Scream, Queen! My Nightmare on Elm Street

A wonderful, insightful look at the life of reclusive A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 star, Mark Patton. Groomed to be one of the next big young actors in the mid-80's, Patton disappeared from the scene after his agents were fearful that his performance as Jessie would turn him into a character actor who couldn't play straight. Considering this was at the height of 80's AIDS panic, Patton left the industry.

Patton finally gets his moment in the sun here and he's able to confront the filmmakers (some of whom blamed him for some of the criticisms the film received) and gets to finally tell his side of the story.

It's part coming of age story, parts AIDS saga, part love letter to horror fans, and 100% entertaining and even a bit moving. This one is definitely something horror fans and 80's gay historians will eat up.

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

If you're a fan of A Nightmare on Elm Street 2: Freddy's Revenge and all that goes along with it, I can't imagine you being bored or underwhelmed by this terrific documentary that finally brings that film's infamous lead actor, Mark Patton, into the spotlight and lets him tell his side of the story and why he left show business. The results are harrowing and frequently moving.

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

A compelling spotlight on reclusive actor Mark Patton who disappeared right after he seemed to be getting put on the Hollywood map. Scream, Queen deals with his fall from the graces of Hollywood due to the fear of AIDS and homophobia.

A Nightmare on Elm Street 2 has been one of the black sheep of the franchise for awhile and, in some ways, the hate is justified. The script has its weak spots, but let's get one thing straight - Mark Patton was never one of those weak spots. He turned in a committed, memorable, and game performance, going places that a lot of male actors are too scared to go. He wasn't scared to appear weak or genuinely frightened. Unfortunately, the world wasn't ready for it (and some would say they still aren't) and he paid the price.

For any gay horror fans or Hollywood historians, this is a must watch!