Forrest J. Ackerman: a week of tribure.

I'm not going to bother to try to sum up who Forrest J. Ackerman was. Firstly, if you are reading this blog, you are likely already very largely aware of who he was and what he did during his time on the spinning orb on the edge of the infinite(?) cosmos. Secondly is that the premise of trying to encapsulate the the essence and the experiences that defined him in his 92 years seems truly absurd in every possible way. Especially that while I am a great fan of the man, like most of us I never had the joy of meeting him, spending time with him and truly getting a measure of what made him who he was. Certainly I can speak of his influences and the anecdotes from others, but there are plenty of great eulogies for him on other quality blogs like Vault of Horror and Scott Essman's post on Zombo's closet, and Aint it Cool news, but that's not me. So then what the hell am I going to talk about for the remainder of the week you ask? Well this week is going to be more of a wake, if you will. A celebration of his life's work and joys.

Uncle Forry's most visible work and the one he will always be best remembered for is, of course, Famous Monsters of Filmland. But being THE ultimate fan of Science Fiction and Horror films, it's only natural he would appear in a variety of cameos in his day. Here is a lovely little montage of 4SJ on film.




Here is a filmography of 4E films from Monster Kid Extrordinaire, George "E-Gor" Chastain's page of BOOS WHO: A classic horror player directory (Be sure to check it out!!!!)

Filmography as Acktor

Filmography adapted from a number of published references, including an undated list made by Forry Ackerman.

1944

• As his Government-Issue alter-ego, "Sgt. Ack-Ack," in Hey, Rookie, a World War II musical/comedy directed by Charles (Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein) Barton, and starring Ann Miller and Joe Besser!



1947

• As an audience member at the Finley political rally in The Farmer's Daughter, directed by H. C. Potter, and starring Loretta Young, Joseph Cotten and Ethel Barrymore. Forry is sitting behind and to right of Loretta Young in the auditorium, clearly visible in a contemporary "Life" magazine photo from the film.



• As himself, uncredited in The Homestretch, directed by H. Bruce Humberstone, and starring Cornel Wilde, Maureen O'Hara and Glenn (The Amazing Colossal Man!) Langan.

1948

• As an extra in winning-horse crowd scene in The Winner's Circle (1948), directed by Felix E. Feist. Starring Johnny Longden and Morgan Farley.



1962

• Toddling around in a street scene in the amateur film Chicon 62.



• Captured in a street scene in the amateur film Tyran the Terrible.



1964

• As "Technician #3," squaring circles in future Android Factory in The Time Travelers (aka Depths of the Unknown, The Return of the Time Traveler, The Return of the Time Travelers, This Time Tomorrow, Time Trap). Directed by Ib Melchior, and starring Preston Foster, Philip Carey, Merry Anders and John Hoyt.



1966

• As an aide to Dr. Faraday (Basil Rathbone), holding a tray of vampire embryos in the final shot of Queen of Blood (aka Planet of Blood, Planet of Terror, Planet of Vampires, The Green Woman). Directed by Curtis Harrington and produced by Samuel Z. Arkoff, Roger Corman, George Edwards and Stephanie Rothman. Featuring John Saxon, Basil Rathbone, Judi Meredith, Dennis Hopper and Florence Marly (as the Alien Queen).



1968

• In an unused bit part as "Delegate A.C. Fogbottom," reading a paperback edition of Metropolis in a hotel lobby in The Power. Directed by Byron Haskin and produced by George Pal, with a first-rate cast of familiar faces including George Hamilton, Suzanne Pleshette, Richard Carlson, Yvonne De Carlo, Earl Holliman, Gary Merrill, Arthur O'Connell, Nehemiah Persoff , Aldo Ray, Michael Rennie and Celia Lovsky. Unfortunately, Forry's cameo wound up on the cutting room floor along with producer Pal's.



1970

• Providing the (uncredited) voice on the tape recorder in Equinox (aka The Beast), directed by Jack Woods and (uncredited) Dennis Muren, with great low-budget special effects by Dave Allen, Jim Danforth and Dennis Muren. Featuring Edward Connell, Barbara Hewitt, Frank Bonner, Robin Christopher, director Woods (as Asmodeus) and Fritz Leiber Jr.



1971

• As "Man in cinema" in Schlock (aka The Banana Monster), produced, written by, and starring John Landis (his first film). With Saul Kahan, Joseph Piantadosi and Eliza Roberts.



• As bad "Dr. Beaumont" (credited as Forest J Ackerman), killed by the Frankenstein Monster beside his car in Dracula vs. Frankenstein (aka The Blood Seekers, Blood of Frankenstein, The Revenge of Dracula, Satan's Bloody Freaks, Teenage Dracula), directed by ill-fated Al Adamson. Starring J. Carrol Naish, Lon Chaney Jr., Anthony Eisley, Regina Carrol, Greydon Clark, Zandor Vorkov (Count Dracula), Angelo Rossitto, Russ Tamblyn and Jim Davis.



