* * *
***No copyright infringement intended***
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."
Please visit the Famous Monsters website at: http://famousmonsters.com/
"Sci-Fi is Our High!" -- Forry's Legion of Nieces and Nephews
This fascinating piece of history [at least I think so] is a reproduction of a flyer that I've only ever seen while attending Son of FM Con in 1995. It promises the beginning of a new and intriguing Forry World, one entirely devoted to what Forry Ackerman was really all about, Science Fiction.
Had it been possible, however, I am confident "Classic Sci-Fi & Fantasy" would have been a winner!
Thanks to Forry's "Spaceman" #4 [Warren magazine-July 1962] I've been able to identify this piece of art from the advertisement.
The year is 2004. I've always considered myself a fortunate person because so many very cherished dreams of mine have come true and yet in this year another adventure would commence which, for me, would really be a mind blower.
I'd learned of Forry's Birthday Bashes via the beautiful people I'd met down on what I called "the Street". I am referring to the folks and supporters of Scarlet Street Magazine. Publisher Richard Valley even had a special place in each issue where Forry could run an editorial. Every year at their website the discussion would arise about Forry and his birthday celebration.
This year I finally thought, "a Hollywood Party?"...Count Me In!
The night before the bash I arrived in Horrorwood, Karloffornia and took this picture of the next day's location of the party.
I could not wait!
Forry Ackerman's 88th Birthday cake.
There he is! Our man of the hour with an unidentified fan.
This is a great example of the warmth Forry had for his fans. I've seen that look on the unidentified fellow before, on myself whenever I was near Forrest J Ackerman.
I sent all the photos I thought worth looking at to Richard Valley, publisher of "Scarlet Street" magazine, and I was absolutely thrilled beyond belief when some of them showed up in the next issue.
Ann "War of the Worlds" Robinson is shown here. My two favorite films of all time are split between "War of the Worlds" and "King Kong". I missed the opportunity to see Fay Wray in person. Meeting the lady behind the Martian was quite the thrill!
When I (alone) showed up at Forry's 88th Birthday Bash, the first person to greet me so kindly was Richard Valley. What a lovely man. This is a candid shot of him next to the Chaneys (Ron and Linda).
Richard's first words to me were, "We were expecting you to pop up at some time." I'd been a member of the Scarlet Street boards since 2000 but didn't think of anyone expecting me and it was a very nice feeling to be so much included.
Yet these are the type of people we're talking about. People full of peace and love and kindness to their fans. I've found that those who fall within Forry's aura are usually pretty giving people. That's why none of us ever want to leave it, I guess.
I love how much people enjoy and acknowledge each other when Forry is at the center.
A candid shot of our man, Forrest J Ackerman with birthday cake in the "4-E-ground".
Ann Robinson
A very good time.
Suddenly I had this feeling that I was experiencing a resurrection of my childhood in a way. The feelings were to come back very strongly. All that wonder this person gifted you with by the giving of himself.
I remembered what it was like, that feeling I had when I used to go by the drug store every day waiting for the next issue of Famous Monsters to appear on the magazine rack. I can see it now as I carry it to the counter waiting impatiently to run out of the building so I can flip through the pages. Time goes by slowly when you are a kid and sometimes waiting for the next issue could really take its toll. When the moment came and FM did arrive the experience was absolutely sacred.
So here I was looking around and seeing myself in all of the other faces. I'd never been this close! Suddenly a question. What was I to Forry Ackerman?
This is a photo taken after most folks had left. Not being able to leave I stuck around, a move that would prove quite fruitful.
Scarlet Street publisher Richard Valley having a talk with myself.
Writer Al Paige has become such a friend. A lovely thing I have noticed about the precious gift of Forry Ackerman is when people realize that each have a mutual love for Forry they sort of get a feeling that the other must be all right and they open up. The next thing, friendships are born!
Perhaps that truth helped make it easier for the next unexpected event. I was invited to Forry's home by Joe Moe. In fact, the general impression I got could be summed up this way: "We'll be seeing you there, won't we?"
Shown here is Linda & Ron Chaney, Al Paige, unknown photographer, and from back to front Bill Chancellor, Richard Valley and Tom Amorosi in the foreground.
I was beside myself. As Ron Chaney told it to me, going back to Forry's home after the party and being with him as he opened his birthday presents was pretty much a tradition.
Getting out the map to find Forry's street in one hand and holding onto my mobile phone with the other, shaking, I called home. "Mom! I'm following the Chaneys over to Forry's home!"
How cool is that? Yeah, I tried to deal with keeping my eyes on traffic with the head spinning!
