After we took the final AP English exam in 12th grade, there were still 3 weeks of school left. The teacher told us we could watch two movies during the last classes. He chose The Lion in Winter, a classic play which was turned into a great film. And one of the students brought in The Evil Dead starring Bruce Campbell. Not what you'd call an educational film, but it did make me a lifelong fan of Bruce.
If Chins could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor is not only Bruce Campbell's autobiography, but a fabulous and funny tale about the "countless working stiffs... out there, grinding away every day at the wheel of fortune." Raised in Detroit, Bruce starts working with Sam Raimi on 8mm movies in high school. They raise funds, produce, write, direct, act and do their own stunts. Devoted to making films any way they can, Bruce and Sam collaborate on the low budget Evil Dead movie, which turns out not only to be a success, but spawns two other films in a highly popular series. The book conveys the spirit of commitment and determination needed to make a truly independent film. And page 108 has a useful recipe for fake blood- it's never to early to think about Halloween!
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