Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street

I'm 37 and a lifelong Elm Street fan. Anytime someone from the Elm Street Family has a new project, I always like to support it, because they've brought me such happiness my whole life by being a part of a series that has, oddly enough, helped me get through some very tough times. I've followed Mark Patton on social media for a while now, and have been following the making of this documentary, as well, so I knew some of his story, but certainly not the whole story. I jumped at the opportunity to be able to see a screening of this, because for someone like me, it was required viewing (the good kind of required viewing, of course). However, here's the thing; it's not just a documentary for someone like me. It's also for someone like you, or someone like your neighbor, or someone like the stranger waiting to catch the bus. What I'm saying is that it's for everyone. The story it tells is something everyone should hear. But story is probably the wrong word, because I hear the word story and works of fiction come to mind; however the subject matter of "Scream, Queen" is all too real, true, and heartbreaking. It also shows the importance of closure, and how finding it can be a painful process, but ultimately worth it, and inspiring for others. Watching this doc will be worth it for you, too, so if you have a chance to watch it, please, do yourself a favor and jump at it like I did. It's an emotional ride, but a wholly satisfying one, regardless of whether or not you're a fan of Elm Street. -Joe Altomere

This was a really frustrating watch! On one hand, it highlighted what we already know about "Showbiz" and its view of homosexuality and treatment of minorities (Really, has much changed?) On the other hand it presented us with Mark Patton, who for 30 years has remained bitter and much like the character he played a "victim". For me, on some level I could empathise, but then part of me just wanted to shake him and say "Get over it" As he says, he made the decision not to pursue acting, his choice. As a gay man I too have been called names, but this did not stop me, in fact it made me stronger and more determined that ever. I agree with Jack Sholder (Director of Nightmare On Elm Street Part 2) when he says to Mark, move on, get over it and stop blaming David Chaskin (Screenwriter) for his decision to leave showbiz. At some point, we all need to take responsibility for ourselves.

Mark is a presented as a fragile human being, and he even states that at the time of the movies release and backlash, he was a closeted gay actor with a dying lover, so he had so much going on and needed to compromise to much to work in the Hollywood system! This movie may have done him a favor, and acted as catalyst that sees him, alive and happy today, despite his personal setbacks.

I personally am grateful for his generation of activists who have paved the way for me, and others to live and breath is a less prejudiced world. This documentary, to me, was just OK, a little preachy in places and uneven.

Worth a watch? Yes! But not brilliant by a long shot

The information has been circulating for years but we finally hear the truth in this excellent documentary that gives insight into A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge. It can now be laid to rest. Never a more pertinent time in American history than right now to understand how oppression affects individual lives and society as a whole. I enjoyed seeing Mark Patton being so honest as well as getting to know what an amazing man Robert England is. Thank you for this documentary. I hope everyone has a chance to watch it.

I'd been interested in whatever happened to Mark Patton since I was a kid and fell in love with the Nightmare on Elm Street series. This documentary brings him out of seclusion and, it turns out, he had a pretty compelling set of reasons for leaving the business altogether.

For Patton, what should have been an exciting time in his life (he was young, attractive, and starring as the lead in a huge horror sequel) became a literal nightmare when he found out his lover with HIV positive and he might be infected as well. Add in the Hollywood homophobia and fear that he'd be outed at any minute and have his dreams shattered and one can see why he decided to leave Hollywood before it discarded him.

It's nice to see this film and performance, often cited as nothing more than a quirky footnote in the Nightmare series, getting a full length documentary treatment. There are tons of interesting facts that fans of the film will enjoy.

Chronicling the gayest horror movie ever made, Nightmare on elm street 2 Freddy's Revenge. The documentary centers around Mark Patton who at the time was not an out gay actor and how the reputation stalled his career. But even more than that the film chronicles the outlook of Hollywood on it's gay artists and the effects of the industry people had to endure. Surprisingly the movie also investigates the Aids epidemic. Although it wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. I loved that the makers weren't afraid to go into the darker stuff. I wish it could have touched a little deeper with Patton himself. But the film does give me a new found appreciation for him and the struggle he went through. As a kid I never picked up on the in your face subtext. And if I'm being honest although I liked it I never counted this entry as one of my favorites. But over the past few years and understanding it more I definitely have a new love for it.

4/5