My friend Christine is an expert on Lizzie Borden. (She had to become one to write her new novel, Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter!) So, since her book is being released on September 13, 2016, I thought I’d turn my site over to her for a special post. Oh! You should all rush out and buy the book! I’ve read some of it in pre-releaze, but I’ve already ordered my copy and can’t wait to find out how the whole thing turns out! Now, take it away, Christine! — SDS
Comment (with email to Christine) or go to her blog, http://girlzombieauthors.
Email is required for entry. Contest ends 9/14.
Lizzie Borden in Film
By Christine Verstraete
This is another stop on the release blog tour for Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter.
Please order on Sept. 13 – release day – to give the book a boost!!!!
Thanks, Stephen, for letting me take up some of your blog space!
As Steve is a huge movie buff (ask him how many movies he has!), I figured it was a natural to talk about the Lizzie Borden movies.
As little is known about Lizzie personally, except for the newspaper reports and a few letters that have filtered down through history (and most of that being in the rumor and innuendo department), that gap has provided writers and film makers with a fertile ground for their imaginations.
Surprisingly, not many films have been made about Lizzie — at least mainstream movies, not counting underground, low-budget movies. Most interesting is the one main film that probably has had the biggest effect on what we think of Lizzie.
Elizabeth Montgomery (TV’s Bewitched) was the first to give us the notion of a murderous nude Lizzie in the 1975 film, The Legend of Lizzie Borden. The film, which was rather shocking at the time, shows a partially undressed Lizzie standing over her father with the hatchet. The idea did come down in history, however, and I believe was one of the “ridiculous” suggestions offered at the trial. ( Sorry, I can’t find my source at the moment.)
Interestingly, the movie won a 1976 Edgar award for Best Television Feature or Miniseries, won Primetime Emmys for film editing and costume design, and was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Picture Made for Television in 1976.
Most recently, Lizzie Borden was given a more sinister, serial killer, horror persona when played by Christina Ricci in the TV movie, Lizzie Borden Took An Axe (2014), The film starts with a rather jarring rock music background that makes you wonder how that fits into the time period. The follow-up mini-series provides a better experience and story overall.
The story is continued in the eight-episode Lifetime series, The Lizzie Borden Chronicles (2015). Ricci was nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award in 2016 for outstanding performance by a female actor.
I enjoyed all these presentations. I remember thinking, when I first watched the Elizabeth Montgomery movie, that this was an entirely different role for Montgomery. Watching it again recently, it was interesting to see how she portrayed Lizzie as seemingly guileless, yet secretive.
In contrast, Christina played Lizzie more cunning, her evil bubbling just beneath the surface. She was sly, evil, and cruel, but a lady with a smile. Just don’t cross her. The series was much bloodier, as well.
… I’m intrigued to know if Steve saw either movie and what he thought?
(Steve Notes: I’ve seen the Montgomery, but will have to seek out the Ricci!)
Your Turn: If you saw both movies, who do you think played Lizzie better or which did you prefer?
…In keeping with the films, here are a few paragraphs of “my” Lizzie from chapter 1 of Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter:
Lizzie reeled back, her panic growing as her spine pressed against the fireplace. She pushed and fought in an attempt to keep this monster away, yet Mrs. Borden’s ugly face and snapping teeth edged closer and closer.
Then Lizzie spotted it: the worn hatchet Father had left behind after he’d last brought in the newly chopped wood. No, no! Her mind filled with horror, but when her stepmother came at her again, Lizzie whispered a prayer for forgiveness and grabbed the handle. She lifted the hatchet high overhead and swung as hard as she could. It hit her stepmother’s skull with a sickening thud.
As impossible as it seemed, Mrs. Borden snarled and continued her attack.
—From Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter by C.A. Verstraete
About the Book:
Every family has its secrets…
One hot August morning in 1892, Lizzie Borden picked up an axe and murdered her father and stepmother. Newspapers claim she did it for the oldest of reasons: family conflicts, jealousy and greed. But what if her parents were already dead? What if Lizzie slaughtered them because they’d become zombies?
Thrust into a horrific world where the walking dead are part of a shocking conspiracy to infect not only Fall River, Massachusetts, but also the world beyond, Lizzie battles to protect her sister, Emma, and her hometown from nightmarish ghouls and the evil forces controlling them.
Follow the blog tour and be sure to get your copy of Lizzie Borden, Zombie Hunter in print and Kindle Sept. 13!
BUY: http://getbook.at/LizzieBordenZombieHunter
Add it on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31553183-lizzie-borden-zombie-hunter
Website: http://cverstraete.com – Blog: http://girlzombieauthors.blogspot.com
Yes, there is a contest to win 1 of 10 Kindle copies (ends 9/14.).
Entrants MUST enter an email as a blog comment or on the rafflecopter
to be sent a gift copy, if they win.
Sorry, no time to hunt you down. No email, no chance to win.
And please, review it on Goodreads and Amazon.
Think you know Lizzie Borden? Read on! The blog tour schedule is:
Mon. Sept 5 – GirlZombieAuthors – Introduction – A Little About Lizzie
Tues. Sept. 6 – Jaime Johnesee blog – 12 Questions for Lizzie Borden
Weds. Sept. 7 – Jean Rabe’s blog – Lizzie Borden… Dog Lover?
Thurs. Sept. 8 – AF Stewart blog interview
Fri. Sept. 9 – Haunt Jaunts blog – More Lizzie
Sat. Sept. 10 – Stephen D. Sullivan blog – Lizzie Films
Sun. Sept. 11 – GirlZombieAuthors recap
Camille Minichino blog – Why oh why zombies?
Mon. Sept. 12 – Horror Maiden’s Book Reviews
Tues. Sept. 13 – RELEASE DAY!!!
Zombies and Toys Review!
Join the FB Release Party – prizes, guest authors, zombie fun!! (See info posted on my Facebook page and website.)
Weds. Sept. 14 – Lizzie as a Zombie Hunter – Chapter Break Book Blog
Thanks Steve! I don’t know about being an “expert,” but I learned a lot about Lizzie I never knew before! Hope others enjoy finding out new facts, too!