Here's the original photo I took of Forry holding a neat representation of George Méliès' "A Trip to the Moon".
That same photo as shown in Forry's own "Crimson Chronicles' appearing in Scarlet Street Magazine #53 [Please select the picture to enlarge.]
If I could go back in time and tell an 11 year old me that one day not only would I meet the man himself, but I would be a part of an article written by him....well the kid would never believe it.
So maybe, I could think, maybe even I might have meant something back to Forry? I even got my name mentioned by him appearing not too far below the photograph. The feeling was no less exciting than it would have had this year been 1964 and not 2004.
Well, for anyone out there whom ever shared the same feelings about Forrest J Ackerman, the Imagi-Nation that he built of which you and I are a part of, I can assure you that you meant something very big back to Forry.
Eternal thanks to Richard Valley for using some of the material I'd sent him. Richard you were a Dream Maker.
And what a cover! My favorite: Lon Chaney
Inside the Acker-minimansion with Ron Chaney, Scarlet Street Layout artist Tom Amorosi & Linda Chaney
Scarlet Street Publisher/Editor Richard Valley joins the fun.
Note Ron's famous great-grandfather behind him.
Just look at those teeth!
I'd mentioned to Ron that I was one of those kids who (because of Forry) was able to send a letter to his grandfather before he passed away. He told me the Chaney family kept all of that stuff so somewhere my letter to the Wolf Man may still exist.
Whether he was prepared or not, I am so glad I was able to give this man a hug before he left. Ron is so kind.
That evening I got another thrill as Joe Moe invited me to stay the night with the gang.
I can't describe the feeling I had waking up the next morning and just looking around and finding myself surrounded by all those magical things Forry had collected over the years. It was indeed heaven for this fan!
At the center of it all was our beloved Rich & Tom.
[Richard Valley & Tom Amorosi]
Personalities shining through!
The next day as Forry prepares to go out for breakfast with Anita & Terry Pace he takes a moment to tell more tales to one of the next generation of Sci-Fi/Monster Fans, Forrest Phillips Bradbury Pace.
As Anita explains: Forrest and his younger sister Alexandra both have very clear memories of Uncle Forry. They would insist on always driving by the Acker-mini-mansion every time we'd visit LA LA Land.
Apologies to Joe Moe because I know he deserves a better photograph yet being that he has been so integral in the support of Forry and his fans and in putting together events like this one, I could not mention him in just words alone.
Bye for now!
Well, I had so much fun I came back for Forry's 89th Birthday in 2005.
What followed was certainly not a 'repeat' for the previous year for me. As mentioned before, things just keep getting better when you enter Forry's world.
When walking into the Birthday Bash room for Forry there was a table full of gifts, of which you can see a small portion of shown here.
Tom Amorosi was back.
Ann Robinson returned!
http://www.annrobinson.com/
I'd arrived the night before and did go by Forry's home but felt it just too late to go knocking on his door.
When I did come by the day of the party everyone was wondering why I hadn't stayed the night so I rectified that and the rest of my visit was back where I belonged. Thanks again to Forry and Joe Moe for having me!!!
Forry and Ray Bradbury
The wonderful Ray Bradbury
Hi Ray!
Artist Bill Chancellor
You can learn more about Bill at: http://www.artbybillchancellor.com/
Unfortunately I don't have the picture I would have wanted of Director Curtis Harrington but I do have a wonderful story.
At Forry's 89th birthday Bash, Curtis so kindly invited me to give him a call after the party sometime during our wonderful stay at the Ackermansion that weekend.
Well I did and Curtis was so kind, such a gentleman, he mentioned to me that it must be a 'godsend' that I called because he very much wanted to attend a private screening of a film made by one of his friends and had no one to drive him there.
Looking back what followed was quite funny because I could not for the life of me find Curtis' home and he was in hysterics trying to 'direct' me to it properly via mobile phone. I know it is difficult to believe but I tell you the damned map was just wrong. Curtis' address was not on it.
Anyway, it was hell at the time, but I made it and Curtis began to calm down after awhile and I felt a little better when he found himself slightly challenged remembering the exact location where the screening was to be held.
This is a flyer from the film we saw ["Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont"] along with a little history.
I really enjoyed the film and we had a wonderful evening together. Curtis then took me out to a Thai restaurant (my favorite food!) afterwards and it was just supreme.
Can you imagine? As a child I could only dream of what it would be like to be a part of this fantastic world of movie making...but here I was talking direct to one of the best and he indeed was a beautiful man.
It has meant so much to me to meet people who have been where I could only wish to go and to find them so kind and giving back to me. I've been quite a fortunate fellow.
