"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.

Superman Celebration "Best Fan Event" Rondo Awards: Voting Ends In 13 Days!

by Armand Vaquer and Brad Shey

Above, a smart voter! By Brad Shey.

To vote, go here. (Best Fan Event category is number 21.) Voting ends at midnight April 19.

Superman Celebration Plaque Dedication

by Armand Vaquer

Above, Jack Larson addresses the plaque dedication attendees. Photo by Steven Kirk.

Last month, the Tarzana area of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County saw the dedication of a plaque commemorating the 100th birthdays of Superman creators Jerome Siegel & Joe Shuster and Adventures of Superman star George Reeves.

Above, the plaque is unveiled by (standing) Jacqueline Hamilton, Jack
Larson, (kneeling) Stephanie Shayne Parkin and Laura Siegel Larson. Photo
by John McCoy-Staff Photographer, L.A. Daily News.

The location was selected as it was the only location shoot of the Adventures of Superman television show to feature all cast members. It was in 1953 that the location shoot took place for "The Man Who Could Read Minds" episode.

The plaque was dedicated by Jack Larson (Jimmy Olsen), Laura Siegel Larson (daughter of Jerome Siegel), actress Stephanie Shayne Parkin (daughter of Bob "Inspector Henderson" Shayne), actress Beverly Washburn (who appeared in Superman and the Mole Men) and Jacqueline Hamilton (granddaughter of John "Perry White" Hamilton).

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Many in attendance at the plaque dedication wore George Reeves-style Superman shirts. If you would like a t-shirt in the George Reeves style, here's the information:

Contact Charlie Rose at charliecrose@gmail.com to order.

Superman Plaque Dedication August 16

by Armand Vaquer

Above, the photo image that will be on the plaque. Created by Steven Kirk.

Celebrating the 100th birthdays of Adventures of Superman actor George Reeves, Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster and over 60 years of the Adventures of Superman, a plaque will be dedicated Saturday, August 16 at 5400 Wilbur Avenue, Tarzana, California. The dedication will begin at 9:00 AM.

Above, (from left) Robert Shayne, John Hamilton and George Reeves at 5400 Wilbur Ave. in 1953.

The site of the plaque was chosen as it was used in 1953 for a location shoot of the Adventures of Superman "The Man Who Could Read Minds" episode. Here, all principal characters of the show, Clark Kent (George Reeves), Perry White (John Hamilton), Lois Lane (Noel Neill), Jimmy Olsen (Jack Larson) and Inspector Bill Henderson (Robert Shayne), were filmed. Go here for details.

At the time of this writing, attending the plaque dedication are Jack Larson, Beverly Washburn, Laura Siegel Larson and Stephanie Shayne Parkin. More will be announced as confirmations are received.

The public is invited.

Superman Plaque In Tarzana, California

by Armand Vaquer

Tomorrow's early morning (well, not that early) task is to order the plaque commemorating the 100th birthdays of George Reeves and Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster. The plaque dedication will be held on the morning of August 16.

The plaque will have this photo (created by Steven Kirk):

And, the text (by Jim Nolt and Armand Vaquer) will read:

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN Production years: 1951 - 1957 Producers: Robert Maxwell/Bernard Luber and Whitney Ellsworth Episode #29 "The Man Who could Read Minds." Script by Roy Hamilton.  Directed by Tommy Carr.  

A portion of this episode was filmed in June, 1953 at 5400 Wilbur Avenue, Tarzana, CA., and is the only location scene to feature all five main characters:  Editor Perry White - John Hamilton; Reporter Lois Lane - Noel Neill (who replaced Phyllis Coates after the first season); Cub reporter Jimmy Olsen - Jack Larson; Inspector Wm. J. Henderson - Robert Shayne; and Reporter Clark Kent/Superman - George Reeves. 

A police stakeout scene was filmed at this location and a fight scene between Jimmy Olsen and the phantom burglar were filmed on Wilbur Ave. Additional chase scenes were filmed on Linnett Street. 

Dedication of this plaque, provided by fans of the "Adventures of Superman," was held on August 16, 2014 to commemorate the 100th birthdays of George Reeves and Superman creators Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster and over sixty years of the "Adventures of Superman." 

