Classic Horror Lives

classic horror magazines

2007-11-24T11:59:00.000-08:00

Classic horror Magazines then and now

When one thinks of classic horror magazines Famous Monsters of Filmland is of course the first to come to mind but there have been so many others that have made a great contribution to the classic horror genre. Monster World was short lived but was right there along with FM, so was Monster Madness aka. Monsters Unlimited which took great classic horror stills and added in comical dialogue to the scene. We also had Creepy, Eerie, Vampirella, Castle of Frankenstein, Monsters Unleashed, Monsters of the Movies, Monster Parade, Monster Bash and that's just name a few. More recently there has been Fangoria, Scary Monsters, Monsters of the Vault and they just keep coming.

You just can't help but love all of these and want to own each and every one. With the help of Ebay you can make a good attempt at it but that just won't happen no matter how much you invest your time and money into it.

One of the best parts of these magazines is seeing and hearing a lot of the behind the scenes stuff that normally would not be accessible to your average classic horror fan. We are so used to seeing these monsters doing the normal menacing and such that when you get the opportunity to see them smoking a cigarette or playing cards at lunch is really a treat.

Of course the advertisements always offer many great classic accessories such as masks, models, records, and all sorts of goodies that are a must have even though you are going to lose or destroy whatever it is within a couple days of getting it.

Favorite Classic Horror Goodies

2007-11-01T13:40:00.000-07:00

Classic Horror Collectible Memories

I love it when I am browsing at a store and find a new Universal Monsters item available, but you still just can't beat the great original items from the 70's and earlier. Aurora model kits, Mego Mad Monsters, Don Post Masks, AHI figures, Palmolive Soakies for some reason have always had a special appeal to me, one could go on and on. Check out my earlier blog where I have pictures of some of my current collection. I see a lot of older classic horror goodies at various antique stores but usually these items are way overpriced and there they remain for someone with more money to burn then I tend to have available.

When I started getting the Aurora Models in the 70's they were the glow in the dark series in the square boxes. I believe at the time they were maybe a $1.50 or somewhere around there and if I could only go back in time I would spend all my allowance money on them and stash them away unopened for days like today. but of course being a kid it's all about actually using them and enjoying them the way they were meant to be.

Don Post masks seemed to be much better back then compared to what I see on the shelf today as far as the current masks with the Don Post name on them. They aren't bad, but something seems to be missing. Perhaps there was just less to compare them too at that time.

Everything seems to be getting re-released which is perfectly fine with me, most of what I have now is re-issue except for my magazines. My long lost models have now been replaced thanks to Polar Lights, and Sideshow Toys has a lot to be thanked for adding great new items to be had.

Just remember, just because they are new today, they will someday be the great old classic horror goodies of tomorrow. buy em, enjoy em, just don't lose them this time.

Classic Monsters On Your Doorstep

2007-10-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

It's Halloween and I am ready to report for duty. First it is trick or treat time with my daughter (probably the last year unfortunately) then movie time spent with some of my classic horror favorites via my DVD collection since regular television seems to have forgotten that horror movies did exist prior to 1970.

I am really going to try and take in today all I can because I know come tomorrow the decorations will be gone for another long year, at least outside of my home they will be gone but things seems to hang around here all year round.

Where is everyone?

Back in the 70's when I was a kid darting from house to house on Halloween night the streets were filled for hours and hours with a endless sea of kids in various costumes from creepy classics like vampires and werewolves to just about everything else. Just as classic horror movies are few and far between so is the amount of interest in trick or treating, be it the amount of people out on the streets or houses that aren't participating and have dark unlit doorways.
I'm not sure what has happened over the years but I hope it will turn around bring back the glory days I remember so well.

Classic Horror Style

One thing that is still holding strong is the characters used in halloween decorations. Aside from the mandatory Witches, Skeletons and Jack O Laterns, good ole Dracula, Frankestein, The Wolf Man, and The Mummy are still the main figures in most things so the classic horror favorites are still holding strong and until we start seeing charactures of Jason, Freddie and Micheal Myers more often this dynasty still lives on classic as ever.

Have fun and we will do it again next year or why wait till next year, as King Diamond sings to us.....Every night is halloween. Sound good to me.