1976

• As a party guest toasting "To Hollywood" in Hollywood Boulevard, directed by Allan Arkush and Joe Dante. With Candice Rialson, Mary Woronov, Rita George, Jeffrey Kramer, Dick Miller, Paul Bartel, Jonathan Demme (a Godzilla) and Robby the Robot.



• As an extra in the crowd running from Kong in King Kong, directed by John Guillermin and mal-produced by Dino De Laurentiis. Starring Jeff Bridges, Jessica Lange, Charles Grodin, John Randolph, Rene Auberjonois, Jack O'Halloran, Ed Lauter, John Lone and John Agar. ("Dino Disaster," sez Forry).



• As the title character in The Return of the Frankenstein Monster, produced, written, directed and edited by Walter J. Daugherty, who also plays the Blind Hermit in this 14-minute color spoof of a scene from Bride of Frankenstein. Cinematography and makeup by Mary Ellen Rabogliatti. Donald F. Glut's exhaustive The Frankenstein Catalog lists this film and describes the plot: "The Monster, angered by the blind man's sour notes on the violin, kills him and finishes 'Swan Lake' himself."



1977

• As a juror in the courtroom scene in The Kentucky Fried Movie, directed by John Landis and written by Jim Abrahams and David and Jerry Zucker (pre-Airplane!). With Marilyn Joi, Saul Kahan, David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, Jerry Zucker, George Lazenby, Donald Sutherland, Henry Gibson, Bill Bixby, Rick Baker, Uschi Digard, Felix Silla, and Tony Dow.



1981

• Browsing in a Hollywood book shop in The Howling, directed by Joe Dante and written by Gary Brandner (novel), John Sayles and Terence H. Winkless. Starring Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, and and Dennis Dugan, with a great supporting cast including Christopher Stone, Belinda Balaski, Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, Slim Pickens, Elisabeth Brooks, Robert Picardo, Kenneth Tobey, Dick Miller and Roger Corman!



1982

• As the Curator of the last museum on Earth after World War III destroys civilization in The Aftermath, directed, co-written, edited and co-produced (with Ted V. Mikels) by Steve Barkett. Starring Steve Barkett (who else?), and featuring Lynne Margulies, Sid Haig, Christopher Barkett, Laura Ann Barkett, Mike Barkett, Eric Caidin, Jim Danforth, Larry Latham, Dennis Skotak, Robert Skotak, and the voice of Dick Miller.



1983

• As "Professor Fisher Trentworth" in a scene with the first screen "Superman," Kirk Alyn, in Scalps, directed by Fred Olen Ray. With Jo-Ann Robinson, Richard Alan Hench, Roger Maycock, Kirk Alyn and Carroll Borland!
  ("Went to my head," says Forry.)



1984

• As the popcorn eater sitting behind Michael Jackson and his girlfriend in the movie theater, and as a zombie in the final frame, in the epic video Thriller (aka Michael Jackson's Thriller), directed by John Landis. Starring Michael Jackson and Ola Ray, with monsterrific support from John Command, Ben Lokey, Michael Peters, Rick Baker (who also did makeup effects) and the "Voice of the Rap," Vincent Price!



1985

• As "Flustered Man" on phone in Attack of the B-Movie Monster, directed by Wayne Berwick and Ted Newsom. (never released under this title; see below) B&W spoof tribute to 50's Sci-Fi horor films with a fabulous cast including Kenneth Tobey, Brinke Stevens, R.G. Wilson, John Goodwin, Daniel Roebuck, Cathy Cahn, John Agar, Michelle Bauer, Bob Burns, Jeanne Carmen, Robert Clarke, Robert Cornthwaite, George Fenneman (narrator), John Harmon, Paul Marco, Lori Nelson , Linnea Quigley, Ann Robinson, Robert Shayne, Gloria Talbott, and Les Tremayne!
  Released in 2005 as a color film (re-edited, with additional footage and completely different monster effects) as The Naked Monster.



• Behind the stars in a coffee shop scene in Into the Night, directed by John Landis. Starring Jeff Goldblum and Michelle Pfeiffer, with some other interesting people in supporting roles and cameos including Dan Aykroyd, David Cronenberg, John Landis himself, Rick Baker, Paul Mazursky, Paul Bartel, Carl Perkins, Don Siegel, Jim Henson, David Bowie, Jack Arnold, Roger Vadim, Lawrence Kasdan, Richard Farnsworth, Vera Miles, Irene Papas, Beulah Quo, Clu Gulager and Jonathan Demme.



• Sitting at a discotheque table in the Into the Night promo by B.B. King.



• As a mad scientist menacing Bobbie Bresee on an operating table in brief test footage Fred Olen Ray shot for Beach Blanket Bloodbath, based on an unfinished 1978 script by Edward D. Wood Jr. Later included in a Johnny Legend video compilation (see next item), and as an extra on the DVD release of Bride and the Beast.



1986

• Included near the end of the video Sleazemania III: The Good, the Bad and the Sleazy; Johnny Legend's compilation of trailers and assorted film flotsam: Forry and Bobbie Bresee in the fragmentary test footage from Beach Blanket Bloodbath (1985), described above.



