The Road: all the makings for a zombie movie, but the zombies

What a fantastic base for an amazing zombie film. It had it all, a mysterious holocaust, stunning post apocalyptic visuals, just oozing atmosphere. Some truly superb acting. Fear and despair, resulting in tragic suicide as the world as we know it comes crashing down. Roaming bands of thugs, that would kill you for what little you possess (and probably even eat you too). A story of personal strength and determination in face of the ultimate adversity.

So what one single thing could make a zombie movie with so much going for it fail and drop to the depths of being possibly the most painful two hours I have spent watching a movie in a long time? How about not a single bleedin' zombie in the whole damn movie. What happens when you take the zombies out of a zombie movie? The answer NOT A GOD DAMNED THING. Boredom and tedium. This is the movie The Road.

OK, so in all fairness The Road was never actually a zombie movie. The idea of adding zombies would likely have made the writer and the director spew pea soup from every orifice. But it would have definitely made the whole thing a lot more watchable. Even on it's own merits, the roaming bands of cannibals could have made the film a lot more tense and interesting, but it failed miserably there too. Although they were clearly looking to avoid any trappings of an action flick and keep the whole production to some higher plane of artistic film making, they just managed to make a painfully dull and unimaginative picture. Good god, it made the Blair Witch Project seem watchable. If the idea was to create such an atmosphere of dread and despair that the audience can so relate to the characters that the viewer wants to put the Smith and Wesson in their mouth just to put an end to it, well then it is a success. But this is the only scenario in which I would consider it so. And I don't say this with the air of one of the many movie critics looking to make him/herself seem worldly and emotionally complex. Telling you this film will bring you to revelations of previously unexperienced emotional and psychological distress (hey for the fun of it lets label it emo-porn), because believe me there are better soul scorchers if leaving a theater with a sick feeling is your goal(Jack Ketchum's The Girl Next Door for one). As good as the book may have been (I admit to not reading it), this is just one long, amazingly boring and plotless wrek.

I'm thinking with some creative editing from a number of existing zombie fests, this movie could really be something, but until the time comes that someone goes to that effort I would strongly recommend avoiding it like... well, the zombie plague.



G. Macabre

When Death Comes to Town

Greetings and condolences my fellow travelers. My journeys have indeed taken me from the might banks of the great Styx for a prolonged spell, but it is good to return. Here in the darkness little dramatic happens and passers by are not overly common, but that is not the case everywhere. In my recent journeys I have had the pleasure to observe comings and goings in two otherwise small communities. Insignificant as these locations are to the greater preoccupations of the living, it is somewhat ironic that the fates would choose these hamlets to play out the greatest of dramas, between good and evil, life and death.

The first of these would be the little town of Little Tall, a fictitious coastal community located just of the shore of Maine. It was this setting that legendary author, Stephen King, would base his story "Storm of the Century". In a three part television miniseries first aired in 1999, residents of Little Tall find themselves at the mercy of a great storm threatening their quiet island home.

While for many an author such a reckoning would be enough to build a story on. King himself has used storm stayed inhabitants successfully in his tales of horror before in "Misery" and the iconic "The Shining", but here it is simply background for a greater trial. Evil descends on the town in the form of a mysterious stranger by the name of Linoge who brings with him murder death and an unprecedented demand for the inhabitants. Before he will actually tell them of his demands, Linoge first chooses to torture, and literally as well as physically manipulate the residents to commit horrific murders. In a small town idle gossip is cheap and plentiful, thus one's wardrobe-skeletons are dear and well hidden. Naturally the mysterious Linoge mater-of-factly shares the towns peoples past transgressions and darkest secrets in the most public venues he can find, illustrating that innocence is lost as childhood is left behind. The implications are left obscure and presented for the most part as a vehicle for Linoge to demonstrate his supernatural omnipotence, but to an attentive and thoughtful these indiscretions make the story's eventual outcome more poignant and meaningful as King exposes this is as much a morality tale as it is a simple supernatural horror.

