Hump Day & Chill

Do You Have Any Grey Poupon?

Look it's Norman Bates with two female dancers from the Ziegfeld Follies perhaps?  Or maybe not...

Whatever the case this whimsical photo was clearly taken on set during the making of Psycho. I'm not quite sure what would inspire this shot while filming a movie along these lines but I'm quite sure there is an interesting back story which I plan to research once I have more time to do so.

This being stated whimsy is the tone of today's Hump Day & Chill and whimsy there shall be all day and night until the clock strikes twelve.

Ram a lam a ding dong Minions!

Psycho on Wikipedia -

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho_(1960_film)  

Mother's Day

Norman Bates
"Psycho"

Happy Mother's Day, to all of you out there who have a paternal role in a child's life. Because as Norman Bates says, well refer to the above image for that quote.

Yeah, I took a turn to the macabre a tad today, but not really, it's more of a nostalgia type of thing. You see there was this Psycho marathon on HBO recently and I sat through it, the danger of channel surfing.

Mother & Son
Norma & Norman Bates

Thus when Mother's Day 2019 arrived I thought it would be a nice twist to honor those out there who know their role by going a little mad, like we all do sometimes 😉

So Cheers to everyone out there who has one of the most important jobs in the world.

Happy Mother's Day to you all!

Mother's Day on Wikipedia -
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mother%27s_Day

M.E. Franco Is Horrifying!

The Night SHE Came Home!
M.E. Franco

Here is comes again, ya know, Halloween - which means it's time for me to have my Holiday chat about the most hallowed time of the year with fellow horror enthusiast and author of the supernatural "Dion" book series M.E. Franco!

Much like Norman Bates' Mother, M.E. is off her rocker...just the way we like her!

MS: If you were a serial killer, which serial killer would you be and why? (this can be fictional or non-fictional)

ME: Dexter, hands down.

I'm Number 2!

MS: Who would you cast in films as the male leads in your Dion series of books?

ME: That's a tough one. When I write, I have a character so completely formed in my head, it's hard to pick someone else to play them.

MS: Are you watching American Horror Story: Apocalypse? If so gimme your thoughts?

ME: I haven't watched the last few seasons, but from what I've heard, I may binge watch this season. Sounds like it might be worth checking out.

What's Angry, Horny & Red All Over?
Satan!

MS: OK, Satan offers you the chance to sell your soul for everything you have ever dreamed about. But there is a catch (you know Satan) you offer a sacrifice of something living. What, or who would that be?

ME: Does it have to be someone I like? I'd happily offer him the neighbor lady behind me. She's a hag, and she's mean to her pets. I'd happily "This is Sparta" kick her into the pit.

I'm Your Boogeyman!
Jamie Lee Curtis & Michael Myers

MS: Excited for the Halloween movie? (I am!)

ME: YEEEEEEESSSSS!! I can't wait!

MS: What's most scary to you being locked in a cell with Hannibal Lecter, or having dinner with Donald Trump?

ME: Better to eat dinner than be dinner.

Let's Have A Kiki
Jason Vorhees

MS: If you click your heels together three times and say Jason Vorhees, Jason Vorhees, Jason Vorhees what happens?

ME: Suddenly, no one wants to go camping with you anymore. Whatever.

MS: Ever encountered a Werebeaver?

ME: You just made me laugh so hard. Thankfully, no. No zombeavers either. LOL

"A Naked American Man Stole My Balloons"
David Naughton (looking good)
In
"An American Werewolf in London"

MS: Did you ever fantasize after seeing An American Werewolf in London that David Naughton in Werewolf form would come in at you for the kill and then all of the sudden revert back to his human form and be standing naked in front of you?

ME: Enough times that I think he probably could have gotten a restraining order.

MS: What's the scariest thing that has ever happened to you?

ME: I almost got abducted in the 4th grade. I was walking home from my friend's house, when a man pulled up next to me in a white car. He said my parents had been in a car accident, and he'd been sent to pick me up. Thankfully, I had just turned down my street, so I could see that both of my parents' cars were in front of our house. When I told him that, he took off. It wasn't until after he left, that I realized what he was doing., so I ran home and told my mom. That scared the crap out of me for a long time.

