NPR's Book of the Day ‘Your Favorite Scary Movie’ and ‘Ready for My Close-Up’ are histories of iconic films
Aug 29, 2025
Ashley Cullins, an entertainment reporter and author of 'Your Favorite Scary Movie,' discusses the iconic 'Scream' franchise and its blend of horror and cultural commentary. She explores how the series evolved and the filmmakers' innovative secrecy. Alongside David Lubin, who delves into 'Sunset Boulevard,' they examine timeless themes of fame and aging in Hollywood. They highlight the films' impacts, drawing connections between historical and modern societal fears, showcasing how cinema constantly reflects our reality.
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Drew Barrymore Phone Scene Saved The Studio
- The Scream opening with Drew Barrymore's phone scene almost worried studio executives until they saw the edited sequence.
- Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson knew the tone and convinced executives by showing the assembled scene.
Sequels Were Made Like Spy Missions
- The Scream team treated sequels like spy operations to prevent leaks, printing uncopyable scripts and embedding margin codes.
- This secrecy mirrored rising fan internet culture and the studio's fear of spoilers.
Tech Evolves The Franchise's Scares
- Scream tracks technology shifts across films: from caller ID to movies-about-movies to live-streamed fame-seeking killers.
- The franchise uses tech change to update how audiences are scared and engaged.