Words of advice that Curtis gave to me: "Young man, I tell you one thing and that is if you want something done ...you go straight to the top. Do not waste your time trying to 'work your way up'. That is what I did at Universal and that is why I was able to save 'The Old Dark House' from oblivion and.... I didn't wait, I went for it."
Curtis rescued "The Old Dark House" [1932] and he's forever a hero. He wouldn't take 'no' as an answer and only expected a positive outcome and he got it. He had obtained employment at Universal Pictures and his one big goal was to save the film that was directed by his friend James Whale from complete neglect and decomposition. It is a complete story in itself, but here I was enjoying a real piece of it. I always loved James Whale's work and this man knew him. This man allowed me to share our mutual admiration of this great artist we both so cherished.
Above all, this man Curtis Harrington, was kind to me.
*There is a more detailed account of this entire event at the end of this post.
Curtis, thanks for one of the best evenings I ever enjoyed. Here he is again after Richard Valley, Tom Amorosi and Alan Skinner.
Forry giving a hand to his fans....which is what he really did later in the evening.
You can just vaguely see a cast made of Forry's hand which the lady on the left is holding.
Forry hand-in-hand!
Ann Robinson's son Estefan, Forry & Ann herself!
Tom & Estefan
Back home after the party!
Dear Richard Valley.
Richard is still remembered at the site he created: http://scarletstreet.yuku.com/
Wonderful Joe Moe.
You can get more Joe Moe at his website: http://www.gojoemoe.com/
Out front at the Acker-Mini-mansion.
Joe Moe had an extra ticket and invited me...ME!...to go with him, Rich and Tommy to see "Equus" starring George Takei.
Here we are out front of the theatre going inside.
George Takei and the East West Players.
A little history.
After the show out back we get to visit with the cast and company through Joe Moe's friendship with them.
I'd mentioned to George Takei that I'd no idea what "Equus" was about before I'd seen it. (Powerful play, wonderful performance!!!)
"Oh, so you are a virgin?" was his response. Yes, indeed.
Thanks Joe! Thanks Rich!! Love you guys!
The year 2006 and it's Forry's 90th Birthday Bash!
I wouldn't be able to make Forry's 90th, however that year saw the release of a must-have DVD video called "The Sci-Fi Boys" by Paul Davids. It is truly the ultimate celebration of all things Forry and what his influence has done for the Science Fiction & Fantasy genre.
You can learn more about this great gift by going to Paul David's website: http://www.pauldavids.com/sci_ficomp.html
Finally, I end this three part tribute to Forrest J Ackerman's Imagi-Nation where I started it with some more information about his "Son of FM Convention" in 1995
I can't forget the excitement when planning to attend this event.
"Son of FM Con" was hosted by Adam West who would enjoy a very nice booklet printed in 1996 by Dynacomm Publications all about his "Batman" television series. I couldn't resist showing the pretty atmospheric two-page portrait of Mr. West celebrating at that time 30 years of his classic TV character.
Being a part of the revived Famous Monsters Fan Club I received this rare flyer in the mail.
Also received as an exclusive to members of the FM Fan Club was this issue of "The Graveyard Examiner" which I put here for your enjoyment. [Please select to enlarge.]
I believe no matter what one would think of Forry selling pieces of carpet from his home at the time, looking back from today I would have liked to have ordered one for myself. The list of people he mentions is so Classic Forry! Joe Moe gets a mention in this issue as well.
Where I was at in 2005 moments before telephoning Curtis Harrington to set up an evening together.
Please select this link to enhance this panorama: http://tinyurl.com/9y9nfyf
I'd learned of Forry's Birthday Bashes via the beautiful people I'd met down on what I called "the Street". I am referring to the folks and supporters of Scarlet Street Magazine. Publisher Richard Valley even had a special place in each issue where Forry could run an editorial. Every year at their website the discussion would arise about Forry and his birthday celebration.
This year I finally thought, "a Hollywood Party?"...Count Me In!
The night before the bash I arrived in Horrorwood, Karloffornia and took this picture of the next day's location of the party.
I could not wait!
Richard's first words to me were, "We were expecting you to pop up at some time." I'd been a member of the Scarlet Street boards since 2000 but didn't think of anyone expecting me and it was a very nice feeling to be so much included.
Yet these are the type of people we're talking about. People full of peace and love and kindness to their fans. I've found that those who fall within Forry's aura are usually pretty giving people. That's why none of us ever want to leave it, I guess.
