Forrest J. Ackerman

Considering the circles I travel in here on myspace, I'm kind of surprised that nobody has really mentioned this in a bulletin or a blog -- I hope that I've just overlooked it somehow.

Forrest J. Ackerman, our beloved Uncle Forry, founding editor of the original Famous Monsters of Filmland Magazine and walking depository of all things horror and sci-fi has fallen gravely ill with congestive heart failure following a bout with pneumonia. There is little doubt that the end will come soon, possibly within hours or days. He'll be 92 on Nov. 24th. If you're a serious genre fan, you owe Forry a debt of gratitude. Even if you're too young to have read the original incarnation of FM (not to be confused with  the latter day version published and edited and hijacked from Ackerman by a pernicious S.O.B. who deserves no mention by name here), but you do read Fangoria, Starlog, Sirens of Cinema, Penny Blood, Scars or Rue Morgue or any of the thousands of horror and sci-fi sites on the web, you have been touched by the Ackermonster -- they wouldn't exist without him. Genre journalism, fandom and the whole of what has come to be called "geek culture," begins with him.

I'm lucky enough to have grown up as one of the last of the Monster Kids reading FM under Forry's editorship in the late 70s and early 80s. Looking back, there has been no greater influence on my life and career than Mr.Ackerman. Growing up in an economically depressed hellhole like Johnson City, TN in a pre-internet, pre-VCR world, Forry's FM was almost like a message in a bottle from a faraway monster-populated paradise for this skinny kid who didn't give damn about football and sucked at sports but stayed up all Friday night to catch The Abominable Dr. Phibes on the late show.

Last night, I called Mr.Ackerman and left a stammering message of thanks and love on his answering machine. I also e-mailed the wonderful Joe Moe who has been caretaker of both Ackerman and his legendary collection of monster movie memorabilia with similiar if not more articulate sentiments (there is a reason that writers write, with few exceptions we suck verbally). Considering Forry's worsening condition and the obvious huge outpouring of affection, I didn't really expect a response, but minutes later, Joe wrote me back. Below is our correspondence: 

-----Original Message-----
From: William@thehorrorpost.com
Sent: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 6:20 pm
Subject: Forry

Hello Joe, 
I'm sure you've been bombarded with e-mails about Mr. Ackerman's condition, but I had to write. Forry's impact on my life has been immeasurable. I'm a journalist/reviewer for several genre publications including PENNY BLOOD and SIRENS OF CINEMA and my work has appeared in FANGORIA and FILM THREAT among other places. With every piece I write, I always keep Forry in the back of my mind, secretly wishing that it was appearing in the original FAMOUS MONSTERS. 

I owe him my career like everyone else who writes in this field. As a kid, it was always comfort knowing that there was a grown-up out there who took horror and sci-fi as seriously as I did and still do. 

Although, I've never met him personally, I love him like family. 
 
Thanks for your time and all best to you and Mr. Ackerman. 
 
Sincerely, 
William J. Wright

Here's Joe's reply:

William,
No bother at all. I've remembered you to our favorite Uncle and he gave you a weak but lovely nod. I know exactly what a desperate loss you are anticipating. I'm right there too. thanks for the beautiful note.

Your pal,
Joe

That "weak but lovely nod" from the other side of the country is one of the most precious gifts I have ever received.

Please keep Uncle Forry in your thought, hearts and prayers. Send him a letter or a card while you still can.

FORREST J ACKERMAN
4511 Russell Avenue
Los Angeles, CA
90027

 He wants to here from all his "nieces and nephews"--all of us Monster Kids and Monster Grandkids. Thank him. Tell him you love him. YOU OWE HIM!!!

All best and, as Forry would put it, "Fangs, Fiends!"

William J. Wright

4:33 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Writing update!
Current mood: accomplished

It's been really busy here at the Wright compound --too busy doing the job to promote it (the real job, not the soul-sucking, hellish nightmare of my day job in "Big Time Network Television" where I'm subjected to endless hours of Paula Deen's grating fake southern accent and that douchebag Guy Fieri who looks like a date rapist--you know what I mean, the guy on the high school football team who's a "wildman" because he listens to Metallica.While I'm at it, I hope that cunt Rachael Ray chokes on that fuckin' sammy). What the hell was I just talking about?

Run, don't walk to your nearest Borders or other fine book seller and buy both these great magazines. Better yet, subscribe!!!!

Writing: Issue 12 of Sirens of Cinema has been out for a few weeks featuring a rare interview with the lovely Dyanne Thorne best remembered as castrating Nazi bitch Ilsa in the infamous Ilsa film series of the 1970s. Dyanne is a real sweetheart in real life and mercifully nothing like her onscreen persona. The interview also appears in a different and expanded form in the current Penny Blood with some choice quotes from her husband musician and actor Howard Maurer.

