Happy Saturday gang. Hope everyone is having a great weekend. So…before I dive in I wanted to address what this segment is really about. On the previous REAL STARS entries, I’ve had a couple of readers ask me “How come you didn’t talk about this movie…or what about what they’re doing today?” The blog is devoted to discussing the movies I grew up watching and the positive impact it had on my life. To talk about the lost gems, and the true talent out there. This isn’t IMBD. Everyone is already talking about today’s movies. My role is to make sure that yesterday’s movies stay alive. The only way, and the way I feel passionate about doing that is sharing my stories with you. As a result, I hope you will share your stories with me. Granted…I do end REAL STARS entries with a current movie. I do this to show that I’m still watching and enjoying their work even today. So…let’s get into it 🙂
The lovely, beautiful and incredibly talented Barbara Crampton. Growing up watching her in the 80’s, she was the master of making a lasting impression. She can be on screen for 30 seconds and you’ll remember her through the rest of the movie.
BODY DOUBLE
Probably Brian De Palma’s last erotic thriller, then went on to do Wise Guys. Barbara was only in this for less than a minute, but it actually was a really important role, in a really important scene. This was the traumatic event that was gonna push Jake into the dark, seedy voyeuristic world that crumbles the walls around him. Jake comes home early from work to find his girl Carol (Barbara) with another man. Before that, we get a tour of they’re apartment and a pic of them together with their dog looking happy. Caught in a moment of pleasure, Carol stops to look at Jake. Instead of guilt, she delivers a cold, yet empathetic look. It’s that look that stays with me through the movie. I have to imagine that while Jake is going through this insanity, that look remains in his heart, and his mind.
FRATERNITY VACATION
Not sure if you’re proud of this one Barbara, but I still like it today. It’s a fun little comedy. In the 80’s, Fast Times launched a lot of T&A comedies, and also started a Spring Break comedy craze that lasted a second. This one sticks out. Tim Robbins, Stephen Geoffreys, Amanda Bearse, Cameron Dye, and Barbara Crampton. Barbara plays Chrissie, the girlfriend of one of the rich frat guys. Her and her friend are introduced as just 2 girls about to hook up with the main characters, then turns out they’re in on a prank. This role didn’t call for a lot of depth. However, Barbara brings a certain amount of innocence and adorable charm that makes her stick out. I believe this performance paved the way for Christina Applegate as Kelly Bundy, and even Steve Carrell as Michael Scott. Go back and watch her again, and you’ll see what I mean.
RE-ANIMATOR
Of course I have to talk about Re-Animator. Best on screen couple in Horror history. Megan was the total package. Gorgeous, easy going, sexy, big heart, and loved her man and his cat (that’s a requirement in my home). Such a naturalistic performance. Of course, when I first saw the movie I couldn’t believe what they were putting her through as an actress. After a few viewings when the shock value has died, I really started to see the brilliance in her performance. I really start to care about the character. As a result, when she dies at the end your heart breaks for Cane. You actually feel his pain. Stunning performance by Barbara.
CHOPPING MALL
Seems like Chopping Mall is getting a second life. Everyone is talking about Chopping Mall. I’m glad. It’s a fun little Horror film. Barbara brings her charismatic, hypnotic charm to the role of Suzie. Even though it’s just a good time film, you feel really bad for Suzie when she gets burned to death.
FROM BEYOND
My favorite Crampton film. She really gets a chance to show what she can do in this movie. Plays the majority of her role as a repressed scientist, she has so many subtle qualities just from her reactions alone. You don’t catch everything she does in the first sit down. You have to watch it a couple of times, to catch everything Barbara brings to this role. The transition from repressed to being insanely seductive, was both beautiful and haunting at the same time. I don’t remember this movie being that big when it was released, but seems to have developed a cult following. An amazing performance.
Barbara has never stopped working. Like many talented actors/actresses from the 80’s, they move on to more independent films like You’re Next, and Lords of Salem. Speaking of Lords of Salem, I didn’t even know she was in it until I saw the end credits, went back and looked and said “Shit…that is her.” Point being, they are not 80’s actors/actresses. They are not stuck to one decade. Chances are audiences today are still watching her not aware of the amazing work she has done in the 80’s.
It takes something special to be a leading lady, yet also be able to make a lasting impression with 30 seconds of screen time. Barbara manages to do both real, real well.
Thanks Barbara for adding some awesome movies into my collection. You took part in providing an escape for an 80’s kid with a dark childhood. An escape I still rely on today.
– G.R.E.E.N.B.A.N.K.
BARBARA CRAMPTON’S IMBD PAGE
MORBID MOVIE MEMOIRS: VHS GENERATION 