FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND (words and distinctive lettering design) is a registered trademark of Philip Kim.
I assume no rights to Famous Monsters of Filmland or the likeness of Forrest J Ackerman, but only wish to share my experiences and memories of Mr. Ackerman and share in "Keeping the legacy and vision of Uncle Forry alive and well."
"Sci-Fi is Our High!" -- Forry's Legion of Nieces and Nephews
This was taken upon our return trip to "Karloffornia" where we were to pay tribute to our dear Uncle Forry Ackerman at his special "little party" which was held at the Grauman's Egyptian Theatre on March 8, 2009.
I had begun my trip on the Sunday before driving (with my dog Pal) and arriving Thursday. Forry's event was the following Sunday. I enjoy this photograph showing the mix here of what I see as Old and New Hollywood.
This is why it is called "Karloffornia". While nervously awaiting the Forry Event to begin, I found dear Uncle Boris's star on the Walk of Fame (for his work in television!) and I knew he was watching over me.
Of all the cement imprints that day, this one struck me for some reason. Maybe it took me back to Old Hollywood in a way I could still somehow touch (being Mr. Cooper was still with us at the time.)
From the home to "America's Boy" to a place where it began for FJA. Uncle Ack, then "Forry Boy" saw his first Imagi-Movies here when the Egyptian Theatre was brand new. (The structure was opened in 1922, the year Mr. Cooper was born.)
After anxiously staying overnight in Joshua Tree National Park the evening before, sleeping under the stars, we arrived at the home of 'the Stars' and my dog found some rest at the local Pet Hotel.
Forry was six years old the year Mr. Cooper was born. But here today, we found Carla Laemmle who was already seven years of age when our beloved Uncle came into the world!
I'd visited what remained of the Acker-MiniMansion the day previously and it was then it finally hit me. With no one at home, I peeked through a window and seeing that emptyness inside created one heck of an emotional rush.
Having a chance to speak with Ms. Laemmle for a moment helped ease that pain. Carla has lived a very interesting life. She is the niece of Carl Laemmle, founder of Universal Pictures and she lived the golden era of motion pictures. I would highly recommend anyone interested in some Hollywood history as told by this insider, her biography "Among the Rugged Peaks" can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/9m8arzn
The book is authored by my friend Rick Atkins.
Carla Laemmle: There was no one like Forry. He was the greatest. I just adored him and it's a great loss, for all of us!
He was wonderful and his collection and all of that. I don't know what is going to happen to it, do you know? It was a lot of stuff.
I'd forgotten I did R.S.V.P for the event, but in either case while waiting outside as the crowd gathered I was ushered into the theatre by folks sponsoring the Forry Ackerman Auction to take some pictures.
Shown here is Bela Lugosi's wardrobe from "The Raven" (1935)
First edition of Bram Stoker's "Dracula" (1897)
Check out the signatures and see who you can identify! (All of these photographs can be selected and enlarged.)
So many things we in Forry's Fandom have seen now gathered to celebrate him.
Dracula's Ring worn by Bela Lugosi.
A fond memory of mine is one of being at Forry's home and while folks were buzzing about the place it was just he and I sitting in his living room talking.
One person we discussed (a Forry favorite) was Fritz Lang shown here displaying his famous monocle.
Cool Forry memorabilia! I was honored to see Forry present one of his awards. Forry redefined the way one can "hand-it-to-you".
The Robotrix from Fritz Lang's "Metropolis" wonderfully replicated and a Forry Fave Forever!
I think she deserves another view. After all, wasn't she a love of his life? Maria shown here remembering her Forry.
While inside I finally began to see some familiar faces, greet folks in person I'd talked to on-line, and meet some new ones.
Author Pam Keesey collaborated with Forry Ackerman compiling/editing the 1993 book project "Sci-Fi Womanthology" being an anthology of Sci-Fi Stories by women writers spanning over 70 years. So great to share Forry memories with Pam.
You can find "Sci-Fi Womanthology" and many other books authored by Pam here: http://tinyurl.com/ck3pdqq
Actor Angus Scrimm had such kind words to say about Forry which accurately captured the mood of the event. It was difficult to be unhappy as we honored Forry because he brought so much happiness to so many himself and that has not dissipated.