1987

• As the pool-cleaning man in Evil Spawn (aka Alien Within, Alive by Night, Deadly Sting,Metamorphosis), directed by Kenneth J. Hall, Ted Newsom and Fred Olen Ray (uncredited). Starring Richard Harrison, Gordon Mitchell, Jay Richardson, Suzanne Ager, Dawn Wildsmith, Melissa Moore, Bobbie Bresee, and John Carradine.



• As the future President of the United States in the "Amazon Women on the Moon" sequence of Amazon Women on the Moon (aka Cheeseburger Film Sandwich). Various other segments of this film were directed by Joe Dante, John Landis, Carl Gottlieb, and Peter Horton; Robert K. Weiss directed Forry's "Amazon Women" sequence. which also featured Steve Forrest, Robert Colbert, Joey Travolta , Sybil Danning, Lana Clarkson and Corey Burton.



1988

• As "Mr. Richardson," being cured of alcoholism (explodes on screen!) in Curse of the Queerwolf, directed by Mark Pirro. With Michael Palazzolo, Kent Butler, Taylor Whitney, Cynthia Brownell, Mark Pirro and Conrad Brooks.



• As "Harvey Kramer (Special Zombie)," the lead zombie smashing a window in Return of the Living Dead Part II (aka Revenge of the Living Dead), directed by Ken Wiederhorn. Featuring Michael Kenworthy, Thor Van Lingen, Jason Hogan, James Karen, Dana Ashbrook and Mitch Pileggi.



• As "Director of Supernatural Society" (a part cut from the film?) in Vampire at Midnight, directed by Gregory McClatchy. Starring Jason Williams, Gustav Vintas, Lesley Milne, Esther Elise, Jeanie Moore and Christopher Nee.



• As "Mustached Man at Garage Sale" (himself, with dark glasses, in "10" crowd) in The Wizard of Speed and Time, written, directed by, and starring Mike Jittlov. With Richard Kaye, Paige Moore, Deven Chierighino, Steve Brodie, Philip Michael Thomas, Angelique Pettyjohn, Greg Jittlov, Marie Jittlov, Ward Kimball, Jim Danforth, Karen Danforth and Michael Gough.



1989

• As "Corpse #1," the green-faced upstanding corpse in cavern in The Laughing Dead. directed by S.P. Somtow. With Tim Sullivan, Wendy Webb, Premika Eaton, Patrick Roskowick, Larry Kagen, Krista Keim, Gregory Frost and S.P. Somtow.



• As "Boris Faroff," near a rack of Famous Monsters, in My Mom's a Werewolf (UK title My Mum's a Werewolf), directed by Michael Fischa. With Susan Blakely, John Saxon, Tina Caspary, John Schuck, Diana Barrows and Ruth Buzzi.



1990

• As the assistant funeral parlor director in Transylvania Twist, directed by Jim Wynorski. Starring Robert Vaughn. Teri Copley, Steve Altman, Ace Mask, Angus Scrimm, Steve Franken, Monique Gabrielle, Howard Morris, Jay Robinson, Becky LeBeau, Deanna Lund, Brinke Stevens, Ronald V. Borst — and Boris Karloff (in archival footage).



• As "The Master" (a major role as himself) in My Lovely Monster, written and directed by Michael Bergmann. With Nicole Fisher, Silvio Francesco, Lincoln Bond, Matthias Fuchs, Bill Warren, John Baxter, Cathy Hill, Ib Melchior, Bobbie Bresee, Sara Karloff and Ferdy Mayne.



• In a good part as "Dr. Edward Newton," devotee of the occult in Hard To Die (aka Tower of Terror), directed by Jim Wynorski. With Gail Harris (as Robyn Harris), Karen Mayo-Chandler (as Lindsay Taylor), Deborah Dutch (as Debra Dare), Melissa Moore, Bridget Carney, Toni Naples (as Karen Chorak), Monique Gabrielle (as Lucy Burnett), Ronald V. Borst and Jim Wynorski.



1991

• As uptight "Judge Rhinehole," a major character who gets things rolling in Nudist Colony of the Dead, directed by Mark Pirro. With Bea Lindoren, Rachel Latt, Braddon Mendelson, Darwyn Carson, Dan Hartel, Kim Kingsley and Dave Robinson.



• As Yvonne DeCarlo's husband at the wedding in John Landis' "Family" comedy Oscar. Starring Peter Riegert, Chazz Palminteri, Joey Travolta, Paul Greco, Sylvester Stallone, Yvonne De Carlo, Don Ameche, Tino Insana, Jim Abrahams, Eddie Bracken, Vincent Spano, Marisa Tomei, William Atherton, Tim Curry, Kirk Douglas and Jim Mulholland as "Oscar."



1992

• As "Forry" at a New Zealand zoo in Braindead (aka Dead Alive), directed by Peter Jackson! With Timothy Balme, Diana Peñalver, Elizabeth Moody, Ian Watkin, Brenda Kendall, Stuart Devenie, Jed Brophy, Stephen Papps, Murray Keane and Peter Jackson .