I myself have never been a big follower of Stephen King's novels, and even less so the eventual film treatments, but in this format really allows King's tale to be told as it should be and the viewer to digest all the nuances that studio executives tend to lack enough appreciation of the genre to see. Undoubtedly if you are a Stephen King fan, this is preaching to the choir, however if you are not familiar with this work "Storm of the Century" is a must see.



Not more than four of five hours away and a bit north from Little Tall Maine, is another fictitious community called Shuckton Ontario. Now in gaudy electric neon contrast to the events that occurred South of the border, infamous Canadian comedy troupe Kids In The Hall, tell this hamlet's tale of what happens when "Death Comes to Town". Here in series of eight half hour episodes, a Reaper is stuck on this the shittiest of routes with a job to do and a personal grudge (and a thing for chubby red-heads).

Like the townsfolk in Little Tall, the citizens of Shucton too have their secrets. Alcoholism, infidelity, lust, greed, as in Little Tall it's all there, but where other than Canadian television could one explore homosexual necrophilia and get by the network sensors.

Now I'll admit that I was hoping this little gem would have a bit more bloodshed and mayhem, but the subtle comedic jabs and the outlandish characterizations and situations that The Kids in the Hall are known for are extremely entertaining and satisfying to watch in this macabre tale of what happens when Death comes to town.





G. Macabre

Paranormal Activity: Secretariat's Ghost

It's a chilled November eve in this shadowy land, come closer to the fire friend. I'm pleased to have found this old camp of mine here on the riverbank, and am even more pleased that you have found it as well. Perhaps it was the warm flickering light with promise of hope and comfort in this cold strange land or the enticing aroma of burning wood still damp from the dew of ages, thick with the feeling of familiarity. Whatever it was that drew you here I am sorry to say that this strange land offers nothing comforting nor soothing for a wandering soul. Perhaps you will do better in the next world, or perhaps you're fortunate enough to be one of the few visitors I see here who return home to the living world with all of it's great promises and dreams (and often painful realities). Before you continue along your path whichever it may be, please stop for a visit and a cup of coffee, reheated but still good.

Hmmm there's a lot there that reminds me of a little film I just saw, Paranormal Activity . As I sat in this rather rundown theater with very few other attendees watching this offering I too was drawn in with hope and promise. I do truly love supernatural spook shows, the unseen dead possess a whole other level of ominous threat and untouchable, uncontrollable menace not found elsewhere in the genre. Century old tales of ghostly beings, that shiver that traces the length of your spine when you turn you back on a darkened cellar, the little jump and the quickening pulse when an unsuspected thump in the dark that startles you. Each and every one of these things lends subconscious credibility to ghosts and the supernatural that does not require the suspended disbelief that monsters, vampires, zombies and aliens require of us. At the same time offers much greater internal terror than any slasher, murderer or real world psychotic can muster. This coupled with the rumblings about the internet, and indeed I took to my torn and sagging theatre seat with a degree of hope. And come to think of it as I sat in darkness watching this flickering light projected on the screen before me, much as I sit here now with you at this fire I felt that same sense of familiarity of something I had seen and known before. Oh yes I know what it was, it was that same old first person video footage style of directing that has been inflicted on the horror genre since Blair Witch made its fortune.

If you haven't yet partaken of this cinematic entity, have no fear as I have no intention of releasing any spoilers in this post. Since the inception of Blogue Macabre I have long determined that this is not a home for "regular" movie reviews as there are plenty of others who do a far better job of that than I. But instead lets speak of this film's inclusion in the home video footage sub-genre. I think we can almost certainly label that a sub-genre of its own by now. And perhaps take account of what it is that that sub-genre offers.

