The local horror scene is bustling with events this July—here are a few to help you get your summer scare on.
Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street
July 18-28
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByllIV1l8k6/At the time of its release in 1985, A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy’s Revenge was described in some reviews as “the gayest horror movie ever made.” Unfortunately for its star, Mark Patton, the homophobic backlash to the movie ended his career right as it was beginning to take off. This new documentary follows Patton as he travels to horror conventions around the country and grapples with being cinema’s first male “scream queen.” The doc will screen as part of OutFest.
Last Podcast on the Left
July 21
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bpz6c69hWOL/The hit horror-themed show stages a live recording at Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Cohosts Ben Kissel, Marcus Parks, and Henry Zebrowski delve into all things strange and sinister, from the Jonestown massacre to the history of serial killers, interjecting plenty of humor and sass along the way. Their Hollywood Forever episode will cover the Dogman, a cryptid wolf who walks like a human; as well as UFOs; conspiracy theories; and a professional wrestling true-crime story. Visit a few famous graves—Johnny Ramone’s and Jayne Mansfield’s are popular photo opps—before settling down on the Fairbanks Lawn with a picnic for an evening of frightful stories.
Dead Right Horror Trivia Night
July 25
https://www.instagram.com/p/BvTGAxklt4b/A number of occult-themed shops are located within a few blocks of each other on Magnolia Boulevard in Burbank, making it a hub for L.A.’s horror community. Once a month horror fans and industry professionals meet at comics and memorabilia shop Blast from the Past for Dead Right Horror Trivia Night (July 25) to test their genre knowledge. Rebekah McKendry, a professor in USC’s cinematic arts department, and Jared Rivet, a screenwriter whose credits include Jackals and Nickelodeon’s Are You Afraid of the Dark?, have been running the event since 2015. Prizes include limited-edition DVDs of horror classics. Participation does require registration, so track Dead Right Horror Trivia Night on Facebook to sign up in time.
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