Dracula At Discount Prices

Universal's original plan was to make a big-budget adaptation of "Dracula" that would strictly adhere to the Bram Stoker novel. However, after the stock market crash of 1929 and the beginning of the Great Depression, Universal chose not to risk an investment on such a sprawling film. Instead, it adapted the much less expensive Hamilton Deane stage play.

Related: Tomb of Dracula #1 (1979 Magazine) October 1979 Marvel Comics Grade NM

Bela Lugosi was so desperate to repeat his stage success and play the Count Dracula role for the film version, that he agreed to a contract paying him $500 per week for a seven week shooting schedule, an insultingly small amount even during the days of the Depression.

Before he was cast as Count Dracula, Bela Lugosi acted as an unpaid intermediary for Universal Pictures in negotiating with the widow of author Bram Stoker in an attempt to persuade her to lower her asking price for the filming rights to the Dracula property. After two months of negotiations, Mrs. Stoker reportedly lowered her price from $200,000 to $60,000. This, however, further demonstrated to Universal how desperate Lugosi was to repeat his stage success as Count Dracula and secure the film role for himself.

Universal acquired the film rights to "Dracula" from Bram Stoker's widow and the play's writer Hamilton Deane for $40,000. - (IMDB)

Dracula And Old Lace

Bela Lugosi was slated for the role of Dracula in "House of Frankenstein" (1944) , but the film was dependent upon the presence of Boris Karloff being released from the stage tour of Arsenic and Old Lace. Shooting was delayed, and John Carradine was cast instead of Lugosi, who had a prior engagement: ironically, playing Karloff's "Jonathan Brewster" role in another touring company of "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Related: The Bride - Bride of Frankenstein Boris Karloff Universal Monsters Horror Movie Poster Print

Glenn Strange was the fourth actor to play the Monster in Universal's Frankenstein series. The actor who played the original Monster, Boris Karloff, was of course on the set, playing the role of Dr. Niemann so he was able to personally coach Strange in the way the Monster should be played.

The only actor to reprise his original monster role was Lon Chaney Jr. who played Larry Talbot, aka "The Wolfman", for the third time.

By the way Kharis the mummy, another Universal "classic monster", was to be in the movie but was removed because of budget restrictions. Lord knows who they would have cast in that role? Possibly Lugosi?

"Plan 9" Cemetery To Be Plaqued Monday

Above, Bela Lugosi in Plan Nine From Outer Space. 

by Armand Vaquer

But, on Monday (which is Memorial Day), Platrix Chapter No. 2, E Clampus Vitus will be erecting a plaque at the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, California.

A number of notable pioneers in Los Angeles history are buried there. It is said that some 600 people are buried at the cemetery, but there's only a few headstones there.

The cemetery was abandoned for a number of years and the tombstones fell victim to neglect and vandalism. In recent years, the cemetery has been under care by historical groups.

The cemetery is noted for a particular movie production: Ed Wood's Plan Nine From Outer Space (1959). The movie was shot around 1956-57, but not released until 1959.

According to IMBD trivia on the movie:

The cemetery used for filming is the Pioneer Memorial Cemetery in Sylmar, CA. It still stands, although many of the grave stones were stolen or vandalized. 

Bela Lugosi appears in footage shot just before his death, but with no script in mind. Edward D. Wood Jr. wrote the script to accommodate all the footage shot in a cemetery and outside Tor Johnson's house in the new production. Lugosi was doubled by Tom Mason, Wood's wife's chiropractor, who was significantly taller than Lugosi, and played the part with a cape covering his face.

The cemetery was near Tor Johnson's home.

The plaque dedication will take place at 11:00 at the cemetery at 14451 Bledsoe, Sylmar.

Carla Laemmle Turns 104 On October 20

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Carla Laemmle at the 2011 Monsterpalooza.  Photo by Armand Vaquer.

In five days, actress Carla Laemmle will be celebrating her 104th birthday.

She is the last surviving actress of the 1931 Universal Pictures' Dracula that starred Bela Lugosi.

According to Wikipedia:

Rebecca Isabelle Laemmle (born October 20, 1909) known professionally as Carla Laemmle is an American actress and the niece of Universal Pictures studio founder Carl Laemmle, she is of German Jewish descent. She was a movie actress in the 1920s and 1930s, and is, along with Jean Darling, Baby Peggy, and Mickey Rooney, one of the very few surviving actors of the silent film era. 

Laemmle entered films in 1925 playing an uncredited role as a ballet dancer in the original silent film version of The Phantom of the Opera (1925) and a small role in the early talkie version of Dracula (1931), and is the last surviving cast member of both classic films. Laemmle continued to appear in small roles until the late 1930s, when she disappeared from the movie screen. She briefly came out of retirement to play a vampire in The Vampire Hunters Club (2001). 

She shared her reminiscences of appearing in a bit part in Dracula (1931) by hosting the original documentary The Road to Dracula (1999), a supplemental piece included on the 2004 DVD release, Dracula: The Legacy Collection. In that classic film, she portrayed a bespectacled passenger riding in a bumpy horse-drawn carriage with Renfield as he is traveling to Dracula's castle. In this documentary, Laemmle proudly states: "I had the privilege of speaking the first lines of dialogue in the first talking supernatural thriller".