Angus Scrimm: So much to say about Forry, goodness! When I think of the two Ray's and Forry's relationship going back 70 years.... Mine went back 30 when a picture I did called "Phantasm" came out. I got a call from him and we went to the Ackermansion and we've known each other since. He was just a dear sweet man. The most serene generous nature of virtually anyone I've ever known. His spirit suffuses the lives of so many which is a wonderful heritage to leave. I think he still crosses my mind almost everyday and if I don't fall asleep too soon I include him in my prayers at night. His wife Wendy also was a delight. They both were charming together. Who should I see as I come in? Almost immediately I'm greeted by Joe Dante, Tim Sullivan, Mick Garris and then look at that crowd outside. Forry loved a full house!
One of my problems coming into the theatre was that I did not know exactly who would be speaking at the event. So many people I happened to talk to wouldn't (understandably) say much to me because they already were slated to speak to the audience as a whole.
John Landis, however, was very kind in letting me take his picture only if...
...as he said, "You also take a picture of my friend Joe Dante".
A favorite picture of mine of favorite folks. Jaclynn Chaney & dad Ron Chaney
Ron Chaney: I think probably on my grandfather's behalf when he (Forry) ran the article in the Famous Monsters about that he was sick... he was very much against it, he didn't want anyone to really know that. Forry ran that article and I think it was the first time that my grandfather really realized how many fans he still had out there and it really touched him. He got letters and get well cards and kids making cartoons of the Wolf Man being sick and things of that nature. He kept them all. I still have them and hope to put that in one of the chapters in my grandfather's book. And it was all due to Forry making that happen and not listening to him and running it anyway. That was a wonderful moment for my grandfather.
For updates on Chaney Entertainment, visit the official website at: http://lonchaney.com/
This video contains some of the discussions I had with Carla Laemmle, Angus Scrimm, Ron Chaney & Ann Robinson.
Director Tim Sullivan: The man left us knowing he was loved. And whether you were there in person, or whether you sent a card or whether you had him in your hearts, he knew it. So thanks to all of you!
(Note: The next 20 photos suffer from poor photography & poor processing. Fortunately with the help of Ritz Camera Shop and some digital work I was able to salvage the following recorded memories.)
Ray Bradbury: Back when I was 17 years old he took me into his life. He introduced me...to Ray Harryhausen and that made my career with Ray possible. I am the total result of my friendship with this fabulous man.
(The Original "Bat Pack" was Forrest J Ackerman, Ray Bradbury & Ray Harryhausen -- Ray, Ray & FJA!)
Ray Bradbury: Most memorial services and most funeral services are not sad, but I think today of all days I give you permission to be sad because we miss him and we loved him. And I'm terribly sad and my tears are in my eyes and in my heart. ....and we'll go on loving him for the rest of our lives.
Here is Ray Bradbury's complete talk about Forry preceded by Tim Sullivan's introduction to the event.
Director John Landis passing on words from Stephen King, "Just tell 'em that I loved that man. Steve."
As much as "King Kong" had "lit a flame in the young Ray Harryhausen" and eventually that inspiration led Ray to know Forry, it was Mr. Harryhausen's "7th Voyage of Sinbad" which inspired a young John Landis in 1958.
Mr. Landis eventually was able to contact Ray Harryhausen through Forry.
You can hear the entire letter Ray Harryhausen sent as read by John Landis for his thoughts on Forry.
John Landis: In 1971, I wrote and directed my first feature film the appropriately titled "Schlock". It was my first collaboration with the young make-up artist Rick Baker.
John Landis continues with his memories of Forry all of which you can hear with this video.
Author Bill Warren: Forry had a long life before Famous Monsters. He often said he wanted the last words on his lips to be "Science Fiction." That's what he really loved. It wasn't so much monsters or horror, it was Science Fiction. In the 1930's he was the #1 Science Fiction fan in the world.
Bill Warren: When I came down here and I'd lost my job Forry took me in and I stayed at the Ackermansion taking calls from people like Lon Chaney Jr., Vincent Price and I got to meet people there, amazing people! Fritz Lang, Michel Piccoli the French actor, Ray Bradbury, Fritz Leiber all kinds of people. Everybody in Southern California I met either through or because of Forry Ackerman. I'm starting to 'lose it', sorry folks.
