Another one of our favorite princess celebrates her birthday today: Barbara Steele. Never quite figured out if she was born in 1937 or 1938 but what the hell? Seems that her next movie comes out in January 2008, which has the charming title of Her Morbid Desires. Cassandra Peterson and Brinke Stevens are also supposed to be in it, so who knows? These Sirens are hard to put down…

It has been officially announced that the Bond Girl featured in the next 007 episode will be played by an actress named Gemma Arterton. When I say ‘new’ I mean ‘new’ as this young woman has only one feature film that saw release to date, namely the comedy St. Trinian’s, a reprise of an excellent series of hilarious British farces that started in 1954. She seems to have been part of the English stage, playing in works like Titus Andronicus, Faust and The Beggars Opera and also enjoying a fine soprano voice. In fact, she’s part of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art of London.

So this 22 years old will be part of James Bond’s 22nd adventure that will begin filming next month. It remains to be seen what kind of character she’ll be playing. Of course, to learn more about the Bond Girls mythology, I can only refer you to the main site…

As I stated before, the Female Prisoner Scorpion series is the ultimate in Women in Prison entertainment, mixing exploitation elements (gratuitous violence and sleazy sex) with stylish direction and convincing performances. This remains Meiko Kaji’s signature role, the seemingly impassive and almost mute Nami Matsushima, AKA Sasori.

But before going into further specific details, you must be attentive to the following (very) brief course in Japanese film history, mainly its erotic motion pictures. Yes, there are things to be learned here, so pay attention! You don’t want to flunk the quiz, do you?

If you have to understand one thing, just remember that since time immemorial no genital parts were allowed to be shown in any movie in Japan. Oh and this means, neither male or female, needless to say. Of course, you didn’t glimpse much genitals in world cinema in these times, but all these rules were specifically written in the Japanese Criminal Code! A 1962 film named Flesh Market remains the first production to include a naked breast. Two years later, Gates of Flesh displayed a full female nude body, without showing the private parts, of course. And that in full color! Remember that in Europe in the late fifties, nudity had finally started to be allowed in motion pictures, sometimes coming from world-acclaimed directors like Louis Malle or even Ingmar Bergman (we have mainly the wide popularity of Brigitte Bardot to be grateful for, as example). But the Japanese authorities had in their hands a censorship code that was very severe. So, no full frontal cutie honey action. Oddly, they didn’t put much restrain in graphic display of violence…

If we now go to the major studios (mainly Nikkatsu), we must understand that they shifted their agenda around 1971 or so to produce more spicy projects. Roman porn (romantic pornography) or pinku eiga (pink movies) are the most traditional terms to describe that special kind of erotic stories. The reason of that redirection: bankruptcy and/or other kind of hard financial distress, mainly box-office receipts. Many popular studios followed up on this trend, like Toho, Daiei and others.

In 1971, Meiko Kaji was mainly known for her participation in a rebellious female youth series, the Stray Cat Rock films. She was the perfect candidate to play a revengeful young woman capable of enduring severe physical and psychological torments, being kept alive with an unending thirst of vengeance. First time director Shunya Ito convinced her to become Nami Matsushima, an heroine that at first saw birth in a popular manga (comic book). Meiko suggested that the character become an almost mute presence and not the foul-mouthed heroine of the printed page. With the worldwide success of the spaghetti western, this approach was a wise decision, as viewers were already accustomed to mystical heroes of few words.

So Nami is wrongfully utilized by a supposed cop boyfriend in a fixed drug bust and is send to a brutal jail. After a failed attempt to escape, she’s day after day punished by the prison’s authorities, the typical bunch of screaming animal thugs. Not only that, but the other female inmates also torment her for her supposed stuck-up attitude. Can she realy hope to at last sate her thirst for vengeance?

Contrary to the many lurid WiP movies becoming popular at the time around the world, this first entry in the series was carefully shot in an imaginative visual style, mixing surrealistic color palettes and unexpected camera angle choices, putting this way ahead of subject-wise sleazy motion pictures coming out of the Philippines, the USA and others. Even witnessing the incredible violent scenes here, there’s an atmosphere of art-house production worthy of high-brow international critics.