Above, Carla Laemmle during her starlet years.

Miss Laemmle attended the Son of Monsterpalooza show last weekend in Burbank.

A Happy Birthday goes out to Carla Laemmle! 

"Dracula" May Be In Legendary's Future

Above, Bela Lugosi in Universal's 1931 "Dracula."

It appears that Legendary Pictures might be coming on board for Universal's Dracula project.

Variety.com is reporting:

The producer of monster movies like “Godzilla” and “Pacific Rim” is wasting no time in choosing which films he wants to make at Universal Pictures, with “Dracula” poised to become the first high-profile project his Legendary Entertainment will co-finance with the studio. The film, directed by Gary Shore and starring Luke Evans and Dominic Cooper, is already in production and slated for release Aug. 8, 2014.  Legendary is in discussions with U executives about coming aboard the project.

For more, go here. 

Monsterpalooza 2013 - Part 2

Text and photos by Armand Vaquer

Above, Kong dominates the Monsterpalooza Museum.

Along with King Kong, there seemed to be a lot of Erik from The Phantom of the Opera.  The Chaney Family had a booth there as did Sara Karloff and Bela Lugosi Jr.

I was pleased to meet and be photographed with Academy Award winning actor Martin Landau.  I also saw 2001: A Space Odyssey stars Keir Dullea and Gary Lockwood.  I had met Gary Lockwood before when I used to patrol in Malibu.  He lives at one of our gated community accounts in Point Dume.

Back in the day, I used to pick up copies of G-Fan at the Creature Features store in Burbank to do the  highlights summaries for kaiju message boards (as issues tended to be slow in coming).  They closed down about 7-8 years ago.  They had a booth at the show and they are now open in Arcadia, California.  We talked a little and perhaps they will be carrying The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan at their store.

Here's some more from opening day:

Above, a rather well-done replica Robby the robot from "Forbidden Planet."

Above, the crew of the "Orca" from 1975's "Jaws."  Great likenesses of Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss.

Above, yours truly with Academy Award winner (for his role as Bela Lugosi in "Ed Wood")  Martin Landau.

Above, Erik and Christine from "The Phantom of the Opera."

Above, I took this photo because this reminds me of a co-worker in Malibu.

Dummy nothin'. It was smart enough to scare me.

Even though actors Bela Lugosi, Lon Chaney Jr. and Glenn Strange all reprise their roles from earlier films 'Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein' (1948) is not considered to be part of the continued storyline set forth previously. The reason why is so that no explanation would be needed to explain, for example, why Larry Talbot is still a werewolf after being cured in 'House of Dracula.'

Glenn Strange was playing the Frankenstein monster, but during shooting one day he tripped over a camera cable and broke his ankle. Lon Chaney Jr. (playing the Wolf Man) wasn't working that day, so he put on the Frankenstein makeup/outfit and filled in for Strange in one scene where Dr. Mornay gets thrown through the window. So Chaney wound up playing two monsters in this movie.

Boris Karloff was never approached to play the monster, but as a favor to Universal, he agreed to do publicity work for this film as long as he didn't have to see the film. In several photos taken by Universal's publicity department, he is seen standing in line purchasing a ticket at a theater in New York City where the film is playing, and in other stills, he is shown admiring the poster art for the film outside the theater lobby. Karloff later starred with Abbott & Costello in 'Abbott and Costello Meet the Killer, Boris Karloff' as well as 'Abbott and Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.'

Although he would play similar vampires in other films since Dracula, this would be only the second, and last, time that Bela Lugosi would play Dracula. In fact it was Bela Lugosi's last involvement in a film for a major studio.

This was the final Universal film to feature Frankenstein's Monster, Dracula and the Wolfman, until Van Helsing. - IMDB

Monster Yakety Yak

"When I was nine I played the demon king in Cinderella and it launched me on a long and happy life of being a monster." - Boris Karloff

"I'd like to quit the supernatural roles and play just an interesting, down-to-earth person." - Bela Lugosi

"The film makers were scratching their heads wondering who they could get to put on the (Godzilla) suit, then the remembered my stunt. They thought hey let's get that guy we set on fire last year." - Haruo Nakajima

"My father would be horrified if he knew I was making it in the pictures and that I'm not billed as Creighton Chaney." - Lon Chaney Jr.