I remembered what it was like, that feeling I had when I used to go by the drug store every day waiting for the next issue of Famous Monsters to appear on the magazine rack. I can see it now as I carry it to the counter waiting impatiently to run out of the building so I can flip through the pages. Time goes by slowly when you are a kid and sometimes waiting for the next issue could really take its toll. When the moment came and FM did arrive the experience was absolutely sacred.
So here I was looking around and seeing myself in all of the other faces. I'd never been this close! Suddenly a question. What was I to Forry Ackerman?
Shown here is Linda & Ron Chaney, Al Paige, unknown photographer, and from back to front Bill Chancellor, Richard Valley and Tom Amorosi in the foreground.
How cool is that? Yeah, I tried to deal with keeping my eyes on traffic with the head spinning!
If I could go back in time and tell an 11 year old me that one day not only would I meet the man himself, but I would be a part of an article written by him....well the kid would never believe it.
So maybe, I could think, maybe even I might have meant something back to Forry? I even got my name mentioned by him appearing not too far below the photograph. The feeling was no less exciting than it would have had this year been 1964 and not 2004.
Well, for anyone out there whom ever shared the same feelings about Forrest J Ackerman, the Imagi-Nation that he built of which you and I are a part of, I can assure you that you meant something very big back to Forry.
And what a cover! My favorite: Lon Chaney
—Scarlet Street Magazine #53 (2005) w/ Lon Chaney as "The Phantom of the Opera"
Note Ron's famous great-grandfather behind him.
The Man in the Hat is Back. "RON-don After Midnight".
Just look at those teeth!
Whether he was prepared or not, I am so glad I was able to give this man a hug before he left. Ron is so kind.
That evening I got another thrill as Joe Moe invited me to stay the night with the gang.
I can't describe the feeling I had waking up the next morning and just looking around and finding myself surrounded by all those magical things Forry had collected over the years. It was indeed heaven for this fan!
Personalities shining through!
As Anita explains: Forrest and his younger sister Alexandra both have very clear memories of Uncle Forry. They would insist on always driving by the Acker-mini-mansion every time we'd visit LA LA Land.
Come back y'all.
— with Richard Valley, Tom Amorosi, Al Paige and Bill Chancellor.
What followed was certainly not a 'repeat' for the previous year for me. As mentioned before, things just keep getting better when you enter Forry's world.
http://www.annrobinson.com/
When I did come by the day of the party everyone was wondering why I hadn't stayed the night so I rectified that and the rest of my visit was back where I belonged. Thanks again to Forry and Joe Moe for having me!!!
Havin' a laugh. That's what we did!!
— with author Pam Keesey
You can enjoy more of Pam at: http://pamkeesey.com/
You can learn more about Bill at: http://www.artbybillchancellor.com/
At Forry's 89th birthday Bash, Curtis so kindly invited me to give him a call after the party sometime during our wonderful stay at the Ackermansion that weekend.
Well I did and Curtis was so kind, such a gentleman, he mentioned to me that it must be a 'godsend' that I called because he very much wanted to attend a private screening of a film made by one of his friends and had no one to drive him there.
Looking back what followed was quite funny because I could not for the life of me find Curtis' home and he was in hysterics trying to 'direct' me to it properly via mobile phone. I know it is difficult to believe but I tell you the damned map was just wrong. Curtis' address was not on it.
Anyway, it was hell at the time, but I made it and Curtis began to calm down after awhile and I felt a little better when he found himself slightly challenged remembering the exact location where the screening was to be held.
Can you imagine? As a child I could only dream of what it would be like to be a part of this fantastic world of movie making...but here I was talking direct to one of the best and he indeed was a beautiful man.
It has meant so much to me to meet people who have been where I could only wish to go and to find them so kind and giving back to me. I've been quite a fortunate fellow.
Words of advice that Curtis gave to me: "Young man, I tell you one thing and that is if you want something done ...you go straight to the top. Do not waste your time trying to 'work your way up'. That is what I did at Universal and that is why I was able to save 'The Old Dark House' from oblivion and.... I didn't wait, I went for it."
Curtis rescued "The Old Dark House" [1932] and he's forever a hero. He wouldn't take 'no' as an answer and only expected a positive outcome and he got it. He had obtained employment at Universal Pictures and his one big goal was to save the film that was directed by his friend James Whale from complete neglect and decomposition. It is a complete story in itself, but here I was enjoying a real piece of it. I always loved James Whale's work and this man knew him. This man allowed me to share our mutual admiration of this great artist we both so cherished.
Above all, this man Curtis Harrington, was kind to me.
*There is a more detailed account of this entire event at the end of this post.
Richard is still remembered at the site he created: http://scarletstreet.yuku.com/
You can get more Joe Moe at his website: http://www.gojoemoe.com/
Here we are out front of the theatre going inside.