Yes, this is an out of this world ballet of vengeance, with slow-motion sequences, quasi-oniric staging of flashbacks and a performance from the central actress that borders on the astonishing. To give you an idea of her character’s state of mind throughout, here are my two favorite quotes from Nami:

“To be deceived is a woman’s crime.”
“I cannot die until I fulfill my fate.”

Brutal beyond measure but still satisfying entertainment, Female Prisoner #701: Scorpion spawned three sequels again starring Meiko Kaji, who became one of the most fascinating heroine in motion picture history. Here are some screen grabs that I hope can give you an idea of the impact of this unique universe:

During this time, Meiko began shooting another worthwhile series, the Lady Snowblood films, also where her singing voice can be heard for the main musical theme. With these works, she’s now considered one of the main female action movie stars of all time.
Next on our discussion on WiP will be the sequel, Female Convict Scorpion Jailhouse 41.

It’s Sex Goddess Edwige Fenech’s birthday! You still have time to change your plans for Christmas Eve! You MUST worship Edwige for the only reason that she’ll probably remain beautiful forever and never die, kinda like a Picture of Dorian Gray deal. On your knees!

Today’s is Maila Nurmi’s birthday, best known as Vampira. Everything you always wanted to know about her can be seen in Vampira: The Movie, released in 2006. This icon is still among us, so send you best wishes, even using clever subliminal means!

Jully Black’s second album (which was released last October) is pure magic. Isn’t it wonderful to listen to smart music? Mainly known as Canada’s queen of R&B, Jully should be listened to by the entire universe. She has an incredible voice, writes her own material and looks mighty fine. The first track of Revival, DJ Play My Song, is one of the best song I’ve heard in quite a while. There’s also a diabolical and irresistible version of Seven Day Fool, originally sang by Etta James in 1961.

Jully Black has become one of my favorite female singer in a matter of a few minutes! You should be under her spell soon, too…

What, I’ve started a Cult Sirens blog and haven’t yet talked about a Women in Prison (WiP) movie? Outrageous! All these shower scenes! This genre is almost as old as the art of motion pictures itself, dating back to the Silents. The condemned innocent, the sadistic prison guard, the corrupted facility administrator, the butch cellblock queen and many others are all beloved stereotypes of these productions. Universally produced, these movies were at the pinnacle of success in the seventies, with reigning divas Pam Grier and Meiko Kaji being typecast in many memorable titles. In fact, Meiko could be responsible for the ultimate product in this genre, the Female Prisoner Scorpion series, which will probably be our first subject for this feature, why not start with the best?

So I’ve been quite tempted to begin a series on this strange corner of film mythology, revisiting key productions and giving some historical background. I’ll try to supply endless chronological lists of titles, because as movie fans we can’t get enough of LISTS! MOVIE LISTS, YES!!! So get out your orange prison fatigues out of the closet right now and be ready to be plunged into movie madness soon. And of course don’t drop the soap!

As I was watching last Monday WWE RAW’s 15th anniversary in a state of contented nostalgia, I couldn’t help but decide to pay homage on this blog to a favorite wrestling diva. Oddly, she was not seen on the short divas tribute video, probably because she’s active on another concurrent company, mainly TNA. Of course, I’m talking about one of the toughest gal I’ve seen on a wrestling ring, the Pride of Tennessee herself, Ms. Jackie Moore!

Jacqueline DeLois Moore was born January 6, 1966 (or is it 1964?) in Dallas, Texas. During her wrestling career, she has been known under many different aliases, mainly Jacquelyn Moore, Miss Jacqueline, Miss Tennessee, Miss Texas, Sgt. Rock (?), Sweet Georgia Brown, Queen Moesha and The Pride Of Tennessee. Confused yet? She became a wrestling fan in her youth (particularly admiring the Von Erich family) and was the only female trainee at her first wrestle school. To do so as a woman in this business is a sign of untold dedication. She wasn’t interested in being mere eye candy or a role as a grinning valet, the main stereotypes that can be still seen on wrestling events: she wanted to learn how to fight! Learn it she did, making a ring debut in 1989 for World Class Championship Wrestling. A couple of years later, she began to win titles, mainly for the United States Wrestling Association where she became their first Women’s Champion, eventually holding that belt for an impressive 14 times!