"No matter what you do, you can act your heart out, but people will always say, "Oh, Julie Adams - Creature from the Black Lagoon." - Julie Adams

"Often we'd secretly like to do the very things we discipline ourselves against. Isn't that true? Well, here in the movies I can be as mean, as wicked as I want to - and all without hurting anybody. Look at that lovely girl I've just shot!" - Claude Rains

"Lon Chaney and Boris Karloff didn't like the word 'horror'. They, like I, went for the French description: 'the theatre of the fantastique'." - Christopher Lee

"I don't play monsters. I play men besieged by fate and out for revenge." - Vincent Price

"My wife has good taste. She has seen very few of my movies." - Boris Karloff

"The monster was very hard to play because the (King Kong) suit was so different. The arms were long, longer than my own, and I had to use sticks to control the hands, also the legs were short so I had to walk all hunched over." - Haruo Nakajima

"As far as I see it 'Creature from the Black Lagoon' was just another movie and it was just another job. I've done many things since then that I am much more proud of. But I've gotten more reaction out of the Creature thing than anything else. Well, I guess that's life!" - Ricou Browning

"Every actor's greatest ambition is to create his own, definite and original role, a character with which he will always be identified. In my case, that role was Dracula." - Bela Lugosi

"He [Merian C. Cooper] called me into his office and showed me sketches of jungle scenes and told me, 'You're going to have the tallest, darkest leading man in Hollywood'. Naturally, I thought Clark Gable. But then he showed me this sketch of a giant ape up the side of the Empire State Building, and he said, 'There's your leading man'. - Fay Wray

"A reporter noticed me and a much smaller mate of mine when he visited his sick mom in the hospital where I was working and photographed us walking together and took some pictures of my feet. I didn't win the big feet contest, but that eventually led to my role in Sinbad." - Peter Mayhew

"They were considered B pictures because they were made on a tight budget. But we outlived many of the A pictures made at the same time." - Ray Harryhausen

"I sometimes feel that I'm impersonating the dark unconscious of the whole human race. I know this sounds sick, but I love it." - Vincent Price

"One is always considered mad when one perfects something that others cannot grasp." - Ed Wood

"I took a lot of my anger that had been stored inside of me for many years and let it loose. I helped to create the character Varla [in Faster, Pussycat! Kill! Kill! (1965)] and helped to make her someone that many women would love to be like." - Tura Satana

" I don't really scare them any more than do Jungle Jim, Dan Dunn, Tarzan, and the other heroes of the comic sections." - Boris Karloff

""The most memorable thing I did in that film (Bride of Frankenstein), I believe, was my screaming. In almost all my movies since, I've been called upon to scream. I don't know if it's by chance, but I would like to think that I'm not hired for that talent alone" - Elsa Lanchester

"I will play no more monsters. Dracula is different; he is such an exciting person." - Christopher Lee

"Island of Lost Souls" To Be Released In October!

by Armand Vaquer


Island of Lost Souls is coming to DVD and Blu-ray from Criterion!

The release date is October 25 (just in time for Halloween).


Finally, after years of fan clamoring over a DVD release, the 1932 classic Paramount picture is getting released. Island of Lost Souls was directed by Erle C. Kenton and starred Charles Laughton and featured Bela Lugosi as the "Sayer of the Law" (left).







According to the Criterion website:

SYNOPSIS: A twisted treasure from Hollywood’s pre-Code horror heyday, Island of Lost Souls is a cautionary tale of science run amok adapted from H. G. Wells’s novel The Island of Dr. Moreau. In one of his first major movie roles, Charles Laughton is a mad doctor conducting ghastly genetic experiments on a remote island in the South Seas, much to the fear and disgust of the shipwrecked sailor (Richard Arlen) who finds himself trapped there. Erle C. Kenton’s touchstone of movie terror is elegantly shot by Karl Struss, features groundbreaking makeup effects that inspired generations of monster-movie artists, and costars Bela Lugosi in one his most gruesome roles

The disc features include:

•New high-definition digital restoration of the uncut theatrical version (with uncompressed monaural soundtrack on the Blu-ray edition)

•Audio commentary by film historian Gregory Mank, author of Bela Lugosi and Boris
Karloff and Hollywood’s Maddest Doctors

•New video conversation among filmmaker John Landis (An American Werewolf in London), Oscar-winning makeup artist Rick Baker (An American Werewolf in London, Videodrome), and genre expert Bob Burns

•New interviews with horror film historian David J. Skal (The Monster Show: A Cultural History of Horror); filmmaker Richard Stanley (Hardware, original director of the ill-fated 1996 remake of The Island of Dr. Moreau)

•New interviews with Devo founding members Gerald Casale and Mark Mothersbaugh,
whose manifesto is rooted in themes from Island of Lost Souls

•Theatrical trailer

•PLUS: A booklet featuring a new essay by critic Christine Smallwood

Above, "Island of Lost Souls" was featured in a recent issue of "Famous Monsters of Filmland."

This is one movie horror fans shouldn't miss!

Bela Lugosi As Dracula Model Kit

Source: Entertainment Earth

Dracula Bela Lugosi Model Kit:

A vampire's vampire.
Bela Lugosi is Dracula!
Model kit based on the Broadway version of Dracula.
He wants to drink your blood!

A vampire's vampire. Based on the Broadway version of Dracula that starred Bela Lugosi, the iconic vampire that set the standard for all bloodsuckers who followed, this marvelous 1:8 scale model kit comes with a detailed base that replicates the stage props from the show. Fully licensed by the Lugosi estate, it's one model kit that's fun to build and also provides years of future viewing enjoyment!

Licensed by Bela G. Lugosi. Bela Lugosi as "Broadway's Dracula" is neither owned nor licensed by Universal Studios Licensing LLC.