Twisted Flicks | Classic Horror Spoof

2007-10-27T12:11:00.000-07:00

Twisted Flicks add just the right twist to Classic Horror favorite

Last night I went to a local movie theater where they show what are called "Twisted Flicks". One weekend a month this theater takes old usually "B" grade Sci-Fi and Classic horror flicks and turns off the sound and in turn has live actors take on the roles of the main characters and add in their own improvised dialogue.

A Decade of Twisted Fun

Twisted Flicks is currently celebrating their 10th anniversary and to commemorate this event they had the movie "The Creature from the Black Lagoon" as the flick to be spoofed. Although I lived here for far more than 10 years this was my first time attending this event. Going in I wasn't sure just how good it would be or if the theater itself was of any quality but I found myself very impressed and felt it was a excellent experience all the way around.

The theater holds maybe 150 people and is very clean with some decent decorations to help set the scene. One big plus for me was they serve beer and hard lemonade type drinks along with the usual popcorn, pop and candy. The admission price is 10.00 per person and I felt it was well worth it. If you live in the Seattle area and intend to check it out I would recommend you purchase your tickets online if you want to get front of the line access but extra charges due apply.

Horror Movies even the Kids can enjoy

The atmosphere is great for both adults and children so don't be afraid to take the kids. While you are waiting in line or in your seats the cast will ask you for suggestions of certain words, phrases or types of people that they will look through and choose some to use in that nights performance. If your suggestion is chosen there a prizes to be had, last night one person won a full one year pass to Twisted Flicks for having the most popular suggestion which was "Mister Rodgers"

Twisted Flicks is great idea and I enjoyed it much more than the more famous "Mystery Science Theater 3000" which isn't as comical in my humble opinion. Again, if you are in the Seattle area I definitely say check it out and like me I'm sure you be going back again and again. I love my Classic horror movies and hey why not every now and then see a new twist added to keep the blood flowing.

I think one really great feature they offer is if you really enjoyed the show then you have the option to purchase a DVD of it and watch it at home as much as you like.

Wing-it Productions has done a great job and I salute this great addition to our local pop-culture.

Check out their website at: www.jetcityimprov.com/twistedflicks/

classic horror movies | monster movies

2007-10-24T21:33:00.000-07:00

classic horror monsters modern slashers

vs.

It is almost Halloween and I am getting the idea that just what the title "classic horror" used to mean has changed to include a whole new batch of horror movies. Classic horror movies and general monster movies used to be easily classified as the old black and white classics that started it all mostly from Universal Studios and then later some color versions from Hammer Pictures in the UK. Today however a new generation of movies now have taken on the title as the new classic horror movies such as the Friday the 13th series as well as the Halloween and Nightmare on Elm Street series.

Classic Horror Gore

As you have seen in earlier blogs of mine I have grumbled and moaned about this but I guess as the generations and styles of monster movies change we must allow for the new additions to be included. The real foundation for true classic horror movies will always be the golden standard of the oldies but with the advancements with film making and special effects the gore factor does start to become what a lot of people are now looking for.

I guess there is no reason to fight it and I do think there are some fairly good recent horror movies that have been released such as "Bram Stokers Dracula" and "Inteview with the Vampire". As for the gore fest that seems to be so necessary these days, it is fine to a extent but lets show some reason and work more on the horror aspect and save some of those buckets of blood for another project.

So yes, as I look at all the monster movie marathons this Halloween season I am a bit disappointed but I guess it time for that good ole DVD collection to come out and save the night.

Besides, I bet Dracula, Frankenstein, The Wolf Man, The Creature and all the other greats of the real classic horror movies would kick the slasher butts of Jason, Freddie and Michael any full moon evening should the ever come face to face. Hmmmm sounds like a great idea to me.

It smells like Halloween is a coming

2007-09-17T18:29:00.000-07:00

It must be that time of the season, all the great Halloween monster goodies are showing up in the stores and I'm ready for any new items that may reveal themselves. So far I haven't seen anything new or any great universal monsters items I still need, but I am out on the prowl. If anyone whom wonders through here has noticed anything I could sure use a good tip. Official Universal Monsters items are on the top of the list but anything Vampire, Werewolf, Creature or horror themed will do. If any good classic horror flicks are showing up on the tube I'd like to know about those as well. Unfortuately AMC and their monsterfest has really gone down the tubes, it was once a classic monsters dream and now you lucky for two or three of the old classics. Regardless, it's time to start the celebration and bring out the monsters.

