Horror Crush: Ashley Laurence

It's finally time for a new Horror Crush. It's really has been too long since the last one, hasn't it? Well this time we have a lady who is not only one of the most absolutely gorgeous (and remains so!) women to ever grace our genre, but also played one of the greatest final girls ever, in the form of Kristy Cotton: Ashley Laurence!

Ashley Laurence made her acting debut in 1987 with writer/ director Clive Barker's masterpiece Hellraiser (1987). An adaptation of his own novela The Hellbound Heart, it is absolute classic of the horror genre and in my top ten favorite movies of all time. The heartwarming tale of a sexual deviant named Frank (Sean Chapman) who escapes from S&M  demons, called Cenobites, from a hell of pleasure and pain. Only to then get his brother's sexy wife, Julia (who he had an affair with while he was alive) (Claire Higgins), to kill for him, so that he can get flesh back and live again. So, you know they keep fucking. 

The movie was a big hit, especially when adding the famous Stephen King's blurb that Barker was the "future of horror". Critics liked it and so did fans, and it went on to become a ridiculously long lasting franchise. It also cementend Barker as a horror master. Pinhead, the leader of the Cenobites, and the actor portraying, him Doug Bradley, became a horror icon. 

Laurence, of course, played the above mentioned Kristy daughter of the hubby in the couple and niece of Frank. She is tough, smart and stands her ground against Frank, Julia, and the leather and chains crew from fucking hell. And, she always feels like a real girl, one that is sweet and likable. The moment I first saw this classic I adored it. It was original, gory, and felt decidedly adult and so different from the slasher dreck at the time. And, I immediately had a HUGE crush on Laurence. Her character became not just one of my favorite final girls but a favorite of just about every horror fan, male or female. 

She'd return to the character in the awesome Hellbound: Hellraiser II. Picking up where the last one ended, Kristy has to go to hell, itself, when she thinks that her dad is stuck there. And, that he was asking her for help. It ain't daddy, though, as it's good old Frank trying to trick her. At the same time a doc named Channard has bought back Julia back from hell, so that he may see the wonders of hell, himself. Ambitious, gruesome. and drenched in splatter, this one ain't as great as the first flick. But, it is still amazing film and manages to rank among the best horror sequels ever. 

Laurence is once again great as Kristy. Her character's bravery and brains are fully on display, here. I especially love the way she tricks Dr Channard who has become the newest Cenobite. Plus, she looks drop dead gorgeous, even when covered in grue. I think this flick solidified her as one of the greatest final girls ever! 

A year later in 1989, she appeared in an episode of the fun anthology series, Monsters. I don't remember this episode, as I haven't watched most of this series, since I was a kid. But, I am sure I was really happy seeing one of my crushes on an episode.

In 1992, she appeared in killer kid flick, Mickey. Mickey (Brian Bonsell) not only kills people, but he is obsessed with the character played by the lovely Josie Bissett, she of Melrose Place fame. I saw this movie when it hit VHS and don't remember a lot, other than really liking it. And, again being happy that Laurence was in it. 

In 1992, she returned to her most beloved role of Kristy for Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, but it was only for what amounts to a cameo. She is seen in a short police integration video, trying to explain to them what is going on. It's a cool moment that helps to tie in the first three movies. Also, while flawed, this is definitely the last good movie in what would immediately after this, become a shitty franchise.

1994 saw her appear in the Full Moon flick, Lurking Fear. It's based on an H.P. Lovecraft story, but I honestly don't remember much of anything. Well outside, of the fact that I thought it was awful and among the worst movies the studio put out in the 90's. Well, OK, I do remember Laurence looking drop-dead gorgeous. But, that even she could save this turd, which probably deserved to remain lurking somewhere far away.

After working on various non-genre material she returned to horror for the third and direct to video entry Warlock III: End of Innocence. This awful, dumb, and boring piece of shit, has Bruce Pryne as the Warlock. So, sadly it does not have the late, great Julian Sands. Pryne's lack of charisma is just one of the problems this boring and stupid piece of shit has. The crappy story has a girl (Laurence) inherit an old house where our Warlock once lived. He wants it back. She is there with her friends. He does some evil shit, I tried to not fall asleep. 

I actually tried to watch this back when it aired on cable several years ago. But, it was so bad, that I shut it off. Sometime ago, I bought the trilogy on Blu-ray at a great price over on Hamilton Books. Since, I rewatched the other two (both are fun but the second film is by far the best in the franchise and has a Horror Crush inductee of its own in the form of Paula Marshall), I said fuck it let's actually watch the third movie. And, honesty, Laurence is the best thing in this crap, She gives a good performance and looks incredible. If it wasn't for her, I would think even less of this flick. But, you can thank this viewing for making me want to induct her and write this post.

