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Scream queen

 
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"Scream queens" redirects here. For the VH1 reality series, see Scream Queens (TV series).

A scream queen is an actress who has become associated with horror films, either through an appearance in a notable entry in the genre as a frequent victim or through constant appearances as the female protagonist. Fay Wray is noted as the first scream queen [1] while Jamie Lee Curtis is noted as a person who helped revive the scream queen title with her performance in the popular slasher film Halloween.[2]

Contents

Definition

The term "scream queen" is more specifically used to refer to the "attractive young damsels-in-distress"[3] characters that have appeared in a number of films in the horror genre. Lloyd Kaufman, co-founder of Troma Entertainment, noted that being a scream queen is "more than just crying and having ketchup thrown on you. You not only have to be attractive, but you also have to have a big brain. You have to be frightened, you have to be sad, you have to be romantic."[3] Ryan Stewart, of cinematical.com, has described a scream queen as someone who has "given an impactful, memorable performance in a horror film".[4] Debbie Rochon, often described as a scream queen herself, wrote in an article originally published in GC Magazine that "a true Scream Queen isn't The Perfect Woman. She's sexy, seductive, but most importantly 'attainable' to the average guy. Or so it would seem."[5]

History

The use of women in horror films dates back to the silent film era, with films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Nosferatu (1922). George Feltenstein, film historian and senior vice president of theatrical catalog marketing at Warner Home Video, states, "Women screaming in terror has been a Hollywood mainstay — even when films were silent".[3] However, Fay Wray of King Kong (1933) is arguably the first notable scream queen. Wray had also appeared in a number of other horror films previous to King Kong, and eventually took her career to England to escape the title, stating "I don't like it at all...being called Scream Queen."[6] Following Wray, in the 1930s, Elsa Lanchester in Bride of Frankenstein (1935) and Gloria Stuart in The Invisible Man (1933) were also considered scream queens.

In the 1940s, filmmakers "wanted stories to take them out of reality and reveal an image far more in control"[5], creating noir films and featuring such actresses as Hillary Brooke, who appeared in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1941) and Sherlock Holmes and the Voice of Terror (1942). Simone Simon and Joan Crawford were also notable actresses of the decade.

The 1960 film Psycho placed Janet Leigh as a prominent scream queen who had begun the change into the modern horror protagonist. In this film era, B movies remained popular at drive-in theaters, and Psycho had been a part of the larger exploitation boom in the genre.

In 1978, Jamie Lee Curtis, daughter of Janet Leigh, had her first film role in Halloween. Portraying Laurie Strode, Curtis established herself as the "ultimate 'scream queen'"[7] and was even referenced as such in the horror film Scream (1996). Curtis went on to star in several other horror films and Halloween sequels, and continues to act, broadening her range outside the specific genre.

The success of Halloween, as well as what could be considered the first slasher film, Black Christmas (1974), helped popularize the slasher film genre. Many of the scream queen actresses of these films were required to perform nude scenes. Monique Gabrielle in Chained Heat (1983), Michelle Bauer in Demonwarp (1987), and Brinke Stevens in Bad Girls from Mars (1989) are examples.

During the 1990s, Debbie Rochon starred in dozens of Troma Production horror films and was voted by Draculina magazine as its "Scream Queen of the Decade".[8] Neve Campbell also began her career in horror with The Craft (1996), and later went on to star as Sidney Prescott in the Scream series of horror films. Sarah Michelle Gellar, despite her start in television as the title character in the show Buffy the Vampire Slayer, went on to appear in other horror films during the decade, including I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997) and Scream 2 (1997). Both actresses are considered scream queens, and Gellar continues to star in horror films.