Also in Sirens 12 is my interview with Calico Cooper, daughter of original shock rock legend (and my idol) Alice Cooper. Calico gives some insight on what it was like growing up with the man who wrote "I Love the Dead," her role as the whip girl in Alice's show and her rapidly growing career as a film actress. Calico is, in a word, awesome. She is absolutely the most personable, friendliest and funniest person I've ever been lucky enough to interview. Alice raised her right.

And I interviewed actress/filmmaker/Tromette Elske McCain who is wrapping up her film Jessicka Rabid. Elske is very candid and pulls no punches. A former contender on "The Search for the Next Elvira," Elske comes clean on the horrors of reality TV. The interview was judiciously edited to avoid a lawsuit from Cassandra Petersen.

Be sure to check out my preview of Cthulhu starring Tori Spelling (yes, that Tori Spelling) on the Penny Blood website.

In the middle of all this, I was also recruited (actually, I was drafted) as unit publicity manager for Happy Cloud Pictures new film Coventry Lanes starring Debbie Rochon, Brinke Stevens, Robyn Griggs and Amy Lynn Best. A veritable deluge of info about this project will be forthcoming. I'm having a blast working with the Happy Cloud gang and the UPM credit finally landed me on IMDB.

AND I to celebrate another round of little writing victories, I got yet another tattoo:

Mexican Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls representing my wife Olivia and me (yes, I did have a devil lock when we got married) with our wedding band in the center and batwings in the background. Nothing says love like 5 hours of intense, bloody pain. My good friend Trent McNabb of Standard Ink Tattoos in Chattanooga designed and executed this masterpiece. Stop staring at my nipples . . .

From lovely Knoxville, TN where we'll violently gun you down in school and church,

William J. Wright

Currently listening : Legacy of Brutality By Misfits Release date: 1989-11-06

2:06 PM - 3 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Overdue update.

It's been another busy couple of months here at the Wright Compund nestled far below the glittering ball we call the Sunsphere (aka. the hillbilly Eiffel Tower). I finally made it out to the Cinema Wasteland convention in Cleveland back in the first week of April. Cinema Wasteland,for the unitiated, is the best "B," cult, drive-in and horror show in the Universe. It' not the biggest, but it certainly is the best. For lack of better words, it has a really unique "vibe." The fans, promoters and guests are just about the nicest, most polite gang of freaks as you're likely to ever meet. We spent most of the weekend with Happy Cloud's Mike Watt and Amy Lynn Best--old friends who managed to make a perfect weekend even better--who had a triumphant Saturday night screening of their film Splatter Movie: The Director's Cut. Extra special thanks to Allana from Ultra Violent who's always a blast to talk to (and also the only smoker left among our immediate friends).

2nd Strangest thing overheard at the con:

Hotel Clerk: "Why does this reservation say 'Mink Stole?'

Mink Stole "Because it's my name . . ."

Strangest thing overheard at the con:

Loud, Drunk Girl outside our room: "I wanna have Sid Haig's baby!!!"

The highlights of Wasteland are far too numerous to recount. However, my son Harlan, who turns two in a few months, molesting the afformetioned Ms.Stole only moments after our arrival may be close to the top.

Needless to say, Olivia and I will be back for the October Wasteland. 

On the self-promotion front: The new Sirens of Cinema  is still available featuring my interview with Lena Headey (The Sarah Conner Chronicles, 300) and my tribute to the late, great Maila "Vampira" Nurmi is still out, so run out and get a couple while they're still available. I'm especially proud of the Vampira piece.It's some of the best and definitely most important work I've ever done (remember me at Rondo time!).

Tons of writing work on the horizonl for both Sirens and Penny Blood and possibly a few untapped outlets. Look for features on Dyanne Thorne (Ilsa, She Wolf of the SS), Elske McCain (Jessicka Rabid), Calico Cooper (daughter of the legendary Alice Cooper), Tom Sullivan (FX and stop motion master behind the Evil Dead films) and the evil masterminds behind Black Devil Doll and Rotten Cotton T-shirts coming up in the very near future.

AND, I found time to get yet another new tattoo. A Vampira portrait as a memorial to Maila Nurmi -- pics to come. Thanks Trent!!

Finally, my wife Olivia turned 25 on May 7th. Happy Birthday, Olivia! I couldn't do it without you (and really wouldn't want to).

Until next time,

William J. Wright 

1:38 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Long time, no blog . . .