Rock and Roll and Monsters

2007-09-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

Peanut butter and Jelly, Milk and Cookies, Me and Playboy bunnies, some things just go so well together and one of my favorites is Monsters and Rock and Roll. Thanks to all them hard rockers out there we got some great horror movie songs. Sometimes horror movies contribute in other ways such as band names. Black Sabbath got their name from a old Boris Karloff movie. Some of the best horror movie songs are as follows.

Godzilla - Blue Oyster Cult

Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

Phantom of the Opera - Iron Maiden

Murders in the Rue Morgue - Iron Maiden

Frankenstein - Edgar Winter Group

Werewolves of London - Warren Zevon

Monster Mash by Bobby Picket wasn't a monster movie but still gets a honorable mention

Dragula - Rob Zombie

a couple of guitars that should be mentioned

Kirk Hammet's mummy guitar

Phil Collin's dracula guitar

Love at first Bite movie review

2007-09-14T16:28:00.000-07:00

I guess it is rather obvious by now that I am someone who enjoys his classic horror. I also enjoy other genre's as well and a good comedy is always entertaining, but when you can mix both monsters and comedy, it can be quite a treat. Naturally on the top of my list of horror/comedy would be the Abbott and Costello movies and the Classic "Young Frankenstein", but one other one really stands out with me and that is the movie "Love at First bite" with George Hamilton playing the Count. Leaving his homeland where no one is afraid of him any more, he goes to America and finds out that here he is just another nut case in the big city. There are so many great scenes and lines that just never seem to get old no matter how many times you see the movie. Our great Count Dracula goes from being the prince of darkness to a flying black chicken but he still doesn't lose his touch with the ladies and never gives them a "quickie" only a "Longie" The character of Renfield is hilarious yet still true to the original with his evil laugh and appetite for little things. Dr. Van helsing is portrayed very well as he boggles every attempt to get at Dracula and eventually finds himself bargaining with a cop on who gets to use Dracula's cape on what night. So do I have a problem with a Dracula who is drunk and singing in his coffin? Absolutely not, now how about a good Wolf Man comedy.

classic horror movie quotes

2007-09-13T16:38:00.000-07:00

Today I have visited various horror groups and forums I belong too and have posed the question, what classic horror movie quotes still stick with you today? I for one am constantly using these great lines to the point that my wife thinks everything I say has originated from a past movie. I will list some of my all time favorites and I hope to hear some of yours. I will also list the popular ones from my other groups.

"I know there's no such person as Dracula. You know there's no such person as Dracula!
But does Dracula know it?" - Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein

"There are far worse things awaiting man than death" - Dracula 1931

"Dr. Pretorius: We shall drink to our partnership. Do you like gin? It is my only weakness. "

"Dr. Pretorius: [to the monster inside the mausoleum] Here, have a cigar... they're my only weakness!" -- Bride of Frankenstein so which is it doctor?

Henry: "Oh, in the name of God! Now I know what it's like to BE God!" - Frankenstein 1931

"It reminds me of the broken battlements of my own castle in Transylvania." - Dracula 1931

"I put a special hamper in the bathroom for your shirts. The other one is just for socks and poo-poo undies" - Young Frankenstein, Madaline Kahn to the Monster.

Groovy blast from the past

2007-09-12T19:39:00.000-07:00

I don't have much to say today so here is a groovy blast from the past I'm sure we all remember and enjoyed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf7oQ3GMRnk

Who played what classic horror monster

2007-09-11T17:12:00.000-07:00

It's really a monsters who's who. there is such a revolving door for just who played what and when. who played what classic horror monster is really a challenge, The Frankenstein monster really made the rounds.

Whom do you think did the best job?

Frankenstein monster:

Frankenstein - Boris Karloff

Bride of Frankenstein - Boris Karloff

Son of Frankenstein - Boris Karloff

Ghost of Frankenstein - Lon Chaney Jr.