Ryan Stewart cited Cassandra Magrath and Kestie Morassi as prime examples of modern scream queens for their roles in Wolf Creek (2005).[4] 2006 saw Kate Beckinsale earn the award for "Best Scream Queen" at the Scream Awards for her role in Underworld: Evolution (2006).[9] In 2007, USA Today published an article listing its opinion of who qualified as a modern scream queens; the list included Sheri Moon Zombie, Jaimie Alexander, Andrea Bogart, Mercedes McNab, Tiffany Shepis, and Cerina Vincent.[3]

Other examples of scream queens include Linnea Quigley in Return of the Living Dead[10], Alexandra Delli Colli in Zombie Holocaust[citation needed], Sandra Knight in Blood Bath[citation needed], Beverly Garland in The Alligator People[11], Camille Keaton in I Spit On Your Grave[12], Marilyn Burns in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre[13], and Felissa Rose in Sleepaway Camp.

Prominent American scream queens

Actress Films
Jamie Lee Curtis[7] Halloween (1978, as Laurie Strode), The Fog (1980, as Elizabeth), Prom Night (1980 film, as Kim Hammond), Terror Train (1980, as Alana Maxwell), Roadgames (1981), Halloween II (1981, as Laurie Strode), Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998, as Laurie Strode and Keri Tate), Virus (1999, as Kit Foster), Halloween: Resurrection (2002, as Laurie Strode)
Sarah Michelle Gellar[3][14] I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997, as Helen Shivers), Scream 2 (1997, as Casey "Cici" Cooper), The Grudge (2004, as Karen Davis), The Grudge 2 (2006, as Karen Davis), The Return (2006, as Joanna), Possession (2009)
Scout Taylor-Compton[14][15][16][17] Wicked Little Things (2007), Halloween (2007, as Laurie Strode), April Fool's Day (2008), Obsessed (2009), Halloween II[18] (2009, as Laurie Strode), Murder World (2010)
Mary Elizabeth Winstead[14] Monster Island (2004), The Ring Two (2005), Final Destination 3 (2006, as Wendy Christensen), Black Christmas (2006, as Heather Fitzgerald), Grindhouse: Death Proof (2007, as Lee)
Sheri Moon House of 1000 Corpses (2003), Toolbox Murders (2004), The Devil's Rejects (2005, as Baby), Grindhouse: Werewolf Women of the SS (2007), Halloween (2007, as Deborah Myers), Halloween II (2009, as Deborah Myers)
Shawnee Smith[19][20] The Blob (1988, as Meg Penny), Saw (2004, as Amanda Young), Saw II (2005, as Amanda Young), Saw III (2006, as Amanda Young), Saw IV (2007, as a corpsed Amanda Young), Slaughter (2008), Saw V (2008, as a corpsed Amanda Young)[21], The Grudge 3 (2009)[22], Saw VI (2009, as Amanda Young)
Neve Campbell [23] The Dark (1994), The Craft (1996), Scream (1996, as Sidney Prescott), Scream 2 (1997, as Sidney Prescott), Wild Things (1998, as Suzie Marie Toller), Scream 3 (2000, as Sidney Prescott), Scream 4 (2010, as Sidney Prescott)
Christina Ricci Sleepy Hollow (1999, as Katrina van Tassel), Bless The Child (2000), The Gathering (2002), Cursed (2005, as Ellie Myers), After.Life (2009)
Erica Leerhsen[20] Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 (2000), The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003, as Pepper), Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007, as Nina Papas), Living Hell (2008), Lonely Joe (2009), Slaughter (2009), The Message (2009), Shiver (2009), The Fury (2009)
Asia Argento Demoni 2 (1986), The Church (1989), Trauma (1993) (1993), The Stendhal Syndrome (1996), The Phantom of The Opera (1998), The Keeper (2004), Land of the Dead (2005), Mother of Tears (2007)
Fay Wray[6] Doctor X (1932), The Vampire Bat (1933), Mystery of the Wax Museum (1933), King Kong (1933, as Ann)
Marilyn Burns[13] The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974, as Sally Hardesty), Helter Skelter (1976), Eaten Alive (1977), Kiss Daddy Goodbye (1981), Future-Kill (1985), Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Next Generation (1994, uncredited)
Evelyn Ankers[24][25] Hold That Ghost (1941), The Wolf Man (1941), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), Captive Wild Woman (1943), Son of Dracula (1943), The Mad Ghoul (1943), Jungle Woman (1944), Weird Woman (1944), The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944), The Frozen Ghost (1945)
Drew Barrymore[26] Firestarter (1984, as Charlie),Cat's Eye (1985, as Girl), Waxwork II: Lost in Time (1992), Doppelganger (1993), Scream (1996, as Casey Becker), Donnie Darko (2001)