If there are any changes to the above, they will only occur if there are problems with space on the plaque. 

Superman Plaque Project 2014

by Armand Vaquer

Things are moving pretty fast and productive with the Adventures of Superman historical marker/plaque project.

Plans are taking shape to celebrate the 100th anniversary of George Reeves's birth in 2014 and part of the celebration is to dedicate a plaque at the spot of a location shoot for the 1953 episode, "The Man Who Could Read Minds."

Today, I am pleased to report that I obtained the verbal okay from the property owner of the house where the stake-out for The Phantom Burglar was set up to place the marker/plaque on his property in Tarzana, California (above photos).  We will formalize this later.

The plaque dedication will take place in August 2014.  The actual date will be on or about August 16.

Besides this, what remains to be done is to set the dedication date, raise the funds to have the plaque made and make it, and organize the dedication ceremony.  Jack Larson has already indicated that he will participate in our celebration events as will Beverly Washburn.

We will solicit contributions for the making of the plaque from the fans.  Details will follow on how much we'll need to get it made once a design and cost are determined.

Since the Hollywood Walk of Fame now charges $30,000 for each star, having a marker in this manner is a lot more cost-effective.  The marker/plaque's text will name the show's actors.  I am also planning to work in Phyllis Coates into the text as she was the first season's Lois Lane.

This is like old times!  11 years ago, I worked with The Adventures Continue editor and publisher Jim Nolt on "Superman Week" at the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.  Now we've teamed up again for this project!

Criterion's Godzilla: New Developments

by Armand Vaquer


The kaiju world is abuzz at the prospect that Gojira (i.e., Godzilla) (1954) will receive a DVD/Blu-ray restoration treatment from Criterion.

Classic Media released a subtitled Japanese version along with the Americanized Godzilla, King of the Monsters! DVD set a few years ago that received a lot of kudos from fans. Having both movies released and restored by Criterion would be the icing on the cake.

Now, there's word that a fine-grain 35mm print of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! has been found. August Ragone has details on this at his blog.

The last version of Godzilla, King of the Monsters! was the closest thing to a restored print released (by Classic Media) to date, but it was pieced together from several sources and some items were edited in out of original order.

Having a fine-grain print available (provided it is still in good shape) on DVD would be tremendous! (August Ragone explains why.)

Above, the "Godzilla King of the Monsters! plaque at Frank del Olmo Elementary School in Los Angeles.

Godzilla, King of the Monsters! was the edited version by Terry Morse that featured Raymond Burr and was filmed at Visual Drama Studios in Los Angeles in 1956. A commemorative plaque has been placed at the location (now an elementary school).

It'll be interesting to see what transpires!

"Godzilla, King of the Monsters!" 55 Years Ago

by Armand Vaquer

This is Tokyo. Once a city of six million people. What has happened here was caused by a force which up until a few days ago was entirely beyond the scope of Man's imagination. Tokyo, a smoldering memorial to the unknown, an unknown which at this very moment still prevails and could at any time lash out with its terrible destruction anywhere else in the world. There were once many people here who could've told of what they saw... now there are only a few. My name is Steve Martin. I am a foreign correspondent for United World News.

55 years ago today, Godzilla, King of the Monsters! was released to theaters in the United States.

This was the Americanized version directed by Terry Morse that inserted actor Raymond Burr into the movie. The original was produced by Toho Co., Ltd. in 1954 and released in Japan in November 1954.

It was this version that was released around the world that made Godzilla an international star. A new American Godzilla movie is now in pre-production by Legendary Pictures.



Burr's scenes were filmed at tiny Visual Drama studios in Los Angeles on Vermont Avenue near First Street. The Frank del Olmo Elementary School now occupies the site and a commemorative plaque honoring Godzilla, King of the Monsters! is mounted at the school's entrance (above photo). The plaque was funded by fan contributions and co-sponsored by The Godzilla Society of North America and Platrix Chapter No. 2 of E Clampus Vitus. Terry Morse Jr. attended the plaque dedication.

Godzilla In L.A.

by Armand Vaquer



Godzilla is stomping into L.A.!

Los Angeles has the Godzilla star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Godzilla, King of the Monsters! plaque at the Frank del Olmo Elementary School. Now, Los Angeles has the living, breathing Godzilla of baseball.