• As "Stolen Car Man" (Fordless J Ackerman?) in John Landis' biting comedy / horror / gangster / romance Innocent Blood (aka A French Vampire in America). Starring Anne Parillaud, David Proval, Rocco Sisto, Chazz Palminteri, Anthony LaPaglia, Robert Loggia, Luis Guzmán, Don Rickles, Tom Savini, Frank Oz, Sam Raimi, Dario Argento and Linnea Quigley.



1994

• As "Sylvia's father," "Antonio Brindisi," getting his head blown off in the occult horror Ceremony, directed by Joe Castro. With Emilie Talbot (Sylvia), Amy Rohren, Mahbub Shansab, Steven R. Diebold and Don Short. This film won the Bronze Award at the 1994 Worldfest International Film Festival in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy Category.



• As "Edward Van Groan" in introductory scene based on actor Edward Van Sloan's prologue to the original Frankenstein ("Well, we warned you!") in That Little Monster, written and directed by Paul Bunnell. With Melissa Baum, Reggie Bannister, Andi Wenning, William Mills — and Bob Hope doing cameo one-liners during the credits (uncredited!).



• As a bar patron in a scene with Ray Harryhausen in Beverly Hills Cop III, directed by John Landis. Starring Eddie Murphy, with Jon Tenney, Joey Travolta, Gil Hill, Al Green, Judge Reinhold, Hector Elizondo, George Lucas, John Saxon, Alan Young, Julie Strain, Heather Parkhurst, Joe Dante and Ray Harryhausen.



1995

• As a statue of Dracula in front of the Wax Museum in Attack of the 60 Foot Centerfolds, directed by Fred Olen Ray. With J.J. North, Ted Monte, Raelyn Saalman, Tammy Parks, Michelle Bauer, George Stover, Nikki Fritz, Russ Tamblyn , Ross Hagen, Tommy Kirk, Stanley Livingston, Ted Newsom, Jim Wynorski and Brad Linaweaver.



• As "Man With Insect Repellent" (patron escaping from smoke-filled car) in Bikini Drive-In, directed by Fred Olen Ray and Steve Latshaw (uncredited). With Ashlie Rhey, Richard Gabai, Ross Hagen, Peter Spellos, Sarah Bellomo, Rob Vogl, Steve Barkett, Nikki Fritz, Michelle Bauer, David F. Friedman, Conrad Brooks, Claire Polan ("Woman With Insect Repellent"), Fred Olen Ray, Becky LeBeau, Anthony Cardoza, Donald F. Glut, Jim Wynorski and John Carradine.



1996

• As the priest at Burt Reynold's funeral, delivering inaudible pun-filled Biblical/Star Trek service in Frankenstein and Me (working title Mojave Frankenstein), directed by Robert Tinnell. With Jamieson Boulanger, Ricky Mabe, Polly Shannon, Louise Fletcher, Myriam Cyr, Burt Reynolds, Ryan Gosling, Rebecca Henderson, Jason Cavalier,Mélany Goudreau, Roc LaFortune, Lynne Adams, Jean Guérin, Sam Stone and Conner Vandeer (as Dracula).



• Dancing while the band is playing in Vampirella, directed by Jim Wynorski. Written by Gary Gerani, based on the Warren magazine character created by Forrest J Ackerman.
  (He originally had a scene as the hand-clapping Maitre d' of Necropolis discotheque, sizing up Vampirella with: "Say, that costume really drives me batty!" but it ended up on the cutting room floor.)
  Starring Talisa Soto, with Roger Daltrey, Richard Joseph Paul, Brian Bloom, Corinna Harney, Angus Scrimm, David B. Katz (as "Forry Ackerman"!), Robert Clotworthy, John Landis and Jim Wynorski.



• As "Acker-Man on the street" (himself, walking down a street) in Dinosaur Valley Girls, written and directed by Donald F. Glut. With Jeff Rector, William Marshall, Griffin Drew, Harrison Ray, Elizabeth Landau. Bill Warren and Karen Black.



• As himself, telling his famous story about a dying child and his idol, Lon Chaney, in the short video Letter to an Angel, directed by Ron Ford. With Ron Ford and Paula Pointer-Ford.



1997

• As "Park victim" in Future War, directed by Anthony Doublin. With Daniel Bernhardt, Robert Z'Dar, Travis Brooks Stewart, Kazja, Ray Adash, Andre Scruggs, and Peter Lupus III.



1999

• As the horror host introducing story segments on the direct-to-video Tales from the Ackermansion.



• In the first of his many cameos for "The Ed Wood of The Future, and Beyond That, Even," David "The Rock" Nelson, in Rocky's notorious direct-to-video "Monstapiece" Devil Ant. Forry gets attacked by a large rubber insect at The Monster Bash Convention — it's no picnic!



2000

• Trying to use his "hypnotism" to keep the Monster at bay in David "The Rock" Nelson's direct-to-video epic Frankenstein Stalks; (footage shot at Monster Bash in 1998).