It's been a while. I've been busy with work--writing and my soul-devouring indentured-servitude-for-health-insurance day job at the Seven Deadly Sins Networks--so, I haven't even had time to promote the last two issues of Sirens of Cinema. Here's the cover of issue 9:

I interviewed Kyle XY's Jaimie Alexander (a very nice and professional young lady) and Cult Movie Queen Lynn Lowry of The Crazies, Shivers and Paul Shrader's version of The Cat People. Now run right out and order the back issue.

Still on the stands is issue 10 which contains an exhaustive, and for me exhausting, piece on the upcoming indie horror film Splatter Movie: The Director's Cut starring Tom Sullivan of The Evil Dead and tons of other people you've never heard of. Run right out and buy it while you can.

I've returned to Film Threat after a three year hiatus with a review of Bloody Earth's Feast of Flesh. Read it here.

Coming up in the next issue, I have a tribute piece about the late Maila Nurmi better known as Vampira. It's an important article and I very proud of it. I also interviewed Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles' Lena Headey whom you may remember as Queen Gorgo from 300.  

And I got some boss new tattoos. Check it:

Lon Chaney--Phantom of the Opera (1925)

I also got Jack-O-Lanterns on both wrists, but no pictues yet.

Until next time,

William J. Wright

11:56 PM - 2 Comments - 6 Kudos - Add Comment

Incredibly pleased. . .
Current mood: good

So, my second FANGORIA.COM piece in one month is up -- a feature titled "No Clowning Around" about Sid Haig, the demise of his directorial project, HALLOWEEN and his life after Capt. Spaulding. After the SPIDER BABY news item ran, Sid called me up on the phone to thank me (and to check in on the feature). Class and total professionalism.

Movie stars call me. I have my name and writing attached to FANGO. I still have to take out the trash and work my miserable TV job. Still, I feel great (and a little but like Harvey Pekar).

Another writing goal down -- what next? I don't know. No looking back now.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me in this weird endeavor, especially my wife Olivia who has put up with all my journalistic crankiness and dealine paranoia.

Huge thanks and congratulations to my good friend and editor (weird to use those words together), Mike Watt who also became a Fangorian this month.

Much more to come . . .

From historic North Knoxville,

William J. Wright

Currently listening : King of the Delta Blues Singers By Robert Johnson Release date: 15 September, 1998

4:04 PM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Something Cool....
Current mood: calm

Here's a neat sidebar to my last blog:

I was checking myspace bulletins today and noticed one from Jack Hill's official myspace and one from the Spider Baby DARK SKY DVD profile linking to my  FANGO item. That's pretty cool....

If you don't have Jack or Spider Baby  on your friends list, click here to read.

Thanks to all of you for your support and kind words!

Best,

WJW

Currently watching : Spider Baby (Special Edition) Release date: 25 September, 2007

7:36 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

FANGORIA . . . . AT LAST!!!
Current mood: giddy

First of all, and most importantly, my son Harlan turned one on August 10th. We had a huge party worthy of the momentous occasion--a "Haunted Luau" featuring a soundtrack driven by The Ghastly Ones, The Dead Elvi, The Cramps, Misfits and variety of obscure, vintage horror/surf themed novelty tunes. Gotta start the kid off right!! I'll be posting some pics and details in the next few days. Get ready to OD on pharmaceutical grade "cute."

After a series of tense moments and seemingly inevitable disappointment, I have broken through what was (in my mind, at least) the FANGORIA wall. As of just after noon today, my first piece for FANGO is up on the website. Check the link. It's a rather lengthy news item about the new DVD release of Jack Hill's Spider Baby with some choice quotes from Sid Haig. It ends with a tease for my Haig feature which will run in the next few days and, my byline. Two pieces for Fango.com and checks coming for them -- as naive as it may sound, payment had kind of slipped my mind. After years of blowing my allowance and later hard-earned cash on FANGORIA, the magazine which filled my life with Monsters, Aliens and Bizarre Creatures, as their original tag boasted before they became America's Horror Magazine, is going to put something back in my pocket. I'm very happy, almost giddy. I've been reading FANGO since issue 15 (Halloween 2 cover, 1981--I was 10--to put it into perspective)--As I stated in my previous blog, this mag is a big deal to me, for many reasons.What's next? There are always proverbial irons in fires. Right now, I'm going to take about 5 seconds to bask in this moment and get back to work.

As always, much more to come.

Thanks for reading.

From the heart of Knoxville's historic district,

William J. Wright

Currently listening : A-Haunting We Will Go-Go By The Ghastly Ones Release date: 02 June, 1998

7:10 PM - 4 Comments - 8 Kudos - Add Comment

Well, this sucks . . .
Current mood: crushed

The avatar at the beginning of this blog is "crushed," since there isn't one for "suicidal."

