu with a horny Yoruban Orisha. However, the main characters are all hardworking, upstanding suburbanites; even the nightclub scenes are full of regular folks having a good time, not insulting caricatures. Those scenes are actually the weakest of the film since they break up the movie's core cast with a bunch of extras.

William Marshall, best known as Blacula and also the King of Cartoons, is fabulous in this...although he also has a tendency to slow things down just because of his flamboyant style of speech-making. Carol Speed gives a gleefully perverted performance as Abby, though the Orisha is voiced by Bob Holt, who in 1972 voiced the Lorax and the Onceler. I know I shouldn't say "the Onceler" on this website, but the freaks who react to that could really stand to watch something as good as ABBY instead of continuously beating off to children's media. Uh anyway, the actual biggest star of this movie is Juanita Moore, who may not have much to do here, but she was nominated for a fucking Oscar for fucking Douglas Sirk's remake of fucking IMITATION OF LIFE. She is no fucking joke. And there's also the great Austin Stoker, famous for ASSAULT ON PRECINCT 13. This movie may be a typical exploitation picture in many respects, but it is full of talent and made with care.

With all that said, just so I don't run the risk of making ABBY sound like more than it is, I should note that William Marshall expressed dismay at the loosely-handled African elements of the story. It sounds like he recommended some more respectful revisions, and was ignored. However, Carol Speed defended the film, for all that it misrepresents and rips off, as a terrific piece of entertainment. What she said could be applied to any number of exploitation classics: "There are no (new) stories since the Bible."

[shannendoherty-fans]

Stars pay tribute to 'force of nature' Doherty12 hours agoBy Ian Youngs, Culture reporter, BBC NewsGetty ImagesJason Priestley was "shocked and saddened" by Shannen Doherty's deathShannen Doherty has been remembered as a "beloved" actress with "heart, courage and kindness", following her death from cancer at the age of 53.Doherty was known for roles in 1990s teen drama Beverly Hills, 90210 and supernatural series Charmed.Jason Priestley, who played her twin brother on 90210, wrote on Instagram he was "shocked and saddened" by the news."She was a force of nature and I will miss her," he said. "Sending love and light to her family in this dark time."Getty ImagesJennie Garth wrote about her "tremendous grief"Jennie Garth, who played Kelly, the sometime love rival of Doherty's character Brenda, said she was "still processing my tremendous grief over the loss of my long-time friend Shannen, the woman I have often described as one of the strongest people I have ever known"."We were so often pitted against each other - but none of that reflected the truth of our real relationship, which was one built on mutual respect and admiration," Garth wrote."She was courageous, passionate, determined and very loving and generous. I will miss her and will always honour her deeply in my heart and in my memories. My heart breaks for her family and [her dog] Bowie and all the people who loved her."Getty ImagesSarah Michelle Gellar recalled how Doherty loved animals, "especially dogs"Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Sarah Michelle Gellar, a good friend, posted: "How do you possibly find the right words to sum up 30 years of friendship?"I keep reminding myself it only hurts this much because, there was so much love. Thank you, for all your kind words and support."Recalling Doherty's love of pets, Gellar asked well-wishers to donate to an animal charity in her memory. "I know that would make our girl happy."Doherty's death comes five years after that of her fellow Beverly Hills, 90210 star, Luke Perry.Gabrielle Carteris, who played Andrea in the hit series, paid tribute to Doherty, writing: "So young - so sad. May you RIP Shannon. I know Luke is there with open arms to love you."Tori Spelling, who played Donna, posted a photo of herself and Doherty, alongside a string of broken-heart emojis and the message: "I don't have outwards words yet... but we knew and that's what matters."Another Beverly Hills 90210 co-star, Brian Austin Green, addressed his tribute to "Shan, my sister"."You loved me through everything. You were a big part of my understanding of love," he wrote. "I'll miss you more than I know how to process right now. Thank you for the gift of you."

Carol Potter, who played Brenda's mother, Cindy, wrote Doherty had "gone too soon".

"Throughout, she stayed true to herself and gave us an example of courage and perseverance in facing her own death," Potter said. "May she rest in peace."

On Charmed, Doherty played one of three sisters who were witches.

Rose McGowan, who replaced Doherty in the show, as half-sister Paige, wrote she "had the heart of a lion".

"My head bows to this warrior on her journey home," McGowan wrote. "Her intense will to live places in her in the hall of legends. Forever our sister."

Alyssa Milano, who played sister Phoebe, acknowledged the pair's "complicated relationship", with reports they had fallen out on set, leading to Doherty's departure.

"But at its core was someone I deeply respected and was in awe of," Milano added in a statement.

"She was a talented actress, beloved by many, and the world is less without her. My condolences to all who loved her."

'Shared battle'

Another Charmed co-star, Brian Krause, wrote: "You showed me what strength is. You taught me to be fearless and live with purpose, to know your value and stick to your determination. Forever loved. Truly heartbroken."