Frankenstein meets the Wolf Man - Bela Lugosi

House of Frankenstein - Glenn Strange

House of Dracula - Glenn Strange

Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein - Glenn Strange

Hammer version - Christopher Lee

Dracula:

Dracula - Bela Lugosi

Son of Dracula - Lon Chaney Jr.

House of Dracula - John Carradine

Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein - Bela Lugosi

Hammer versions - Christopher Lee

Lugosi also portrayed the count in Mark of the Vampire and Return of the Vampire but not as Count Dracula.

Creature from the Black Lagoon:

Creature from the Black Lagoon - Ben Chapman - land/Ricou Browning - underwater

Revenge of the Creature - Tom Hennesy - land/Ricou Browning - underwater

Creature walks amoung us - Don Megowan - land/Ricou Browning underwater

The Phantom of the Opera

Original - Lon Chaney Sr.

Remake - Claude Rains

Hammer version - Herbert Lom

women of classic horror

2007-09-10T19:03:00.000-07:00

Yes monsters are totally cool, awesome and a blast to watch as they do their scary deeds, BUT how could anyone not take notice of all those women of classic horror whom we ourselves would take on these beasts to save and carry off behind the credits. Is it just me or do monsters have great taste in women, whether they are a big as King Kong or as dead as a Mummy, they sure know how to pick them. One of my all time favorites is Evelyn Ankers who is not only a total knockout but has a long list of horror movie accomplishments such as The Wolf Man, The Ghost of Frankenstein, Son of Dracula, The Frozen Ghost, The Mad Ghoul, The Invisible Mans Revenge amongst others. What a woman!!!! How about Julie (Julia) Adams, once again a hottie and has some of the sexiest stills from The Creature from the Black Lagoon. Fay Wray, Elsa Lanchester and Caroline Monro and just about every woman to show up in Hammer film, most notably Veronica Carlson. To my beautiful women of classic horror I salute you and if I need to have monsters in my dreams to have you there as well then so be it and bring on the nightmares.

Classic horror monster collection

2007-09-07T19:33:00.000-07:00

My classic horror monster collection I accumulated during the 70's is gone, gone, gone. I still remember taking my now priceless Aurora Models and smashing them together as I staged pretend monster fights. Why would I commit such a unforgivable act upon such great pieces of memorabilia. Well, I was young, stupid and incapable of thinking beyond the moment. Aside from my Famous Monsters magazines which I continued to buy up until they stopped publishing them,(at least the Forry Ackerman version) I was now back where I started and had to wait for new releases or re-issues to once again possess these great treasures. First it was a well detailed Universal Dracula and Wolf Man figure in a grocery store claw machine and I found myself once again on the hunt. One day while browsing at Toys R Us, I noticed that some very well made figures of the main Universal Monsters had been released by a company called Sideshow Toys. Not long after came the Polar Lights re-issues of the Aurora Models. More from Sideshow was next and I was snatching these items up like water in the desert. This is great, I've once again got a fairly respectable collection of all sorts of Monster collectibles, and just when I thought it couldn't get any better, here comes Ebay. Although I must admit that I would much rather first search out and find a item on the shelf somewhere, if I must, I can go to this new auction site and find just about anything as long as I wanted it more than the hundreds of others that were bidding on it as well. When I decided to save time and money and just collect one particular monster (The Creature), I for one moment considered putting the remaining part of my collection up for bid, but once that ridiculous thought was squashed I came to my senses and now will never let them go again. It may have once been "seek and destroy" now it's "seek and acquire. A partial sample of what I have acquired.

King Kong|Godzilla

2007-09-06T16:48:00.000-07:00

King Kong, Godzilla, Gidrah, Rodan, Gamera, what about the big monsters, do they fall under the category of science fiction? or, are they also part of the classic horror gang? I remember as a kid these big beasts right there with Frankenstein, Dracula and the rest. I remember them as Aurora Models and full time residents in my Famous Monsters mags. In my opinion you can't really separate these greats into different categories or genre's. Sure the universal monsters have fought it out amongst each other, as well have the big guys, and if you tried to have The Wolf man take on Godzilla or The Creature pick a fight with Rodan, the outcome is obvious, but they do come together in their pursuit of scaring the kageebee's out of us and wreaking as much havoc as possible. So whether it's a giant tarantula or ant, a half man, half fly, or even a undead vampire, half man half wolf, or just body parts given new life, they all are classics and what a good monster movie is all about. Now don't get me wrong, a monster is not required to be a good classic horror movie, evil villains do a great job as well and I'll speak about them in a later blog.

