To the Beautiful, Talented, Business Woman/Actress/Producer/ETC: REST IN PEACE, TALLIE COCHRANE

   

            A little piece of my heart has broken tonight.  While on the phone to my friend Elijah Drenner (we were speaking of another actress, Roberta Collins), I discovered that my friend and one of the women I’m featuring in my book, Tallie Cochrane, has passed away.  She died on May 21^st at the age of 66.  Tallie was an amazing woman, and it breaks my heart that we never got to finish our interview together.  She wanted so much to share her career with me – she was an actress, a makeup artist, an agent, and a producer.  She was also a family woman, she had a loving husband (Leslie Talbot), a mother to a son and daughter, a grandmother, a great grandmother, and she owned several chinchillas.  She was a dog lover.

 

       She was full of life, even when she wasn’t feeling well.  The first time I spoke on the phone to Tallie was in December of 2010.  She was decorating her Christmas tree with her family, and we wished each other a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.  She was full of amazing stories.  I asked her why she hadn’t done other interviews, and she told me that she wanted to do the right one – and she felt that I was the writer to tell her story properly.  She liked how I was educated and well spoken.  She liked that I was female.  When I first contacted her by email, she sent me this (I saved it, of course):

“I'm so glad that you found me Lianne!
I would love to be a part of your research and once we talk,
you'll see why my part is so vital.
I've only ever given one other interview, which was filmed here in my
home in Panama City, FL for a documentary about the beginning
of the "adult entertainment" industry's growth from the 70s on up.
You're gonna be really surprised when you find out who I really am!

Are you in touch with Cheri Caffaro?  We're old friends!  Give her my love
and e-mail address too!  Thanks! I do hope we speak soon!   (Delete my phone number on your facebook
please) duhhh  lol!
Sincerely,
Tallie Cochrane”

She had a charisma about her, but she was powerful – she had a strong voice, and a loving but "no-BS” way about her.  At the end of January, I hadn’t heard from her, so I emailed her again, but she didn’t respond.  Finally on March 24^th, she told me to phone her and we would finally get to speak.  I asked her if she wanted my interview questions ahead of time, but she told me that she preferred to do things “off the cuff”.  She wasn’t nervous, she wasn’t embarrassed; she had rocked her exploitation career, and she had moved on from it, but she still owned it.   We were scheduled to run the interview in early April, but when I spoke with her, she was very tired.  She had been treated for cancer, she assured me that she was okay and she REALLY wanted to speak with me, but she was just too tired from the chemotherapy.  Of course I understood, and we decided to speak when she was better.  It’s now the end of May, and I still hadn’t heard from my wonderful new friend.  I checked her IMDB page today and discovered that she had passed away exactly ten days ago (May 21^st).

A university graduate, Tallie has starred in over 25 exploitation feature films, she has worked in makeup, art direction, soundtrack, and she produced the teen sex comedy HOLLYWOOD HIGH (1976) and worked publicity for FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN in 1980.  She starred in the following exploitation flicks:

Joe Sarno’s THE YOUNG EROTIC FANNY HILL

SWEET SAVIOUR / aka THE LOVE THRILL MURDERS

SASSY SUE

FIVE LOOSE WOMEN / FUGITIVE GIRLS (my personal fave of her work)

THE CENTERFOLD GIRLS (or perhaps this is my favorite… I can’t decide)!

THE CANDY TANGERINE MAN

TARZ and JANE CHEETA and BOY

I will never forget her, and now more than ever – I will write her chapter for GRINDHOUSE GIRLS and celebrate her life and her brave career.

Tallie will be truly missed by her fans – but more importantly, her family and friends.

I’m so sorry, dear Tallie.  For what, I’m not sure – the way life is sometimes, I suppose.  You really did it up right though, girl.   Thank you so much – we will never forget you.  GRINDHOUSE GIRLS will make sure of that.  I will also let Cheri know that you asked about her.  We love you.

RIP TALLIE COCHRANE

October 7, 1944 – May 21, 2011.

xox

Lianne Spiderbaby

 

 

Fangoria #305

 

    So you have to pick up FANGORIA issue #305 because my best friend Elijah Drenner and I have written an awesome article/interview together on Ted Post's THE BABY, one of the 1970s weirdest psychological exploitation shockers!  I really love my Fangoria family (Chris Alexander, Rebekah McKendry, David Goodfellow, Michael Gingold...etc...) such wonderful and supportive people.  I'm honored to be writing for them, and so excited to have Elijah writing with me on this particular piece.

    I'm REALLY working hard on the book right now kids, which is why I've been a bit MIA on the blog writing and Fango web stuff.  Of course, there is more FRIGHTBYTES coming at you very soon, so be sure to check back, subscribe, and share some Spiderbaby love with our friends.

   Back to the book writing!  I just completed the chapter on Christina Lindberg, and now I'm workin' away on Roberta Collins.  

xox

Lianne Spiderbaby

Fright Bytes Ep. 3 - James Wan's INSIDIOUS

Fright Bytes Ep. 2 - Shock Stock 2011

Spiderbaby Q&A with the lovely Linnea Quigley - Part 2

Interview on HORROR IN THE HAMMER

 

  The super great guys at HORROR IN THE HAMMER and The ZedWord Blog: Rufus, Aaron Allen, and Jay Winger interviewed me on the topic of exploitation films at the recently passed SHOCK STOCK convention - and they weren't afraid to ask me about my controversial article regarding the film I SPIT ON YOUR GRAVE (the remake - yes, the same article that I was personally attacked for, called a 'spinster' over, etc.  You know the one)!

