'Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill!' star Tura Satana has died

[tuvor]

Actress Tura Satana died yesterday in Reno, Nev., according to the New York Times. Satana appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, including Billy Wilder’s 1963 film Irma la Douce. The colorful and curvaceous actress also worked as an exotic dancer and once turned down a proposal of marriage from Elvis Presley. But it was her role as the sexy, violent Varla in Russ Meyer’s 1965 film Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! which would ultimately turn her into a cult icon as, over time, the movie acquired an army of diehard fans. John Waters once described the film as ”the best movie ever made, and possibly better than any movie that will ever be made.”

“A woman, like my character, was able to show the male species that we’re not helpless and not entirely dependent on them,” Satana said of Varla, in 2008. “People picked up on the fact that women could be gorgeous and sexy and still kick a–.”

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2011/02/05/tura-satana-dies/

[mike_c]

1. that's her on the left (dialup warning)....

[tiny elvis]

8. she was just scary

some might say a handsome woman
but i do not recall ever seriously proposing to her

[krispos42]

13. I came across that movie one night on AMC or something.

Maybe six months ago...? Maybe more. Incredible figure, incredible character.


Dean Koontz in his book "Hanging On" describes the two primary, basic motivations of humans: avoiding death as long as possible while grabbing as much sex as possible. Her character in that movie DEFINITELY put both motivations at loggerheads.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Man, do I remember her.

:hippie:

[Warpy]

3. That film was a breath of fresh air in 1963

when the female leads all wore stupid spike heeled shoes in every scene and fell down and had to be carried by manly men wherever they were going. It was tiresome to those of us who wore tennies or sandals and never fell down, at all.

A woman who didn't need to be rescued was great, even if the flick was a b-movie and she was one of the baddies.

[TheMadMonk]

4. That's not "curvaceous". That is most definitely "busty".

She's a got a bloody big a "hands".

[thelordofhell]

5. Got to talk to her at a Faster Pussycat! Kill! Kill! screening

She was a hoot!! Absolutely aware of her cult status and damn proud of it!! R.I.P. Varla, you earned it

[frylock]

6. saw faster pussycat at the ken in '95..

really cool film.

[stevedeshazer]

7. Isn't this interesting? As a midaged guy I find them more attractive than the skinny ones of today

Your mileage may vary.

[Kurovski]

9. Rest in Peace, baby.

[BrightKnight]

10. It was a great first date move.

I took a girl to a Russ Meyer festival and we were together for about 8 years. Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! definitely broke the ice.

[NuttyFluffers]

11. *gasp* No! aww, rest in peace Tura.

:cry:

[blondeatlast]

12. One of the movies I've always wanted to see but never have. I like tough women

with an edge, especially when they use their sexuality for power.

Guess what's getting bumped to first in my Netflix queue?! RIP; sounds like a womAn Hollywood needs more of!