MS: Treats are so overrated. Name a favorite tricks you have played on someone.

ME: We took my grandmother and great-aunt on a tour of Alcatraz at their request. At one point during the tour, they put our group in a solitary confinement cell and closed the door, so we could see how dark it was. I took the chance to grab my great aunt in the butt with much gusto to freak her out. Unfortunately, in mid grab, I saw the flash of a camera. I'm sure some poor family got quite a surprise when they got their vacation photos developed.

"You Poor Unfortunate Soul"
Ursula

MS: What Disney villainess would you most like to be?

ME: I love the ocean, so I want to say Ursula, but damn she's mean!

MS: Finally what do you want on your Tombstone (I am not talking about the frozen pizza)?

ME: "She always made us laugh."

Laugh with M.E. @ -
https://www.facebook.com/M-E-Franco-238711609482912/
mefrancoauthor.blogspot.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Where-Will-You-Hide-Dion/dp/1479225967
https://twitter.com/mefranco1

Janet Leigh/Rihanna/Marion Crane

 Twist Of Fate
Janet Leigh & Rihanna

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho is one of my all time favorite films! Thus when A&E's Bates Motel was announced I was very interested, duh!

The first season, while not bad, was trying to find a foothold, an identity of it's own. That was found in the following three seasons. Since most people know how it all ends, I am guessing when Norma Bates, portrayed by Vera Farmiga, was killed off by Norman Bates, Freddie Highmore at the end of season four, that the series had a five year plan to begin with.

Oh yes the upcoming season of Bates Motel is it's 5th and final. No worries here, five years makes it a money monster in syndication. Yeah, like I stated previously a "five year plan."

So how does one take an iconic film and make the prequel series unique, yet strangely familiar. Well expand on the character of Marion Crane who was offed in the first quarter of the source material. 

Also you may want to do a casting get that is so out of left field no one saw it coming. Janet Leigh, who is Jamie Lee Curtis's Mom is the one and only original MC. So let's go as contemporary as one can get and still have some intrigue...drum roll please, Rihanna has been cast as Marion.

Personally I love this idea!!! Hey maybe instead of being brutally murdered in the shower this time around Marion will be stabbed multiple times under her Umbrella! 

"Bates" on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/BatesMotelAETV  

Film Buff Friday: Crimes Of Passion

OMG! I am a huge fan of Ken Russell and his visionary, off center brand of film making. This ranks among one of my favorite films of all time. I first saw it on video, the unrated version, brilliant!

Kathleen Turner gave one of the bravest, most original, brilliant performances ever by an actress of her stature at the time. Anthony Perkins was nothing less than amazing! Can you tell I am excited for July 12th?!?!?

Crimes Of Passion [Blu-ray + DVD] (July 12th)

She is watched. She is worshipped. And she must remain a mystery.

In the early eighties British enfant terrible Ken Russell travelled to America and placed his unorthodox imprint on a pair of US movies. The first was the Altered States, so out-there its screenwriter disowned it. The second was the equally crazy Crimes of Passion, starring Kathleen Turner (Body Heat, Serial Mom) at the height of her powers.

Fashion designer Joanna Crane (Turner) leads a double life. By night she is China Blue, a prostitute who's attracted the unwanted attention of two men. One is a sexually frustrated private detective hired by her employees. The other is psychopathic priest (played by Norman Bates himself, Anthony Perkins) in possession of a murderous sex toy.

With its outré screenplay by Barry Sandler and over the top score by Rick Wakeman, Crimes of Passion may just be the most outrageous Ken Russell film ever made - and that's quite some feat!