2001

• As "Dr. Acula" in the short fantasy film SadoMannequin, written and directed by Jim Torres. With Corey Hannah, Colin Martin, Christie Snodgrass and Terry Pace.



• As "Forry" in the comedy / horror short The Vampire Hunters Club, directed by Donald F. Glut. With John Agar, William Smith, Bob Burns, David Donham, Daniel Roebuck, Dina Vernon, Mary Woronov, Nikki Fritz, Nick Bennett (Young Forry), Mink Stole, Carla Laemmle (Elder Vampire), Conrad Brooks, Carel Struycken, Brinke Stevens, Titus Moede, Irwin Keyes, David J. Skal, Brad Linaweaver, Michael Copner, Connie O. Barnett, Spider Subke, Buddy Barnett and Kathe Duba-Barnett.



• As the "Museum Caretaker" in The Double-D Avenger, written and directed by William Winckler. With Kitten Natividad, Haji, Raven De La Croix, William Winckler, Mimma Mariucci, and Sheri Dawn Thomas.



• As "Dr. Acula" the host of "13 O'Clock Theater," presenting the direct-to-DVD film The Creep, directed by Mark Del Rio. Starring Rodney Lee, Mel Sparks and Joey Garza. Forry's segments were filmed inside the Ackermansion (II).



• Game as always in another plucky cameo in David "The Rock" Nelson's direct-to-video Miss Werewolf. In this one, Forry is attacked by the lupine lead, whose viewpoint we see. You hear growls as the werewolf (Rocky holding the camcorder) comes toward Forry, who implores "Oooh, Nooo, Miss Werewolf! Nooo-ooo-oo!" Rocky told us that Forry got a big round of applause as he arose from bended knee at the end of this scene. Camera still rolling, to capture the moment for posterity, Dave asked him "So, what's it like being in David 'The Rock' Nelson's movies"? Forry looked up in the air, waved his fist and said, gleefully, "There's nowhere to go but UP now"! Rocky preserved this classic outtake at end of this video.



2002

• In make-up, using his "hypnotism" to keep "Tor" at bay in the second of three segments, "Tor Terrorizes," in David "The Rock" Nelson's direct-to-video trilogy of terror Monster Tales (March 2002); (footage shot at Ron Adams' "WinterFest" monster rally in January 2000).



• Pitching in with another gutsy cameo in David "The Rock" Nelson's direct-to-video Devil Ant - 2 (November 2002). The director explains that Forry survived his attack in the 1999 original "because his antibodies fought off the Devil Ant's bites."



2003

• Using his famous Bela Lugosi Dracula ring to hold off "Pumpkinman" in the "Night of The Pumpkinmen" segment of David "The Rock" Nelson's direct-to-video quintet of tales of the Pumpkinman.



2004

• As the voice of "Professor Bruno Lampini" in the opening for Professor Griffin's Midnight Shadow Show, a television horror host show based in Texas and signed for national cable exposure on Fangoria TV, the all-horror high-definition television channel. The unseen Professor Lampini, owner of "Lampini's Chamber of Horrors," is Griffin's boss, and he taught him everything he knows. This marks the one and only time Forry has played an official part of a TV host show on a weekly basis. His Lampini voiceover opening, recorded in March 2004, premiered in episode 38, the Vincent Price tribute, and now opens the show each and every week.



• As the biker with heart attack in Skinned Deep, written and directed by Gabriel Bartalos. With Eric Bennett, Karoline Brandt, Kurt Carley, Warwick Davis, Jay Dugre, Peter Iasillo Jr. Aaron Sims, Alan Tuskes and Linda Weinrib.



2005

• As "Flustered Man" on phone in The Naked Monster, directed by Wayne Berwick and Ted Newsom. A funny spoof of 50's Sci-Fi / horrors with an incredible cast including Kenneth Tobey, Brinke Stevens, R.G. Wilson, John Goodwin, Daniel Roebuck, Cathy Cahn, John Agar, Michelle Bauer, Bob Burns, Jeanne Carmen, Robert Clarke, Robert Cornthwaite, George Fenneman (narrator), John Harmon, Paul Marco, Lori Nelson , Linnea Quigley, Ann Robinson, Robert Shayne, Gloria Talbott, and Les Tremayne! For many of these genre stalwarts this was their last film, and a fitting tribute to their career. Revamped "official" color release of 1985 B&W Attack of the B-Movie Monster with additional footage and completely different monster effects.



• As "Man in Wheelchair" in The Scorned
  
  
• In a brief scene shot several years earlier at Monster Bash (when he was heavier), giving Dave's "Monsta" a good stare, in David "The Rock" Nelson's The Demon Monster From Outer Space.



2006

• As "Dr. Acula" in The Boneyard Collection

  2007

• As "Wheelchair ZomVamp in The Dead Undead (post-production)

200?

• As the President of the World in Turkeys in Outer Space (not yet released) .

Documentaries and Miscellaneous Non-acting Roles

1956

• Pulled the string that toppled the rocket model in Beast With a Million Eyes (aka The Beast With 1,000,000 Eyes), directed by David Kramarsky, Lou Place and Roger Corman (uncredited). With Paul Birch, Lorna Thayer, Dona Cole, Leonard Tarver , Dick Sargent, and Chester Conklin.



