December brings our new Holiday Horror episode with John
Hudson and Troy Guinn dropping in to hang the mistletoe. This year we examine
the Christmas time tale WHOEVER SLEW AUNTIE ROO (1971) starring Shelly Winters
and a host of British character actors. It turns out I am the only member of
our trio who had watched this film before 2025 opening up a number of questions
about why Troy chose it! Privileges may need to be rescinded.
A major part of our discussion revolves around director Curtis Harrington’s memories of the movie and its cast. After years of holding my tongue, I finally air my complaints about his rather plodding directorial style and point to a scene that I feel needed a different sensibility behind the camera. Actors Micheal Gothard, Lionel Jefferies, Hugh Griffith and Ralph Richardson are dutifully admired with each adding unique flavors to this very odd holiday dinner. The stand out child actors are given their due with a prominent face from the 1970 version of SCROOGE making all of us fantasize about ending Tiny Tim’s life. We also marvel that unlike what is usually expected from the ‘hag horror’ genre Winters’ character isn’t a mean-spirited villain but instead a grief crippled mother too susceptible to conmen in her life. And then we debate the relative evil of the two main child characters with me leaning toward innocence more than malice. This is something best left to each viewer to decide on their own, methinks!
If you have any comments about this year’s Holiday Horror or possible choices for the next thebloodypit@gmail.com is the place to send them. We hope everyone has a great end of year celebration and we will be back soon with a short episode about our favorite films of 2025.
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