Ghoulnextdoor.com
For a time during my teens and early twenties I didn't
feel entirely comfortable with my notoriety as the zombie kid. When I
was very young, any attention I received as a result of my
participation in the film tended to be negative, or, at
least, it felt that way to me. I loathed being the center of attention
for any reason, so any attention I did get felt creepy even if it was
intended as simple curiosity or flattery. Two awful girls (twins --
both evil) I went to high school with picked on me mercilessly until
someone told them that I'd been in the movie. Suddenly, they wanted to
be my best friends. From that point on I didn't trust the motives of
people who were just finding out I had a zombie in my closet; I told no
one. Night of the Living Dead hadn't yet attained the cult status
it now enjoys, and I felt like an oddity. I had no idea at the time
that the film had made such an impact on people, for better or for
worse, and I wanted to sweep that aspect of my life aside.
In 1988 I was invited to attend a Horror/Sci-fi/Comic convention and it
changed my view of the whole experience. People there were genuinely
interested in the movie, and they didn't make me feel like a freak. It
was through the eyes of dedicated horror fans that I began to
appreciate the movie on its own merits and was finally able to fully
embrace my inner zombie. Read more...
Senses inverted
Hearing, sight fade to mem'ry
Smell, touch, taste ... again
~Judy Hennessey