After a brief stay at Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Jackie began work for World Championship Wrestling, debuting there in January 1997, being allied with Kevin Sullivan who had just started a feud with the late Chris Benoit. Interestingly, she began fighting against men (and sometimes winning!). In the summer of 1998, Jackie joined the as then-known World Wrestling Federation, rapidly feuding with Sable alongside the latter’s estranged husband Marc Mero. This memorable rivalry included bikini contests, arm wrestling, an evening gown match and an eventual win of the WWF Women’s Championship belt (of which she’s the first African-American winner). Soon after, Jackie founded a stable including Terri Runnels and Ryan Shamrock, which was known as PMS (Pretty Means Sisters). These gals didn’t hesitate in manipulating and low-blowing men… (i.e. hitting them on the crotch). Let’s note that at some point, Jackie was even knocked over the head by Jeff Jarrett’s guitar. Also, she participated in some hardcore matches, rare feat for women wrestlers, one being against Ivory and Luna Vachon. Let’s mention also a win in a gravy bowl match. Yes, it was exactly like your imagination can picture it. Like many female wrestlers/personalities these days, she popped out of her top on some occasions, at least once during a high profile pay per view. This is officially called an “wardrobe malfunction”.

After a second title reign, she began an association with the APA or Acolytes Protection Agency (including Faarooq and Bradshaw). In 2001, Jackie became one of the trainers for the reality TV series Tough Enough, where we could finally see a new side of her, which revealed a warm and caring personality. In 2002, she became an official referee, being also present for men’s matches. But for some reasons she became less and less seen on TV, being delegated as a trainer for Ohio Valley Wrestling. Her last glory for WWE was becoming the first female Cruiserweight Champion on Smackdown, this in May 2004. A month later, she announced that her contract was not being renewed. No official reason was never mentioned. Probably Vince McMahon was more concerned in finding new divas that possessed absolutely no wrestling talent but could only be marketed as visual attractions.

His loss was pure luck for us, as Jackie found work for another high-profile wrestling company, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, for which she debuted in November 2004, at the Victory pay-per-view. She’s still at the employ of TNA, recently enjoying an excellent feud with Gail Kim, for which an unbelievable steel cage match was held in April 2007, a type of contest rarely seen in North American female wrestling. The two women absolutely ruled the ring and it gave us a glimpse of what a women’s fight should be, certainly not with opponents only parading in bikinis and being dipped in sticky gravy sauce. Soon after, Jackie had her two front teeth knocked out, once again by Kim, has she had a trashcan over her head and was pummeled with a broomstick! Bikinis, indeed!

Holding a black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Jackie Moore is a tough cookie, even with a frame of 5 ft 3 in and 118 lbs. She’s also a great performer, giving her all at the WWE edition of Fear Factor and impressing me to no end. She will be seen in a couple of upcoming movies, Sin-Jin Smyth (with a character memorably named V.M. “The Engine” Sexton) and Knight Fever. She combines strength and beauty in the best way, being able to deliver the goods in any ring with any opponent and also to be exciting to look at. In my view, she should be an example for other girls to follow. Real wrestlers now, not just flesh mannequins.

Believe it or not, I finally have a new Cult Siren to propose on the main site, namely French kitten Miou-Miou. Find out why I was so emotional when writing this entry…

If you were stuck on a deserted island, what movie poster would you want awkwardly stuck on a coconut tree to accompany you until the end of days? In my case, simple:

An exemplary action movie starring three marvelous actresses (Michelle Yeoh, Anita Mui, Maggie Cheung) as fascinating super-heroines. This could be my favorite movie poster of all time. I will be revisiting The Heroic Trio in depth in the near future, so stay tuned.