In 2002, sher returned yet again to the franchise that made her famous with Hellraiser: Hellseeker. But, unfortunately the series by this point had become absolute garbage on top of being direct to video fodder. I had been avoiding the post Bloodline (which was awful all its own) shit, but she being in this made me rent it. Once again, she is one of the only good things in it. Even, if the way her character acts goes against what had already been set. Still, it's slightly better than the third Warlock movie and the aforementioned Bloodline, so you know there's that.

2004 saw her in Lightning Bug from late director and make-up artist Robert (Chromeskull 1 & 2) Hall. I never saw this movie, but I do remember it getting good reviews. The lovely Laura (That 70's Show) Prepon also stars in it. Any fans of this one? Let me know your thoughts on it and Laurence in it, in the comments section below.

Making the metalhead in me happy, she appeared in 2009 in a video for one of my favorite bands Slipknot for their song Snuff.

2018, saw me making a childhood dream come true by meeting her at a Monster-Mania. She was so sweet and friendly. She talked to us for so long that her handler said we need to move along! Not only that, but she is absolutely breathtaking in person! 

Her latest and most recent horror appearance was an episode for Shudder's fun Creepshow series. I honestly don't remember the episode all that well, just bits and pieces and that the FX were great.I also recall that she was great in her role and looked amazing.

Aside from being a great actress, Laurence is also an accomplished artist. Her art is beautiful, dark, and I am quite the fan of it. I remember first hearing about it in an interview with her in Fangoria magazine that she did back in the late 80s or so.

A wonderfully talented actress and artist, as well as having played one of the best final girls ever in Kristy Cotton, a genuine sweetheart, and one of the most gorgeous women in horror history, it is with great honor, that I induct Ashley Laurence into this site's Horror Crushes!!

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Chiller Theatre: October 2022

On the Halloween weekend of October 29, 2022, it was time for another trip to Chiller Theatre! This was honestly one of the most amazing guest lists they have had in years. In fact, it might rank among their best ever! What was also cool, and, in turn more fun, was it was the biggest group of us at the con in years. As three of my friends, Freddie, Alan, and Nelson (in his awesome version of Jack Skelington look!), joined me for the kick ass good times!

The first person I went up to was the lovely and awesome Heather Matarazzo. I was really excited to meet her. I consider her Elizabeth Bathory inspired death scene in Eli Roth's Hostel II to be one of the coolest gore scenes of the 2000s. I mentioned to her how much I loved the Shudder documentary mini-series, Queer for Fear, of which she was one of the celebs that were interviewed on it. She was very sweet and all smiles throughout.

The gorgeous Judie Aronson, of Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter, American Ninja, Weird Science, and more was up next for me. She's still absolutely breathtaking in person! And, not only is she a total stunner but a sweetheart, too. She was very friendly and talkative as she told us about The Sleeping Car, a movie she was in that she would love to get streaming or some kind of release. I mentioned Vinegar Syndrome, as it felt like something that might they like to put out. I was also sure to let her know that she was one of the people I was most looking forward to meeting that weekend, and that I had a huge crush on her as a kid. 

After that I went up to the lovely Robin Frates who played Megan Gallagher in the first Puppet Master. She had the best deal at the con, at $30 for a combo (IE pic and autograph) at the show. Not only that but she was very sweet and all smiles, as she did a couple of pics with me. This was cause my phone wouldn't focus, at first. She also really liked the cover to the Blu-ray trilogy set, that I had her sign.

One person, we were all excited to meet was legendary actress and classic beauty Olivia (Romeo and Juliet, Black Christmas) Hussey. Black Christmas is one of my personal favorite movies, one I love more and more with the passing of time. She is so important to the genre, being one of the first final girls of the genre. Yet, she is so humble in person. She also told me that she liked the patches on my jacket, especially Elvira. And, asked me about the skull on it, as she has a shirt of it. But, you see, she didn't know what it was. I told her its the Punisher, to which she replied that it sounded scary. I explained to her, that he was not horror, but that he is instead a Marvel hero/ vigilante. 

The last person that I went up to was another of the people that I was most excited to meet, the gorgeous Terry Farrell of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth, and more. She is absolute stunner in person, and so tall, at 6'0"! She was also awesome as fuck, as I told her that she was the person I most looked forward to meeting having loved her in Hellraiser III and Stark Trek: DS9. She was very flattered by my comments and was just a blast to talk. She said that she sent Pinhead to hell and should have come back. To which I wholeheartedly agreed, cause she did and should have! Seriously, she rocks and was a great celeb for to close off the day with.

