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If you were a fan of B-horror and exploitation in the 1980s then you are undoubtedly familiar with the term "Scream Queens". Garnering screen credits such as "Shower Girl", "Girl in Locker Room", or "Blonde in Spa" these beautiful and talented actresses had a knack for removing their clothing just before the killer removed one of their body parts. The promise of their exposed flesh and grisly deaths coaxed us into viewing numerous questionable flicks during the slasher film's heyday.
Before long we found ourselves falling in love, not only with these alluring beauties, but the seemingly schlocky movies they populated. Countless genre fans of that generation owe these women a debt of gratitude for introducing them to the wonderful world of horror and exploitation.
Unfortunately, many of these versatile actresses were pigeon holed into these small yet memorable roles, even though their talents greatly exceeded the parts they were given. Brinke Stevens is a prime example of this.
An actress with great range, she was never consistently given a chance to "carry" a film. She is one of the most gorgeous, talented, and influential of the original "Scream Queens" and she's still working just as hard today, promoting herself, her films, and the genre.
Brinke has been working in the industry for over 25 years now. She has adorned the covers of numerous magazines (including the inaugural issue of "Femme Fatales"), starred in her own comic book, and stolen the show in countless films from veteran directors such as Jim Wynorski, Fred Olen Ray, David DeCocteau, Gary Graver, J.R. Bookwalter, and many others. She seems to be at every convention that pops up and is extremely gracious to her fans. She has given so much to the horror/exploitation genre.
However, long before she belted out her first ear piercing shriek, the multilingual Charlene Brinkeman was working as a scientist with a degree in marine biology from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
A highly educated and compassionate individual, Brinke also writes for a variety of different publications and is extremely active behind the camera as well.
So why did such an intelligent and diverse young woman spend the bulk of her career acting in what most perceive to be the most banal genre imaginable? I recently spoke with her, via e-mail, to ask her just that. Here's what she had to say.
Before long we found ourselves falling in love, not only with these alluring beauties, but the seemingly schlocky movies they populated. Countless genre fans of that generation owe these women a debt of gratitude for introducing them to the wonderful world of horror and exploitation.
Unfortunately, many of these versatile actresses were pigeon holed into these small yet memorable roles, even though their talents greatly exceeded the parts they were given. Brinke Stevens is a prime example of this.
An actress with great range, she was never consistently given a chance to "carry" a film. She is one of the most gorgeous, talented, and influential of the original "Scream Queens" and she's still working just as hard today, promoting herself, her films, and the genre.
Brinke has been working in the industry for over 25 years now. She has adorned the covers of numerous magazines (including the inaugural issue of "Femme Fatales"), starred in her own comic book, and stolen the show in countless films from veteran directors such as Jim Wynorski, Fred Olen Ray, David DeCocteau, Gary Graver, J.R. Bookwalter, and many others. She seems to be at every convention that pops up and is extremely gracious to her fans. She has given so much to the horror/exploitation genre.
However, long before she belted out her first ear piercing shriek, the multilingual Charlene Brinkeman was working as a scientist with a degree in marine biology from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography.
A highly educated and compassionate individual, Brinke also writes for a variety of different publications and is extremely active behind the camera as well.
So why did such an intelligent and diverse young woman spend the bulk of her career acting in what most perceive to be the most banal genre imaginable? I recently spoke with her, via e-mail, to ask her just that. Here's what she had to say.
When did you first fall in love with the cinema?When I was a very little girl, my mother first took me to a theater in San Diego, California - one of those huge, ornate movie palaces that hardly exist anymore. We saw an animated fairy tale about a beautiful Snow Queen. It was the most magical experience of my young life, and I was hooked on cinema at that point.
What is it that appeals to you about genre films?
Face it, real life can be a tad boring. I like the "out of the ordinary" -- even extraordinary -- nature of genre films. For example, in the upcoming sci-fi thriller Xeline, I go from soccer mom to black-ops army combat with an alien hybrid. Now that's a fun day of work!
What was it like the first time you had to perform nude?
I used to go to a nude beach in San Diego, so nudity has never been an issue for me.
I did a lot of glamour modeling when I first came to Los Angeles. I've been featured in Playboy and Penthouse.
My first nude movie role was a shower scene in Roger Corman's Slumber Party Massacre (Picture: 1 - 2 - 3). It started a trend, and I soon became known as the actress who'd done the most shower scenes - and died the most times - as anyone in Hollywood.
What was/is your relationship with the other "Scream Queens"? Were you friendly with Linnea Quigley (Picture: 1), Julie Strain (Picture: 1), et cetera, off the set -- or even on the set for that matter?
We didn't hang out too much, except on sets. But we were like a sorority, in that we were friends and we all helped each other to get movie jobs.
Do you think that the "Scream Queens" are a dying breed? A lost art?
A dying breed - why yes, that's what we do for a living, hah ha. I don't think they call them Scream Queens so much anymore, but pretty girls will always be needed in horror films.
Have you ever found the genre to be misogynistic or degrading?
Not personally. I think too many men have watched my movies - wherein I might rip out a guy's heart with my bare hands - and so they know not to mess with me.
What do you think the connection between pretty girls and violence is? Why has this formula been so successful?
Both pretty girls and violence cause an adrenaline rush, they both get your blood pumping.
Which of your films are you most proud of? Why?
I had the toughest role in Haunting Fear (Picture: 1 - 2 - 3), so I'm most proud of that one. I also enjoyed working with Max Allan Collins on the Mommy films and Real Time - he's a real dynamo of energy and lots of fun.
You have been dating writer Sean O'Bannon, a frequent Fred Olen Ray collaborator, for quite some time now. How did you two first meet?
Eleven years ago, Sean first sent me a fan letter: "Dear Ms. Stevens…" He also mentioned that he was a writer, and I asked to read his stuff. We became true friends and later formed our own production company, Unholy Alliance Entertainment.
What do you have in store for the future?
We're presently trying to secure financing to produce our own screenplays, such as Devil's Highway. We also recently had our vampire script optioned, Blood of My Blood. I will continue to act -- I did 13 new movies last year -- and hope to try my hand at directing soon.
When everything's said and done, what is it that you hope to have contributed to filmdom?
Face it, nothing I've done is high art. But I surely will have my own little place in history as a cult icon for films, comic books, model kits, and so on.
Is there anything you'd like to add?
Please visit my website at www.brinke.com. I'll also send you a free catalog and trading card, if you mail a SASE to: Brinke Stevens Fan Club, PO Box 7112, Van Nuys, CA 91409-7112
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