Podcasts
The Sexual Politics of Ken Russell’s Controversial ‘Crimes of Passion’ [Horror Queers Podcast]
After kicking off July with discussions of queer director Roland Emmerich’s summer tentpole Independence Day (listen) and Joe Dante’s seminal werewolf film The Howling (listen), we’re tackling our very first Ken Russell film in his controversial 1984 erotic thriller Crimes of Passion!
Crimes of Passion sees successful fashion designer Joanna Crane (Kathleen Turner, Serial Mom) moonlight as a sex worker named China Blue. Complications arise when she is targeted by two men: one a lonely, married electronics store owner (John Laughlin) who falls in love with her while spying on her, and the other a psychotic, predatory preacher (Anthony Perkins, Psycho) who seeks to “save” her using a bladed vibrator name “Superman.”
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Episode 395: Crimes of Passion (1984)
Huff those poppers and wield that bladed stake vibrator thing you stupid douchebag, because we’re talking our very first Ken Russell film in his messy-but-fascinating erotic thriller Crimes of Passion (1984)!
Join us as we do a deep dive into what Joe describes as a John Waters fever dream. It’s a film that boasts fantastic performances from Kathleen Turner and Anthony Perkins (in a role we would deem “brave” for the actor), who electrify the screen when its not focused on the torturous mundane existence that is heterosexual marriage.
Plus, X-rated MPAA woes, that “magic” trick, silhouette sex, debating the mixed messaging of the ending, and genuinely wondering when the hell Joanna sleeps!
Cross out Crimes of Passion
Coming Up Next: We’re tackling one of Stephen King’s worst adaptations in Lawence Kasdan’s baffling 2003 misfire Dreamcatcher.
P.S. Subscribe to our Patreon for over 512 hours of Patreon content including this month’s new episodes on Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Forbidden Fruits, Saccharine, Evil Dead Burn, an audio commentary on Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf (aka Howling II: Stirba – Werewolf Bitch), and the conclusion of our coverage of AMC’s The Vampire Lestat on the Requel Tier.
The Halloweenies take a break from the cenobites and dig up the deadites again to review Evil Dead Burn. It’s a full house for this installment and the feelings are all over the place with some divisive takes amongst the five of them. Lucky for you, there’s a seat at the table… join them and enjoy your mashed potatoes.
If you recall, the gang tackled the entire franchise — including Ash Vs. Evil Dead and unofficial entries like Drag Me to Hell and even Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness— in anticipation of 2023’s Evil Dead Rise. Be sure to revisit the entire season, starting with their two-part episode on Sam Raimi’s original DIY classic.
Stream the episode below. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and RSS. New to the Halloweenies? Catch up with the gang by revisiting their essential episodes on past franchises such as Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, Scream, The Evil Dead, Chucky, Alien, and the Universal Monsters.This year? Hellraiser!
You can also become a member of their Patreon, The Rewind, for hilariously irreverent commentaries (e.g. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Re-Animator, Darkman), one-off deep dives on your favorite rentals (e.g. Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Manhunter, ), and even spinoffs like their recent run Fortune & Glory: An Indiana Jones Podcast.