Now I'm on record as saying that The Blair Witch Project is the most over rated piece of horror genre crap I've ever tried to choke down, so you can guess that despite my previously stated hopes there was a healthy degree of cynicism in my heart before the screening as well. I did however find that both Romero's foray with Diary of the Dead and Cloverfield both offered creative approaches to this film style and regardless of what you thought of the films themselves, they did prove that this linear low budget film school dropout sub-genre perhaps could have something to offer. Sadly Paranormal Activity I found offered no creative or inspiring use of the home video technique and does nothing do further the sub-genre's plight for respectability. On the upside however the vomit churning shaky cinematography we have come to know is absent from this film as for once the lead character had the sense to invest some dosh in a decent camera with image stabilization and a damned tripod. The director also chose to take a more reasonable approach and actually allowed the camera to be placed in more realistic and inconvenient places and actually be abandoned by the fictitious filmographer which added greatly to the "intended realism" that is the ultimate goal of the genre.
The greatest thing about the home video technique is that it does one thing amazingly well, it gives the writer the latitude to come up with a mere handful of decent scenes with no real cohesion and a complete lack of an ending of any sort, and combine them with an hour of pointless going nowhere "reality" and voila you have a full length motion picture. And again this movie does that well...so surprisingly well in fact that it actually keeps the viewer in the film. The screenplay writers deserve an academy award for this one in fact, as they managed to keep all the meaningless crap for the most part natural, topical, inject an enjoyable degree of self satire, and squeeze in a couple of highly entertaining allusions to boot.

So you're wondering, why in the name of all that was and all that is, did I subtitle Paranormal Activity as Secretariat's Ghost? The answer is quite simple, this film poses the question "When you beat a dead horse, is there some supernatural or otherworldly way that that said horse can actually get up and run?" Like the fun house ride at the local fair, while I found the film entirely predictable, and lacking originality in almost every way somehow I came out of it with a smile on my face.

Pte. G Macabre

return to the blogue (Moment of Horror #7)

Greetings and condolences once again fellow travelers. It has been quite some time since I left the banks of the mighty Styx to put my mark with the forces of good. I am pleased to say that I will now have the ability to frequent these parts again in a more timely fashion and thus will be able to resume my role as guide here on the banks of these murky waters. It was very much troubling and regrettable that my duties kept me away during the most treasured of seasons and the celebrations of all hallows eve, the day of the dead and the day of the innocents as well. I do wish I had something substantial for my first post returning from hiatus. In fact I do have a significant offering that has been partially assembled since prior to my departure, but alas it remains still incomplete and on a computer many, many miles from where I currently reside.

Instead I will post a much more meager feature regular to the Blogue...

Moment of Horror #7
King Kong vs. Tyrannosaurus Rex

This scene has to count as one of the most influential scenes in cinema history. nothing is more empowering than giant monsters fighting, and the legendary King Kong going head to head with arguably the greatest beast this world has ever known (well it was certainly true in 1933 at the time of the film's release)the tyrant lizard king, Tyrannosaurus Rex. OK so some will point out that the dinosaur in question actually has three fingers and must be an Allosaurus, but to every young boy in the audience to this day will tell you otherwise.



King Kong certainly is one of the great hallmarks of science fiction and special effects on film. Selecting my moment of horror from such amazing images and scenes such as Kong atop the Empire state Building swatting at biplanes, or gently holding a terrified and under-dressed Fay Wray in a tropical jungle was not so easy, but I truly believe the visceral and imaginative impact that this scene has forever burned into the minds of generations of young boys makes this scene Moment of horror #7.

Moment of Horror #6

Stephen King's Carrie
In 1973 the Horror landscape changed forever. Unknown author Stephen King would publish his first novel, entitled Carrie. Undoubtedly the success of the novel had a fair amount to do with the story's subject matter finding an immediate and hungry audience. Carrie, a teen aged girl, living under the thumb of her "unbalanced" and oppressive mother; ridiculed and ostracized by her peers develops telekinetic powers and uses them to exact revenge. OK I admit being a guy, and one who grew up as the younger sibling, and was intelligent enough to let my older sister challenge parental authority, and make all the stupid teenage decisions to which I could observe and myself avoid later in life, the book had no appeal. But to the millions of girls just like my sister King was writing about their lives, or more accurately, their lives as they perceived them. His writing style was new and explicit and tackled subtexts that would clearly have been taboo anywhere else. In the beginning of the book he addresses Carries discomfort with her adolescent body and the changes it is undergoing, and then goes over the edge with people stoning here in a communal shower with tampons and "sanitary napkins". The book was so evocative, that it was widely banned from numerous schools, and not just library collections, but students could face out right confiscation in many cases. Only three years after it's initial publishing the book was made into a major motion picture, again with great success, which produced one of the Horror genre's most iconic film images, Carrie standing on stage dripping with blood.