Famous monsters of filmland

2007-09-04T21:57:00.000-07:00

The great debate on Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine still goes on for some. Others are set in their ways and will not waiver. What is this friction that has taken from some the holy grail of magazines? Well I guess it depends on who you ask but in a nutshell it goes something like this. After FM publisher James Warren became too ill to continue as publisher and left the magazine, Editor Forrest Ackerman was unable to continue with a quality and organized magazine and ceased publication. A number of years later Ray Ferry took on resurrecting the much missed Famous Monsters and used a style a bit too close to that of Forry Ackerman. Although Ferry convinced Ackerman to come back as editor, he never took him seriously or gave him a fair shot at being a influence in the contents of his long time monster magazine. Forry eventually had enough and left for good. Ferry didn't inform the readers of this change and continued to publish Famous Monsters in a fashion the was so similar to the way Ackerman did that law suits eventually were filed and in came the courts. Ackerman won the original ruling as well as a appeal put out by Ferry and up to this day Ray Ferry still publishes FM even after bankruptcy and a efforts to force him to sell the trademark. So what is one to do, continue to read the magazine and support Ray Ferry or boycott it in support of Forry? I'm not totally sure what all the facts are, there is plenty on the web from both sides to read and decide for yourself so I guess we are left with this dilemma and I'd love to hear the thoughts of others.

horror hosts

2007-09-03T09:37:00.000-07:00

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Horror hosts for the most part if done properly are a great addition to the classic horror experience. People tend to remember the hosts just as fondly as they remember the movies they ran for us. Some have gone on to be rather famous and others just moved on, I just hope they got the message of just how special they are to us. As I have mentioned in earlier blogs, here in Seattle from the late sixties until the about 1978, we had Nightmare Theatre hosted by the late Joe Towey as the Count. Joe was not only our late night vampire, but also was a big part of the J.P. Patches show (though this time behind the scenes), a local cartoon show that was very popular during it's run. The movies were top notch classic horror, they played all the Universal Monsters and Hammer greats as well. Nightmare Theatre would start off with the theme music, and a coffin in a castle room, the coffin would open up revealing a skeleton that would before our eyes transform into the Count. Then the Count would be his light hearted self and if I remember correctly he had a skull named Pamela he would talk to sometimes. I had two live encounters with the Count. One was by chance when my family was at the Seattle Center house and the Count was running around the upper level, what a awesome surprise. The other encounter was when my cub scout troop took a tour of Channel 7 and we got to see the Nightmare Theatre scenery and The Count himself. It was a sad time when Nightmare Theatre went off the air, especially since no live footage was kept, it was all recorded over. Joe Towey has passed away now and I wish I took the time to go visit him and thank him for all he did for me as a kid. Well I am now, and I hope we all take the time to give thanks to all the horror hosts who gave a great scare, great movies and great memories. Two thumbs up Joe.

horror movie remakes

2007-09-02T10:05:00.000-07:00

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Remakes........What about all these remakes. Has there really been one that did any justice to the original, or should it just be left alone. At this time there is one in the works for one of my farvorite movies and favorite monsters, The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The thought of what they might do to a already perfect monster is really scary. Milicent Patrick, whom is responsible for the design of the original creature (sorry Bud, you don't get credit here) did the perfect job in her design and I hope those involved in the remake take some notice of that. I know how people seem to think that you need to adjust to the times and people today like bigger, badder and gorier. Hogwash I say, just take a look at what they did to Godzilla in that remake, I'll take the guy in a suit any day over that very forgettable remake version. These days when we see a werewolf movie they turn into some kind of oversized dog on steriods instead of a half man, half wolf like Lon Chaney Jr. and Henry Hull. The Mummy remakes don't even have a proper mummy in them. Sure the new effects are nice and should be used to some extent but let's not overdue it and take away what should go to the real star the monster. Call me old fashioned and biased I'm fine with that because I know what creepy really is, give me the old soundstage full of fog, howling wolves and a monster that is tasteful not overdone, oversized and doesn't even make a good model kit. Anyone seen Jack Pierce anywhere? ---------------------------