BONUS MATERIALS
- Brand new 2K restoration of the film from original film materials
- High Definition Blu-ray (1080p) and Standard Definition DVD presentations of the director's cut and unrated versions of the film
- Optional subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing
- Audio commentary with director Ken Russell and producer-screenwriter Barry Sandler
- Seven deleted/extended scenes with optional commentary by Sandler
- Brand-new interview with Sandler recorded especially for this release
- Home movie footage of Ken Russell visiting Florida for a retrospective screening of Crimes of Passion at the 2009 Florida Film Festival
- Theatrical trailer
- Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Twins of Evil

- Illustrated booklet containing new writing by Ken Russell's biographer, Paul Sutton, correspondence between Russell and Kathleen Turner, and an on-set interview with Russell (first pressing only)

Pre-order at the MVD SHOP or on Amazon

Michael Shinafelt: U + UR Hand

Everyone Needs A Hand Sometimes

"Keep your drink just give me the money
It's just u + ur hand tonight" - Pink

OK people it's time to keep it real, honest & raw with yours truly. Friend and fellow horror fan M.E. Franco, author of the popular supernatural thriller Dion series of books: Where Will You Run? Where Will You Hide? & Where Will You Turn? Was curious about me and my Entertainment Journalism career.

Prepare yourself, I am direct and do not hold back, I talk candidly about my most surprising subject and tell you who the biggest Jackhole was I have ever dealt with. 

That's right, it's just you, me and our hands, right here, right now!

ME: Some personal things that I always like about your blog, but may not have said, is that I love the way you are supportive and respectful of people. Even when you make fun of stuff, or look at things critically, you are usually positive, and I love that about your writing

Hey M.E. Glad UR Entertained 

MS: I am flattered and happy you noticed. There is too much negativity in the world and I want to Entertain as well as be truthful without being snarky or a jerk.

ME: What got you interested in the entertainment industry?

MS: Growing up I loved movies, I used to watch them, go to them and breath them day and night. I also loved TV shows as well. One of my favorite things was to watch horror movies on TV on the weekend with my Dad. I came to Los Angeles to act and ended up writing and have now gotten back into acting again as well.

ME:. Who was the first person you interviewed?

MS: Singer Erin Hamilton, who happens to be Carol Burnett's daughter. She was sweet enough to be my first interview, we met for coffee and it was a fun time!

ME:. What have you learned about interviewing since then?

MS: To prepare less and not write down any questions. All I ever write down are a few notes about names of things the subject is doing or has upcoming. My experience has taught me to simply have a conversation as the person you are interviewing will tell you everything you need to know.

ME: Whose interview surprised you most?

MS: Margaret Cho. My first interview with her was sitting across from her on a couch after a photo shoot that she had done for it. Our chat was the cover story for Frontiers magazine. She was really low key and quite demure, I thought because of the lack of energy the interview was going to suck, it didn't. She gave great answers...while I did not expect her to be like her stage personae, I also did not expect how shy she actually was. Since then I have interviewed her several times and she now knows me, we basically have conversations and she is a lot more relaxed.

Me & Margaret Cho

ME:. Who would be your dream interview, and what one question are you dying to ask?

MS: I would have liked to have interviewed Elizabeth Taylor. What would I ask? What wouldn't you ask her?! She really lived! I would also like to have chatted up Joan Rivers, another woman with an incredible life who you could ask everything.

ME: You're a big fan of horror movies and have been in a few yourself. What do you find so appealing about horror movies?

MS: There is a catharsis with them, a visceral thing. Not to mention they are just plain fun and entertaining! Who doesn't like a good scare?

ME: What was your most spectacular death scene?

MS: My death scene in The Summer Of Massacre - something that I know you have seen. I loved sitting at the premiere with my then boyfriend and seeing the Boogeyman crush my skull in slowly until it popped like a cherry on a fifty foot screen, it was awesome!

Premiere Time: Myself & "The Boogeyman" Scott Barrows 

ME: Is there a famous horror character you'd like to interview? What questions would you ask?

MS: Norman Bates. I would ask him: Does mother really know best?

ME: On your blog, you outspokenly cover what you love, including controversial topics. Is there any topic(s) you avoid?

MS: Politics. I refuse to discuss that, and I can't stand people who do. If you know the answers get in office and go solve the United States many issues, please I would love for them to be resolved. I have my opinions, but mostly, unless I am with really close friends, I keep them to myself.

ME: You often build relationships with the musicians and entertainers you interview, which makes your blog so much more personal and interesting to read. Do you ever get nervous before an interview? If so, what do you do to relax?

MS: Never. Being an actor, and having a certain amount of my own celebrity sort of makes those nerves not exist for me. Especially since a lot of my subjects are friends of mine in real life. People in the music biz especially cotton to me as I have studied piano, guitar and have sang. I can still read sheet music and a keyboard - which I love. Thus I can talk shop with them and know what I am actually saying, same goes for the actors I interview as well. Since I have done, and still do it...

