THE 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN: DAY 17 Famous Monsters of Filmland #9, 1960

A portrait of Vincent Price was the first cover painted by Basil Gogos!

On the seventeenth day of Halloween, my true blood gave to me, seventeen Famous Monsters, sixteen Spiders Spinning, fifteen Witches Brewing, fourteen Voodoo Dollies, thirteen Ghosts a-Haunting, twelve Ghouls a-Grumbling, eleven Skulls a-Screaming, ten Zombies Feasting, nine Werewolves Howling, eight Mummies Crumbling, seven Vampires Preying, six Creatures S'laying, five Ghoulish Things, four Severed Limbs, three Shrunken Heads, two Devil Bats, and a Senior Lon Chaney!

THE 31 DAYS OF HALLOWEEN: DAY 17 "Son of Famous Monsters" Paperback, 1965

Second FM paperback with art by the legendary James Bama!

"On the seventeenth day of Halloween, my true blood gave to me, seventeen Famous Monsters, sixteen Spiders Spinning, fifteen Witches Brewing, fourteen Voodoo Dollies, thirteen Ghosts a-Haunting, twelve Ghouls a-Grumbling, eleven Skulls a-Screaming, ten Zombies Feasting, nine Werewolves Howling, eight Mummies Crumbling, seven Vampires Preying, six Creatures S'laying, five Ghoulish Things, four Severed Limbs, three Shrunken Heads, two Devil Bats, and a Senior Lon Chaney!"

INTO THE PAST WITH "FAMOUS MONSTERS #70"! I Review DESTROY ALL MONSTERS In 1970!

©2011 Movieland Classics, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Last fall, I was contacted to contribute an article for a retro-style issue of Famous Monsters of Filmland, which would fill in the gap of the original "missing issues" (#70-#79). This was, according to legend, because the original founder and publisher, James Warren, hoped to reach #100 ten issues sooner to help with flagging sales (which were soon boosted by a Horror film revival in the early '70s). So, the publishing and editorial staff of the current incarnation of the classic magazine, decided to go forward to the past — having these issues set in the original dateline in which they would have been released, and that the writing should reflect not only the FM style of the 1970s, but also that all of the content be in-period.

I was told that they already had the perfect article in mind for me, a feature review on DESTROY ALL MONSTERS (1968), which would have been making US theatrical rounds in 1969 and 1970. Always having wanted to write for FM, I immediately said, "What's the deadline?" The resultant feature is heavily illustrated with a number of stills (including a couple of behind-the-scenes shots and storyboards), and even features an original sketch of the Moonlight SY-3 spacecraft, personally drawn for me by the late art director, Mutsumi Toyoshima, who created it! (Be sure to check out the You Axed For It! section, in this same issue, for a great behind-the-scenes still of visual effects director Sadamasa Arikawa coaching monster suit actor Yu Sekita as Angilas!)

The original monster magazine, with a publishing legacy spanning more than 50 years continues! Famous Monsters #70 is now shipping! In a tip of the hat to our grand old name, Famous Monsters presents the first of the missing issues. FM Retro 70, written in the style of the original Famous Monsters of Filmland, and offering features on Count Yorga, Vampire; Destroy All Monsters; Hercules in New York; Bride of Frankenstein and more. Also original columns, Mystery Photo, You Axed For It, Fang Mail and Things to Come. The Retro Cover is by Jeff Preston, edited by your favorite Monster Cuz Mighty Joe Moe, and of course we have Forrest J. Ackerman as our Honorary Editor-in-Chief!

Issue #70 of "Famous Monsters of Filmland" is now shipping! Order your copy today from the Captain Company!

HARPY BIRTHDAY, FORREST J. ACKERMAN! November 24, 1916 – December 4, 2008

FAREWELL, FORREST J ACKERMAN November 24, 1916 - December 4, 2008

The man who coined the word "Sci-Fi" is gone (Houston, 1977).

The mysterious human wellspring known to throngs of Baby Boomers as 4SJ, 4E, Dr. Acula, and other nom de plumes, Forrest J Ackerman, the world's first and foremost fanboy, has left this Mortal Coil. But, he has bestowed upon us an amazing legacy. Not only was he the man who launched Ray Bradbury's career, he was the avatar of Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine and the father of Vampirella—but he was much, much more to legions of fans around the world. Not only mavens of Horror and Monster films, but to multitudes of Science Fiction fans as well.

We called him "Uncle​ Forry​." He was a tower​ing icon of fando​m,​ who attended the first-ever science fiction convention and wore the first-ever costume to that very same event in 1939. He was the ultimate fan and loved to share with others, unselfishly. As a kid of the 1970s, I knew him best as the face and voice of Famous Monsters, and consi​der mysel​f fortunate that he was forever​ patie​nt with this adolescent fanatic over the phone and at conventions, and allow​ing me to enter​ Ackermansion II for the first time in the mid-​1980s​ (where his massive collection of rare props and ephermia was housed).

Uncle Forry was like that wonde​rfull​y cool, but sligh​tly weird (in a good way​)​, relative​ that you didn'​t see very often​,​ but felt nothi​ng but warmt​h for. If there were more people like him, the world would be a better place. Now, "Mr. Sci-​Fi"​ is gone, but he will be great​ly misse​d.​ Thanks for keeping me out of (too much) trouble, making my youth brighter, and my adulthood more fun!

Farewell, Uncle Forry...