My buddies, inside.
— with Richard Valley, Tom Amorosi & Joe Moe [holding a copy of Forry's book dedicated to that year's birthday bash titled "Cosmic Report Card: Earth"
"Oh, so you are a virgin?" was his response. Yes, indeed.
Mr. Takei asked me if I wanted my picture taken with him, and I did but by this time I'd finally become so comfortable with everyone that just taking the photos was fun enough for me.
Thanks Joe! Thanks Rich!! Love you guys!
— with Richard Valley, George Takei and Joe Moe
You can learn more about this great gift by going to Paul David's website: http://www.pauldavids.com/sci_ficomp.html
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Perhaps I should have been named Forrest J Acker-pun. I am now 89 years old. Perhaps 80 years ago I was introduced to punning with the following; a person was locked in a closet and told they would not be released until they came up with a pun. They promptly replied, "Oh-pun the door!".
Then I was a youngster, I remember hickory, dickery, dock. The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck one. Dead mouse!
And Mary had a little lamb...the doctor fainted.
And a question: What does a fountain and the Prince of Wales have in common? Answer: the water in a fountain was thrown to the air. The Prince of Wales was heir to the throne.
Then there was the scientific version of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star': Scintillate, scintillate, globule vivivific. Fain would I fathom thy nature specific. Loftily poised in the ether capacious. Strongly resembling a gem carbonaceous.
Now I am going to sample the pages of this authors' compendium hoping they do not land me in the pun-itentiary. It is recommended that you peruse this volume with a shot of pun-icillin by your side.
FJA - From his introduction for "Monsterrific Jokes, Puzzles, Puns & Riddles" by David J. Marchant Copyright 2006
Please select this link to enhance this panorama: http://tinyurl.com/9y9nfyf
Most photographs originally published December 6,7 & 10, 2008 on my Facebook account along with some new ones shown for the first time here!
This was a note I happened to come across recently that I’d forgotten I’d written to friend Al Paige about Forry’s 89th Birthday party. I thought it would be a nice thing to share in honor of Uncle Ack’s 99th.
Reading this again after 10 years has brought back warm thoughts and memories that I had forgotten! I’m so glad I wrote it down while it was somewhat fresh in my mind. There may be some things that might be considered too personal, but it’s not my point to dwell on anything but the human aspects of the occasion, and how much indebted I am to this experience and the people involved.
Happy Birthday, Forry!
Love, John
***
From: John Stoskopf
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 - 7:16 pm
To: Al Paige
Subject: RE: Hey John! How was the party??!
Hi Al!
I’m real glad you asked! I’ve been meaning to update you (and Rich & Tom too, particularly on what happened after they left to head back home.) [Note: I am referring to Richard Valley and Tom Amorosi.]
I got there late, Friday evening. First, after leaving the airport, I checked out where the meeting place would be for Forry’s Birthday Bash, then I checked out the relationship of its location with Forry’s place. Everyone was having fun with me later because I just drove by that night, but I couldn’t knock on his door at 1am in the morning, although they believe some people may still have been awake at that time. I saw the lights on but it looked quiet. I was pretty dragged out from the trip anyway and enjoyed finding a place to stay for the night so I could freshen up and present myself better the next day.
I like the Orchid Restaurant (where Forry’s birthday party was held). I hope these pictures I took came out because almost all of them were either taken here where it was quite dark inside or elsewhere at night. I gotta get those taken care of very soon. If I have some good ones I’ll make sure you, Rich & Tom & Joe & Forry get copies.
It was simply great seeing Rich & Tom again and I got so lucky because they had an opening at their table so I got to sit with them right across from Forry’s table. You probably know this by now but Ray Bradbury made it this time and I think I got a good shot of him. I understand he can be quite emotional when he talks about Forry and if you have a conversation with him, he’s likely to (showing his affection) pat you on the face when he’s talking to you. I missed out on that but then again I didn’t want to bug them for autographs or anything like that, so I just took pictures.
While there, we met up with Ann Robinson again, who was sitting near Rich & Tom’s table. She was great to talk to as usual. Her son was with her and I believe his name is Estafano and he immediately took me by surprise at being so outwardly friendly. He kept going on about how later that evening he and Mom were going to be at the Rustic Inn right across the street from Forry’s and got my mobile phone number so he could call later to let us know when they arrive so we could hang out together. He had such a buildup that I think I was disappointed when he didn’t call, however, I was pretty beat by that time and was also glad I was able to instead get some sleep! (Deep down I kind of figured they’d be pretty tired themselves by that time.)