We didn't stay for the party this time around, but we had an absolute fucking blast. We already can't wait till the next one in April!

Here is what I bought at Chiller:

Since I got Screem (limited edition Count Yorga cover) magazine, I got for free a Blu-ray copy of Battle of the Worlds

And, from Vinegar Syndrome I got: The Werewolf Vs. Vampire Woman (in 4K, a brand new release from them).

I have never seen either movie and really look forward to watching Werewolf, in particular, as I am just getting into Paul Naschy movies (finally!). The only movie I have ever seen from him is The Yeti Vs. the Werewolf, which was fun. Just a week or so ago I ordered and got the first of Scream Factory's The Paul Naschy Collection Blu-ray set. Any fans of his reading this? And, if so, what movies of his do you like/ recommend? 

Finally there are the autographs that I got:

Terry Farrell: Hellraiser: The Scarlet Box

Robin Frates: Puppet Master: The Blu-ray Collection

Judie Aronson: Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter

Did any of guys go to Chiller? If so who did you meet? What were the highlights for you? Let me know in the comments section below. 

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Horror Crush: Paula Marshall

It's that time again, to induct another beautiful actress into this site's Horror Crushes section. Today that honor goes to the beautiful and talented: Paula Marshall!

Marshall was born in Rockville, Maryland on June 12, 1964 (making her 52). She began acting in 1990 by playing the original Iris on the first TV take of The Flash's in its first episode. She wouldn't appear in a horror flick till two years later, though with Hellraiser III: Hell on Earth.

This third entry in the Hellraiser franchise, marked her big screen debut, after having done a bunch of TV shows. The film itself, wherein Pinhead is freed to wreck havoc on Earth, is the last good entry in the gory and S&M obsessed series. It is a bit silly at times, but overall it's a blast to watch. Fast paced and gory, it's further energized by a heavy metal soundtrack; it's just so damn fun to watch!

Marshall plays the role of Terri a sexy and ultimately nice rocker chick who is homeless, never has dreamt, and has had a string of shitty boyfriends, the latest of which is mega-douchebag J.P., who runs a metal club/ fancy restaurant called The Boiler Room. She rooms with hottie reporter Terry Farrell, who is investigating the death of the dude who came from said club. Marshall is very likable in her role and has great chemistry with Farrell (would you guys like to see Farrell added to Horror Crushes? Let me know in the comments section!) in the movie (also let me know if you would like to see me to a write-up/ review of Hell on Earth).

Marshall also looks AMAZING in the movie. The whole rocker babe thing fits her well, and I admit to crushing hard on her (and Farrell, too, but this ain't about her). Her body is amazing, her legs killer, her face gorgeous, and those eyes of hers are simply stunning. Plus, the shoulder length black hair just seals the deal for me.

 

A year later, she returned to the horror genre in the semi-sequel Warlock: The Armageddon. Like Hell on Earth, it is directed by Anthony Hichox. I haven't seen this one in ages, probably since I was in high school. But, I recall it being the rare sequel that not only tops its first film but blows it away. It has some great gore and action scenes. Marshall is a great final girl in her of Samantha Ellison. Being that I had such a huge crush on her from her last flick/ horror sequel, I was beyond happy to see her in this one. As I said, she makes for a great final girl. She looks amazing, of course, especially in the short dress that is kind of burned into my memory, to this very day. Now, if we could get this one on Blu-ray, that would be fucking great!

 

Hichox used Marshall once more in the same year (1993) for the kick ass cable horror/ action flick Full Eclipse. This fun and wild flick is about an LA cop force that turn into werewolves. Marshall is one of them. I haven't seen this one since it first aired, but I recall her being good in it. She was playing a baddie this time around, but I also remember her role not being that big. Regardless, it would be the last time she would do a horror flick for a very period of time.

In fact, she would not return to the genre until 2007 for the wretched I Know Who Killed Me. This terribly stupid movie starred Lindsey Lohan and was utterly brain-dead. Honestly, I had forgotten Marshall was even in it, but then all I remember about it is how laughably bad it was. Anyway, Marshall is beautiful in the film, but we know that already, don't we?

Marshall hasn't done a horror flick since, but she is featured in the extra features in the Hell on Earth disc of Arrow Films superlative release of The Scarlet Box featuring the first three movies (no need for the others!). That makes me very happy, but I would love to see her do another horror flick. Still as beautiful as ever, highly talented, and with at least two memorable roles in solid horror sequels (along with two more genre flicks), Paula Marshall is a welcome addition to Horror Crushes!

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