Others paying tribute included actress Olivia Munn, herself diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, who was "absolutely heartbroken".

"We bonded through a shared battle and a desire to help other women," she wrote. "Looking back on the last text she sent me, just a couple months ago, she asked how I was doing and if she could do anything for me.

"True to form, Shannen was offering her support even though she was in the final stage of fighting this horrific disease."

Doherty had faced the disease with "such dignity, strength and grace", Munn added.

Actress Kate Beckinsale said on Instagram: "Love you. Fly high lovely kind sweetheart woman. This hits hard. Your heart, courage and kindness will be so missed."

And Oscar winner Viola Davis wrote: "Your bravery and ability to share your cancer journey left something 'in' people. Rest well. God bless your loved ones."

[thejadedjewel]

Little Muppet Sesame Things #97

Kermit: All I can see are millions of frogs on tiny crutches.

This line is the start of Max's road to a heel-face turn. His little "Crutches?" comment is sadly adorable as he's realizing that this whole organization isn't right.

And we see him trying to fight back, but he hasn't reached that level of thinking for himself fully.

Doc Hopper: Max, I've done my best with that frog, now's the time to do my worst. Open the door. Max: No, YOU open the door! Doc Hopper: What? Max: I'm through, Doc. The frog is right. You're asking him to do something terrible. I can't be a part of it. It's a moral decision and I'll stand by it. Doc Hopper: I'll double your percentage. Max: I'll open the door.

You're not there, yet, Max, but good attempt.

Also:

Doc Hopper: Listen, we're a small business but we've expanded. Expanded! Just like you frogs expand. Don't you frogs expand? [puffs his cheeks] Kermit: That's a myth. Doc Hopper: What? Kermit: Myth! Myth! Myth: Yeth?

Hi again, Carol.

[doyoulikehorrorfilmsblogger]

[cccovers]

Ms. Marvel #16 (April 1978) cover by Dave Cockrum and Terry Austin.

[nofatclips]

Then The Quiet Came by She Makes War from the album Brace For Impact

[thesapphocinephile]

[erstwhile-punk-guerito]

[thishadoscarbuzz]

290 - The Front Page (w/ Roxana Hadadi) (70s Spectacular - 1974)

1974 brings us to one of the final films of Billy Wilder, which also reunited a screen duo beloved by both Oscar and audiences, Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau. Vulture writer Roxana Hadadi is back to the show to talk about The Front Page, an oft-adapted farce about newspapermen getting wrapped up in the case of an escaped convict. Most famously retold in a gender swapped version in His Girl Friday, this version stumbles to deliver the best of this director-star trio and missed Oscar's good graces despite multiple nominations in the decade for Mathau and Lemmon, including Lemmon's win the previous year.

This episode, we talk about the victory lap made by Francis Ford Coppola with The Godfather Part II and The Conversation both earning Oscar love. We also talk about the film's apoliticism was atypical of the moment, our love for Ingrid Bergman's Supporting Actress speech, and the hubbub over the acceptance speech for Best Documentary Feature Hearts and Minds.

Topics also include disaster movies becoming the splashy Hollywood product, The Godfather Part II Supporting Actor nominations, and Anderson Cooper talking about his mom hooking up with Marlon Brando.

The 1974 Academy Awards

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[mayyourshipsbewithyou]

The Kelly Awards 2022

Best Picture

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Best Actor

Austin Butler as Elvis Presley in Elvis

Best Actress

Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe in Blonde

Best Supporting Actor

Ke Huy Quan as Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once

Best Supporting Actress

Stephanie Hsu as Joy Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once

Best Young Actor

Alisha Weir as Matilda Wormwood in Matilda the Musical

Best Animated Film

Scrooge: A Christmas Carol

Best Voice Actor

Florence Pugh as Goldilocks in Puss in Boots: The Last Wish

Best Score

Simon Franglen, Avatar: The Way of Water

Best Song

"Still Holding My Hand" from Matilda the Musical

Best LGBT Film

Strange World

Most Important

Navalny

Best Trailer

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Best Costumes

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Best Hair/Make-Up

All Quiet on the Western Front

Best Couple

Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard as Owen Grady and Claire Dearing in Jurassic World: Dominion

Most Nominations (7)

Everything Everywhere All At Once

Most Wins (4)

Everything Everywhere All At Once

[chalamet-chalamet]

Carol Cheng: Timothée, you were voted most handsome in the world. Yes! In 2023 you were number one. How does that feel?

Timothée: 😯🤨 What?! I didn’t know that.

Austin: How about that?

Timothée: It feels great! A lot of hard work. A lot of gum chewing to keep the jaw. It’s hard to hear that next to someone as genuinely beautiful as [Austin]. Beautiful facial hair coming through…

YouTube credit to The Do Show

[letterboxd-loggd]

Abby (1974) William Girdler

May 27th 2023

[alpacinonumberone]

Hunters (2023)

[jendoe]

let the sea set you free.

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