The other guest that sat at Rich & Tom’s table was Curtis Harrington. It was great seeing him and he looked great too, even after coming back from his stroke he had earlier this year. I guess it did affect him to the point he had to sort of learn to walk again. (I know about all that because my Dad went through it with his kidneys failing years ago which left him unable to walk for months...so I told Curtis I have at least an idea of what he may have gone through experiencing it with my Dad. I’ll have to tell you more about that story later.)
Soon, another surprise. I didn’t mention this to Rich & Tom only because I really didn’t know what to make of it but Curtis really started talking with me and before he left he gave me his card and asked if I would call him because he really wanted me to stop by for tea sometime. He was cute too because he was leaning on me and mentioned he’s only doing that because he is having trouble sometimes steadying himself after the stroke. I guess I didn’t really want to commit to anything at the time so that’s why I just let it ride without really giving him an answer. I did, however, wind up calling him and that turned out to be a nice little adventure in itself, which I will explain in a few paragraphs.
Everyone was so nice as always. Of course, after the party I would be back at Forry’s and there seemed no question about me staying at his home again, like last year. I’m generally a person that is too sensitive and I’m really trying to work on that, but I’m trusting Joe (Moe) when he says I’m welcome. I get worried as I never want to wear out my stay, yet I admit I just simply really enjoy being around all these guys (and you!)
The (rental) car I had did come in handy because I was able to drop off and pick up Rich & Tom from the Musso and Frank restaurant. (Note: They were there to have dinner and do some business with someone, I forget who it was now.) I also gave Bill Chancellor a lift to the airport on Monday when he headed back to El Paso.
It was simply wonderful to get your phone call, Al! I enjoyed talking to you a lot and I know everyone else got a real kick out of hearing from you. (Also glad to hear your party worked out so well. Thanks for posting your pictures from that!)
The whole trip was certainly even better than I could have expected, which is hard to believe as I knew it would be great. I was able to relax more like I wanted to but the only thing was, emotionally, it still was intense. It was great, but intense, and I’ll explain. First, not only did Joe invite me to stick around but Sunday evening when he, Rich & Tom were going to see Equus, I lucked out again. It just so happened Joe had an extra ticket I could use and sit with them. Well, it was really really great! I didn’t know anything about the play and it was intense...more than I thought it would be so when it was over we were all (happily) exhausted, I think. George Takei was very nice and thanks to Joe we were able to meet him after the show and I got some more pictures. I was able to tell him my impressions, being a ‘virgin’ as he said, because I’d never seen the play and did not know the story. He was very personable and down-to-earth....just like as if you knew him well.
Then we saw Rich and Tom off at the train station the next day and I’m going to thank the both of them once again for having me around. They are just great and I’m really thankful (speaking of Thanksgiving) that I’ve had the chance to spend some time with them.
Hey, by the way, only just this moment I checked out the (Scarlet Street Forums) message board and found he (Richard Valley) was sick by the time they got home. He was looking great when they left so I’m really sorry to hear this happened to him, but equally glad to understand he’s doing better now. Geez, I wonder what hit him exactly? That’s a hell of a way to get home.
The next day I wasn’t feeling too forward as I wasn’t the only one still around. Bill Chancellor was also at Forry’s home as well and I felt useful to be able to drop him off at the airport which got me out of the house to do something as everyone had their own plans for the day. Afterwards I hung out at the beach and then figured that it was time to call Curtis Harrington. It could not have worked out better. I happened to catch him at a moment where he said he was wanting to get out and see a private screening of a new film “Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont”, which a friend of his, Dan Ireland, had just completed. It stars Joan Plowright.
Apparently Curtis said he had two people in a row cancel out on him that day so with no one to take him there, he asked if I would and then he’d treat me to dinner. Well, I thought this was just great, especially since I was able to help out a little by getting him there. Everything eventually worked out too, however, there was those intense moments. First, I felt bad because I tried real hard to understand where he lived based off of what he told me. I was able to get within the vicinity and simply figured I would call him when it was time to talk me through the last steps. (He’s right down Franklin road from Forry’s about 10 minutes away, but he’s in the hills where all the roads twist and turn.)
I got back to Forry’s and let Joe know my plans, then after cleaning myself up and ready to meet Curtis and on time, all was supposed to go well, except for one thing: I just could not find the dang place! I know what my problem was now, I relied on this stupid map I had. It has his street plain as day on it but this map was not correct! It had me going all over the place in a way where I’d never get to his house. I called him up on time and he tried to explain the correct way to get to his home, but the problem was he was starting to get frantic about being late and that made me more nervous and it got to a point where he was speaking very loudly and the whole thing was starting to really get us both worked up.
