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It’s the 50th anniversary of Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine. So, we dug up our ol’ pal Forry Ackerman "Mr. Science Fiction" for an exclusive interview – or as the legend himself puns it:
“The Latest (Coffin) Dirt From Horrorwood On Fearthcoming Gorror Films and (Of Corpse) Frightened Nubile Females”
Forrest J. Ackerman
“A is for Ackerman”
Interview by Robert Steven Rhine
Famed Frightician and sci-fi scholar Forrest J. Ackerman, also lovingly known as “Forry” to fans and friends, was interviewed a few years back for a television show on science fiction. The producers thought that with Forry’s vast knowledge of sci-fi and horror, it might be good idea to start with the letter “A” (for Asimov) and work through his recollections alphabetically. But after two days of interviewing Forry on just the letter “A,” the producers ran out of tape – hence the title of this interview. But the “A” also goes to a life fully-lived and a passion for horror and science fiction, which he knows more about than practically anyone, having even coined the term “sci-fi.”
As we publish this article, Forry is in his 90s but his smile is still infectious and his eyes gleam with all the amazing things he has seen and the people he has met. So, we feel it’s imperative to bring Forry back to the forefront as an author, publisher, editor, literary agent, actor in over sixty films and founder of the Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine, now celebrating its 50th anniversary. Forrest J. Ackerman also created the comic book character Vampirella and befriended such legendary actors as Vincent Price and Bela Lugosi and was boyhood friends with Ray Bradbury and Ray Harryhausen.
As a sci-fi fan extraordinaire, Forrest J. Ackerman amassed an unrivaled collection of horror and sci-fi memorabilia that once filled his eighteen-room Acker-mansion in Hollywood, California, or as he named it, “Horrorwood, Karloffornia.” Most of the collection was sold off piecemeal on eBay but a few choice pieces remain in Forry’s personal collection including: Bela Lugosi’s cape and vampire ring from the original 1931 Dracula; Lon Chaney’s top hat and false teeth from the 1925 Phantom of The Opera; a miniature dinosaur from the 1933 King Kong; the last surviving Martian invader spaceship from the original War Of The Worlds; the tiny fly from the original The Fly; and the bronze life masks of Boris Karloff, Bela Lugosi and Peter Lorre (amongst others), which adorn the entrance to his living room.
I’ve had lunch with Forry on two occasions with our mutual friend and actor James Karen (Return Of The Living Dead, Wall Street and, most recently The Pursuit of Happyness, along with 170 other film and television credits). Forry himself has appeared in over a hundred films, including: The Howling, Innocent Blood, Return of the Living Dead Part II, The Power, The Time Travelers, Future War, Amazon Women on the Moon, Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfold and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video.
Forry’s ninety-second birthday is November 24 and I sincerely hope to put this issue in his hands when it comes out.
So, Forry...this Blood’s for you!
Read the exclusive interview with with the legend himself -- with never before seen photos! Order now at:
www.girlsandcorpsesstore.com
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