1965

• Technical advisor and writer of John Carradine's monolog for The Wizard of Mars (aka Alien Massacre, Journey Into the Unknown, Horrors of the Red Planet), directed by David L. Hewitt. Starring John Carradine, Roger Gentry, Vic McGee, Jerry Rannow and Eve Bernhardt.



1970

• Talked about his science fiction and horror collection in Science Fiction Films, a color documentary made by by the University of Kansas, shown at his personal appearances. This entry comes from a listing in Donald F. Glut's The Frankenstein Catalog (because Forry's collection contains so many items related to its subject).



1982

• Talked about his favorite subject in the Dutch TV documentary The History of the SF Film, written and directed by Thys Ockersen. Other guests included Harlan Ellison, Harry Harrison, Ridley Scott and Robert Wise.
  

  1985

• Host and narrator of the documentary Lugosi: The Forgotten King, made for cable TV. Written and directed by Mark S. Gilman Jr. and Dave Stuckey; Forry polished the script. Interviews include Ralph Bellamy, Carroll Borland, John Carradine and producer Alex Gordon.



1986

• Interviewed on the Fangoria's Weekend of Horrors video directed by Mike Hadley and Kerry O'Quinn. Others interviewed include Rick Baker, Wes Craven, Robert Englund, Albert Glasser, Alex Gordon, Clu Gulager, Tobe Hooper, Walter Koenig, Dick Miller, Dan O'Bannon and Elvira (Cassandra Peterson).



1987

• Told prehistoric stories on Hollywood Dinosaur Chronicles, a video collection of movie trailers and clips narrated by Doug McClure.



• Waxed nostalgic between the film clips compiled for Drive-In Madness!, directed by Tim Ferrante. Narrated by James Karen, with Linnea Quigley, Bobbie Bresee, George A. Romero, John A. Russo, Tom Savini, Samuel M. Sherman and Russell Streiner also commenting about the Good Old Days.



1988

• Writer and host of Mr. Science Fiction's Fantastic Universe, a tour of the Ackermansion (II).



• Interviewed in Texas Chainsaw Massacre: A Family Portrait, a documentary about Tobe Hooper's original 1974 film, written and directed by Brad Shellady. With the stars: Gunnar Hansen, Edwin Neal, John Dugan and Jim Siedow.



1990

• Creative consultant and one of the award recipients in the TV special The Horror Hall of Fame, directed by Ron de Moraes and hosted by Robert Englund. Others participants: Linda Blair, Veronica Cartwright, Roger Corman, Joe Dante, Phyllis Diller, Brad Dourif, William Friedkin, Catherine Hicks, Kane Hodder, Sara Karloff (recipient), John Kassir, Sam Kinison, John Landis, Janet Leigh, Tim Matheson , Roddy McDowall, Jason Miller, Anthony Perkins, Danny Pintauro, Vincent Price (recipient), Joan Rivers, Zelda Rubinstein, Ridley Scott, Tom Skerritt and Shadoe Stevens.



• Writer and host of the video Famous Monsters of Filmland — Hooray for Horrorwood.



1991

• Interviewed in Shock Cinema Vol. 2, a video documentary about low-budget and exploitation films hosted by Brinke Stevens. With Michael Burnett, Gary Graver, Deanna Lund, Melissa Moore, Steve Neill, Ted Newsom and Robert Quarry.



1992

• Talked about Edward D. Wood Jr. (he was Ed's agent!) in Flying Saucers over Hollywood: The Plan 9 Companion, Mark Patrick Carducci's documentary about the legendary director's Plan 9 from Outer Space. Others who appear include Carl Anthony, Stephen C. Apostolof, Conrad Brooks, Eric Caidin, Joe Dante, Drew Friedman, Gary Gerani, Rudolph Grey, Valda Hansen, Lee Harris, Verne Langdon, Paul Marco, Harry Medved, Sam Raimi, Tony Randel, Crawford John Thomas, Harry Thomasm Vampira, Gregory Walcott, Bill Warren , Scott Spiegel, and Edward D. Wood Jr. (archive footage).



• Writer and host of tthe video Forrest J Ackerman's Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction & Fantasy.



• Interviewed in Heartstoppers: Horror at the Movies, a TV documentary about horror / Sci-Fi films past and present, including a tribute to Forry. Directed by Steve Purcell and Neil Steinberg, and hosted by George Hamilton, with comments from Samuel Z. Arkoff, Rick Baker, Charles Band, Wes Craven, Alec Gillis, Gail Harris, John Kassir, John Landis, Cassandra Peterson (Elvira), George A. Romero, Kevin West, Tom Woodruff Jr. and Jim Wynorski.



1993

• Interviewed in Dinosaur Movies, a video documentary written, directed, and hosted by Big Lizard scholar Donald F. Glut. With Christy Block (co-host), Jim Danforth and Ray Harryhausen.



