'The Curse of the Black Widow' - if it's not a camp classic, then it should be

Based on the popularity of last week's post on the motion picture, The Women, I'm thinking of posting a weekly bit on classic camp movies we can all watch while we are stuck at home during this pandemic. Tonight is one of my favorites.

The Curse of the Black Widow comes from 1977, a time before cable when television movies ruled the day. Just about several times a week, ABC, CBS or NBC would feature an original movie, which could be a comedy, drama, or horror. And a lot of actors made bank starring in those movies. Several of them will probably be featured here in the future. But very few should grab your attention like this movie, which was also known as Love Trap.

The summary is simply nuts. A detective (Anthony Franciosa) is investigating a bunch of mysterious murders in which the victims blood was drained and replaced with venom. He finds out that the murders center around fraternal twin heiresses (Patty Duke and Donna Mills). And here is the kicker (by the way, I will be including spoilers, but you really shouldn't watch these movies for the plot) - due to a incident when they were born, one of the twins has the power to transform into an indestructible giant black widow spider who can only be harmed by fire. Which twin is it? The one with the most acting range. Out of Duke and Mills, who has an Oscar and two Emmys? You figure it out.

'How three major LGBTQ centers are virtually keeping their communities alive' & other Wed midday news briefs

How 3 Major LGBTQ Centers Are Virtually Keeping Their Communities Alive - We need more good news like this. 

Campaign to Help LGBTQ Seniors Reminds Us Love Is Not Cancelled - Amen!

Coronavirus jeopardizes LGBTQ groups’ $22.6 million budget request - Well damn. This is not good. 

Mormon leaders address coronavirus pandemic, somehow manage to make it about ‘sinful’ gay sex - But don't they always?

Video montage proves how Fox News helped make the coronavirus and COVID-19 pandemic worse in America

I interrupt my usual banter because I feel that this is a video which needs to be seen and shared as much as possible. And it concerns all of us, including the LGBTQ community. Years ago, some folks said that Fox News was dangerous, not necessarily because of its right-wing conservative slant, but because of the lies and propaganda its personalities freely push in pursuit of that slant. These folks were pushed aside, laughed at, or generally ignored. Even when Fox News backed up Bush's "weapons of mass destruction" lie, undermined Obama at every turn, helped to transform Hillary Clinton into Satan's female twin in the eyes of many Americans, etc. etc., excuses were made for the network. 

And now we're here and no one is laughing. We rightfully blame Trump and his incompetence for how the coronavirus has negatively impacted this country. But let's not forget his helpers.At every turn, Fox News trivialized or made light of the pandemic. Instead of informing the country, its personalities bent over backwards to defend Trump or make excuses for him.   As the above video proves, Fox News should share equal blame for the lives lost in America during this COVID-19 pandemic. Everyone who works at Fox News - and I mean everyone - has blood on their hands. And I hope history never forgets.

'Children's cartoon DuckTales introduces gay dads. How long before religious right freak out?' & other Tue midday news briefs

DuckTales introduced gay dads as new characters & the web went quackers - Those were the positive comments. You just know the religious right isn't going to let this one slide. 

Hungary bill would ban transgender people from legally changing gender - Great. Hungary chooses to be a bastard of a country right now. 

 Log Cabin Wrongly Credits Trump With Easing Gay Blood Ban - Of course those jerks did. 

 Children's Author Jacqueline Wilson Comes Out at 74 - Better late than never.

Randy Rainbow salutes America's actual leader during the COVID-19 pandemic

As usual, Randy Rainbow astutely nails the point. To the tune of  'Sandy' from the musical Grease, he salutes the one person who has shown some semblance of leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic - New York governor Andrew Cuomo. Hilarious as always.  If Trump's smart, he will keep his mouth shut.

'How Trans and Nonbinary people are coping right now' & other Mon midday news briefs

How Trans And Nonbinary People Are Coping Right Now - It's a needed question. 

Coronavirus pandemic a perfect storm for LGBTQ homeless youth - Don't forget our kids.

 Trump says he had nothing to do with FDA easing gay blood ban - I can actually believe THAT. 

 Lawyer calls judge a “gay fat f*g” but claims he can’t be homophobic because he has a gay cousin - Oh the poor thing (eyeroll)

Franklin Graham points the finger at 'sin' for the coronavirus. Fails to see the three fingers pointing back at himself.

Franklin Graham

Franklin Graham on Saturday night talking with Jeanine Pirro on Fox:

. . .  Graham was asked to make sense of Covid-19’s worldwide devastation, and the Fox host wondered “How could God allow this thing to happen?” “Well, I don’t think it’s God’s plan for this to happen. It’s because of the sin that’s in the world,” Graham answered. “Man has turned his back on God, we have sinned against him, and we need to ask for God’s forgiveness and that’s what Easter’s all about.” After recalling the story of Easter, Graham continued to say “this pandemic, this is the result of a fallen world. A world that has turned its back on God.”

Also from Franklin Graham, but not last night when pontificating about sin. This was last year when he was defending Donald Trump (yet again):

“I don’t think the president is sitting there behind the desk trying to make up lies,” Graham said. “I don’t believe that for a second. Has he misspoken on something? Sure, all of us do that, you do it, I do it. So I think the president is trying to do the best that he can under very difficult circumstances,” the pastor added. 

 

At the time, Trump had been shown to have lied over 8,000 times. And then there are tweets from Graham about Trump like so:

It's the first time I have ever seen a supposed man of God calling out sin for the world's calamities while hoping that people forget how much sympathy he's shown for the devil.