Forrest J. Ackerman Shall Not Die! FJA: a week of tribute (and more)

In interviews 4E clearly stated that he did not have a favourite Horror actor, and that Lon Chaney Sr., Boris Karloff and Bella Lugosi were his choice as an unholy trio. Perhaps it was that Boris and Bella were still recognizable faces, largely due to late night television Horror programs like the SHOCK! package that helped fuel the market for FM. And that Lon Chaney the face of horror for the silent era was not quite as well known. But it is clear that Forrest was devoted to Lon Chaney and put forth much more effort at promoting the man of 1000 faces than the other members of his terrible trio.

This page from the 1969 Fearbook leaves little doubt of that.



















(click image for a really big version)




In fact Chaney as the Phantom graced the vast majority of FM covers as the magazine's corner tag after that proclamation was made.

In honour of Uncle Forry it is my intent to extend him the same respect and admiration in like fashion. First off you will notice that the image of Dr. Acula now graces the side bar of this blog and there he will remain as long as there is a Blogue Macabre. In addition I will pick up the mantle that Forry left behind (when FM proper ceased to exist). I will dedicate a full page post of Lon Chaney once bi-monthly (as FM was published bi-monthly) and again bi-monthly a full page post of the Ackermonster himself. No, Lon Chaney will not die, and neither will Forrest J. Ackerman.

Gary D. Macabre