1994

• Interviewed in Hollywood Goes Ape!, a video tribute to gorilla movies, written and directed by renowned Ape Man Donald G. Glut. Co-hosted by Ashley Austin and legendary gorilla suit actor Bob Burns, with comments from Ray Harryhausen and film scholar George E. Turner.



1996

• Polished the 5th British script and was associate producer for the Showtime release of Vampirella, directed by Jim Wynorski. based on the Warren magazine character Forry created. He also has a cameo; see acting list above.



1997

• Interviewed in Hollywood Rated 'R', a documentary about classic cult and exploitation movies directed by Dominique Cazenave and Doug Headline. Narrated by John Landis (voice), with Larry Cohen, Joe Dante, David F. Friedman, Jack Hill, Johnny Legend, William Lustig, Russ Meyer, Titus Moede, Charles Napier, Barbara Steele and Edward D. Wood Jr. (archive footage).



• Interviewed in Hollywood Aliens & Monsters, a TV documentary focusing on the history of science fiction films and their relation to the fears of the audience. Directed by Kevin Burns and hosted by Mark Hamill. Others interviewed include Ronald V. Borst, Bob Burns, Wade Williams, Robert Wise, Patricia Neal , Robert Clarke, Gene Barry, Ann Robinson, David Hedison, Barbara Eden, Saul David, Arthur C. Clarke, Charlton Heston, George Lucas, Veronica Cartwright, Sigourney Weaver, David Cronenberg, James Cameron.



• Commenting about his role as the subject's literary agent in the English TV documentary Secret Lives: L. Ron Hubbard, directed by Jill Robinson. Narrated by Nigel Anthony, featuring interviews with other people who knew and worked with Hubbard, and archive footage of the late author.



1998

• Interviewed in Universal Horror, a cable TV documentary about classic horror films, featuring film clips and extensive interviews, directed by Kevin Brownlow. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, with comments by Turhan Bey, Ray Bradbury, Jim Curtis, Curtis Harrington, Rose Hobart, Gloria Jean, James Karen, Boris Karloff (archive footage), Sara Karloff, Carla Laemmle, Fritz Lang (archive footage), Rouben Mamoulian (archive footage), Curt Siodmak, David J. Skal, Gloria Stuart, Lupita Tovar and Fay Wray. Originally aired on Turner Classic Movies.



1999

• Interviewed in the cable TV documentary about giant monster movies, Attack of the 50 Foot Monster Mania. Narrated by Bill Mumy, and featuring Elvira (Cassandra Peterson), Bob Burns, Donald F. Glut, Ray Harryhausen and Bill Warren. Originally aired on American Movie Classics.



• Interviewed in Keepers of the Frame, a documentary about film preservation and restoration, directed by Mark McLaughlin. Featuring Alan Alda, Laurence Austin, Stan Brakhage, Jean Picker Firstenberg, Bob Gitt, John Harvey, Herb Jeffries, Leonard Maltin, Roddy McDowall, Debbie Reynolds, Ken Weissman and George R. Willeman.



2000

• Interviewed in Lon Chaney: A Thousand Faces, a cable TV bio-documentary directed by Kevin Brownlow, executive producer Hugh Hefner. Narrated by Kenneth Branagh, and featuring Michael F. Blake, Teresa Blake, Ray Bradbury, Ron Chaney, Arthur Gardner, Mary Hunt, Sara Karloff, Patsy Ruth Miller, Edward J. Montaigne, malcom Sabiston, Budd Schulberg, Will Sheldon, Loretta Young (voice), and (in archive footage): Lon Chaney Jr., Lon Chaney, Jackie Coogan, Orson Welles, Tod Browning, H.A.V. Bulleid, Hazel Chaney, Joan Crawford, William Dunphy, Erté, Irving Thalberg and Waldemar Young. Originally aired on Turner Classic Movies.



• Interviewed for the "Lon Chaney Sr. and Jr." episode (# 3.34) of the cable TV program E! Mysteries & Scandals, directed by Joel K. Rogers and hosted by A. J. Benza. First aired on the E! Entertainment Channel on November 9, 2000.



2001

• Interviewed in Schlock! The Secret History of American Movies, a documentary about independant exploitation filmmakers directed by Ray Greene. Also features Samuel Z. Arkoff, Peter Bogdanovich, Roger Corman, David F. Friedman, Dick Miller, Harry H. Novak, Maila Nurmi (Vampira) and Doris Wishman.



• Narrator of Polish Vampire: Behind the Fangs, a short "making of" documentary directed by Mark Pirro. Featuring Glenn Campbell, Tyrone Dubose, Marya Gant, Katina Garner, Bruce Heinsius, Pat Hunter, and other involved in Pirro's Polish Vampire in Burbank (1985).



2003

• As himself in Big, Fat and Tacky: A Trip to Karloffornia, a short Swedish documentary written and directed by Fred Anderson. With Fred Anderson and Erik Fägerborn.



• Interviewed for the 4-part Norwegian TV documentary Norwegian Actresses in Hollywood, directed by Oyvind Asbjornsen and Niels Petter Solberg. Also featured Greta Nissen, Vera Zorina, Greta Gynt, Sigrid Gurie, Anna-Lisa, Julie Ege, Virginia Mayo and Patricia Morison.