Bill Warren's heartfelt speech is captured in this portion of Forry's tribute.
Producer Paul Davids: When his (Forry's) wife Wendy passed away, he would then send out letters to his friends and they would all begin "WWW60" or "WWW84" and Forry would explain that stood for (how many days of the) World Without Wendayne. His world really changed when Wendayne left him and our world changed when Forry left us.
Paul Davids: Keep our friendships alive and fresh because Forry lives on in those who love him and appreciate the great and irreplaceable contribution that he has made.
Note: Anyone interested in participating in a wonderful tribute to Forry, and all of us who loved him, check out Mr. Davids' film "The Sci-Fi Boys". You can learn more about the film here: http://tinyurl.com/bndqegm
Author Brad Linaweaver: He made sure we read the works of his friend Ray Bradbury because he knew Bradbury would teach us all those lessons we needed to learn.
Both Paul Davids and Brad Linaweaver can be heard in this video.
Director Guillermo del Toro was only a few hours previously in New Zealand having just arrived from the airport. "I have been absent from many of my blood family's birthdays, parties, reunions, baptisms but I knew I could not be absent from this. I think we are (of) more than one family and we make another one during our lives."
Guillermo del Toro: I bought my first book at age seven, a book by Forry, an anthology published in Mexico. I was introduced to many of the fabulous writers I would grow to love and know. More importantly I was also introduced to Forry as a writer. I admire him as a figure that I wanted to know and meet but he wrote a beautiful story in that anthology called "A Letter to an Angel". Reading that story affected me very deeply.
Guillermo del Toro is featured in this video from Forry's tribute at the Egyptian Theatre, March 8, 2009
Writer/Filmaker Jovanka Vuckovic: As a genre magazine we owe a huge debt of gratitude to Forrest J Ackerman and Famous Monsters. We are a new generation of horror fan that could affectionately be called Forry's Monster Grand-kids.
(At the time of this ceremony, Jovanka was Author/Editor-in-Chief of the Magazine "Rue Morgue" which is based in Toronto, Ontario.)
Jovanka Vuckovic: When "Rue Morgue" was invited to this event, my entire staff without hesitation jumped at the chance to be here to remember the man and the magazine that started it all. They're all here.
Note: The cover for "Rue Morgue's" 11th annual Halloween double-issue featured a beautiful rendition of Forry Ackerman by Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine's best known artist Basil Gogos. That cover graced the speaker's podium at this event. It can be seen in the earlier Ray Bradbury frames above. I couldn't help but take it home with me after everyone had left the theatre and now I look at it each day when I wake up in the morning.
Representing the newest generation of Forry Fan, Jovanka Vuckovic's tribute was preserved in this video.
Filmaker Joe Dante: The term "Monster Kids" has come up and that's something that we all sort of realized we were later. But at the time, this magazine united a lot of people that didn't know there were other people like them out there.
Joe Dante: Forry introduced us to the movies of the past, actors who had long since passed away that we learned to love and appreciate. He did a service to the entire culture. Forry changed the face of the culture with his magazine. Everytime I ever met Forry it was nothing but gracious and wonderful. The one thing that all of us have in common being contemporaries of Forry is that we discovered him when we were kids and that part of us has stayed with us. That was always one of the things about Forry that was most endearing was that he was very childlike...and that's why he was so infectious.
Joe Dante's recollections are here in this selection from Forry's tribute.
Make-up Artist, Rick Baker (Monster Maker!): All those funny names we knew him by, to me he'll always be Uncle Forry. It's funny to me how this strange man affected my life and so many lives of people of my generation.
Rick Baker: He not only talked about the directors and the actors he talked about the men behind the scenes. And that's where I learned a lot of the names of the men who made the monsters. Ray Harryhausen, Willis O'Brien, Marcel Delgado, Jack Pierce, Jack Kevan, Dick Smith, John Chambers all these men who made monsters for a living. And I thought to myself, some day if I'm good enough maybe I'll be in the pages of Famous Monsters....and that day came. He educated us. He entertained us. He inspired us. I'll be forever grateful.
Rick Baker along with Kevin Burns can both be heard in this final selection of guests attending Forry Ackerman's tribute at the Egyptian Theatre in March of 2009
Filmmaker Kevin Burns: I met the man behind the curtain, the Wizard of Oz. He did not disappoint me as I feared he would. Someone said earlier he had a personal relationship with everyone in this room. And he did. Whether you met him or not you did because he touched you as a child. And if you touch the heart of a child, you have him for the rest of your life.