“No! No! You must follow my instructions precisely,” he said. Later when I got to his house it was, “I simply do not know how you could have gotten lost!” he said, sounding very much like the director his is. I just bit my lip and weathered it out.
I didn’t feel quite so bad when he couldn’t find our destination! It was called Sunset Tower, or so he thought, but it turned out there are two buildings with the same name. One was actually a hotel, and the correct building was actually called Sunset Towers (with an ‘s’ at the end of Tower) so you can imagine him cussing away about this one. “God....Daaa....gees, who would think there are two buildings called Sunset Tower, I can’t believe this!”
We got to the second building and he hopped out of the car and asked a doorman if there was a private screening going on inside and that was an affirmative. I moved the car to keep it from hanging out in the street as he was talking and he got frantic, waving his hands all around for me to park the car in the garage. Wow, it was a bit nerve wracking! We got inside and he was still grumbling and complaining.
We got to our destination and found some nice comfortable leather seats, which were all taken of course, for which he could not help but remind me that had we been on time we could have had one of those seats, “but I guess we’ll have to take the bitter with the good,” he said.
There were two fold-out chairs right there as we walked into this small screening room, but he kept going on about where we were going to sit to the point he was pissing off some of the other people there with his grumbling. One guy said, “There’s a chair right here.” Curtis says, “Where? I don’t see it,” to which the guy replied, “Right here!” grabbing the fold-out in front of him and pounding it on the floor.
Curtis says, “No never mind, I don’t want to sit there.” Had he accepted we wouldn’t have been able to sit next to each other.
Then a guy in the front row, sitting in one of those comfortable leather seats says, “You are welcome to sit here.”
Curtis replies, “No, I like the hard seat.”
Of course, by this time I was laughing as much inside as my nerves were being rattled!
Then we saw the film. I do believe that he enjoyed it the most out of anyone there. It’s about an older lady that checks into a London retirement hotel and is basically abandoned by her family. She meets up with a young lad and they become fast friends. Then she dies. Wow....more intense stuff, and as far as I was concerned hitting very close to home as the whole time I was thinking about my mother.
Afterwards we went out to a Thai restaurant and Curtis very nicely took care of my meal. I really will need to return the favor. He was very pleasant and kept going on about what a blessing it was I just happened to call him. Being so nice he did make me feel much better about the whole thing.
Of course we talked about his career and the fact that he knew James Whale. He was saying how he met James in France where he was staying and that James was so impressed by him doing so well, being completely on his own. James eventually gave him some money to get by with, as Curtis was living, as he described, “hand to mouth.” I guess one of the things that impressed James Whale so well was that no one had come up to him before and told him how much his films meant to them. At that time (the 1950s) it wasn’t easy to see the older films so Curtis was always on the look-out for any revivals that might, in particular, feature a James Whale film. It is gratifying to know James had someone tell him how important he was to them before he died.
Curtis was really a kind gentleman. After dinner, he took me around to show me a few favorite and beautiful places that he loved in Los Angeles. I got him home and he said goodbye and I promised I’d send him a Christmas card. It was not that late of an evening so when I returned to Forry’s home people were still up and about.
The final day of my stay was wonderful. Forry was up shortly after I awakened. He asked if I’d signed his “Comments” book. He calls it that but it’s really an address book. I had the day before but he’d forgotten and so I reminded him that at the time I didn’t know what to write after first putting my address down. As I had pondered about it and started writing, stopping again to ponder some more, Forry had interrupted with, “Say, can I have the rights to this book you’re writing?” He laughed when I reminded him of what he’d said.
Last year (2004) at Forry’s I had the privilege (while everyone was milling about the house) of just sitting in the living room chatting away with him. Once more, that privilege was repeated and I was so touched when he said to me, “You know, I’m quite deaf, but I’m able to understand everything that you are saying. Are you speaking loudly?” I said that I wasn’t and that maybe he was reading my lips, but he said he doesn’t do that. You can imagine how much it really warmed my heart to hear him say this.
Then he went on with many of his wonderful stories. He talked about a lot of things, some of which I may have heard elsewhere, but I’m not certain. Friend John Goss was in the other room and he said later to me that he happened to overhear stories he had not heard before from Forry during our conversation. I was honored to hear this from John.
Forry told me about his problems with Harlan Ellison disliking him so much. He said there were things, from a collector’s viewpoint, that Harlan received from Forry because Forry knew Harlan would appreciate them more than himself, but never got a “thank you” back. In fact, no acknowledgement whatsoever.