ME: Have you ever had an interview get out hand?

MS: Yes, Marky Ramone, who was not one of The Ramones founding members but was inducted into the Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame with them. He bumped our time twice during the day to later than scheduled. The second time the PR guy gave me his direct number and said that Marky told him to have me call him in fifteen minutes. I did and Marky told me he was shopping or some lame thing and to call again in an hour. That was the straw that broke the camels back! I called the PR guy and said that clearly Marky was a complete Jackhole with no intent on giving an interview and no respect for my time and I called the whole thing off.

Get more on M E. at:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/M-E-Franco/238711609482912

The Horror: Michael Shinafelt, Satan In Disguise

When Satan Met Me

The above title is the LAST time I will refer to myself in the third person during this post, to me that is more creepy than a Satanic Ritual...

So my fellow writer and horror fan-atic author ME Franco and I had so much fun with my Halloween questions to her, that she decided to ask me some, from one horror loving writer to another, oh but I have taken my love of horror to the next level, that's right, I have acted in a horror film as well as another one due in 2014.

OK, ME I'm all yours!

ME: Being a horror movie lover, I have to say you get major respect points from me for being in one. I watched the trailer for"The Summer of Massacre,"and I can't wait to watch it. What character did you play and how did he die?

MS: The Summer of Massacre is an anthology and I am in the segment "Son of the Boogeyman" I play a cop pursuing the Boogeyman and I start shooting him in the head and he just won't die, you know those Boogeymen, and he grabs my skull and crushes it in, it was awesome seeing my death on a 50 foot screen!

Me and  Scott Barrows Who Played "The Boogeyman" at 'The Summer of Massacre" Premiere

ME:. If you could star in the remake of a popular horror franchise, who would you want to be?

MS: Oh God, OK let me start by stating my ultimate horror role would be Satan, some people already think that about me anyway, ha! But in an existing franchise? Norman Bates from the "Psycho" franchise, I would give him my own spin, but what a fascinating character.

ME: What movie made you a horror fan?

MS: My Dad and I used to watch all the monster movies like Dracula, The Wolfman, Mummy etc. on Sunday afternoons, but it was the first slasher film that he ever took me to, and the only one that has ever scared me that made me a fan. The original "Halloween" I used to see Michael Myers face in the yard outside when it was dark for years.

ME: You do a lot of interviews. Who would you like to have on your blog for a chat - Freddie, Michael Myers, or Jason?

MS: Michael and Freddy are pretty much open books, I would have to go with Jason, try and find out more about the man behind the monster.

ME: Which witch would you not want to make an enemy of on American Horror Story this season?

MS: That's easy, Marie Leveau, I visited her grave site for real in New Orleans once when I went for Halloween, "Yes" I went to NO for HW once.

ME:. What candy do you have in your trick or treat bowl?

My Favorite "Dracula"!

MS: Mini Snickers bars.

ME: Love that more horror shows are coming out on television. What show are you most looking forward to this season?

MS: I'd have to go Team Dracula with this one, when I was a kid I used to want to be a Vampire when I grew up.

ME: Classic monster fight between Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Mummy. Who would you put your money on?

MS: Frankenstein is strong, but not too bright, the Mummy what's he going to do. put a band aid on it? I'd say Dracula, intelligent, supernatural powers and sex appeal, a winning combo.

ME: Do you have any plans to star in more horror movies?

MS: I shot another one this past summer that is due out in 2014.

ME:. If you could sit down and have a beer/coffee with anyone involved in the horror genre, real or fictional, who would you choose?

MS: Hmmmmmmmmmm....Miriam Blaylock from "The Hunger" that would be an interesting conversation, and encounter.

ME: Last question: What's your zombie apocalypse weapon of choice?

MS: The biggest shot gun I could find. It would be awesome to make their living dead heads explode!

Follow Me On Twitter at: https://twitter.com/MShinafelt

Check Me Out On IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4466735/?ref_=fn_nm_nm_1

Find Out More About ME at: https://www.facebook.com/MEFrancoAuthor