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Scarlet #4 Review

Scarlet The Film Magazine #4. Reviewed by Brian Kirst

A perfect amalgamation of past and present horror and gothic sensibility, Scarlet The Film Magazine continues in the respectful tradition of Scarlet Street (its previous incarnation) while shedding a little new blood (as it were) as well.

Honoring the ‘we’re all a bit queer’ aspect of the fright community, the 4th issue of this industrious Kevin G. Shinnick remount focuses on the gay community and its terror filled output. While femmes are represented with a nostalgic  look at Vampyros Lesbos (looking at Soledad Miranda never gets old, no?), for the most part, it’s the ‘schwinging’ set that gets the focus here.

Most interestingly, we get an inventive first person account of how writer-director Sean Abley put together his fascinating David Cronenberg horror piece Socket. There is also a loving interview with 70’s stalwart Robert Quarry from the talented and appreciative Tim Sullivan (2001 Maniacs, Driftwood).

Scarlet Street’s subtler noir-esque roots are honored with a truly detailed and compelling piece on Golden Age character actor Ernest Thesiger (This Old Dark House) while contemporary writer and director Joe Moe (the highly praised Red Velvet) gets a moment to give his personalized take on modern filmmaking, as well.

From its juicy butt baring pictorials to a very honest and heartfelt fan letter that acknowledges horror’s significance to emotional freaks (*) everywhere, Scarlet #4 is ultimately a glossy, essential delight.

*(Written with love and personal identification, of course!!)

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