ANYONE CARE FOR SOME "EGGS BARNABAS"?

It seems no tombstone was left unturned in the marketing of the TV hit series, DARK SHADOWS. While not as uncommon as one might think, a cookbook -- that's right, cookbook -- based on the show was published by Ace Books in 1970. The recipies were assembled by Jody Cameron Malis and were basic concotions found simmering on the stovetop or spinning in any Waring blender in any American household at the time. The only difference was that these recipies had goofy titles slapped on, like "David's Demoniacal Pancakes and Waffles," "Barnabas' Bloody Mary and Other Beastly Beverages," "Quentin's Ghoulish Goulash and Karate (!) Chops", and "Carolyn's Fiendish Fish".

The novelty book has become something of a collector's item these days, with prices reaching as high as $140. One could make a pretty good-sized salad with lettuce like that.

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GATHERING HORROR ALMOST SOLD OUT

David Horne's incomparable catalogue and guide to Warren Publishing, GATHERING HORROR, is almost sold out. The listing on eBay expires in 6 days and, depending on sales, may disappear forever.

If I've said it once, I've said it tons -- if you are a fan of Warren 'zines, Captain Company, and related memorabilia, this book is definitive. It was the first item on this blog to earn the "MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD'S HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION". You'll see why once you get your paws on this huge tome.

To order, click HERE.

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DIE FILME VON JACK ARNOLD IST SEHR GUT!

Guten Morgen, meine Freunde!

Close on the heels of the recent reissue of the 1954 Vargo Statten-penned novelization of the CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON from Dreamhaven Books, comes a lavishly-illustrated retrospective of the director of the film. Written by Peter Osteried, DIE FILME VON JACK ARNOLD: KÖNIG DES PHANTASTISCHEN FILMS (The Films of Jack Arnold: The King of Fantastic Films), has been published and released in Germany by MPW Book. A "Sachbuch" (non-fiction book), it covers Jack Arnold's ouevre and is immediately noticable as a result of its generous and striking visual content.

I only wish now that I had kept up with my German! I acquired a working knowledge of the language years ago, and, after years of disuse, have unfortunately retained only the basics.

Author Osteried has provided MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD with samples and I have to say that the design is perfect for the subject matter. To those visitors to this blog who read German, the book comes with two covers and may be purchased by clicking HERE.

In order to see just how beautiful a book this is, following are a few pages from the section of the Universal Pictures' 1958 science-gone-wild film, MONSTER ON THE CAMPUS.

And, if all this hasn't fired up your ancient Devonian blood yet, then start looking for an exclusive interview with Peter Osteried, author of THE FILMS OF JACK ARNOLD, coming soon right here at MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD!

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IT IS A GOOD YEAR FOR HAMMER FILMS. The reinvigorated film studio has released two movies, Richard Klemensen's superb 'zine LITTLE SHOPPE OF HORRORS is continuing its run with special issues on HANDS OF THE RIPPER and THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS, and author Marcus Hearn has now completed another book in his series about the Hammer Films empire. Beginning with THE HAMMER STORY in 2007, and followed by HAMMER GLAMOUR in 2009, and THE ART OF HAMMER in 2010, his latest opus, THE HAMMER VAULT, is releasing here in the States on December 20.

The book has already caught on and astounded readers in the UK. It is described as a "remarkable journey through the Hammer Vault" that includes props, annotated script pages, unused poster artwork, production designs, rare promotional material and private correspondence. Hundreds of rare and previously unseen stills help to create a rich souvenir of Hammer’s legacy, from the X certificate classics of the 1950s to the studio’s latest productions.

And, from Amazon: "Written and compiled by the official Hammer Films historian Marcus Hearn, and featuring exclusive contributions from the actors and filmmakers associated with the company, this is the most lavish book ever published on the legendary House of Horror."

