THE MAN WHO LOST HIS FACE-BOOK

We have seen that Forrest J Ackerman, editor-in-chief of the King Kong of monster 'zines, FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND, was quick to become a celebrity in the few short years following its debut. One could even say he became the de facto spokesperson for the monstercraze of the 1960s. And why not? His home was crammed with the stuff that us Monser Kids craved. He even let a batch of us in on specially-scheduled weekends.

FJA was no stranger to self-promotion, either. One of his "side jobs" was as a literary agent. If you're a shrinking violet in that business you might as well fold up your tent and go home. As a result of his unabashed marketing, readers of FM were treated to the occasional insight in the way of interview or Arckermansion photo tour. This grew into one of the many gimmicks that were used throughout FM's history that made the magazine feel like as much a social network as a reading experience. One might even go so far as to say that this was an early, low tech version of Facebook.

One of these early biographical articles appeared in FAMOUS MONSTERS #25 from October, 1963.

Read More → THE MAN WHO LOST HIS FACE-BOOK

THE GRUESOME DEATH OF FORREST J ACKERMAN

It didn't take long after the publication of the first issue of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND before its editor-in-chief, Forrest J Ackerman, became a bit of celebrity. Hailing from where he called "Horrorwood, Karloffornia", he lorded over a massive collection of monster, science fiction, fantasy, and other genre memorabilia that included books, magazines, posters, stills, props, models . . . well, you get the idea.

In what was surely a natural progression, FJA found himself in front of the movie camera on numerous occasions. Most of the time they were bit parts, but us Monster Kids waited in rapt anticipation for our Uncle Forry to appear in the movie as much as any cinephile did waiting for director Alfred Hitchcock to make his trademark appearances in his own films.

We usually found out which films Forry was going to be in from the pages of FAMOUS MONSTERS. In 1972, it was no different. The March issue of FM (#89) announced his cameo in yet another movie. And, by the title, it sounded like a doozy.

Well, DRACULA vs. FRANKENSTEIN, one of many Al Adamson fringe fests, was a bit more like a dozer. Kitschy and vaguely charming as a B-movie relic, the rather roughly produced DvF couldn't find any traction with theater-going audiences, even with the likes of appearances by Lon Chaney, Jr., J. Carrol Naish, Russ Tamblyn, Regina Carrol, Angelo Rossitto, and the aforementioned Forry.

Nevertheless, Ackerman promoted the film in FM with his usual enthusiasm as the next big thing in monster movies. Included was a full-page spread with the "horrifying" sequence that depicted FJ's scene as a victim at the hands of the doughy-faced Frankenstein monster. Other pics showed exotic newcomer Zandor Vorkov as the immortal Dracula, this incarnation of the Count hep with the times and sporting a 'fro. Insert shivers . . . or chuckles, here.

Read More → THE GRUESOME DEATH OF FORREST J ACKERMAN

IT CAME FROM THE MEN'S MAG - THE ACKERMONSTER!

Fan, pop culture icon, and Monsterologist supreme, Forrest J Ackerman would have been 95 yesterday. We are fortunate to have much material on his life and accomplishments, not least of which was his most notable -- editing "The World's First Filmonster Magazine", FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. I suspect Forry himself would point out many other achievements, both public and personal, that came close -- or even surpassed -- the notoriety of his and publisher James Warren's immortal 'zine.

The last years of his life were unfortunately fraught with lawsuits, health issues, and the requisite financial burden of someone who was self-employed for much of his life. Forry was forced to downsize and turn much of his treasure trove into a quick buck to pay for legal fees and doctor bills. Living out his days in a pint-sized "Ackermansion", what remained was a failing icon amidst only his most cherished possessions.

It stunned me to see a large portion of his once-in-a-millenium collection of memorabilia land the auction block not long after he passed away. Where were his benefactors, I asked myself? Where were the fans that professed their love for the man and how he had not only formed their lives and careers, but their bank accounts as well? Where was the financial help to assist him with his lawsuit when he needed it? Why wasn't his hitherto, priceless archives and artifacts not collected by a consortium of wealthy "friends" and conserved and protected from being scattered to the four winds?

Dammit! His collection should have been housed in a museum, supported by the various millionaires who in no small measure owe their livelihood to him. Instead, we are left with documentary images of the many well-known and wealthy talking heads singing the praises of "Uncle Forry" and how they were transformed into who they are now because of him. If there ever was an argument for the transferrence of wealth, the building of an eternal Ackermansion by the people that gained from his inspiration is about as good a reason as I can come up with -- at least in this case.

In 1967, Forry suffered his first heart attack. A few months before, he had invited a group of guests to his fabled Ackermansion, located in "Horrorwood, Karloffornia" for his annual Halloween party. In attendance was the writer Dennis Etchison, who has since become a notable horror ficiton author. Etchison wrote about his experience and had it published in the June 1967 issue of the men's magazine CAVALIER. It includes a follow-up interview after Forry had his heart attack.

Read More → IT CAME FROM THE MEN'S MAG - THE ACKERMONSTER!

HAPPY 95TH BIRTHDAY, UNCLE FORRY!

Starting off the MONSTER MAGAZINE WORLD MINI FORRY-FEST with a big

Feliĉan naskiĝtagon!

Read More → HAPPY 95TH BIRTHDAY, UNCLE FORRY!