Mommy Knows best

By: Stacie Ponder

Ah, mom. Mother. Mommy. Mater. Mom-o-rama.

When I think of my mother, I must admit that it's not bake sales and chicken soup that spring to mind, although she did take care of me when I was sick and she does make some kick-ass brownies. No sir- when I think about my mom, I think about horror movies. Growing up, her love of scary stuff and horror movies rubbed off on me completely- from the movies we'd watch to the old issues of Famous Monsters of Filmland she handed down to the new issues of Fangoria she'd buy me, we had our Joy Luck Club meetings at the drive-in during the newest Friday the 13th flick. I'm pretty sure I was the only kid at my elementary school who had any idea who Christopher Lee was. In 5th grade, we had to spend some time doing large reports on a topic of our choosing, complete with pictures, artwork, and oral presentations. While Lance told everyone about the hierarchy of a beehive, I told everyone about how much Frankenstein hates fire.

When I started Final Girl last year, I related how my mom was the one who really got me into horror. A surprising number of people said that they, too, had fond memories of watching horror movies as a kid with dear old mom. Personally, it's a passion I still share with my mom; we're always updating each other with new releases and recommendations and 'Have you seen this one?' and 'You know who's in that one?'. We're much more likely to pour over the newest issue of Rue Morgue together than the newest Martha Stewart.

Is it weird? I don't know. I started thinking about how a woman of my mother's generation even gets interested in the horror genre. I thought and I thought and I thought!and then I figured I'd just ask her. Yup- I interviewed my mom...

STACIE: What are some of your earliest memories of 'horror'? How old were you when you got into it?

MOM: My earliest memories of horror seem to be from when I was around 12. I had a paper route- Sundays only- with my younger brother. We had one customer who subscribed to The National Enquirer. This was long before they cleaned up their act!the stories and pictures were real-life deformities: car wrecks, all sorts of disgusting things. My mom didn't want us to see this, but we would get up early to read it. Scared the crap out of me- gave me nightmares. I saw movies only when I snuck out of bed on weekend nights for Chiller Theatre, after my parents had gone to bed. The films seemed mild compared to that newspaper.

STACIE: What was it about the scary stuff that piqued your interest and kept you coming back?

MOM: Probably that I felt like I was getting away with something by watching it, combined with the adrenaline rush from the creepy music and bad makeup of the movies I saw.

STACIE: As you grew older, did you ever feel like you weren't 'supposed to' enjoy horror, or that you should give it up?

MOM: Never felt I should give up watching, but I have been criticized by people for liking movies at all, let alone horror and gore.

STACIE: Have you ever felt 'weird' for liking these movies, though?

MOM: Yes, I have questioned why I like some of this stuff. I've come to the conclusion that it's a good, safe way to rid oneself of all the stress in life, including all the things we're afraid of.

STACIE: Speaking of things we're afraid of!what movies have actually scared you?

MOM: First movie I really remember that scared me- Atom Age Vampire (1960). It's Italian or French!beautiful but scarred girl!mad doctor. I have no idea now why it scared me so much, but I still remember it.

STACIE: I remember you talking about that movie! I saw it for the first time recently!it's pretty hokey, but I can see it scaring a kid. There's always crazy tales floating around about horror screenings 'back in the day' , like people passing out during The Exorcist. Did you ever experience anything like that?

MOM: I have one really great one. You were a little kid, like 2. We were living in South Carolina at the time. There was a 5-movie marathon at the local drive-in. Night of the Living Dead, and 4 awful Italian or Mexican or something movies with 'Dead' in the titles. A local DJ was buried in the hill in front of the screen! You could go up there and see him through the glass top, red lights on his face. There were ambulances and cops all around, and they passed out 'fright insurance' at the box office. The line of cars was unbelievable. Never had so much fun at the drive-in!

STACIE: That's awesome!it's now my Number One goal in life to revive that sort of event. I've got so many drive-in memories, seeing horror flicks as a kid. Is sharing your hobby something you did consciously when I was young?

MOM: Actually, it was just the way it worked out. Going to the drive-in was very convenient for people with kids. You would run around the playground, then fall asleep in the back seat, and Dad and I would watch the movie. There always seemed to be a horror movie playing, especially the ones with Christopher Lee and Peter Cushing, the old Hammer Films. Eventually, you stopped going to sleep and started watching the movies.

STACIE: So what are your favorite movies?

MOM: George Romero's Dead movies, the old Dracula movies from Hammer, the great movie series that started in the 80s (Halloween- Jason- Freddy, etc)!too many to mention!

STACIE: They can't all be gems!what movies do you never want to see again?

MOM: Last weekend I saw Hellraiser 4- absolutely atrocious in every way! Also, Jason X!omigod!can you say laughable?

STACIE: Any particular genre directors you enjoy? What about actors?

MOM: George Romero, of course, because there's actual social commentary in that horror, as well as great humor. I also like Dario Argento's old slasher movies- very
atmospheric, with weird camera angles and lighting. Actors!I've always loved Christopher Lee. The poor guy got typecast, but he was great at it! I very much enjoy Tony Todd from the Candyman movies. Another great speaking voice, tall and imposing, yet he shows great emotion.

STACIE: I know you're really into Asian horror at the moment!what about it floats your boat?

MOM: Love, love, love Asian horror films. Though many have the same general storylines, they're always atmospheric. The lighting, music, disjointed movement of the ghostly characters, it's all great. It really gives me the creeps, kind of like feeling like there's someone behind you. American films are mostly full of blood and gore- it's more visceral. Less fear, more gross out.

STACIE: What are your feelings on explicit on-screen violence?

MOM: Violence and gore are everywhere today from movies and TV to music. I've watched my share of it, but sometimes I worry that bad people are watching it way too much and absorbing it. They may get bad ideas. Ooh, I sound like my mom!

STACIE: So do you miss the 'good ol' days' of horror?

MOM: I miss the movies where you really didn't see anything, you just thought you did. Now movies are too explicit. Like I said before, less fear, more gross-out.

STACIE: I'm with you 100% on that. How does it feel to have raised such a huge horror fan?

MOM: It feels great! It seems to be a very big part of your life, professionally and personally. I'm glad I had my part in that.

Awww, my mom rocks!