Order This One From Entertainment Earth For $34.99 - Click Here

See Also: The First Photos From DRACULA 3D / Hammer Horror Countess Dracula, Van Helsing And Count Dracula Masterpiece Collection Busts / Dracula (Bela Lugosi) Film Cell /New Images And Casting News For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED/Universal Monsters Select - Dracula Action Figure / A New Retro Style Poster For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1 / New Behind The Scenes Photos From DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / Vampirella Goes Toe-To-Toe With Dracula/ New Teaser Art And Casting News For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE Gets Rave Reviews / Universal Monsters - Life Like Stretchable Figures - Complete Set Of Six /Dracula - Dracula's Ring - Collectors Edition - Prop Replica / Dracula - 12 inch Figure - Bela Lugosi As Dracula - Sideshow Collectibles /

Universal Monsters Return Thanks To Diamond Select

Source: Zach Oat / Diamond Select

Scary Monsters and Super Toys: Diamond Select Resurrects the Universal Monsters

Popular for going on 80 years now, the Universal Monsters are as undying in real life as they are in the movies. Since their debut, they've been reincarnated numerous times, through films, TV shows, model kits and especially toys, but their latest incarnation may be their most unspeakably beautiful. The Universal Select line of figures captures the world's most famous monsters in the 7-inch scale Diamond Select has made popular, with incredibly detailed bases and accessories. But if the accessories aren't as important to you, there's a more bare-bones line of Universal Monsters for sale at Toys "R" Us, with a third figure not available anywhere else. Following up on Series 1's Wolfman, Mummy and Creature from the Black Lagoon, we present Series 2, available in September 2011!

Frankenstein

Dr. Frankenstein’s Monster has been the subject of dozens of films, but the most famous is still the 1931 “Frankenstein,” starring Boris Karloff as the Monster. Created from the body parts of the deceased and given life through artificial means, the Monster was misunderstood from the start, causing it to turn on its master, and on humanity. The Select figure re-creates Karloff’s Monster in fine detail and includes an in-scale copy of the operating table that gave him life. (Table not available with Toys "R" Us version.)

Order Yours Today For Only $19.99 HERE!

Dracula

Sleeping in a coffin by day and preying on beautiful women by night, the man called Count Dracula is not a man, but a vampire! And he has traveled from the mountains of Transylvania to London in search of more unsuspecting victims. The 1931 Universal adaptation of Bram Stoker's novel remains the most iconic, and the Select figure captures his dapper dress, as well as his heard, but unseen, alternate wolf form, atop a gravesite base. It also features an exclusive brooding head sculpt completely different from the Toys "R" Us version. (Wolf not available with Toys "R" Us version.)

Order Yours For Only $19.99 HERE!

The Bride of Frankenstein

Only available in the Universal Monsters line, the Bride figure captures the female creation from the 1935 follow-up to "Frankenstein," "The Bride of Frankenstein." Picking up where the first movie left off, the sequel showed the monster's desire to be accepted, and his creator's attempt to provide him with a mate. But just because she was created through science like the monster, doesn't mean that she will be his Bride! (Only available at Toys "R" Us.)

See Also: Universal Monsters Select - Frankenstein Action Figure / Universal Monsters Select - Dracula Action Figure

Universal Monsters Frankenstein 1:4 Scale Figure / Monsterpalooza: Day One Report / A New Retro Style Poster For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / Your Invited To Frankenstein's Wedding / The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1 / Universal Monsters - Life Like Stretchable Figures - Complete Set Of Six / Universal Monsters - Action Figures - Frankenstein, Wolfman and Dracula - Jakks Pacific / Frankenstein - 1/8 Scale Model Kit - Universal Monsters - Moebius Models / The First Images From Jesse Cook's MONSTER BRAWL / Frankenstein As A Ruthless Killing Machine In FRANKENSTEIN 2011 / MONSTER BRAWL Update! - Teaser Art And Casting News / Del Toro Ready To Begin Makeup Tests For FRANKENSTEIN / Monster DVD Madness! DEMEKING, GAMERA And HOUSE OF THE WOLF MAN / Frankenstein, Dracula, The Mummy And Zombies - Let's Get Ready To Rumble! / Mark And Brian Gunn To Write MONSTER SQUAD Remake / Halcyon International Pictures Teams Up With Famous Monsters Of Filmland To Reboot Classic Universal Horrors / Famous Monsters To Bring Back The Creature, The Mummy, Frankenstein And Others To The Silver Screen? / Eric Swelstad Promises A More Violent Monster In "Frankenstein Rising" / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2009 / Universal's Monsters: Legacy / Robot-13 Returns For An Action Packed Second Issue / Boris Karloff Tales Of Mystery Hardcover Graphic Novel / Universal Monsters Frankenstein 1:8 Scale Model Kit / Behind-The-Scenes of "Bikini Frankenstein" / Gonzo Movie Trailers From Japan - Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl & Robo-Geisha / Scarlett Johansson As The Sexy Bride Of Frankenstein? / The First Look At Nishimura And Tomomatsu's Vampire Girl vs Frankenstein Girl / A Modern Look A The Frankenstein Mythos In Blacklist Studios Robot-13 / Tatopoulos And Grevioux To Mix Classic Monsters With Film Noir In I, Frankenstein / 40th Anniversary of Boris Karloff's Passing / The Top Ten Hottest Monsters Of 2008 / RIP Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008) / Universal Monsters Frankenstein Black and White Head Knocker / Mad Monster Party (1969) / Frankenstein Painting Finds Home At Rockwell Museum

