CLASSIC MONSTER MOVIES: FROM HORROR TO HUMOR?

It's always good to see a magazine that doesn't necessarily contain articles on monster movies, include one in one of their issues. Take ACTION FILMS magazine; while one wouldn't normally consider classic horror movies to be "action" films (THE MUMMY'S HAND comes to mind as an exception), the article "Frankenstein . . . Dracula . . . The Mummy" appeared in their March 1983 issue.

While it's welcome to see the article on monster movies, I have a problem with the subtitle: "From Horror in the '30s to Humor in the '80s". Author Alan Karp leads off with the ridiculous: "[Classic horror films] are about as scary today as a friendly game of Pac Man". His claim is that horror movies in the 1930's don't compare to 1980's films like THE THING in the fear factor. Now, I think that Carpenter's film was excellent and had a number of frightening scenes, but the comparison is just one more skewed view of presentism. Read for yourself and see what you think.

THE SAVAGE SWORD OF SYBIL DANNING

In the 1980s, women's roles in fantasy films began to evolve; the characters were bolder, tougher and not willing to take shit from anybody -- especially men. In this respect, the fantasy genre heralded some of the earliest examples of strong females. One actress was on the leading edge of this trend, Sybil Danning. The statuesque Danish beauty starred in numerous roles that proved women could be just as tough as men.

Danning appeared in many action, sci-fi and fantasy films during her heyday. She also appeared as werewolf queen Stirba in HOWLING II (aka, YOUR SISTER IS A WEREWOLF). She was not reluctant to appear in her altogether in front of the camera, as her photo spread in PLAYBOY attests.

Now 76, Danning hasn't appeared in a film in a dozen years or so, but she does come out of retirement occasionally for bit parts and fan conventions.

In 1983, AC Comics' BLACK DIAMOND stars Sybil Danning as a model and secret agent. It was intended as a film, but, like so many others, never got out of the planning stage. Script and art is by Bill Black.

SYBIL DANNING GALLERY