Universal|Hammer

2007-09-01T10:59:00.000-07:00

We all know that the two big dogs of monster movie making are Universal and Hammer. Universal was the one there in the beginning and set the foundation. Hammer came in later to revamp and in some way resurrect the fading classics. Universal monsters are the most recognizable of course and Hammer had some very interesting takes on them. Hammer's Frankenstein monster was a lot more like Mary Shelly envisioned it, but as their Dracula went, they followed Universal in the way of a more attractive and charismatic character. Both Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee gave us great interpretations of the role but if you want a more true to character choice, that would have to be in the film Nosferatu with Max Schreck. Another obvious difference between the two are that Universal was done at a much earlier time and didn't have any of the elements that Hammer was able to include. Other than color of course Hammer wasn't relying just on the creepy atmosphere, music and characters as Universal had to, but they could also add the elements of gore and sex. As a young kid watching the Hammer films, I had no problem noticing that scantily dressed, big breasted woman, and of course all the extra full color blood spilling everywhere. Whether is was Werewolves, Mummies or Vampires we got a great treat from both and I hope the younger folks out there will find them and appreciate them as well. Long live the classics.

horror collecting

2007-08-31T17:18:00.000-07:00

What is one to do? I tried to be a good collector of Horror memorabilia, but with so much out there, thank you very much Sideshow Toys, and Ebay making almost anything available, which item do you get? how do you afford it all? Trust me I tried. So unless you happen to have a unlimited amount of funds and room to store it all, you are ultimately faced with this dilema. Well, after my failed attempt at having it all, I decided it would be best to just settle on one paticular monster and put my money and efforts into that. Of course that doesn't mean that when something really cool comes out I won't stray and add some other monsters item, but for the most part I am now just collecting Creature from the black lagoon items. I thought the obvious Dracula and Frankenstein items would still be just too much on there own. Now it turns out no matter what you choose you still are faced with the same problem just on a bit smaller level. Which Creature item should I get next, how do I afford it and where do I put it all. Oh well, if you are going to have problems, these are the best kind to have. As for all the other monster items I collected prior to my moving to just the Creature, well, I originally told my wife those would be sold off and room made for other things. yeah right folks, of course many years later they are still here with me where they belong. maybe some day I'll get myself to actually take one out of the package and play with it. or maybe not.
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classic horror on tv

2007-08-30T19:34:00.000-07:00

You didn't have to always wait for those late night horror shows to see some great classic stuff.

Television was doing fairly well adding some great content. Some of my favorites are Dark Shadows, Twilight Zone, The Outer Limits, Night Gallery, The Night Stalker, and even if you wanted to add some comedy, you had The Munsters and The Addams Family. These were great fillers to get you to the next Frankenstein and Wolf man duel. Dark Shadows really stood out for me, Barnabas Collins was a very spooky character and they even threw in ghosts and werewolves to boot. I was born in 1964 which was just by chance also deemed the "year of the monsters" I think maybe there is something to that.

Horror movies vhs dvd

2007-08-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

These days it is very convenient and easy to watch one of your favorite horror classics, We have VHS and DVD's always at the ready for us. But back in the day, if it wasn't scheduled to be on TV or showing at a local theater your only other course of action was maybe playing a 8mm version on your movie projector. Seems like that would be a real bummer, but I'm not so sure of that. Having things so readily available seems to take away the fun and the anticipation, unlike staying up late for that special surprise you've waited all week for. I seem to find myself more likely to watch a horror flick when it is on TV then pop in one of my tapes or DVD's. I don't know why, it just seems better that way. Unfortunately the frequency these movies are on the tube is getting to be less and less, even around Halloween we are starting to see more of the Jason, Freddie and Michael Myers type movies instead. The SciFi channel was fairly generous when it first started and was showing on a frequent basis a good Dracula or Frankenstein clip, but my how things change. The new generations seem to like the have it now and must be as gory as possible mentality. But give me a black and white television with some fog and howling wolves and I am good to go. Lon Chaney, wherefore art thou?