Dracula (Bela Lugosi) Film Cell

Source: Entertainment Earth

Order Your Dracula (Bela Lugosi) Film Cell For Only $54.99

Dracula Bela Lugosi Film Cell

Dracula Bela Lugosi Film Cell. Bela Lugosi vants to be on your wall! This is an 8-inch by 10-inch print of Bela Lugosi as Count Dracula alongside a series of 35mm film clips. This item comes in a beautiful black ash effect frame with a stunning sublimated plaque and certificate stating authenticity.

After a harrowing ride through the Carpathian mountains in eastern Europe Renfield enters castle Dracula to finalize the transferral of Carfax Abbey in London to Count Dracula who is in actuality a vampire. Renfield is drugged by the eerily hypnotic count and turned into one of his thralls protecting him during his sea voyage to London. After sucking the blood and turning the young Lucy Weston into a vampire Dracula turns his attention to her friend Mina Seward daughter of Dr. Seward who then calls in a specialist Dr. Van Helsing to diagnose the sudden deterioration of Mina's health. Van Helsing realizing that Dracula is indeed a vampire tries to prepare Mina's fiance John Harker and Dr. Seward for what is to come and the measures that will have to be taken to prevent Mina from becoming one of the undead.

See Also: New Images And Casting News For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / Universal Monsters Select - Dracula Action Figure / A New Retro Style Poster For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1 / New Behind The Scenes Photos From DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / Vampirella Goes Toe-To-Toe With Dracula/ New Teaser Art And Casting News For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED / BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE Gets Rave Reviews / Universal Monsters - Life Like Stretchable Figures - Complete Set Of Six / Dracula - Dracula's Ring - Collectors Edition - Prop Replica / Dracula - 12 inch Figure - Bela Lugosi As Dracula - Sideshow Collectibles /

Universal Monsters Select - Dracula Action Figure

Order Yours For Only $19.99 HERE!

Source: Entertainment Earth

Universal Monsters Select Dracula Action Figure

• Count Dracula wants to suck your blood!
• Sculpted by Gabriel Marquez.
  Comes with detailed accessory not available in mass market!

The Monsters are back! What better way to expand this award-winning Specialty Market Exclusive line than with the most iconic monster of them all, Dracula? This annual line debuted last year with the legendary Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Mummy! What other monster could possibly match such legendary movie monster royalty? Count Dracula, of course! Sculpted by legendary monster sculptor Gabriel Marquez, featuring a hillside gravesite base, Dracula is ready to spread terror with a wolf companion at his side! Fans have already spoken, hailing this line as the most detailed and accurate depictions of the classic Universal Monsters ever, and this 7-inch depiction of the infamous Count Dracula is proof-positive of Diamond Select's dedication to bringing these iconic monsters to collectors. The Select version includes an exclusive paint scheme as well as a detailed accessory not available to the mass market!

See Also: A New Retro Style Poster For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED

The 100 Greatest Monsters From Movies And Television #10 - #1

New Behind The Scenes Photos From DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED

Vampirella Goes Toe-To-Toe With Dracula

New Teaser Art And Casting News For DRACULA'S ORGY OF THE DAMNED

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE Gets Rave Reviews

Rondo Awards Voting To March 27

by Armand Vaquer



Regarding the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards, voting continues up to March 27. So if you haven't cast your vote on the Rondos, please take the time to do so.



From the Rondo Awards website:

The Rondos, now in their ninth year, are fandom's only classic horror award, decided by fans, for fans, and dedicated to preserving the undying spirit of monsters past.

Every Rondo nominee below is being recognized for a significant achievement in the genre during the year of 2010. So please take a look at the ballot and let the nominees know how much we appreciate their work by voting.

Be sure to read the directions on how to vote (it's really simple, just copy and paste the ballot onto an email, mark your votes with an 'x' and address it to taraco@aol.com). Be sure you include your name so your ballot is counted!

Above, the masthead for Monster Island News.

Above, Miki Hayashi with "The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan." Photo by Armand Vaquer.

When voting, please vote for Monster Island News* for Best Blog and The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan for Best Book of the Year.

And please consider these friends of Monster Island News...

BEST COMMENTARY

August Ragone, Jason Varney, GAMERA VS. BARUGON

FAVORITE HORROR HOST OF 2010

KARLOS BORLOFF (Monster Madhouse, Washington, DC)
COUNT GORE DE VOL (Creature Feaures)
PENNY DREADFUL (Shilling Shockers, New England)

and ...