While this image, this film and more so this book are all worthy of being included in horrors greatest moments, really the most important aspect is the emergence of Stephen King the novelist. So synonymous with horror fiction today that it could be argued his name rivals the likes of Edgar Allen Poe.

Gary Macabre

Unead or Alive: a Zombie Western Comedy...no really

OK first up, I make no bones about it this blog isn't about movie reviews, and that's not going to change any time soon. I will however discus films in a casual manner without the pretense of actually reviewing it. If you can grasp the difference then we'll continue, if you can't I don't want to hear about it.

So here we are with a Zombie/Western that actually uses the word "zombedy" in it's promotional material. Man this is looking bleak from the get go. As a matter of fact I tossed it back in the two-for-five-dollar bin a couple of times. But alas the allure of some zombie busting carnage with lever action rifles was just too strong and I finally caved. Fortunately I was in the mood for a really bad movie and I had little preconception of this being anything but, so all risk of disappointment and an hour and a half of my life safely socked away in the bottom of the dirty laundry hamper, I settled in with a plate of nachos and my own trusty Winchester '94 at my side ( Don't worry the ammo however was still safely locked away elsewhere, after all if it truly was worse than even I expected, I couldn't risk pulling an Elvis on my 50").

To my pleasant surprise this film was actually conceived with some intriguing and enjoyable premises. The origin of the wild west zombie being attributed to a native Indian curse on the white man I actually really like, some great ideas on how zombie cannibalism would be treated and dealt with by an ignorant town and the application of typical "wild west justice", and even a great little "betcha didn't see that coming" ending. Sadly however the few gems there in never made it past the screenplay writer, the director or the lamentable acting. Even my thirst and enthusiasm for the much anticipated and oh so inevitable zombies vs. .30-30 romp was left largely unsatisfied, rather like having a glass of nice cold Coke on a hot day only to find it has gone flat in the fridge. As for the comedy, well I think that SNL hit it's low point through the late 90's, and actor Chris Kattan... well lets just say "A Night at the Roxbury, Corky Romano, House on Haunted Hill, ..."

There was enough to like in this film to be worth the $2.50 it cost to purchase, and maybe even enough to justify the 91 minutes lost on it (92 minutes might be pushing it). But that said you have to be sold on the premise of Zombie Western/ weak comedy because if you can't take that into a viewing your in for a world of hurt.

G. Macabre

Moment of Horror #5

While there are many great moment's in horror and this segment is not intended as a top 10 list, or to represent rankings in anyway whatsoever, I felt I couldn't go another installment without including what is quite possibly one of the greatest scenes in the history of film, horror or otherwise:

The shower scene from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho.

In an era where colour was the proud domain of the cinema and the mundane black and white pictures were relegated to the pedestrian invention the television, Hitchcock took his television crew and the stock of black and white film and shot what I believe is the penultimate Horror/Thriller of all time. The audacity to brutally slay your leading lady not even midway through the film would surely be enough to make a mark on cinema history, but it was the details in how Alfred Hitchcock, the master that he was, chose to do this which shook the cinema going world. With powerful imagery, intense emotional acting and skillful edits, the master didn't show the audience one tenth of what every cinema goer saw. The implied nudity, graphic violence and brutality that never existed on screen, just in the viewer's minds, provoked the censors to give the film an X rating until they were petitioned to further review it. The psychological and emotional effects on the audiences of the time were unheard of and widespread. Alfred Hitchcock with a great actress, a sound idea and a can of chocolate syrup managed what grindhouse bloodfests, slasher flicks and modern torture porn aspire to achieve and seldom accomplish.

I will never do a Post Mortem on this scene for the sure futility it would be.

Gary Macabre

Post Mortem: The Mist

The Finale: SPOILER ALERT

Greetings and condolences once again. I think it time we get back on track here with some of the regular features I have instituted in the past here on the Blogue. Before we begin, I'll just introduce this segment for the new travelers who have stumbled across my camp on the banks of the Styx. At the onset of the Blogue Macabre I decided there were enough Horror blogs reviewing movies, and while I may occasionally sound off on one from time to time, being a review site didn't appeal to me. So I decided that I would cut to the juicy bits and review the death scenes from various films instead. Now you're up to speed lets get to the task at hand.

