Girls, This Week's Bitch Is Also An Aunt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                   Honestly, darlings, the way I have been going on, you would think I have it in for aunts everywhere.  I really don't; some of my favorite relations were aunts.  But having wallowed both in aunts and trash this week, I thought what better way to acknowledge Bitch Of The Week by combining the two.  And so I found one, albeit fictional.

                                      Now, I know, some of you may already be asking, and I can almost hear you, "What about Shelley Winters in "Who Slew Auntie Roo?"  The trouble is, from "A Patch Of Blue" on, Shelley played so many bitches, it became a kind of career for her.  The truly outstanding Bitch Of The Week is one who distinguishes themselves singularly.

                                         Which brings us to this week's winner.  She is Dr. Martha Thomas, aka Aunt Martha, in the 1983 slasher classic, "Sleepaway Camp."

                                           First of all, I cannot believe that, next year, this classic film is going to be 30 years old!  It seems like yesterday, when it first appeared.  It followed the slasher formula in some ways, broke it in others, and its ending is still the most shocking among films of its kind.

                                            Aunt Martha's son Peter, and his cousin Anglea (sweetly played by a then 13-year-old Felissa Rose) are packed off to Camp Arawak, where, after a time, a series of mysterious deaths have the place in danger of closing down.  No one knows who is behind it. And when it is found out, well........

                                               Aside from Felissa, the highlights of the film are Karen Fields as Judy, who boasts the longest pony tail in film history, and is the embodiment of every pubescent bitch ever encoutnered duirng that time of life!  Not far behind her is Katherine Kamhi as counselor Meg, a real piece of work herself!  The role of Judy, by the way, was intended for a then 15-year-old Jane Krakowski, but when her mother saw the script, and realized how the character was going to be killed, she pulled Jane out of it.  Jane, of course, went on to other things, but for this film it is good Karen Fields was cast, because she is perfect.

                                                 I just love how she tosses and flounces her hair at Ricky,while talking.
       
                                                  Ricky: Who were those guys?
                                                  Judy: Just some BOYS I met today!!!!!!!
                                                  Ricky: What were you doing with them?
                                                  Judy:   Ricky, don't you know girls MATURE faster than boys?
                                                  Ricky: Come on now---
                                                  Judy: Ricky, I don't have TIME for your nonsense!

                                                But I am getting away from the real gem,  which is Desiree Gould as Aunt Martha.  Aunt Martha is like Charles Beaumont's "Miss Gentilbelle" played for laughs.  The very first time I saw this film I was convinced Aunt Martha was a man in drag. Without giving much away, I will say that this is a film  that plays around with the topic of gender confusion.

                                                 Aunt Martha is also a doctor, and, sweeties, if you can believe that, then I have a real estate deal for you!  I mean, if I walked into a physician's office, and Aunt Martha in a white coat popped out, I don't care who referred me, I would turn tail, and run!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                   So what makes Aunt Martha winner of this week's Raving Queen Bitch Of The Wedk Award?  I cannot say too much, except it has something to do with how she relates to her orphaned niece Angela.  Again, check on the "Miss Gentilbelle" reference, and you may figure it out!!!!!!!

                                                     But, as a bitch, Aunt Martha is perversely lovable and kooky!!!!!! And Desiree Gould plays her to a tee, making the most of the short time she is on film. Now a high powered real estate agent in Manhattan, it is a pity she did not act any more.  But, in a career where one is lucky if they come off with one defining role, Desiree Gould has achieved that as Aunt Martha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

                                                      So, congrats to Desiree, for her signatrue character!

                                                        And congratulations to Aunt Martha for being this week's Bitch Of The Week!

                                                          Too bad I never went to summer camp.  Or is it??????????