MR. LOBO (Cinema Insomnia, California)

BEST HORROR COMIC

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE (Monsterverse). Colorful and clever anthology features Bela as a very sinister host..

VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS (Bluewater). Anthology includes Witchfinder General tales.

*I am a contributor to Monster Island News.

Famous Monsters #253 Cover Revealed

by Armand Vaquer

The cover for Famous Monsters of Filmland #253 containing my ad for The Monster Movie Fan's Guide To Japan will look like this (unless they decide to do some tweaking here and there):



As you can see, it is a beautiful painted cover depicting Bela Lugosi as the "Sayer of the Law" in Paramount Pictures's Island of Lost Souls (1932), which is a version of the H. G. Wells novel, The Island of Dr. Moreau that was first published in 1896.

In case you haven't seen it, here's my ad:



Speaking of Island of Lost Souls, when will it be put out on DVD? This movie cries out for a DVD release!

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE Gets Rave Reviews

Source: MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT

Here are the first reviews and the Lugosi book is a winner! Find it in comic shops and online stores NOW and learn what the excitement is about!

AIN'T IT COOL NEWS loves the first collector's comic issue of "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE!" http://www.aintitcool.com/node/47312#11 (Scroll down to the INDIE COMICS section)

LUGOSI HORROR COMIC: It's a hit at THE COMICS BULLETIN! "...tight tales, cleverly written and drawn...This is a really well-assembled comic, and feels like an extremely satisfying package.
http://www.comicsbulletin.com/reviews/128876029953253.htm

COMIC RELATED ON THE LUGOSI COMIC: "Do you know what book you have been waiting for the most this year? ...it's this one." http://www.comicrelated.com/news/9269/bela-lugosis-tales-1


"It's rare that we reviewers mention editorial work, but it's obvious that editor-in-chief Kerry Gammill and editor Sam Park worked closely with the creators of all of the stories in this issue. The stories are intelligent and focused. They're tight tales, cleverly written and drawn, that are exactly as long as they need to be and no longer. There's a great contrast between wordier and less wordy stories, between stories with slicker art and more underground feeling art. We even get an interesting text piece and a gorgeous back cover by Bruce Timm. This is a really well-assembled comic, and feels like an extremely satisfying package." -Jason Sacks, The Comics Bulletin

Monsterverse's "BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" is the featured lead to USA TODAY's guide to the tops in horror comics!
http://www.usatoday.com/life/comics/2010-10-29-Halloween-comics_N.htm

"BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE" is a double-sized 48-page color quarterly for $4.99 (with NO advertising!). The first issue contains stories and art by such notables as Kerry Gammill, (SPIDER-MAN and SUPERMAN) James Farr (whose XOMBIE online animated and comic book series is being brought to theater screens by Dreamworks in a live-action production by top writer/producers Orchi and Kurtzman), Chris Moreno (WORLD WAR HULK), John Cassaday, Rob Brown (voted online as horror artist of the year for BANE OF THE WEREWOLF), Derek McCaw, Rafael Navarro (creator of the Xeric Award winning series SONAMBULO), Martin Powell and Eisner Award- winning artist Terry Beatty (THE BATMAN STRIKES), Brian Denham (IRON MAN, ANGEL) and Bruce Timm (designer for Warner Bros animated BATMAN series) and more. The book also features an article by leading Lugosi researcher and author Gary D. Rhodes.

MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT is a transmedia company headed by its publisher and editor, the comic book and film design artist, Kerry Gammill.

Keith Wilson, formerly of DC Comics, is an editor and writer/artist.

Producer/screenwriter Sam F. Park is the west coast editor and a writer/artist.

UNITED MONSTER TALENT AGENCY Added To AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI Event

Writtten By: Ken Hulsey
Source: Sam F. Park

Sam F. Park of Monsterverse Comics just shot me an email to let everyone know that there has been another film added to the bill of the special "An Evening With Bela Lugosi" event at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to celebrate the launch of "Bela Lugosi's Tales From The Grave.

Now, along with Lugosi's classic films "The Black Cat" and "The Raven" will be KNB Effects make-up artist Greg Nicotero's (The Walking Dead) short film "The United Monster Talent Agency."

The eight minute newsreel shows how "real" monsters were "wrangled" for use in classic horror films and not performed with actors! The cast includes cameos by Frank Darabont, Robert Rodriguez, Eli Roth, Cerina Vincent, Dana Gould, Jeffery Combs, Carey Jones, Arden Myrin, Erica Frene, Sam Page and Jake Garber.

Hmmm .... I always thought those monsters always looked too real.

Here is the event info in case you missed it:

AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI at the AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE.

Celebrating the career of horror icon Bela Lugosi and the launch of MONSTERVERSE's new horror anthology comic book, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

Thursday, 7:30 PM
October 28th, 2010T
he Egyptian Theater
http://www.americancinematheque.com/egyptian/egypt.htm

Special Guests from Hollywood and the Comic Book Industry will be announced. Other featured guests are Bela Lugosi, Jr., and Kerry Gammill including contributors to BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book series.

There will be a Special Panel on Lugosi examing his career and the new comic book between films and a MONSTERVERSE Comic Book Display with contributors featured in the lobby.