Highlights include:

- Letters to and from some of the company's stars
- Pages from Peter Cushing's scrapbooks
- Pages from the scrapbook of managing director Michael Carreras
- Pre-production artwork, and poster artwork from films that were never made
- Production designs
- Rare and previously unpublished photos

[HAUNTED LIBRARY logo and accompanying illustration are Copyright (C) 2011 by Navroth. All rights reserved. Do not copy or distribute without permission.]

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A CHILD'S GARDEN OF MONSTERS

The FAMOUS MOVIE MONSTERS line of books for young readers was introduced in 2005 and is being re-solicited, probably as a result of the upcoming Halloween season. They were written by various authors and were intended to introduce a new generation of Monster Kids to the classic monsters of yesteryear. An excellent idea, I must say!

The books have library binding with dimensions of 7 1/2" x 9". They run 48 pages are are target for kids from Grade 6 through 12. The price for each book is $20.99.

Meet Frankenstein By Naima Green:

A terrifying tale of isolation and persecution defined the tale of Frankenstein. This book details the production of the movie, Boris Karloff's rise to fame, and the reaction of both the public and the critics. Frankenstein left a permanent mark on pop society and created a movie monster institution. Add these Library hard bound books to your monster collection. Published in scholastic old school style of the 50's-60's-70's. Photos included. Great for introducing it to your kids or library of fear.

Meet Dracula By Charles Hofer:

While the story was only loosely based on Bram Stoker's novel, the horror movie Dracula amazed moviegoers and entered the cultural imagination as a classic. This equally engaging book retells the story of the bloodthirsty Count Dracula and describes the director's and producer's making of the film, which became Universal's top moneymaker in 1931. Readers will also learn how the Count went on to influence subsequent monster films.

Meet The Wolf Man By R.K. Renfield:

The Wolf Man starred Lon Chaney Jr. and is a tale of a man's struggle to overcome his family's dark curse. Relive the telling of this tale of terror and how The Wolf Man has endured through many movies since the original.

Meet The Mummy By Susan Gordon:

Students relive the tale of the Mummy and the story of the making of the film in this book that takes an in-depth look at the film by which all other mummy films are judged. Filmed during the Great Depression and in the midst of an Egyptology craze, The Mummy enthralled audiences, particularly Boris Karloff's legendary performance. This book looks at the film, the effect it had on the monster movie genre, and the cultural mindset of the era.

Meet The Creature From The Black Lagoon By Brent Peterson:

A movie monster born of the Cold War, the Creature captured the imaginations of audiences around the world. The book begins by retelling the tale itself, bringing the movie to life. Then the story of the making of the film and the inspiration for the Creature are discussed, as well as the legacy of the Creature. Add these Library hard bound books to your monster collection. Published in scholastic old school style of the 50's-60's-70's. Photos included.

Meet King Kong by James W. Fiscus:

A special-effects movie classic, King Kong used stop-motion animation and glass mattes to create the effects that were amazing at their time. Readers will learn about the real-life adventures that influenced the filmmaker's vision as well as the successes, spin-offs, and remakes the film inspired. Add these Library hard bound books to your monster collection. Published in scholastic old school style of the 50's-60's-70's.

Meet Godzilla By Robert Greenberger:

This book introduces the reader to the American version of Godzilla as well as to the original Japanese version. From production to special effects, the movie and the international sensation it created are chronicled. Readers will learn how Godzilla represents the beginning of a modern-day myth created to address concerns about atomic weaponry in Japanese society after the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Add these Library hard bound books to your monster collection.

Meet The Blob By Suzanne J. Murdico:

A truly original story that became an instant hit, The Blob was a true low budget film. Filmed in a Pennsylvania studio rather than in Hollywood, the film tells the story of two teenagers who save their town from a human-eating blob from outer space. Visually stimulating and packed with movie stills. Add these Library hard bound books to your monster collection. Published in scholastic old school style of the 50's-60's-70's. Photos included. Great for introducing it to your kids or library of fear.

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