JOAN COLLINS IN ‘THE BRAVADOS’

Who doesn’t love Joan Collins? A lot of people I imagine. But in the gay community she is adored. Ever since her DYNASTY days she has become a permanent fixture in our lives thanks mostly to her riveting performance of scheming Alexis Carrington. Consequently, I’ve always enjoyed watching her in anything that has her name on it, whether it’s a guest spot on some ill-fated TV show, or a starring role in some TV-movie or miniseries; heck, even a simple TV commercial like that Cinzano one which has become a classic in its hilariousness will do. In our eyes, she always makes everything interesting. So of course when I had the chance to catch her again in the 1958 revenge western film THE BRAVADOS, playing the love interest of Gregory Peck, I immediately thought of ‘blog entry’ since, like I said, we do love our Joan.

So here she is in a western playing against type and I couldn’t be happier. Not exactly true, for she is little seen and the picture should belong to her. What we have instead is a second billing performance of a female Mexican rancher who is the former flame of the star. She is all young but still recognizable with those sultry eyes. Named Josefa, she is the voice of reason for a man who is mind-set on killing the 4^th and last fugitive who he thinks murdered his wife. Not an easy task for her, since he is one heck of a vindictive avenger. Nonetheless she succeeds at it and ends up running off into the sunset with him. Or it is led to believe that she will.

The film reminds me of the Steve McQueen vehicle NEVADA SMITH which is based on the character in THE CARPETBAGGERS by Harold Robbins. This one is from 1966 and has the same revenge theme. Despite both westerns being not exactly my cup of tea I got to say they are still quite fetching in their deliveries. Gregory Peck certainly manages to hold his own and though I’ve never seen him in anything else, I doubt that he is just one trick pony of an actor. As for Joan Collins, well, the lack of chemistry with Peck barely helps matters but looking pretty or having presence does, so there’s that. And besides, if nothing else it got her to do next the funny RALLY ‘ROUND THE FLAG, BOYS in which she plays a sexy married neighbour who has the hots for Paul Newman (who wouldn’t?). If you guys have yet to see this one I suggest you check it out, as you should THE BRAVADOS if only to support our Joan in a tamer role.

I’ve never heard of her talk about this film in interviews. I’m sure it’s mentioned in her autobiography PAST IMPERFECT which I’m ashamed to say I have yet to read. I always feel like I’ve never seen enough films to venture into one’s biography.  At the rate that I’m going right now I should probably scratch that idea. I don’t want to miss the party before my time comes. And we all know how fast time passes by nowadays.

Until next post—Martin

‘THE THUNDER GIRLS’ BY MELANIE BLAKE

Ever since that damn COVID-19 entered my life I hardly had time concentrating on anything else, like this blog of mine, for example, which I have been running for quite some time. I even contemplated giving it up since my free time these days has been mostly spent recuperating in bed instead of enjoying a good book or watching a good flick. But now that I have finally regained some sense of normality by working part time at the hospital again I can happily say that I do intend on continuing with The Sleaze Factor after all. Talking to you guys via my little reviews is too important to me, and quite honestly, I just can’t see myself abandoning this precious ship of mine. So without further ado let’s get right down to business.

Last week I caught the much-appreciated The Go-Go’s documentary. Seeing this girl group again and witnessing their rise and fall through interviews and archives made me realize how important their music was, and still is, in an industry controlled mostly by men. THE THUNDER GIRLS (2019, Pan) by Melanie Blake reminds me of The Go-Go’s, four talented women who make it big and lose it all when one of them decides to go solo during the heights of their success in the late ‘80s. It’s easy to imagine the hurt, the jealousy, the betrayal that the rest of the women felt and still do in 2019 when they are asked to regroup for a once in a lifetime performance at the Wembley Stadium. They may be now older but, boy, far are they from being wiser—that is until they are forced to put the past behind when trouble comes a-knocking.

I really enjoyed THE THUNDER GIRLS. It is well-paced and has a fair amount of characterization in between the bitchery. And trust me, there is a lot of bitchery, enough to fill—pun intended—an entire stadium. Secrets, lies, revenge, obsession, there are no dull moments in this first time effort. First time by the Melanie Blake name, that is. The author has previously ghost-written two celeb fiction titles which shall remain nameless to protect the guilty ones. This may probably be the reason why THE THUNDER GIRLS barely feels like a first novel. Blake always keeps a tight rein on her clear-lined plot, and once the reader hits the mid-section mark, the roller-coaster ride gets even trickier. I can’t say I was always surprised by the many revelations but I sure was intrigued by their swift and girl-powered denouements. Yes, THE THUNDER GIRLS is certainly worth the stops. It’s definitely up there with the strongest of the glam-fiction novels. If you love this endangered sub-genre as much as I do (which hopefully the success of this book will revive), then dig in, my friends, just dig in.

You can get a copy of THE THUNDER GIRLS wherever books are sold.

Until next post—Martin