Other Scream Queens

See also

References

  1. ^ IMDB - Fay Wray - Biography
  2. ^ UGO - "The Top 11 Scream Queens - Jamie Lee Curtis
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h Arnold, Thomas (2007). "Three screams for these stars". usatoday.com. http://www.usatoday.com/life/movies/news/2007-04-26-scream-queens_N.htm#?POE=click-refer. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
  4. ^ a b Stewart, Ryan (2007-03-29). "USA Today Crowns New Generation of Scream Queens". cinematical.com. http://www.cinematical.com/2007/04/29/usa-today-crowns-new-generation-of-scream-queens/. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
  5. ^ a b Rochon, Debbie. "The Legend of the Scream Queen". GC Magazine. http://www.hollywoodisburning.com/legendofscreamqueen.html. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
  6. ^ a b Fay Wray. Interview with Cinema Dave. FAY WRAY'S LEGEND AWARD IN 2003 By CINEMA DAVE. 2003. Retrieved on 2007-10-26.
  7. ^ a b Murray, Steven (2007). "Jamie Lee Curtis Scream Queen". bellaonline.com. http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art52356.asp. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
  8. ^ "Biography". imdb.com. http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0004193/bio. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
  9. ^ Gorgan, Elena (2006-10-09). "Beautiful Kate is also a Scream Queen". news.softpedia.com. http://news.softpedia.com/news/Beautiful-Kate-Is-Also-Scream-Queen-37490.shtml. Retrieved 2007-10-26. 
  10. ^ Scream Queens "Linnea Quigley"
  11. ^ Barry Brown - "Unsung Heroes of The Horrors - Beverly Garland"
  12. ^ Netscape Celebrity - Steve Ryfle - "Scream Queens: Unsung Heroines of Horror"
  13. ^ a b The Terror Trap - "Scream Queens - Marilyn Burns"
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h Film School Rejects - "Bloody Best: The Ten Hottest Scream Queens of Today"
  15. ^ "'Halloween' Star Scout Taylor-Compton Calls Michael Myers 'Cute,' Talks Sequel". MTV.com. 2007-03-15. http://www.mtv.com/movies/news/articles/1554614/story.jhtml. Retrieved 2007-09-10. 
  16. ^ "Scout Taylor-Compton Turns Scream Queen". TeenHollywood.com. http://shaw.teenhollywood.com/d.asp?r=157207. Retrieved 2007-09-10. 
  17. ^ "INT: Scout Maria Compton". joblo.com. http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=17492. Retrieved 2007-09-10. 
  18. ^ http://www.beyondhollywood.com/h2-halloween-2-remake-2009-movie-images-gallery/
  19. ^ IGN "The Women of Horror: Shawnee Smith"
  20. ^ a b Dread Central - "Three to the Slaughter"
  21. ^ "The Official Smith & Pyle Site"
  22. ^ Bloody-Disgusting
  23. ^ TV Guide - "Neve Campbell's Panic Button"
  24. ^ Scream queen at the Internet Movie Database
  25. ^ Evelyn Ankers biography
  26. ^ 50 INFLUENTIAL SCREAM QUEENS: PART 2
  27. ^ http://www.fanpop.com/spots/horror-movies/articles/16768
  28. ^ Giant Magazine - "Meagan Good: Good & Plenty"
  29. ^ Horrorwatch - "Wrong Turn"
  30. ^ Shitty Horror - "Scream Queen Rose McGowan"
  31. ^ romow - "The Five Hottest Modern Day Horror Movie Women"
  32. ^ The Cinema Source - "Jessica Stroup Interview"
  33. ^ Close Up Film - "It’s No CRY WOLF, Rising Star Lindy Booth is the New Scream Queen"
