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

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!

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.

An incredible film that compiles these amazing, surreal & inspiring stories of our culture, our timeline, our courage & our community. I'm so glad I was finally able to watch it <3.

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