Video Beaverhausen: Cloris Leachman Is Crazy Mama

Just before she appeared as Phyllis on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, Cloris Leachman starred in this Roger Corman produced film directed by a young Jonathan Demme (Married to the Mob, Silence of the Lambs).

Sure, it was a long fall from her Oscar-winning dramatic performance in The Last Picture Show but a girl needs to work.

In any event, this is a fun frolic for the star. Stuart Whitman is in this film as is Linda Purl, Ann Sothern, Jim Backus and Sally Kirkland. It's a great cast.

While based on the factual story of Ma Barker, whose gang robbed banks during the Great Depression, Dirty Mama is set in the affluent 1950s. It has plenty of kitschy 1950s atmosphere and a great 1950s soundtrack.

This made for very entertaining, campy viewing last night. I recommend this film, now on video. It's a whole lot of pistol-packin' fun!

Welcome to My Nightmare ... on My Halloween Countdown

Going crazy in the night tonight. Stressed! Below, a favorite recent mix of Kim Carnes' "Crazy in the Night" that tosses in portions of Vincent Price's monolog from "Thriller." Vincent Price was a childhood idol of mine and my Mom took me to see his films, particularly Roger Corman's Edgar Allen Poe adaptations (since they were so "literary"). I was secretly enamored of the tall, erudite villain of my favorite horror films. Hearing his voice in this mix tonight brought back pleasant memories that actually helped qualm my anxieties & fears. Thanks, Mom!