Tura Legend: A Goddess’ Adventures in the Windy City. By Brian Kirst. Photos by Coye Vega.
Halloween couldn’t have gotten much better for horror and cult film lovers in Illinois. Tura Satana – famed for her no shit performances in Faster Pussycat Kill, Kill, Kill and the horror- science fiction oddity Astrozombies – was in town for a number of events, livening things up with her life-lusting, sweetly admirable ways.
First off, Satana went the q and a route with Movieside Productions’ Rusty Nails and Horror 101 editor Aaron Christensen on October 29th at the Music Box Theatre. After a sparkling showing of Pussycat, Satana revealed how she helped keep order on Russ Meyers’ set by teaching her co-stars how to drive stick shift and by not allowing an overbearing stage mother to steal Meyers’ focus. Satana also detailed how she scared the bejesus out of an arrogant audience member at the film’s initial premiere in San Francisco. The obnoxious gentlemen loudly proclaimed how he could easily defeat Satana’s overpowering character throughout the film’s showing. As Satana rose to take the stage at the film’s end, she looked the now frightened jock in the eye and threateningly asked – “So, you think you can take me on?!”
The next night at the Tattoo Factory Gallery (4443 N. Broadway) in an art show dedicated totally to her glorious, often hard won life, Satana also proved how beautifully thankful and kind she can be. She graciously donated items of clothing to be auctioned off for the benefit of a battered women’s shelter and answered her fans’ questions with grace and humor. Besides, the amazing art work honoring her, the uniquely talented local burlesque troupe The Flaming Dames performed a scintillating tribute act inspired by Satana’s dancing years. Local legend Cynthia Plaster Caster was also in attendance, anxious to talk to Satana about her remarkable career.
The giving Satana also left something behind – the Tattoo Factory Gallery will be running her tribute show until the end of the year. B-Movie fans and art admirers alike are encouraged to stop by to witness the glorious skill and imagination of everyone involved in this special, totally original showing.
Of course, the amazing Satana, herself, can always be reached at www.turasatana.com. Take a look. It’s guaranteed she’d love to hear from you.