Kiss meets the monsters

2007-08-28T17:44:00.000-07:00

There was one thing that hit me as hard and left as big a impression on me as when I first saw a copy of Famous Monsters magazine. The first time I saw a picture of the band Kiss. I new there was this song on the radio I really liked called "Rock and Roll all night" but I had never really seen or heard of this band Kiss. One day my sister brought home a copy of the album Kiss Alive. If any one has seen this cover it is one of my all time favorite pictures, in fact, right now that picture is the wallpaper on my cell phone. Just think of it, the two things I was the most into was Monsters and rock and roll. When I saw that album I cover I saw what was to me the best of both worlds. That make-up and those costumes, all the fire and smoke and especially Gene Simmons who created his persona the Demon right out of these very classic horror flicks.
So yes I now had some new hero's up there with Lugosi, Karloff, Chaney and my most favorite most forgotten monster master, Dwight Frye. Sure Alice Cooper was cool but this seemed to go that one step beyond. Does it get any better than this.

Hey son, meet forry

2007-08-27T20:15:00.000-07:00

My father worked nights and usually got home very late at night. On friday evenings I would be up watching Nightmare Theatre when he got home. Watching Nightmare Theatre was everything to me, every week when we got the new TV guide the first thing I would do is turn to Friday evening at 11:30 and see what monsters would be scaring me on the double feature for that night. As a matter of fact, just recently at a swap meet I saw a box of old TV guides from the 70's, just like when I was a kid I picked some up and looked right at the magic time and there were those great horror classics I am sure I was up that night watching. Oh how I miss those times. One night while I was enjoying two horror greats, my father got home from work and tossed a bag in my direction. I picked up the bag and took out the contents. I couldn't believe my eyes, a magazine called Famous Monsters of Filmland issue #94
What a moment that was, I will never forget the incredible excitment I felt.
From that time on, until this very day, Famous Monsters has become a major part of my life.
I couldn't read these magazines enough, not just the movie stills, but the behind the scene stories and pictures were amazing and all the goodies you could send away for. What utter treasures. Now the Monster club my friends and I had got even more elaborate as we added our Famous Monster fan club cards and badges to the whole shibang. Forry Ackerman became my mentor in all things monsters and horror and I could never pay back to him all that he has given me. Now I have boxes of those great old magazines (thanks for the help Mike) and maybe someday I'll complete the whole set. I'm definetly up for the challenge.

Hey, do you like monsters?

2007-08-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

I was six years old and the new kid the neighborhood. One of the kids from my street came up to me one day and asked me the magic question....do you like monsters? I didn't have any experience with them at that point but I was looking to make some friends so I replied that I liked them a lot. This was the start of two very important friendships for me and from that point on there was no looking back. We spent every weekend watching all those great classic horror movies which we were treated to every Friday night on Nightmare Theatre and Sunday mornings on Creature Feature. To say that watching Dracula, Frankenstein and all the ghouls and creepies didn't leave me completely terrified, would be far from fact but I put up a good front and eventually came to see all these monsters on the screen more as friends than foes. We started our own monster club and began bugging our parents for all the great toys the 70's had to offer. Aurora monster model kits were our main target and the Creature was my first score. Sure you have the re-issues today from polar lights and thank god for those, but if only I had locked those originals away for my future collection. If only.

Classic Horror Lives

2007-08-25T17:10:00.001-07:00

Universal Monsters, Hammer horror and all the others who are responsible for bringing to life all the great characters and moments of the classic horror genre, this blog is in your honor and I can only hope that it truly catches the spirit of that which was and is the greats of Classic Horror and how it made a impact on my life and the lives of so many others.
Okay, I've done it and entered the land of blogging. This is all very new to me but for myself and anyone else who gives a hoot, or should I say howl, I would like to throw out there some of my past and present experiences with classic horror. So, as the days go on, I would like to share the times spent staying up late and watching the Wolfman, Dracula and the Creature dare me to go to sleep after the final credits have rolled off the screen, or wait ever so impatiently for the next issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland to be released.
I may be in my Forties now, but I can still be found creeping around the local stores and online looking for the newest monster toys for my ever growing collection. I know I am not alone and I invite all you other closet ghouls to come out and celebrate the timeless treasures of Classic Horror.