  34. ^ Netscape Celebrity - "Top 10 Scream Queens - #7 Paris Hilton"
  35. ^ Barbara Steele...The Ultimate Scream Queen website
  36. ^ Netscape Celebrity - Ugo- "The Top 11 Scream Queenss - 5. Jennifer Love Hewitt"
  37. ^ IGN - Halloween Movie Memories: Danielle Harris
  38. ^ The Last Blog on the Left- "Barbara Crampton: The Forgotten Scream Queen"
  39. ^ ESplatter - "Top 10 Hottest Scream Queens in Horror Movie History"
  40. ^ 50 INFLUENTIAL SCREAM QUEENS: PART 1
Actress Films
Clea Duvall Little Witches (1996), The Faculty (1998, as Stokely Mitchell), Ghosts of Mars (2001), How to Make a Monster (2001), Identity (2003), Helter Skelter (2004), The Grudge (2004), Zodiac (2006), Anamorph (2007), Passengers (2008), The Killing Room (2009)
Melissa George Mulholland Drive (2001), The Amityville Horror (2005, as Kathy Lutz), Derailed (2005), Turistas (2006), WΔZ (2007), 30 Days of Night (2007, as Stella), Triangle (2009)
Heather Langenkamp[27] A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984, as Nancy Thompson), A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987, as Nancy Thompson), Wes Craven's New Nightmare (1994, as herself), Freddy vs Jason (2003, uncredited)
Arielle Kebbel Reeker (2005), The Grudge 2 (2006), Freakdog (2008), The Uninvited (2009), Red Mist (2009),
Mischa Barton The Sixth Sense (1999), Paranoid (2000), Walled In (2009), Homecoming (2009),
Daveigh Chase Donnie Darko (2001),The Rats (2002), The Ring (2002), Haunted Lighthouse (2003), The Ring Two (2005), S. Darko (2009)
Megan Good[28] Venom (2005), One Missed Call (2008), Saw V (2008), The Unborn (2009)
Eliza Dushku[29] Soul Survivors (2001), Wrong Turn (2003, as Jessie Burlingame), The Thacker Case (2008), The Alphabet Killer (2008), Open Graves (2009)
Daniella Alonso[14] Hood of Horror (2006), The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007, as Missy Martinez), Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007, as Amber), The Midnight Man (2008)
Rose McGowan[30] Scream (1996, as Tatum Riley), Devil in the Flesh (1998, as Debbie Strong), Phantoms (1998), Planet Terror (2007, as Cherry Darling), Death Proof (2007, as Cherry Darling)
Chelan Simmons It (1990), Carrie (2002), Monster Island (2004), Snakehead Terror (2004), Chupacabra Terror (2005), Final Destination 3 (2006, as Ashley Freund), Wind Chill (2007), Malibu Shark Attack (2009)
Amber Heard Side FX (2005), All the Boys Love Mandy Lane (2008), The Stepfather (2009), Zombieland (2009), The Ward (2010), And Soon the Darkness (2010)
Ali Larter[31] House on Haunted Hill (1999, as Sara Wolfe), Final Destination (2000, as Clear Rivers), Final Destination 2 (2003, as Clear Rivers), Resident Evil: Extinction (2007), Obsessed (2009 as Lisa)
Jessica Stroup[32] Vampire Bats (2005), Pray for Morning (2006, as Ashley), Left in Darkness (2006), The Hills Have Eyes 2 (2007, as Amber Johnson), Prom Night (2008), Homecoming (2009)
Mercedes McNab[3] Hatchet (2007), Dark Reel (2007), XII (2007), Medium Raw (2008)
Katharine Isabelle Ginger Snaps (2000, as Ginger Fitzgerald), Bones (2001), Carrie (2002), Freddy vs. Jason (2003), Ginger Snaps 2: Unleashed (2004, as Ginger Fitzgerald), Ginger Snaps Back: The Beginning (2004, as Ginger Fitzgerald)