At the end of the list of guests for the day, the crowd gathered to join Forry's closest confident Joe Moe in singing "Forry Boy".
As it could only be, Forry Ackerman gets the final word.
Photographer David Michael Hawk and author Debbie Painter. I was so glad to be with you guys especially at this time.
Debbie has some wonderful articles of Forry in Movie Collector World. A Forry tribute in Issue #729 and of this particular tribute in Issue #733 (with photos by David).
Debbie Painter also wrote a book on Forry: The Life of Forrest J Ackerman which can be ordered here: http://tinyurl.com/a7gt43o
After all the good words about Forry, he got the last word: Sci-Fi.
Here supporting Forry's forever vision is fellow "Scarlet Streeter", and associate Publisher of Scarlet: The Film Magazine, Arlene Domkowski.
Arlene and the gang keep the "Scarlet" memories alive down on the Street here: http://scarletstreet.com/
Speaking for myself, the motion pictures "The War of the Worlds" along with "King Kong" are my two equal favorites.
If one could have gone back in time and told me as a child that some day I'd be able to not only meet the lead lady from "The War of the Worlds", but hang out with her and ask questions, get personal... I think I speak for many close to Forry who allowed them that experience in saying that I'd never have been able to believe it. Thank goodness I lived long enough to believe it!
Ann Robinson: Mr. Ackerman, he kept me alive because he kept me going to all these places. He kept introducing me he kept talking about me. I met him in 1977. Up until that time I knew nothing about fandom. I had no idea who Mr. Ackerman was. Hadn't a clue. And then he invited me to everything and he kept saying, "This is Ann Robinson, do you remember her?" I was lost for 25 years. No one knew (where I was), not even George Pal. He said, "Whatever happened to you?" Well I moved to Mexico married a bull fighter and had two children.
What a night! The Forry Party lasted well into the next day. I recall phoning home after it was all over at about 4am PDT. (That is... 7am EDT!)
Shown here are writer Pam Keesey, filmmaker Tim Sullivan & actor Ryan Fleming.
With so much to take in, you can imagine so much was not shown here. Probably the most important I wasn't able to properly record was the ending when musicians, Joe Moe, Sean Fernald, Marc Doten & Heather Lockie said goodbye to our "Forry Boy" to the tune of Forry favorite, Al Jolson's "Sonny Boy".
Without Joe Moe behind the scenes putting all of it together surely this magical experience would not have taken place. I wish I'd been sitting on the other side of the theatre so I could have captured the moment on film.
I'm leaving with a rare poster (which I understand is partially obscured by my blog window. Please select the image to enlarge it and see the artwork more closely.) The poster commemorates the event and was created by artist Bill Chancellor. You can see more of Mr. Chancellor's work at:
After Forry's tribute, the next day was an expected day of recuperation.
As I had done during most of my stay I wound up at the beach and this time recorded some Swing-a-Ring activities.
You can see by the way some folks were dressed there was a cool breeze coming in from the Pacific.
It's early March, and yes that water was cold, but do you think I would miss out on going in? Not on your life. I figured that since I grew up being in the cold waters of Lake Michigan I could handle it.
These folks were fun to watch. It sounded like they were speaking German amongst themselves but when talking directly to me I heard only perfect English.
It was good quietly hanging out with this positive energy, preparing for the next move in this "Voyage Home" of mine.
The next day I'd pick up the dog from the Pet Hotel, we'd head on up to Yosemite for a day....
...then on to Colorado Springs (the Home of Lon Chaney!) and our home with family Carol & Wayne.
Wayne Welkenback & Carol Miller (and our 'kid' Pal). Wayne has been a brother of mine since 1965. Me and my pup stayed with them for about a week. Pal sure enjoyed 'cousin' Gypsee's company... not to mention Uncle Wayne and Aunt Carol.
Wayne & Carol close up. I was honored to be Best Man at their wedding in 1987. Very dear people. It was quite a lift for me seeing them again. First time since 2005.
Here's Carol, myself and (from left to right) their dog Gypsee and my Pal.
