Women in Horror Month: Celebrating the Maidens of the Macabre

When the somewhat short month of February rolls along, we have many things to celebrate, whether it’s groundhogs, historical black figures, presidents, and even football players. But what about the butt-kicking, blood shielding femme fatales that have fought their way into horror films and the silver screen, as well as the behind the scenes women that help create these films? That’s where Women in Horror Month steps, or better put, slashes in.

Bela Lugosi, the original Dracula, once said “It is women who love horror. Gloat over it. Feed on it. Are nourished by it. Shudder and cling and cry out — and come back for more.” Hannah Neurotica, creator of the feminist horror magazine Ax Wound, decided that the rest of the world (or America at least) should recognize this fact as well. With the goal of raising awareness about the women who write, produce, direct, and enjoy all aspects of the grim genre, Women in Horror Month was born.

For decades, horror has been a male dominated field. In some Asian and European countries women have begun to take a larger part in the horror genre, but the numbers are still shy in comparison to their male counterparts. Out of Fangoria Magazine’s List of Top 300 Horror Movies, only 3 were directed or produced by women. Filmmakers like George A. Romero, Dario Argento, and John Carpenter are more than well known for their contributions to horror. If one were to hear the name Mary Lambert, they may not be familiar. Her film Pet Semetary, though, may spark some memories (and nightmares).

When portrayed in horror films, females are often victimized; frightened and scared as they cower in their empty house and a masked serial killer stalks them with a knife. Lindsay Felton, childhood Nickelodeon star and former contestant on the Vh1 reality show Scream Queens, agrees that being a pretty victim is not empowering. “A lot of times you don’t get taken seriously; its hard to have a career when all you’re known for is screaming and dying,” she says. “Many actresses fall into an oblivion of faded Queens, rather than be remembered for their acting abilities or characters.” Even in her twenties, Felton has begun to fade with the best of them. Needless to say, these actresses are not highly exalted during Women of Horror Month.

Says Neurotica, “we’re not about the Scream Queens. What’s to celebrate in that? WIH month is just about female equality as it is women in horror… recognizing the forms of female empowerment through horror.” She adds, “take the original NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET – Nancy wanted to kick Freddy’s ass!” A female actually being alive by the end of a horror movie is rare, let alone having a strong and independent character. It’s when the strong roles come along that gives women a reason to celebrate.

One of the most famous Women in Horror is Maila Nurmi, who created the campy 1950’s Morticia Addams inspired character of Vampira. Nurmi broke boundaries in the cult film Plan 9 from Outer Space because for the first time, a female lead was acting as the predator, not the prey.

Sybil Danning also played a large part in changing the standards of the way women are portrayed; once offered a role in Amazon Women of the Moon, she refused and demanded the lead instead. “I love playing women who are not ashamed to be strong,” she says. “There are many of us out there, you know, and we would love to see more of us on the screen.” More recently, she was featured in Rob Zombie’s Werewolf Women of the SS Trailer

Since it’s birth, Women in Horror Month has been advertised and recognized from Fangoria to Facebook, and everywhere in between. The press that it has received would lead one to believe that the celebration is years old in the least, but surprisingly enough is only celebrating its first anniversary. This explains why there isn’t more formal celebration- for now, just the recognition is enough. Says Neurotica, “Women in Horror Month is about setting time aside to grab people’s attention, raise an awareness that women do in fact make horror films and do in fact love horror films…about giving deserved recognition to those women who have worked their asses off.”

Adds Dee, one of two women in the Fangoria office, “We wish each other a Happy February 1^st, but that’s it. Even though the month is all about celebrating the women, it doesn’t change the fact that I deal mostly with men on an everyday basis. I believe WIH is about equality in workplace- I already have that and I’m grateful, but there’s no need to shove it down my boss’ throat.”

To a non-horror fan, Women in Horror Month may not seem like much. There are no parades, no grade school essays about an important Woman in Horror History…yet. But to the women who have devoted their lives to a field filled with blood and testosterone, and to the young girls who look up to them, it’s a start.

By Samantha Fox