Check out that quote on the picture above…Sybil always knew what to say!
She’s one of cult cinema’s most iconic Actresses – fearless and empowered!
As a fan of Cult Movie Queens, I want to celebrate the Icons, which led me to the legendary “empowered woman” of the 80’s, Sybil Danning!
Sybil Danning was born on May 24 in Austria – a US father in the armed forces and an Austrian Mom. She got her start in a number of obscure European films in the early 70’s, then graduated to more well known fare as “Bluebeard” with Richard Burton and “The Three Musketeers” and “The Four Musketeers”.
However, she was ready for cult stardom early – in fact, one of her earliest film roles was in this slice of “euro-sleaze” called “The Long Swift Sword Of Siegfried” – using the name Sybelle Danninger!
Her big break came in Roger Corman’s 1980 cult classic, “Battle Beyond the Stars” – check out this trailer, dripping with “Star Wars” sights, sounds and effects!
Here is the trailer:
How can you NOT become a cult movie Queen when they have you dressed like THIS?
She appeared in Playboy several times, which further cemented her reputation as one of the great sex kittens of the era…
But this may be my favorite exploitation film of hers – a classic slice of #wip “women in prison” that really raised the bar!
1983’s “Chained Heat” with Linda Blair is a great cult movie – first, the trailer:
This is a classic “women in prison” film as Linda Blair ends up in a woman’s prison for accidentally killing someone, and runs into Sybil Danning, the leader of the white prisoners….where do they meet? Well, it involves water of course:
This film is a great 80’s exploitation film: it has lots of action, violence, nudity, and of course, showers!
In fact, check out this poster art that focused just on that!
The film was a huge hit – this was exactly the type of film designed for grind house theaters in major cities – and drive-ins across the country…and also introduced us to another of the great Cult Actresses of the 80’s:
Yes, Linda Blair certainly grew up a lot since “The Exorcist” – click here to see more of her cult film work and her very racy nude photos in Oui magazine!
Along with her cult movie work, Danning managed to have a career that included more mainstream action films as well:
“Hercules” was next. Danning co-starred with Lou Ferrigno in this epic action film.
“Hercules” was rated “PG”, so Danning was a bit more covered up for this one, and had more time to showcase her acting and action skills…
That said, her continued exposure in men’s magazines made sure that fans stayed focused on all aspects of her career:
“They’re Playing With Fire” in 1984 once again showcased all of Danning’s natural assets…as the poster was clear to promise:
More “R”-rated action was next with “Malibu Express” , followed by “Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf” and “Reform School Girls”!
This film was played for laughs, while not forgetting the violence and nudity required of the genre.
Danning was also busy posing for lots of magazines, including Playboy…where this cover wowed her fans and what was inside was even better…
In 1990, her acting career was disrupted when she suffered a spinal disc herniation while rehearsing a film stunt, and Danning’s carer as a leading action star was over.
There was one final hurrah when Danning showed up in a faux trailer directed by Rob Zombie titled “Werewolf Women of the SS” for Quentin Tarantino’s “Grindhouse” film, and again in 2007 for Rob Zombie’s remake of “Halloween.”
Bravo to Sybil Danning for a terrific cult movie career – she was always an empowered woman!
Speaking of empowered women, how about Pam Grier?
She began her career in films that required her to shower – a lot:
Films like “The Big Doll House” and “Black Mama White Mama” led to her iconic roles in “Foxy Brown” and “Coffy” – see those trailers and lots of pictures by clicking on my story here:
Here’s another great Actress who wasn’t afraid to dive into the world of drive-in movies:
She was “Dirty Mary” and so much more!
See all of Susan George’s highlights here:
And here’s an Actress who also went back and forth between cult films and mainstream work:
Phyllis Davis was “Sweet Sugar” and more!
click here for her story!
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Leave a comment about your favorite “empowered woman” of cult cinema – Sybil Danning!
Categories: 70's Films, Books / Media, Camp Cult Classics, Classic Action Films, Cult Classics, Euro-Sleaze, Exploitation Films, Extreme Cinema, Grindhouse, JRsploitation, Nudity, sex kittens, Talent / Celebrites
JR-Sploitation! 
She also had a spectacular nude scene in The Red Queen Kills Seven Times. I just did a Sybil triple shot last week, with that, Julie Darling, and Reform School Girls 🙂
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thanks for sharing that!
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