ScreamQueenz: Where Horror Gets GAY!

In this second part of our FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES SPECTACULAR celebraton of Richard Benner and his queer masterwork OUTRAGEOUS! (1977), we are delighted to share with you our conversation with actor RICHERT EASLEY who played Perry in the film.

Richert shares candid behind-the-scenes tales of making this rags-to-riches gay classic and its lasting impact on the LGBT+ community.

But that's not all! You'll also find out

1. The inside scoop on Richert's time working on Broadway's most scandalous musical, OH, CALCUTTA!
2. What it was like working with the legendary MADELINE KAHN on HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEMINI
3. The REAL reason MICHAEL IRONSIDE was cut from Outrageous!

Mentioned in this episode:

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This is a Two-Part Episode!

Part Two featuring an interview with RICHERT EASLEY from the cast of Outrageous! will air starting Saturday, December 13th!

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It's Part Three of the FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES SPECTACULAR, and this time we are shining a spotlight on RICHARD BENNER, screenwriter of "And Now the News" and writer/director of the lost queer classic masterpiece OUTRAGEOUS! (1977).

In this delightful, bittersweet tale of unlikely buddies and chosen family, Robin Tuner, played by master of female impersonation CRAIG RUSSELL, is a Toronto hairdresser who dreams of someday performing in drag. One day, his mentally ill friend Liza escapes a mental hospital and shows up at his door. Can an out-of-work drag queen and a schizophrenic pregnant woman make it in a world that considers them both "less-than"?

Despite critical and box office success and being a massive hit at the Cannes Film Festival, Outrageous has sadly faded from public memory.

But Maya, Trae and Patrick are here to show you why it deserves rediscovering.

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Here's where to find Richard Benner's works online.

OUTRAGEOUS! on Tubi.

TOO OUTRAGEOUS! on YouTube.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GEMINI on YouTube.

TALES FROM THE DARKSIDE - "The Swap" on Dailymotion.

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OUTRAGEOUS! was written & directed by Richard Benner and stars Craig Russell, Hollis McClaren, Richert Easley, Allan Moyle, Helen Shaver and David McIlwraith

Takeaways:

1. In this episode, we dive deep into the film 'Outrageous' and share our thoughts on its unique portrayal of friendship and mental illness, revealing how it reflects a different era of drag culture.
2. We discuss the technical struggles we faced during recording, highlighting how sometimes, bad audio is better than no audio, and we thank our listeners for their patience and support.
3. The episode is split into two parts, allowing us to explore the film in greater detail and even feature a guest appearance by actor Richert Easley, who brings firsthand insights into the film's production.
4. We touch on the film's low-budget origins and how its guerrilla-style filmmaking adds a raw authenticity that resonates with audiences, making it a charming piece of queer cinema.
5. The dynamic between the main characters, Liza and Robin, serves as a powerful metaphor for found families and the importance of acceptance in relationships, especially in the LGBTQ+ community.
6. Lastly, we reflect on how 'Outrageous' has influenced contemporary queer films and the ways it has been overlooked in discussions about LGBTQ+ cinema history.

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This episode originally aired on November 25th, 2011.

It's Thanksgiving, so spend time at home with your family.

Except maybe not this family.

And definitely not this home!

I am joined by my dear friend DAVID ROBEANO to discuss the 1976 supernatural shocker BURNT OFFERINGS, so bring extra lemon oil, stock up on Ding Dongs and for god's sake STAY OUT OF THE POOL!

BURNT OFFERINGS was directed by DAN CURTIS and stars OLIVER REED, KAREN BLACK, BETTE DAVIS, LEE MONTGOMERY, BURGESS MEREDITH and EILEEN HECKART.

It is currently available to stream on PRIME and TUBI.

Watch the SAINT DROGO trailer on YouTube and buy the Blu-ray at www.monstermakeupllc.com/shop

Mentioned in this episode:

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"DAMN YOU, UNCLE LEWIS!" OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES JANUARY 13, 2026

Watch FUNERAL HOME on Shudder or Tubi to avoid spoilers.

We're counting down the days until Launch Day with another FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES SPECTACULAR episode!

This time we're celebrating the work of director WILLIAM FRUET with ten Friday the 13th episodes to his credit including "The Inheritance", "Vanity's Mirror", and "Face of Fear."

But tonight we're focusing on his 1980 drive-in classic FUNERAL HOME (aka CRIES IN THE NIGHT) which also features three other Friday the 13th The Series veterans: legendary scream queen LESLEH DONALDSON ("The Great Montarro", "Curtains", "Happy Birthday to Me"), LES RUBIE ("Black Christmas", "Scarecrow", "Head I Win Tails You Die", "The Butcher") and DORIS PETRIE ("Doctor Jack", "The Mephisto Ring").

So join Patrick, Maya and Trae as we celebrate the unique weirdness of FUNERAL HOME with insight, wisdom and a whole lot of snark.

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FUNERAL HOME was written by IDA NELSON and also stars KAY HAWTRIE, BARRY MORSE, ALF HUMPHRIES, STEPHEN MILLER, PEGGY MAHON and HARVEY ATKIN.

Mentioned in this episode:

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TW: Contains graphic sexual situations. Discretion advised.

Another vintage episode of ScreamQueenz has risen from the tomb!

This time, it's an excerpt from Episode 44 originally published on October 31, 2011 in which I'm joined by Scott the Satyr to discuss some more Halloween Haunted Attractions.

