Kenneth Williams is an idol of mine and someone whom I feel a great affinity to. An outstanding raconteur, best known for his appearances in the Carry On... films (a series he later grew to dislike despite the fame and financial security it...
[+] Read Full Review

Kenneth Williams is an idol of mine and someone whom I feel a great affinity to. An outstanding raconteur, best known for his appearances in the Carry On... films (a series he later grew to dislike despite the fame and financial security it brought him) but was also a stage actor, a radio personality- Round The Horne and Just A Minute-, a regular on talk shows- where he would always effortlessly tell interesting and sometimes risque stories- and the voice of Willo The Wisp.

His flaring nostrils and unique manner of speaking- sweeping from a posh tone to a jeering Cockney (often within the course of a sentence)- certainly marked him out. A very cultured and erudite man, he was self-taught and enjoyed poetry and classical music. His roles in the Carry On... films ranged from educated English teachers to mad scientists and Wild West sheriffs to even playing Julius Caesar, but there is an undeniable joy in all of his performances (especially as he declaims 'infamy! infamy! they've all got it in for me!')

Despite his outwardly camp and sometimes manic demeanour, he was often crippled by bouts of despondency, as well as physical ailments. His diaries- which make for fascinating reading- paint a portrait of a man ill at ease with his own desires, which makes him all the more compelling and his diaries all the more heartbreaking. A talented and extremely funny man and the world lost a great talent when he died.

The larger-than-life persona of Harris Glenn Milstead, Divine is best known for starring in the majority of John Waters' movies, from the early 'atrocities'(such as Roman Candles) to the bigger films (Female Trouble, Hairspray etc.)

...
[+] Read Full Review

The larger-than-life persona of Harris Glenn Milstead, Divine is best known for starring in the majority of John Waters' movies, from the early 'atrocities'(such as Roman Candles) to the bigger films (Female Trouble, Hairspray etc.)

In each and every role taken- be it a dowdy housewife with an amazing sense of smell (Polyester) or as 'The Filthiest Person Alive' (Pink Flamingos)- Divine gives a great performance. There is just an undeniable enthusiasm in all of it, dealing with Waters' gleefully anarchic and downright filthy work. The finale of 'Pink Flamingos' is perhaps the best example of that.

As well as films, Divine also acted on stage and released music singles. The best-known of these is the camp classic 'You Think You're A Man'. Again, the singing might not be perfect but the enthusiasm and the attitude is there in spades.

There'll never be anyone else quite like Divine.

Edith Massey really helps to make the oddball worlds that John Waters creates in his films come to life.

Unique is definitely a word to apply to Edie; it's safe to say you'll never see a performance quite like hers anywhere else. It...
[+] Read Full Review

Edith Massey really helps to make the oddball worlds that John Waters creates in his films come to life.

Unique is definitely a word to apply to Edie; it's safe to say you'll never see a performance quite like hers anywhere else. It sounds like I'm making fun of her, but I'm not. I absolutely adore her and all her performances for Waters.

She could play vicious (Aunt Ida), she could play despotic (Queen Carlotta) and she could play sweet and kind (Cuddles) but all of it was done with the same personality shining through. Truly one of a kind and sorely missed.

RIP Edie.

Anthony Stewart Head is a very talented actor who has done many different roles but is most known for his role as Rupert Giles, the Watcher in 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'. And I have to admit that, for an older man, he's also incredibly...
[+] Read Full Review

Anthony Stewart Head is a very talented actor who has done many different roles but is most known for his role as Rupert Giles, the Watcher in 'Buffy The Vampire Slayer'. And I have to admit that, for an older man, he's also incredibly attractive!

Also known in the UK for his role in Nescafe Gold Blend adverts during the 1980s (where he and Sharon Maughan play a couple who get together over coffee), it was 'Buffy' that really catapulted him to public acclaim. He can also do comedy extremely well, playing the Prime Minister who must fend off maniacal obsessive attentions from his besotted assistant Sebastian (David Walliams) in the hit UK comedy series 'Little Britain'.

Recently, he guest starred as a villain opposite David Tennant in the new series of 'Doctor Who', thus cementing the whole cool vibe. And just to add the icing on the cake he has also played Frank n Furter in the stage version of 'The Rocky Horror Show'. How cool is that?

Along with the fabulous Edith Massey and the one and only Divine, the wonderful and talented Mink Stole makes up the core trio- the Holy Triumvirate- of John Waters' early movies.

Her perfectly pitched performances range from the...
[+] Read Full Review

Along with the fabulous Edith Massey and the one and only Divine, the wonderful and talented Mink Stole makes up the core trio- the Holy Triumvirate- of John Waters' early movies.

Her perfectly pitched performances range from the grotesque (Connie Marble in Pink Flamingos) to the hilarious (Taffy in Female Trouble and the hysterical Peggy Gravel in Desperate Living) but are always watchable and enjoyable. And eminently quotable too! (But be careful of the company you're in if you try this.)

Mink has remained truly loyal to John Waters, appearing in cameos in all his more mainstream movies. My favourite of her roles is Dottie Hinkle, the victim of Kathleen Turner's obscene phone-calls in the amazing Serial Mom. It may be a little harsh, but in Waters' early films, Mink is probably the only one who can actually act! A true legend.