He told me his heartbreak over the “my last autograph” controversy and how the outcome of that caused him to not be able to attend his friend Robert Bloch’s funeral. As I understand it, when Robert was sick in the hospital, Forry wasn’t able to get to him in person so he sent him a letter requesting his “last autograph”.
To hear it from Forry, as I’m sitting there listening to him, one might be able to understand his viewpoint better as he really believed that Robert Bloch would ‘get’ the meaning behind it. Forry had said that Vincent Price understood the ‘idea’ (so to speak, for lack of a better word) and seemed to know that there comes a time when the celebrity simply signs his or her last autograph and ‘calls it quits’. Hearing it from Forry in person is less startling than reading about it somewhere else. I could see that Forry really believed in what he was doing was not harmful.
Well, apparently Harlan Ellison was there when Robert received the letter and as Forry described it, took it upon himself to open this personal letter to Robert, read it, then launch a rampage over the request that was so convincing that “Mrs. Bloch bought into it.” As Forry would describe, “It wasn’t long after she telephoned me and asked that I not attend the funeral. Well, I know Robert would have wanted me to be there.” There was a true sadness in his eyes that began to break my heart.
He let me know he was disappointed that Jim Warren wasn’t at his birthday party. He had hoped he would show up. I guess Jim has kind of disappeared again (as of this writing). He did have some humorous stories to tell about some of Jim’s ‘sexploits’ as he was somewhat of a womanizer. The stories were not scandalous, it’s just that it was very interesting to me how Forry can go from subject to subject.
Forry said how it was so amazing that there are all of these great people: Chaney, Lugosi, Karloff, Price, Lorre.... all of them still entertaining others long after they are gone. He said it was sad how some of them never knew how important they were to so many people. He also added how not too long ago it would be simply breathtaking to be able to see an image of a dead person speaking and entertaining.
Finally, Forry went into detail about the loss of his wife, Wendayne. He started the story quoting the old saying, “See Naples and die!” and “How it came to have it’s own sinister meaning to me.”
He and Wendayne were in Naples, Italy and they were coming from some convention in their car. Forry was in the back seat counting the lira notes he had earned from the event when someone came up behind them on a motorcycle, took a metal bar and smashed their window taking all the money. They got through it but then noticed Wendayne had blood trickling down the side of her head. I guess, other than that, she seemed okay so I don’t think they took her anywhere...but in any case they thought she was okay.
That evening at dinner she collapsed. Then she recovered. Then even later in their room she collapsed again. It was down-hill form there. One of the things she managed to get Forry to understand was that she did not want to die in Europe (as she was touched by the holocaust) and they frantically drove like mad to get her to a hospital in the UK.
“From there it was a slow death,” Forry said. She would see Nazis everywhere. She would get demanding, pleading that she must have a certain person visit her and it must be done immediately. (I forget who this person was, but Forry kept telling her they were 2-1/2 hours away and they could never get there instantly, but she would not listen.)
Then she would have fits of screaming. Constant screaming and there was nothing they could do to stop her torment. Then Forry said to me, “You know the first thing she ever said to me was ‘May I help you?’” [Wendayne was a clerk selling books when Forry first met her.] Forry continued, “And the last thing she said to me was, ‘Forry. Help me!’”
Well, Al, you can imagine I was choking up inside on that one. Man, can Forry get your attention. When I talked to Joe (Moe) about it later he said, “Maybe you can get the word out that Forry isn’t senile as so many people think when he doesn’t respond to them, because maybe he’s in a loud place and he can’t hear, for example.”
It was really something being there with him and I was quite honored to be able to listen to his stories. I must say again the whole trip was filled with these wonderful but intense moments that...well, I’m glad I was able to have a few days off work afterwards just to sit and be quiet, and ponder.
After that, a cameraman and another person showed up at the door and interviewed Forry for, I think, an Hispanic paper. Forry said later, “They ask so many questions, and take so many pictures...and you’re lucky if you see a little spot in the corner printed about you.”
Then I waited for Joe to come back home from an errand and gave him a hug and said “good-bye”. Forry mentioned that when perhaps he feels a little blue, he’ll try and remember everyone and the good time he had. With that, and at his door step, I gave Forry the biggest hug I could. It was wonderful. Then I was off and on my way, but before I left town I took a long walk by myself, and made certain I just lived in that moment for as long as possible. (Note: That hug has sustained me and I still feel it today 10 years later.)
How’s this for a novel, huh? Al, thanks again for being there. I’m so happy to have someone to share this with because you know so many people don’t really ‘get it’ when you tell them about it.
I’ll be in touch. Please do the same! I’m real happy your Birthday party was a success and that it all worked out.
All my best to you,
Johnny
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