I'll be guiding you through the psychosexual chills of Manhattan's notorious BLACKOUT HAUNTED HOUSE.

Meanwhile, Scott put the TRICK into TRICK OR TREAT as he recounts tales of picking up horny vampires at KNOTT'S SCARY FARM.

Mentioned in this episode:

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"DAMN YOU UNCLE LEWIS" will be taking a hiatus from our usual coverage of FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES episodes until the show launches publicly this fall.

Until then, we've put together a series of FRIDAY THE 13TH THE SERIES SPECTACULAR episodes in which we celebrate some of our favorite F13 heavy-hitting writers, directors and stars by checking out their other work.

First up, HELLO MARY LOU-PROM NIGHT 2 directed by BRUCE PITTMAN (And Now the News, The Mephisto Ring) and starring WENDY LYONS (And Now the News) and LUCAS FERREIRA (Doorway to Hell, Wedding Bell Blues).

Mary Lou Maloney won Prom Queen in 1957.

She came back to slay the competition in 1987.

She's Trae and Patrick's favorite!

But can she survive the Wrath of Maya on her first time viewing?

Tell ya later, alligator!

HELLO MARY LOU PROM NIGHT TWO is currently streaming on TUBI, Peacock, and Prime.

Mentioned in this episode:

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This episode of ScreamQueenz contains graphic descriptions of disturbing sexual acts. Discretion advised.

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Kick off the Halloween season with this Flashback to one of our most popular and shocking Vintage ScreamQueenz episodes when my special guest Kristin Quinn and I visited New York City's most controversial attractions, The VORTEX HAUNTED HOUSE.

No ghosts or goblins lurk inside the Vortex.

Instead, it's a descent into a psychosexual nightmare you must travel through alone.

In pitch darkness.

Into a den of unspeakable perversion.

You are not allowed to speak.

You are not allowed to say no.

You will submit.

And you will scream.

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The Vortex Haunted House (which later became the Blackout Haunted House ceased operation in 2019. However, two documentaries are available if you'd like to more.

THE BLACKOUT EXPERIMENTS - on Tubi

A HISTORY OF THE BLACKOUT EXPERIENCE 2009-2019 - on Youtube.

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Links referenced in this episode:

• kristinquinn.blogspot.com
• kristinquinn.com
• bandcamp.com

Mentioned in this episode:

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Watch ARNOLD for free on Youtube or buy the gorgeous new Blu-Ray from Vinegar Syndrome.

Say goodbye to ScreamQueenz with ARNOLD, a delightfully bizarre but tragically forgotten horror comedy of 1973.

In the first five minutes of ARNOLD, a gold-digging flight attendant marries a corpse...and that's the least weird thing that happens for the rest of the movie.

It's the kind of movie that makes you ask, "Are the straights ok???"

ARNOLD combines classic Gothic horror elements like a creepy old house filled with secret passages and peekaboo portraits with a kitschy star-studded cast so dripping in 1970's kitsch, they deserve their own episode of the Love Boat.

So squeeze into the gondola with my special guests TRAE DEAN, DOUG SHAPIRO as we take one last ride through the ScreamQueenz Spookhouse, but whatever you do...

DON'T keep your hands to yourself!

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If you're in New Hampshire, catch Doug Shapiro in a show at the Barnstormers Theater.

ARNOLD was directed by Georg Fenady, written by Jameson Brewer & John Fenton Murray and stars Stella Stevens, Roddy McDowell, Elsa Lanchester, Shani Willlis, Bernard Fox, Farley Granger, Jaime Farr and Victor Buono.

Mentioned in this episode:

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This episode, we're taking on a real brain-bender: the French film "Titane"'; a whirlwind of sex, death, cars, and a whole heap of existential questions.

The movie is a tough cookie, but MAYA MURPHY and I here to break it down and make it all a bit simpler for you.

Together we’ll explore the layers of this challenging but rewarding yet deeply f***ed up film. Trust me, there’s more than just the hyperviolence, graphic nudity and car sex surface to uncover.

So buckle up, because we’re about to embark on a journey through the bizarre and beautiful chaos that is "Titane."

Takeaways:

• The film 'Titane' explores complex themes of identity, sexuality, and the nature of humanity through its unique narrative.
• The lead character's relationship with cars serves as a metaphor for deeper emotional connections and societal taboos around sexuality.
• Despite its shocking elements, 'Titane' ultimately reveals a story about acceptance, love, and the struggle for identity in a harsh world.
• Understanding 'Titane' requires looking beyond its surface-level provocations to appreciate its artistic commentary on life and human experience.

Links referenced in this episode:

Purchase Maya Murphy's new PC game ROSEWATER at Steam and GOG.

• univozpods.net
• rosewater
• gog
• tubi
• www.bandcamp.com

Mentioned in this episode:

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"Angela" -Episode Art by MZK Art and Design .

Follow them on Instagram @matthewzkesslerart

And buy some fabulous gay soap from Baron Von Soap

Our two-part NIGHT OF THE DEMONS SPECTACULAHHRR continues with the in-depth conversation with superfan MATT KNIFE.

We'll delve into our personal histories with the movie as well as why it resonates so well with us as gay men.

NIGHT OF THE DEMONS is currently available to stream on Shudder, Peacock and Tubi.

Mentioned in this episode:

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