Rachel Robbins

Joined April 2021

167 stories

Bio

Writer-Performer based in the North of England. A joyous, flawed mess.

Please read my stories and enjoy. And if you can, please leave a tip. Money raised will be used towards funding a one-woman story-telling, comedy show.

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Stories (167)

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Storm Warning (1951). Top Story - February 2024.
*Spoiler Alert* It is rare to talk about Doris Day coupled with threat and menace. Storm Warning is a dark melodrama from 1951 which features the story of sisters Marsha (Ginger Rogers) and Lucy (Doris Day).
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
I am sorry, Brianna Ghey. Content Warning.
On 11 February 2023, Brianna Ghey was murdered in a premeditated, transphobic attack by two teenagers. There have been many difficult conversations that have had to be had.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Pride
Hammered Gold
Phoebe was right. Finn doesn’t hoover under the sofa. I’m amongst dust, fluff, debris. A foul smell is festering. A social climbdown.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Fiction
Teacher’s Pet (1958)
I am a big Doris Day fan. When I went away to university I had a poster of her in my student halls room (alongside one of Billie Holiday, because I’m nothing if not quirky and eclectic). I wrote my undergraduate dissertation on Day, despite her making her last movie before I was born. I had seen Calamity Jane as a young girl and it left a lasting impression on me. I was entranced by the feisty young woman who had to mould herself into the ideal of womanhood. I loved her energy, her physical comedy and her sweet singing.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
Three Classic British Films to Watch for the Fever-Dream Experience
I have been blessed/cursed with being a vivid dreamer. Last night, I dreamt about touring with Midge Ure from Ultravox, as his comedy support. (There was also a sub-plot scandal involving footballer, Wayne Rooney). Midge and I were stuck on a motorway in a camper van full of leaflets and I could feel the gentle humming of the engine as we panicked about making our next gig. I woke up with my hefty cat, sitting purring on my chest.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
Aspiring Artist
Have I grabbed your attention with a picture of one of the most famous murders committed to celluloid? Good, then I’ll begin.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Writers
Gaslight (1944)
“I couldn’t have dreamed it. No, I couldn’t. I couldn’t have dreamed it. No, I couldn’t have dreamed it. I couldn’t have dreamed it. Did I dream? Did I really, really, dream? Dream, dream.” (Paula Alquist-Anton)
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
Butterfly McQueen (8 January 1911 – 22 December 1995). Top Story - January 2024.
During the filming of Affectionately Yours (1941), Merle Oberon told friends that the film was a “dud”. And she wasn’t wrong. It is a mis-step of a comedy, based on the idea that two intelligent and exceptionally beautiful women would care about and compete over a philandering liar. Big names and talents wasted on a silly, pointless script. It is not just my 21st century sensibilities that baulk at the chaotic, broad comedy. It did poorly at the time, finishing 166th at the box office for 1941, despite the three-way draw of Rita Hayworth, Merle Oberon and Dennis Morgan. It also had the talents of Academy award winner Hattie McDaniel in yet another maid role. And the unique voice and spirit of Butterfly McQueen is used merely to punctuate the comedy with shrieks and laughs. (Notice neither of them make it onto the poster…)
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
The Consequences of Stealing Giggles
“Do you understand why you are here, Miss Henshaw?” “Ms.” “I don’t think the title matters.” “Oh believe me, it matters, Detective.”
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Criminal
Christmas in Connecticut (1945)
Ah the Christmas movie! We all know the ones, where a corporate high-flying career woman reluctantly finds herself in small-town America, covered in snow, to end up in an outlandish meet-cute with a traditional man who teaches her the true meaning of Christmas.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
Veronica Lake (1922 – 1973)
My 1940’s imaginary screen-writing persona knows that Hollywood studio executives worked without a Human Resources Department. There was no talk of employee well-being, anti-discrimination legislation, or duty of care. There were films. And there was money.
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks
In a Lonely Place (1950)
Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) declared loneliness to be a global public health concern. How do we understand loneliness?
By Rachel Robbins2 years ago in Geeks