Lindy Booth[33] American Psycho II: All American Girl (2002), The Skulls 2 (2002), Wrong Turn (2003, as Francine), Dawn of the Dead (2004, as Nicole), Cry Wolf (2005, as Dodger Allen), Dark Honeymoon (2008), Behind the Wall (2009),
Tiffany Shepis[3][14] Tromeo and Juliet (1996), Scarecrow (2002, as Judy), Ted Bundy (2002), Bloody Murder 2: Closing Camp (2003), Abominable (2006), Nightmare Man (2006), Dark Reel (2007)
Naomi Watts Children of the Corn IV: The Gathering (1996, as Grace Rhodes), Mulholland Drive (2001), The Shaft (2001), The Ring (2002, as Rachel Keller), King Kong (2005, as Ann), The Ring Two (2005, as Rachel Keller), Funny Games (2008 film) (2008)
Paris Hilton[34] Nine Lives (2002, as Jo), House of Wax (2005, as Paige Edwards), Repo! the Genetic Opera (2008)
Barbara Steele[35] La Maschera del Demonio (1960), The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), L'Orribile Segreto del Dr. Hichcock (1962), Lo Spettro (1963), Castle of Blood (1964), Gli Amanti d'Oltretomba (1965), Shivers (1975)
Cerina Vincent[3][14] Cabin Fever (2002), Murder-Set-Pieces (2004), Intermedio (2005), It Waits (2005), Seven Mummies (2006), Toxic (2007), Return to House on Haunted Hill (2007)
Crystal Lowe[14] Children of the Corn: Revelation (2001, as Tiffany), Final Destination 3 (2006, as Ashlyn Halperin), Black Christmas (2006), Wrong Turn 2: Dead End (2007), Yeti: Curse of the Snow Demon (2008), Case 39 (2009, as Julie)
Jennifer Love Hewitt[36] I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997, as Julie James), I Still Know What You Did Last Summer (1998, as Julie James)
Danielle Harris[37] Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988, as Jamie Lloyd), Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989, as Jamie Lloyd), Urban Legend (1998, as Tosh), Halloween (2007, as Annie Brackett), Left for Dead (2007), The Black Waters of Echo's Pond (2009), Halloween II (2009, as Annie Brackett), Blood Night (2009, as Alyssa), Prank (2009), Godkiller (2009)
Adrienne Barbeau[14] The Darker Side of Terror (1979), The Fog (1980, as Stevie Wayne), Swamp Thing (1982, as Alice Cable), Creepshow (1982, as Wilma Northrup), Open House (1987), Two Evil Eyes (1991), Burial of the Rats (1995), The Convent (2000), Ring of Darkness (2004), Unholy (2007)
Barbara Crampton[38][39] Re-Animator (1985), Chopping Mall (1986), From Beyond (1986, as Katherine McMichaels), Puppet Master (1989), Castle Freak (1995)
Felissa Rose Sleepaway Camp (1983, as Angela Baker), Nikos (2003), Satan's Playground (2005), Return to Sleepaway Camp (2008, as Angela Baker)
Ami Dolenz[40] Children of the Night (1991), Witchboard 2: The Devil's Doorway (1993), Pumpkinhead II: Blood Wings (1994, as Jenny Braddock), PROXIMA (2007), Scream Queen (2009)
Jaime King True True Lie (2006), The Wait (2007), The Tripper (2007), My Bloody Valentine 3D (2009, as Sarah), Mother's Day (2010)
Adrienne King Friday the 13th (1980), Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981), Walking Distance (2009)
Danielle Panabaker Mr. Brooks (2007), Friday the 13th (2009), The Crazies (2010), The Ward (2010)

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