Showtime 8 p.m.
On June 13 at The Sentient Bean coffeehouse on Forsyth Park, the Psychotronic Film Society continues its award-winning weekly series of critically acclaimed and/or unjustly obscure feature films from around the world with a 25th anniversary memorial tribute to Golden Globe-winning actor Ray Sharkey, who died in 1993 at the age of 40 from complications related to AIDS.
Sharkey is perhaps best remembered for key roles in such films as 1980′s “The Idolmaker” and “Willie & Phil,” and the late-’80s TV action dramas “Wiseguy” and “Crime Story.” However, this versatile and charismatic actor (whose career began on the stage) battled a number of personal demons and substance abuse issues, which led to him also appearing in many low-budget films of questionable quality and content. One such example would be the forgotten 1985 exploitation picture “HellHole,” which is essentially a cross between a “women in prison” movie and a medical horror flick.
It boasts an amazing cast of B- and C-level actors known for their work in sleazy trash cinema, including Mary “Eating Raoul” Woronov, Robert “Maniac Cop” Z’Dar and Marjoe “Starcrash” Gortner. It’s the story of a woman who’s struck with amnesia after witnessing the murder of her mother by a creepy criminal (Sharkey), and subsequently winds up in an unorthodox mental institution for women where the patients are subjected to illegal brain experiments by a sadistic, power-mad doctor.
The PFS will screen the most complete cut of this campy slice of late-period grindhouse fare known to exist. Watch for “Ilsa” herself, cult actress Dyanne Thorne, in a small role.