As the lead states I'm going to dive into an analysis of the final sequence of THE MIST. If you haven't seen it yet (I'll have to assume you died before 2007 and have just got out of purgatory) I will offer the courtesy of telling you that this Post Mortem is a pretty big spoiler. That said I equally feel that this is one of the crappiest endings in horror movie history and knowing it before actually viewing the movie might make the experience more palpable. As a matter of fact the reason I chose this scene for this segment is because I dislike it so much, but thought I should give it the benefit of a proper post mortem. A fair trial before condemnation I suppose.

Manner of Death: Murder/Suicide. Yes, that is correct, the remaining cast decided to skag themselves in the face of despair and hopelessness. This scene is quite simply there to provide the shock factor and gain media attention hoping to parlay that into bigger box office bucks. Don't get me wrong, blowing your and/or your loved ones gray matter all over the wall is fair game. But there's a time and place for everything, and here just wasn't it. All Hell coming down on you and you drop that match in the pool of gasoline as a final act of defiance, choosing your terms for death and taking scores of evil minions with you, is a good time and place. You and /or your loved one has been bitten by a Zombie, and preserve your/their eternal dignity when the inevitable comes is a good time and place. Sacrificing your life so that your high school sweetheart can survive, even if it means she's likely to knock boots with your room mate after your passing is acceptable too. But because you've run out of gas and don't know what's going to happen next and your afraid that you MIGHT be killed and eaten by a pan-dimensional insect is not a good reason. Hell if it were I'd probably have popped myself a few times by now I figure.

So OK, that said how am I going to score this? Well here is the parameters I have set up for this category way back when...Manner of Death: How did the Character Die? Was it interesting? Creative? Well suited to the story? Otherwise satisfying or disturbing to the audience? . Was it interesting? I have to say no. Creative? I see no real creativity here, so NO again. Well suited to the story? Hmmm, since the Characters spend the previous 123 minutes doing everything imaginable to stay alive including committing cold blooded murder, only to kill them selves 4 to 6 hours later. Yeah they flee the supermarket and drive off into the mist until they run out of gas. I don't know about you, but even with a full tank my car can't run for much longer than 6-7 hours tops. So a HUGE NO here. Otherwise disturbing/satisfying? Well yes I guess they got the desired shock factor so I'll give them two skulls for that. Why two, well because I'm trying to be fair.





Effect on Story: Again here are the parameters... Did the character's death forward the plot of the film in any significant or meaningful way? Did it provide tension, character motivation, a sense of impending doom or vulnerability to the other characters? This is the only Category that will be ranked on it's relation to the rest of the film and not it's individual merits.
That said I truly feel the film would have been better served by leaving this on the cutting room floor. Mind you it does provide definite conclusion to the film and while I feel the story would be better without, I admit I might be writing that without conclusion the film would seem that it was only half completed. While the murder/suicides didn't forward the plot of the film whatsoever, it did alter the audience's perception of the film greatly, it did provide a moment of dread and tension (some of us dreaded the character's impending actions, others of us dreaded the director's choice to cop out on a very solid classic style monster flick up to that point). The sense of impending doom was the point of the scene, but it wasn't there. As I had stated previously, the film makers do not provide enough substance to make it convincing that the characters would choose to act in a manner contradictory to how they had established themselves in the previous two hours of screen time. How it motivated the characters?, well I suppose it would have made the character of David Drayton, the father even more bound and determined to commit suicide, but we didn't get that morsel. But because I have clearly stated that it is the intent of this category to rate it with it's relation to the rest of the movie, in which it fails miserably, I will on the reverse side give back one kadahm to honour the fact that it was apparently the film makers wishes to sacrifice their film for the sake of a shocking conclusion and that it did.

























Appearance and/or Visual Direction: You know, I can't fault Frank Darabont for his keen eye and skills behind the camera. In a scene that takes place primarily in the cab of a vehicle surrounded by impenetrable fog the scene looks good (especially in the B&W version, which if you haven't seen, the previous 2 hours in this format is worth the cost of purchasing this film on DVD). His choice to cut to the vehicles exterior while he shoots the trucks occupants and we simply see the muzzle flash illuminate the interior at each retort works really well.