This shows a little bit of Carol and Wayne's back yard area in Colorado Springs.
A close up of me and the children.
A rare photo of Wayne Welkenback and myself, John Stoskopf. After all of these years as brothers there is still very few of these. Nothing can compare to the loads of memories!
This is the vehicle I rented this year 2011 to return home to Colorado. Since the last time I'd stayed with Carol & Wayne in 2009 they had moved back closer to Wayne's work in Denver. Their new home was very much like their former home in Colorado Springs with a very similar layout.
We enjoyed so many great walks, myself, Carol & Wayne and Judy (Carol's sister) with our dogs Molly, Gypsee & Pal. I owe them all so much.
Wyoming: I think this was on a detour. I'd left Denver very early in the morning on July 5, 2011 to try and make it to the Grand Teton mountains. It took longer than I thought it would but what a nice drive and very relaxing too. I'd pull off the road every so often and tell my dog Pal, "Hold on a little bit while I try and take a picture! I'll be right here, I'm not going anywhere!!"
Wyoming: Getting closer. I was so fortunate because the entire trip was just perfect. This was just a turnout but I managed to snap a photo before the fire ants ate me alive. They were just everywhere and if you stopped for a moment they'd be up your leg!
Outside Grand Teton: Stepped off the road for a moment, Pal's head peering from the back seat of the car. "Pal, I see a photo!"
Campground, Grand Teton WY: We arrived at our destination just as the evening was upon us. Amazingly I had a phone connection and contacted Wayne and then my mother. A campsite was picked out as the night was upon us and then we were up very early in the morning. This was what we stopped to look at as we left our place of rest.
Jackson Hole, WY: Wayne had told me this was a great way to enter the Tetons. I had entered from a different direction because it was unfamiliar territory that I wanted to explore, but then dropped down to this town for the night anyway. Nice way to wake up in the morning!
Grand Tetons early morning. It's too bad I can't hit a home run on this photograph. The print is simply too dark and so I copied this from the negative but my scanner is just not as high resolution as I need to capture exactly what I want. Still this is pretty much how I saw it very early in the morning of July 6th, 2011.
Yellowstone National Park, WY: I've never been to Yellowstone so this is a dream come true. Of course I didn't have the time I'd have wanted, but I got all the fulfillment I needed.
Yellowstone National Park, WY: One of the 'turn-offs' brought us to this point. Very hot water!!
Yellowstone Park
Yellowstone Park, Wyoming
Yellowstone Park
Yellowstone Park
Yellowstone Park
Always something to see, especially on all of the 'turn-offs' provided.
Yellowstone Park
Yellowstone Park
There are two tiny figures in the center climbing up a trail.
Reaching the Northern most part of Yellowstone, very close to Montana.
It was getting near evening time when I left Yellowstone to begin exploring the State of Montana. My dog Pal and I slept right on the ground under a beautiful clear sky that night and traveled throughout the state the next day. I'd almost made it to the Dakotas when I found interest in Makoshika State Park in Glendive, Montana.
July 7, 2011. This was one of those roads my mother told me not to drive on. True enough I really needed a four-wheeler because I did almost get stuck further on down the road in the soft soil.
I understand there were some dinosaur fossils found in this area of Montana. That was enough to interest me!
Makoshita State Park, Glendive, Montana
The Maltese Cross Ranch cabin built about 7 miles S of Medora in the wooded bottom-lands of Little Missouri River. A one and one-half story cabin complete with shingled roof & root cellar. Constructed of durable ponderosa pine logs with wooden floors & 3 separate rooms (kitchen, living room & Roosevelt's bedroom). The steeply pitched roof, an oddity on the northern plains, created an upstairs sleeping loft for ranch hands. Roosevelt actively ranched in the badlands until early 1887. -from Theodore Roosevelt National Park documentation
Inside Roosevelt park museum exhibit.
Apparently garment worn when the assassination attempt was made on TR.
Pal in the Park. That dog has seen a lot of the USA.
Near the end of the park trip I was able to stop the car on the road and take this photo from the driver's seat.
Photographs originally published April 28, 29, 30; May 7, 12, 14; June 11, 14, 16, 17, 2009 & August 30; September 27, 2011 & January 5, 2012 on my Facebook account along with some video presentations created and shown for the first time here!
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