An Exclusive Preview Trailer will be screened with art of the upcoming MONSTERVERSE graphic novel, FLESH AND BLOOD, written by Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Neil Vokes. To be unleashed Halloween 2011.

TRAILERS FROM HELL. Commentaries from directors Mick Garris and Joe Dante on Bela Lugosi and his films.




See Also: AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI At The AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE

Peter H. Brothers Gone Batty: Completes Novel Based On Lugosi Movie

by Armand Vaquer

Peter H. Brothers reports that he has completed his first novel.

It is based on the Bela Lugosi melodrama, The Devil Bat, which was produced in 1940 and released in January 1941 by Producers Releasing Corporation (PRC).

In the movie, Lugosi plays Dr. Paul Carruthers, a research chemist who is embittered (Who else besides Bela can play such a role with relish?) that one of his formulas brought a fortune to his employers, but practically nothing to himself.

To avenge this affront, Carruthers creates giant bats who are conditioned to attack anyone wearing a special scent (in a shaving lotion) he concocted.

Above, author Peter H. Brothers with his first book, "Mushroom Clouds and Mushroom Men: The Fantastic Cinema of Ishiro Honda" in his back yard.

Brothers says:

"Devil Bat Diary" is complete! Clocking-in at 53,000 words it is a novelization of what "really" happened in the movie "The Devil Bat" based on the recently-discovered journal kept by the reporter Johnny Layton. I have already contacted a couple of publishers and will contact several more. Keep your fingers crossed and I will keep you posted on my progress!

This should be an entertaining and interesting read!

AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI At The AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE

Source: Sam F. Park (Press Release)

AN EVENING WITH BELA LUGOSI at the AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE.

Celebrating the career of horror icon Bela Lugosi and the launch of MONSTERVERSE's new horror anthology comic book, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

Thursday, 7:30 PM
October 28th, 2010
The Egyptian Theater

http://www.americancinematheque.com/egyptian/egypt.htm

Two Feature Films starring Bela Lugosi in THE BLACK CAT and THE RAVEN. With Boris Karloff.

Mainstream news coverage will be in effect for the Halloween weekend in Los Angeles, the media capital of the world. This is a major launch for the first issue of BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book.

Special Guests from Hollywood and the Comic Book Industry will be announced. Other featured guests are Bela Lugosi, Jr., and Kerry Gammill including contributors to BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE horror anthology comic book series.

There will be a Special Panel on Lugosi examing his career and the new comic book between films and a MONSTERVERSE Comic Book Display with contributors featured in the lobby.

An Exclusive Preview Trailer will be screened with art of the upcoming MONSTERVERSE graphic novel, FLESH AND BLOOD, written by Robert Tinnell and illustrated by Neil Vokes. To be unleashed Halloween 2011.

TRAILERS FROM HELL. Commentaries from directors Mick Garris and Joe Dante on Bela Lugosi and his films.

Poster design by artist Charlie Largent.

This exclusive event image may be Tweeted with:
http://twitpic.com/2mxwhx

MONSTERVERSE is a new independent comic book company with a horror anthology book coming out in October 2010 and entitled, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE.

Here is a direct link preview of the book and its pages posted on YouTube.

LUGOSI HORROR COMIC YOUTUBE PREVIEW

The comic will be available at comic shops everywhere and online and is distributed by Diamond. For a new independent transmedia company MONSTERVERSE enjoys having the top talents in the world such as John Cassaday, Bruce Timm and the legendary Basil Gogos creating covers for its books. Writer/director (of the upcoming THE WALKING DEAD), Frank Darabont, gave this quote about cover artist Basil Gogos.

"Basil Gogo doesn't paint pictures of monsters, and never has. What he does is conjure their essences on canvas like a magician. More than that, he conjures our love of these subjects in a manner that defies description or analysis. How does an artist infuse an entire fan community's love of a whole genre into his brushstrokes? I'll never be able to explain it, but I know I'll always be grateful for it. Seeing Gogos' portraits is revisiting the best friends of my childhood." - Frank Darabont

Monsterverse was chosen the FEATURED COVER STORY on COMIC SHOP NEWS 1207 a few weeks back (distributed to over 500 of the top comic book shops nationwide and given out to customers with purchases). This article beat out the top comic companies in America, an impressive feat for a new independent publisher.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE was recently featured on the front page of Diamond's AUGUST PREVIEWS website (under their new Pre-Orders section). And once again beating out the top comic companies and independents in Diamond's distribution universe.

The book was cited by the Diamond staff as both a FEATURED ITEM and CERTIFIED COOL in the August magazine (Page 298).

Diamond started a new PRE-ORDER section on its website and we were the first book it featured. (The very first!)

For a small new independent publisher up against the major companies and other larger independents this special advanced scrutiny speaks for itself in how the staffs of COMIC SHOP NEWS and DIAMOND view the book's contents and its contributors along with MONSTERVERSE's plans for future books and projects.

Take a look at our official website. We are quite proud of the amazing talents involved.