• Interviewed in My Life with Count Dracula, directed by Dustin Lance Black. A bio-documentary filmed during the last days of Dr. Donald A. Reed, founder in 1962 of the influential Count Dracula Society, which evolved into the Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films. Also features interviews with Dean Devlin, George Clayton Johnson, Reed himself and Bryan Singer.



• Examined, interviewed and honored in My Memoirs of 4SJ — Famous Monster of Horrorwood Karloffornia, directed, produced and assembled by Bill "Drac" Edwards. A very nicely produced DVD-R tribute to Forry from one of his biggest fans. Includes: a complete personal tour of the Ackermansion (II), videotaped by Edwards in 1991; Forry's induction into the Horror Hall of Fame; on-the-scene video coverage of Forry's 86th birthday party; footage from the 1995 Son of Famous Monsters Convention in Hollywood; and an interview with Ackerman at his new home, the mini-Ackermansion. Highly recommended for anybody (like this writer) who never had the privilege of seeing Forry's collection intact at his old home. For more information, visit Drac's Mausoleum, Bill "Drac" Edward's website.



2004

• Profiled lovingly in the short TV documentary Monsterama: The Ackermonster, directed by actor / monsterfan Daniel Roebuck. Produced as part of the Monsterama series on Monsters HD, the first all-monster channel in high definition.



• Interviewed about the great Famous Monsters cover artist in the short TV documentary Monsterama: Basil Gogos, directed by "monster kid" / actor Daniel Roebuck. Rob Zombie and Gogos himself are also featured. Originally aired on the Monsters HD channel.



• Included in the behind-the-scenes hijinx, outtakes and bloopers of The Making of 'The Double-D Avenger', directed by William Winckler. Also features everybody else involved with the cult crowd-pleasing film. A special feature on the DVD Joe Bob Briggs Presents The Double-D Avenger.



2005

• Interviewed for the extras features on the stop-motion animation DVD Ray Harryhausen: The Early Years Collection. Also wild about Harryhausen in this set: Jim Aupperle, Rick Baker, Craig Barron, Doug Beswick, Ray Bradbury, John Bruno, Bob Burns, Tim Burton, James Cameron, the Chiodo Brothers, Wes Craven, Joe Dante, Frank Darabont, John Dykstra, Peter Jackson, John Landis, Leonard Maltin, Dennis Muren, Phil Tippett, Stan Winston and many others.



• Featured among the Ring-bearers in Ringers: Lord of the Fans, a documentary/comedy about the influence of J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings on Western culture, directed by Carlene Cordova. Forry approached Tolkien about a film version of his trilogy in the late 50's! Narrated by Dominic Monaghan, with Elijah Wood, Peter Jackson, Viggo Mortensen, Orlando Bloom, David Carradine, Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Clive Barker, Andy Serkis, Sala Baker, Peter S. Beagle, Terry Brooks, Bill Mumy, Leonard Nimoy, Liv Tyler and many others.



200?

• Interviewed for American Scary (post-production), an exhaustive historical documentary about TV horror hosts, written by Sandy Clark and directed by John E. Hudgens. Interviews and archival footage: Dr. Shock, Ghoulardi, Svengoolie, Joe Bob Briggs, Bob Burns, Chilly Billy Cardille, Tim Conway, Dr. Sarcofiguy, Count Gore DeVol, Christopher Coffin, Professor Anton Griffin, Neil Gaiman, Commander USA, Baron Von Wolfstein, horror hostorians Curtis Armstrong, George "E-Gor" Chastain, and Frank J. Dello Stritto, A. Ghastlee Ghoul, Dr. Creep, Joel Hodgson, The Cryptkeeper, Mr Lobo, Leonard Maltin, Dr. E. Nick Witty, I. Zombi, Doktor Goulfinger, Dr. Mor B.S., Ghoul A Go Go, Baron Daemon, Big Chuck and Li'l John, Tom Savini, Son of Ghoul, Stella, Crematia Mortem, John Stanley, The Ghoul, Dr. Gangrene, Vampira, Bob Wilkins, John Zacherle and many others.

Year / Details Unknown

• As himself, club Treasurer of the Los Angeles Science Fiction Society, in the amateur film LASFS Meeting (19??).



• As a cowboy in the amateur LASFS production Way Out West (19??).



• As himself in The Genie (19??), an amateur LASFS film also featuring Fritz Leiber and Bjo Trimble.



• War of the Worlds Sequel (year?) as himself (amateur film).



• In scenes with Jeff Morrow and Brinke Stevens in The Alien Within (unreleased?).



• "Crypt Keeper MTV -- self jiving closeup" (?; year?).



• As a private eye frightening girl in auto scene in Metamorphosis (year?).



• As himself in The Lucifer Chest (year? or not yet released?).



• As narrator and interviewer on the video release (year?) of I Was a Teenage Mummy, originally made in 1962.

list by George"E-Gor" Chastain

Gary D. Macabre