Mood: OK, before I come across as hypocritical here this category is again scene specific, and not scored in relation the the film in it's entirety. Assessing the mood of this scene completely on its own merits apart from the rest of the story...




Acting: OK the players did their part, and the acting of Thomas Jane was better than average.




Tally time. A scene I have clearly established my dislike for, but how does it hold up to the rack? Well final score is 14.5/25 58% or D+.

Gary Macabre

Moment of Horror #4

Again from the silent dawn of Horror Cinema, another great moment. From one of my all time favourite films, the 1925 version of Phantom of the Opera, the unmasking of Eric. The mysterious figure first shown to the audience in shadow, and later as a masked phantom is finally revealed to not only Christine, but is filmed specifically that the impact of his grotesque features are right out front for the theatre audience's shock and horror.

A modern Icon returns

Horror Cinema is a magical thing. Action films spawn heroes which, like the effects in the films from which they are born, burn bright and hot, yet fade quickly and are as quickly forgotten as the next star explodes onto the scene. Dramas spawn heart throbs and leading ladies which wither with age, manically trying to cling to popularity with tiring typecast rolls. The Westerns have given us legendary persona's. But only Horror films have given us true icons. Images burned into the public consciousness not as actors, nor even as characters, but distilled to something more eternal in the mind's eye, as vibrant and intense images.

Oh, you don't believe me? Well I challenge you then. Ask five people under the age of 25 who the following 10 people/characters are: Jean Claude VanDam, Chuck Norris, Julia Roberts, Faye Dunaway, Brad Pitt, Ingrid Bergman, Harry Callaghan, Scarlett O'Hara, Hondo Lane, Sam Spade.

Now ask the same people if they could identify the Frankenstein Monster, Dracula, the Wolf Man, Freddy Kruger and of Course Jason from Friday the 13th, and I bet the results will contrast quite considerably. As much as I hate to admit it, Boris Karloff, Bella Lugosi, Peter Lorre and Lon Chaney (Jr. and Sr.), legends of horror suffer the same fate, but the characters they portrayed are eternal. How many different faces played Dracula or the Frankenstein monster? But their images are as recognizable in our society as those of Jesus of Nazareth and Abraham Lincoln.

Indeed there were better written screen plays, more intriguing characters, and scarier tales than Friday the 13th, but as much as I personally prefer the Halloween films, I cannot deny that Jason Voorhees is the face of horror through the 80's an iconic image just as prevalent and recognizable as Dracula.

In an era that redefined the horror genre with blood fests and Slasher flicks the Friday the13th franchise defined them all and has placed the goalie masked visage of Jason into our cultural identity.

Dismiss the Friday the 13th films as tired and out dated, or even lame and childish if you like, but remember that they have achieved what historic films like Bridge on the River Kwai, Citizen Cane, One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, Ben Hur, and even Gone with the Wind never could.

Here's to hoping that this newest installment hearkens back to those early years of the franchise while in its prime.

G. Macabre

Top 25 Horrors of the last 20 years

I admit I'm a bit behind with this post, as it was the 20th that B-SOL at Vault of Horror posted the list for the top 25 horrors since 1990, and again I was included in the polling. Although admittedly Classic Horror is by far more interesting to me I do acknowledge that this time frame produced some very interesting films for the horror genre. In fact there was a lot of discussion amongst the voters about what actually was the criteria for a horror film. And this topic of discussion was indeed enlightening. But in the end it really comes to the individual viewer and what their personal criteria is. Now as relevant as it is to this post, I'm about to drag my feet on that topic and post separately what my personal feelings and criteria for what constitutes a horror movie when compared to other related genre films. So for the moment I will stay on topic. From Brian at Vault of Horror here is the accumulated list:

