Entertainment Earth

3/27/2016

Horror Crush: Cristina Raines

First off, I hope you are all having a Happy Easter. If you don't celebrate Easter, then I hope you are at least having a happy Sunday! Anyways, I want you to think of me as a special horror loving bunny that brings you horror hotness, today, as I'm giving you a new addition to my Horror Crushes! It might have been a while, since I last gave you one, but I promised there would be more to come! This time it's stunning brunette Cristina Raines!

The beautiful Cristina Raines was born in Manila, Philippines on Feb. 28, 1952. Her parents were American, her father of Colombian and Swedish/ German descent, while her mom was of Scottish/ Irish decent. While, she might be best known for her role the soap Flamingo Road, where she played Lane Ballou, horror fans best know her from Michael (Death Wish 1-3) Winner's Satanic horror flick The Sentinel (1977).
The Sentinel tells the tale of a beautiful model (Raines) who moves to a Brooklyn apartment. She sees that she has some very eccentric neighbors, including a crazy, but seemingly nice old man (Burgess Meredith), a horny and predatory lesbian couple (Sylvia Miles and Beverly D'Angelo), perhaps most creepy of all- a blind priest (horror legend John Carradine) who just sits in front of his window, and others. She is soon haunted by horrific images and apparitions. And, we eventually learn that the building stands on a doorway to hell.
The movie features an amazing cast. Aside from the aforementioned it also has Christopher Walken, Tom Berenger, Chris Sarandon, Jeff Goldbulm, and more. It's deliberately paced, and very creepy. The climax is really exciting. While, the gore effects by Dick Smith are excellent and quite bloody. Raines is excellent in her role, and she is perfectly cast as a supermodel. You care for her, and admit ably she looks great in her negligee. I think this is a solid movie, that does get some praise but is, at times, underrated. It's also kind of politically incorrect, in it's use of real life freaks and in its portrayal of lesbians, but if you can look over that, you will love this movie. Regardless, of how that makes you feel, I know you will love Raines! Scream Factory put out a blu-ray sometime back that looks and sounds great and has lots of cool extra-features, including running commentary by Raines.
 
 
The only other horror flick she did was anthology flick Nightmares. Her story has her driving around with a killer in backseat. I never seen this one, have any of you? If so please share your thoughts with me!
 
She was also on Alfred Hitchcock Presents, but that's where her horror work ends. With dark hair, gorgeous eyes, a stunning face, and a beautiful body Raines is an awe-inspiring vision of beauty. Her acting talent makes her more than just pretty face, though. Having starred in such a great 70s horror film like The Sentinel will keep horror fans talking about her and falling in love with her!

2 comments:

Alan's World said...

Gio, SHOUT FACTORY has also released on DVD & BLURAY, the film NIGHTMARES with an audio commentary also by Ms. Raines, who was quite good in her segment of the film "TERROR IN TOPANGA". By the way, Ms. Raines also appeared in another thriller with nude scenes by her in Andy Sidaris' STACEY(1974) which was Andy Sidaris' first film since he later made MALIBU EXPRESS, HARD TICKET TO HAWAII, SAVAGE BEACH and many others

Giovanni Deldio said...

Yes, I remember now that Shout Factory was coming to release that. Chill that Raines dies commentary!
Interesting about that Sidaris flick. Used to watch his boob and bullet movies when I was in college.