Sports Network reported:

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have come to terms with outfielder/designated hitter Hideki Matsui on a one-year contract.

Although financial terms were not released, the New York Times reported earlier in the week that the deal was believed to be worth $6.5 million.

Above, here I am in Toho International's conference room with Matsui's Yankee baseball jerseys in the background. Toho will now be able to add his Angels jerseys to their collection.

It is starting to look like Los Angeles is the most Godzilla-laden city outside of Tokyo, Japan.

Godzilla Plaque: School Dedicated Two Years Ago

Two years ago this month, the Frank del Olmo Elementary School was dedicated in a ceremony. I was honored to be asked to participate in the ribbon-cutting (above) of the school. Thanks to Godzilla fans and Platrix Chapter No. 2 of E Clampus Vitus, we dedicated a plaque at the location where Raymond Burr's scenes were filmed.

The Los Angeles Times published this article on November 2, 2006:

Del Olmo School is dedicated in memory of Times columnist
By Howard Blume, Times Staff Writer
November 2, 2006

The new campus on the edge of Koreatown occupies the site where the
first American version of "Godzilla" was filmed. So one early
suggestion for a name was Godzilla Elementary, which would go with
the motto: A monster of a school.

But Principal Eugene Hernandez and the naming committee inclined
another way. And on Wednesday morning, an array of dignitaries,
including some "Godzilla" fans, dedicated Frank del Olmo Elementary
School in honor of the Los Angeles Times associate editor and
columnist who died in 2004 at 55.

The speakers included Del Olmo's wife, Magdalena Beltran-del Olmo,
who said that when she was approached about the honor, "My jaw
dropped; I was touched."

"When I found out the location of the school, it was more poignant,"
she said, "because Frank fought so hard for the Belmont area to get
more schools to serve these kids who have been dealing with
overcrowded conditions."

The three-acre, $42.9-million school opened in August, more than a
year behind schedule, at 100 N. New Hampshire Ave., a block west of
Vermont Avenue south of the Hollywood Freeway. An important cog in a
$19.3-billion school construction program, it adds 975 seats to one
of the most crowded student corridors in the Los Angeles Unified
School District.

Del Olmo's first column was about education, and among his last
causes was advocating to finish the star-crossed Belmont Learning
Complex, which he championed even after the project was abandoned.
That school, resuscitated under Supt. Roy Romer, is expected to open
in about 18 months.

Romer spoke briefly, along with Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Also on
hand were Del Olmo's daughter, Valentina, a county psychiatric social
worker, and son, Frankie del Olmo Jr., whose struggles with autism
became a periodic subject of his father's columns.

Frankie, 14, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt, stood quietly to one
side during the 90-minute ceremony.

"Frankie is doing a lot better," his mother said. "That first year
and a half was brutal. He missed Dad. He couldn't cry for him. He
couldn't express his emotions. He couldn't talk.

"It's wonderful that my little boy has gotten to a point with his
autism [where] he can hang with a ceremony like this — not only its
length and the noise and many people talking, but just the emotion of
it," she said. "It's about his dad."

Villaraigosa and others described a columnist who was eloquent,
relevant, fearless and just — and always demanding of public
officials.

"I remember some [columns] that were not too kind to me," the mayor
said. After reading about Frankie, "my perception about [del Olmo]
completely changed…. I saw a father with love so deep for his son. I
just waited for those pieces." He said he was also moved when the
columnist decided to stop writing about his son, to give him some
privacy.

Early in his career, Del Olmo almost single-handedly represented
people of color at the newspaper. He helped change the face of the
newsroom.

Even Armand M. Vaquer, the representative of the Godzilla Society of
North America, had to agree that the new campus' name was fitting —
while also noting the school's site as the very place where actor
Raymond Burr uttered the immortal phrase: "Look at the size of those
footprints."

On Wednesday, those words applied metaphorically to Del Olmo, who
would have appreciated the public officials who spoke in Spanish and
English, as well as the child mariachis and the school chorus, which
sang a Swahili unity ditty and a new school song whose lyrics include
the line: "We are Frank del Olmo. We love to show our pride."

Above, the plaque at the school's entrance.