1. The Descent (2005) dir: Neil Marshall
2. The Blair Witch Project (1999) dir: Daniel Myrick & Eduardo Sanchez
3. The Silence of the Lambs (1991) dir: Jonathan Demme
4. The Ring (2002) dir: Gore Verbinski
5. Scream (1996) dir: Wes Craven
6. The Mist (2007) dir: Frank Darabont
7. 28 Days Later (2002) dir: Danny Boyle
8. Braindead (Dead Alive) (1992) dir: Peter Jackson
9. Inside (2007) dir: Alexandre Bustillo & Julien Maury
10. Shaun of the Dead (2004) dir: Edgar Wright
11. Saw (2004) dir: James Wan
12. [REC] (2007) dir: Jaume Balaguero & Paco Plaza
13. Audition (1999) dir: Takashi Miike
14. Ginger Snaps (2000) dir: John Fawcett
15. American Psycho (2000) dir: Mary Harron
16. Session 9 (2001) dir: Brad Anderson
17. Dawn of the Dead (2004) dir: Zack Snyder
18. Army of Darkness (1993) dir: Sam Raimi
19. Dog Soldiers (2002) dir: Neil Marshall
20. Cabin Fever (2002) dir: Eli Roth
21. Let the Right One In (2008) dir: Tomas Alfredson
22. Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992) dir: Francis Ford Coppola
23. Eyes Wide Shut (1999) dir: Stanley Kubrick
24. Halloween: 20 Years Later (1998) dir: Steve Miner
25. Dellamorte Dellamore (Cemetery Man) (1994) dir: Michele Soavi

Be sure to stop by his blog for further details on how the entrants were ranked, and some other interesting facts and in sites, not to mention the ensuing discussion.

I do well believe that it's a great addition to such as list to have the contributors sound off on why they selected some of the films they did. Lets face it every time a list as such is published the sabre rattling and guffawing can be heard from the other banks of the Styx.

Well I already bashed Blair Witch after the top 50 poll(to that nobody had anything to say) so no point being derisive there, but alas I have to admit my top ten actually rank on nether regions of the lists top 10. While titles like Descent: Kill Bill vs. Weekly World News' Bat Boy, The Bad Itch project, the Ring, and Scream never even got a sniff on my list. And while Silence of the Lambs was undoubtedly about to make the top 5 I chose not to include it for a couple of reasons. 1: I believe the elements of the film are far more grounded in the Thriller genre than the Horror genre as per my personal definitions and criteria, and 2: well it was going to make it anyway, why not put together a more interesting list.

Now you're wondering, what would G. Macabre, Classic Horror fan put on a list of top horror films since 1990? OK maybe you're not, but damn it you're still reading aren't you. So here it is my list of Top 10 Horrors since 1990.




1. Shawn of the Dead
2. Sweeney Todd
3. Night Watch
4. Gingersnaps
5. 28 Days Later
6. Dead Alive
7. Army of Darkness
8. The Crow (does that count as horror? Dead guy coming back from the grave
for revenge, close enough)
9. Sleepy Hollow
10. Shadow of the Vampire

I had originally penned Mist in the final slot, but recanted as I feel as much as I enjoyed the film, the finale was poorly written and inanely inconsistent with the characters' depictions as we had seen them up to that point. More the end was done for shock factor and media hype than any contribution to the film. Shadow of the Vampire when all is said and done, I felt was a far more unique and interesting film.

While on the former top 0 list I made my selections based on what I felt were movies of notable quality in a variety of aspects, this list was more a compilation of films that I found very much enjoyable on a more personal level.
I honestly feel that Sweeney Todd is completely under rated. Although everyone involved knew this wasn't going to make any waves, it was really about going out there to make a film that they simply wanted to make and push their own boundaries. Dark, angry Macabre and perverse, and out in left wing this is the kind of film I get into. I admit I'm saddened my comrades did not see it as such. And speaking of comrades (hows that for a segue) the Russian gem Night Watch to not appear while Cabin Fever makes the list is again disappointing. But hey I admit I don't swim in the same waters as may of the other bloggers that were polled, and that the contemporary view of horror films such as the pseudo psychological spook stories like Rec, Blair Witch and Ring leave me glassy eyed and in search of the remote.

So anyway if you're in need of some good unconventional horror themed movies of the 90's to today, you now have my suggestions.

Gary D. Macabre

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