I just got this in my e-mail. It's a press release from Suzie Oberg, Sid Haig's publicist : 

"It is with a heavy heart that we must announce the end of the Wittenberg film project as we know it. Writer Jill Gatsby has informed us that EOD Films? Tami Ann Bishop and P. David Miller were unable to renew their option on the script, and therefore no longer have any legal means of making her script into a film. Thusly, the project as we have come to know it is gone.



We hope that the new production company, when the script is once again optioned, might consider some of the huge talent Sid Haig had garnered for the previous project. We wish Ms. Gatsby well in her efforts, and hope to have the opportunity to work with her in some capacity in the future.



In keeping with the accuracy necessary in this industry, we ask all press to remove any and all Wittenberg promotional graphics, logos and promotions they may be running.



We would also like to thank the press, fans and friends for their undying support of Sid and his endeavours. We are deeply sorry we couldn?t bring you this one the way we said we would, but we all must look to the future now, and discover what it holds."

As much as this is a blow to Sid and Suzie, and they've got to be pretty shattered over this -- this was to be Sid's feature directorial debut -- I am about as depressed as I've ever been. Sid will get his shot and he's beloved by millions of genre fans. Me, I can't even get TROMA to put a link to Penny Blood or a mere mention in the news on their website after I got Lloyd on the cover with career retrospective and exclusive interview (so much for Reel Independence, huh, guys? Wizard and Variety...Goddam Variety!?! ....  please!).

      I guess I can let the cat out of the bag now that I've discovered that cat apparently suffocated in there:. my Sid Haig interview, which was about 80% about Wittenberg, was going to Fangoria (website or print? I guess I'll never know), which may not be a big deal to a lot of people on my friends list, folks who have either written for them or had a film project promoted there or been interviewed on Fango Radio (or even host it --Hi! Debbie, if you're reading this, and you probably aren't!), but it is a pretty big deal to me. I've wanted to have my name attached to the publication in some way for the last 25 years. I don't want to make horror films (at least not anymore), I don't want to write horror fiction (although when I started writing seriously,my first published work was a piece of short fiction). I don't want to walk around in a full length black vinyl trench coat like some pathetic, cheesy goth poseur trying to cop a feel on the sad remains of some aging scream queen at at megaspookyweirdocon 28 at the Holiday Inn in Paramus, NJ.  I just want to write for Fangoria. My niches in the genre are journalism and criticism.  I want to be a noted authority, a historian and critic, in this genre like Chas Balun, David Skal, and David Schow (two of those guys used to write regularly for Fango  and one of them I've interviewed), and to me, at least part of that path, was Fango. Two weeks ago, I got two e-mails from Michael Gingold in two days, he was interested and on the hook and the world was mine. Two weeks later, I'm back to square one. Hell, I'm not even at square one anymore, actually. Lost time from work at the soul crushing, soulles corporate day job (Fuck you, Rachael Ray) that actually pays the bills, but it was going to be worth it. Fango, man. Finally. Web or print, I didn't care, it was a step ahead. 

Don't get me wrong, I love the mags that I write for. They've been absolutely great and I wouldn't be as far along as I am without them, especially Sirens whose editor I consider a mentor and true brother in geekdom.

Will I get another shot?  I kind of doubt it at this point my life and writing career. Now what? At least I had lunch with Sid Haig. Sid is great.

So there you have it. Comments are welcome if you'd like to talk me out of putting a dry cleaning bag over my head. Otherwise, I'm sorry for the sad bastard blog.

All best,

William J. Wright

7:40 PM - 13 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Update

Okay, here's the story behind the photo in the blog from two weeks ago. Yes that is indeed Sid Haig, my son Harlan and yours truly standing on the parkway (stoplight 10 to be exact) in the happiest place on earth Gatlinburg, TN. The photo was taken by my lovely wife Olivia just before Sid and I sat down for a lunchtime interview at Calhoun's. This is the second time I've interviewed Sid. The first was over the phone just before The Devil's Rejects was released. That interviewed appeared in Penny Blood 3.

Currently listening : From the Inside By Alice Cooper Release date: 31 May, 1999

7:49 PM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

My Weekend . . .
Current mood: excited

was pretty damned good!!

Sid and I regret to inform you that the Griffin Bros. show has been cancelled for tonight . . .

Details coming soon!!!

Currently watching : Spider Baby Release date: 14 September, 1999

7:07 PM - 4 Comments - 7 Kudos - Add Comment