R.I.P. Tura Satana – Goddess of the Female Badass
I don’t know about you, but when someone mentions the term “Cinematic Female Badass”, I think if Tura Satana’s role of Varla in Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! Sure, there have been recent female badasses that have graced the silver screen, but no one was as seductive and menacing as Varla. I had the chance to meet her a few times back in 2008 in Toronto and here in St. Louis. My friend Tom Stockman even helped bring her to the Way Out Club to hang out, watch Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and even judge a burlesque contest. I’m truly saddened to give you the news that Tura Satana has passed on. The star of Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! and Astro-Zombies died yesterday at 5pm in Reno, NV at the age of 75. When I met her 3 years ago she was still full of spunk and didn’t take shit from anyone. She was totally open about her past and was an influential role model on women. We will miss you Tura.
You can check out the recorded Q&A that I did in conjunction with Rue Morgue Magazine below:
Andy Triefenbach
Andy Triefenbach is the Editor-in-Chief and owner of DestroytheBrain.com. In addition to his role on the site, he also programs St. Louis' monthly horror & exploitation theatrical midnight program, Late Nite Grindhouse. Coming from a household of a sci-fi father and a horror/supernatural loving mother, Andy's path to loving genre film was clear. He misses VHS and his personal Saturday night 6 tape movie marathons from his youth.
Les Cabrero
Splendid, as a gentleman would say. Brilliant work on this writing. I sincerely adore it .