You can listen to the SCREAMWAVE podcast interview HERE, as well as some cool interviews with the filmmakers of IF A TREE FALLS - Philip Carrer, Chad Archibald and Ryan Barratt, as well as Jon Mikl Thor of ROCK n ROLL NIGHTMARE and THOR: THE ROCK OPERA.

http://www.horrorinthehammer.com/2011/05/screamwave-35-shock-stock/

xox

Lianne Spiderbaby

Fangoria #303

 

  I forgot to post about this issue at the beginning of the month, but you can still pick it up at your local newsstand or bookstore - FANGORIA #303!  It's a great issue packed with awesome articles and photographs.  There is a special feature written by my friend Justin Beahm on John Carpenter that you can't miss!

Be sure to check out my special and intimiate interview with DYANNE THORNE of the ILSA fame!

Pick up your copy of Fangoria #303 now!

xox

Lianne Spiderbaby

Spiderbaby Q&A with the lovely Linnea Quigley - Part 1

SHOCK STOCK 2011: Canadian Coverage of a Crazy Weekend!

The quaint town of London, Ontario (two hours outside of big city Toronto) was shook to the core this May 1^st weekend with a brand spankin’ new convention dedicated to exploitation and horror cinema, SHOCK STOCK.  Founders James Bialkowski and Jake W. Grimbo put on a great show, where despite overall low attendance, the rain, and the looming Canadian election the atmosphere was always friendly, relaxed, and fun-filled.
*** All photos courtesy of David Goodfellow

The Butcher Shop vendors

hanging out with PGC and Jason Hooft at the FANGORIA table

           

SHOCK STOCK 2011 brought some outstanding guests to London, including the LADIES OF EVIL DEAD (Betsy Baker, Ellen Sandweiss, and Sarah York), Linnea Quigley (RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD, NIGHTMARE SISTERS), Hal Delrich (EVIL DEAD), Molly Dunsworth and Nick Bateman (HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN), Jon Mikl Thor (ROCK N’ ROLL NIGHTMARE), and Robert Skipper (EL TOPO).   The biggest draw was exploitation actress Dyanne Thorne and husband Howard Maurer of ILSA SHE WOLF OF THE SS, ILSA HAREM KEEPER OF THE OIL SHEIKS, and POINT OF TERROR to name a few.

Fangoria's awesome photographer, David Goodfellow and Thor

The Ladies of the Evil Dead and Hal

the awesome Molly Dunsworth from HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN

The Lovely Linnea Quigley

Howard Maurer, Lianne Spiderbaby, and Dyanne Thorne

Bialkowski and Grimbo (who also run VAGRANCY FILMS and GRIMBROTHERS ENTERTAINMENT) never dreamed snagging an exploitation icon like Dyanne Thorne who rarely attends conventions, but their reputation of being great showmen and their charming wit instantly won the legendary actress over.

Dyanne Thorne and Lianne Spiderbaby looking through the article I wrote about her in FANGORIA #303

Dyanne Thorne, myself, Howard Maurer, and SHOCK STOCK founder James Bialkowski

All of the guests were very down to earth and approachable, and because of the convention’s low attendanc vendors, exhibitors and guests were able to spend more time with their fans, giving SHOCK STOCK a real family-like atmosphere.

Some of the vendors in attendance were make-up and effects specialists THE BUTCHER SHOP, SUSPECT VIDEO LTD (for all of your horror film needs), BLACK FAWN FILMS with directors Philip Carrer and Chad Archibald, and writer Ryan Barrett in attendance, TROMA FILMS, and DARKSIDE and TWISTED T’S for horror apparel, amongst others.

Fangoria's David Goodfellow with BLACK FAWN FILMS' Chad Archibald, Philip Carrer, Ryan Barrett

One of the highlights at SHOCK STOCK was Saturday’s sold-out screening of THE EVIL DEAD on 35mm with Baker, Sandweiss, York, and Delrich in attendance for a Q&A with Bialkowski that followed the film.  Prizes were given away in a hilarious trivia game that the ladies held.  Following the screening, fans could mingle with guests Linnea Quigley, Molly Dunsworth, and Thor at the after-party where everyone was considered a VIP.  Thor performed several songs on stage with local punk band The Silver Screems, and Linnea hosted a successful costume contest where the #1 prize went to Thea Munster (founder of Toronto’s ZOMBIE WALK).  Munster took home an amazing face-cast of Vincent Price, courtesy of THE BUTCHER SHOP.

Costume contest winner Thea Munster with host Linnea Quigley

I hosted a special Q&A with Dyanne Thorne and Howard Maurer on Sunday, who told the audience stories about traveling all over Europe on Jess Franco’s recommendations, performing their own stunts on the ILSA sets, the romantic story on how they met, and how they continue to work as ordained ministers who host scenic, outdoor weddings  - so yes, you can still head to Las Vegas to have the exploitation queen herself marry you off.

Howard Maurer, Dyanne Thorne, Lianne Spiderbaby

Fangoria photographer David Goodfellow and myself had an amazing time at SHOCK STOCK, and we want to personally thank James, Jake, the special guests, the vendors, and everyone we met this weekend for making SHOCK STOCK one of the best events we have attended this year. 

Will you be able to join us next year?  Bialkowski and Grimbo are already talkin’ about who they would like to see in their hometown - so stay tuned, because 2010 will more than likely see another rockin’ SHOCK STOCK.

Founder James Bialokowski hosting the EVIL DEAD screening

Saturday night with friends pre-screening, photo cred: David Goodfellow (on all photos)

David Goodfellow and Lianne Spiderbaby