MONSTERVERSE and BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will receive special coverage in the upcoming double-sized Halloween issue of RUE MORGUE.

There is a feature story on MONSTERVERSE and BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE also being prepped for their special Halloween issue of FAMOUS MONSTERS MAGAZINE.

MONSTERVERSE publisher Kerry Gammill is creating a terrific new feature cover for the January FAMOUS MONSTERS.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE is published by Kerry Gammill who is internationally known for his artist work at Marvel and DC Comics on titles like MARVEL TEAM-UP, INDIANA JONES, POWERMAN/IRON FIST and SUPERMAN. Kerry has also worked as a make-up effects designer on studio genre films such as VIRUS and TV programs such as STARGATE and THE OUTER LIMITS. Here is a link to Kerry's professional art website:

http://gammillustrations.bizland.com/monsterart/

This FANBOY PLANET article can give you a quick update on what is going on with the history of the company and its future plans:

http://www.fanboyplanet.com/interviews/mc-monsterverse.php

This link takes you to our first issue cover by the legendary FAMOUS MONSTERS cover artist, Basil Gogos.

http://twitpic.com/1doadj

Our variant cover is by one of the hottest artists working in American comic books today, John Cassaday, and who recently directed an episode of Joss Whedon's DOLLHOUSE television series. Whedon has been tapped to direct Marvel Studios' epic feature film, THE AVENGERS.

http://twitpic.com/25v1o3

The back cover is by Warner Brothers animation executive producer and Emmy-winning designer/artist Bruce Timm.

To reserve a copy of the Lugosi comic book at a comic shop you need to supply them with the Diamond Item # Code, AUG101080, with the title, BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE. The first issues of the Lugosi comic book will be shipped in October to celebrate both Halloween and Lugosi's 128th birthday. A special celebration of Lugosi films, the new comic book and its contributors is set for the American Cinematheque in Hollywood at its Egyptian Theater on Thursday, October 28th.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will be a double-sized 48-page color quarterly and retailing for $4.99 and with no ads (except for a house ad announcing a serial adaptation of the novel DRACULA and starring BELA LUGOSI by Kerry Gammill and beginning in issue two). It is pure comic book fun and frights from front to back with a brief article on Lugosi.

BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE will feature some of the most talented storytellers working today in comic books and horror films. No other comic book series has this kind of industry talent nor do other comic book companies have these kinds of horror film heavyweights working on any comic book. This is a first in comic book publishing and dedicated to the fun and classic horror of Bela Lugosi but made for today's audiences.

Movie directors like John Landis (An American Werewolf In London, Burke And Hare) and Joe Dante (Gremlins, The Howling) along with make-up genius Rick Baker (American Werewolf In London, Michael Jackson's THRILLER, Men In Black), will be providing stories and art for future issues. More Hollywood horror film creators are also working up stories.

The most acclaimed creators in comics will be writing and drawing stories such as Steve Niles (30 Days Of Night), artist John Cassaday (Planetary, Astonishing X-Men) and Mike Mignola (Hellboy).

The first issue contains stories and art by such notables as Kerry Gammill (SUPERMAN and SPIDER-MAN ), James Farr (whose XOMBIE online animated and comic book series is being brought to theater screens by Dreamworks in a live-action production by top writer/producers Orchi and Kurtzman), Chris Moreno (WORLD WAR HULK), John Cassaday, Rob Brown (voted online as horror artist of the year for BANE OF THE WEREWOLF), Derek McCaw, Rafael Navarro (creator of the Xeric Award winning series SONAMBULO), Martin Powell and Eisner Award- winning artist Terry Beatty (THE BATMAN STRIKES), Brian Denham (IRON MAN, ANGEL), Bruce Timm and more. The book also features an article by leading Lugosi researcher and author Gary D. Rhodes.

MONSTERVERSE ENTERTAINMENT is a transmedia company headed by its publisher and editor, the comic book and film design artist, Kerry Gammill.

Keith Wilson, formerly of DC Comics, is an editor and writer/artist.

Producer/screenwriter Sam F. Park is the west coast editor and a writer/artist.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lupita Tovar!

Above, Lupita Tovar is about to get bitten by Count Dracula (Carlos Villarías) in Universal's Spanish language version of "Dracula" in 1931.

Happy 100th Birthday, Lupita Tovar!

by Armand Vaquer

This one sure fell under my radar!

Actress Lupita Tovar, celebrated her 100th birthday July 27. Who is Lupita Tovar?

According to Wikipedia:

Lupita Tovar (born July 27, 1910) is a Mexican actress, best known for her starring role in the 1931 Spanish language version of Dracula, filmed in Los Angeles by Universal Pictures at night using the same sets as the Bela Lugosi version, but with a different cast and director.

Tovar was born in Oaxaca, Mexico.

She played Eva (the "Mina" role played by Helen Chandler in the Lugosi version) to Carlos Villarías' Count Dracula. Both the Lugosi and Spanish language version of Dracula are available on DVD.

Many critics and fans say that the Spanish version of Dracula is technically better than the Tod Browning/Lugosi version. It does make better use of the sets.

Happy (belated) Birthday!