Captain Co. pt. 2

Famous Monsters, on a few occasions, lent it's name to some monster products. I'm not sure how much input Warren's company had in the creation of these items, other than the endorsement?

Issue #28 (1964) had the first appearance of the FM Speaks LP. The ad was obviously generated by AA Records.

Another great looking ad (from the mfg) for the ultra rare Famous Monsters Photo Printing Set. Love the box graphics and the happy kid who got one of these! Later ads showed the box contents, but I like this one best. From FM #35 (1965).

Best of The Captain Co.

Let's look at some of the more memorable Captain Co. ads.

The first and best "Big Frankie" ad, from FM #31. This was the only issue in which this 2 page ad appeared.

James Bama's "Big Frankie" box art was used on the cover of the FM 1965 YB.

Another New Forry Book

Forry
The Life of Forrest J Ackerman

by Deborah Painter

Foreword by Joe Moe

photos, appendix, bibliography, index
hardcover (7 x 10) 2010

Not Yet Published, Available from McFarland, Fall/Winter 2010

Description

Forrest J Ackerman (1916-2008) was an author, archivist, agent, actor, promoter, and editor of the iconic fan magazine Famous Monsters of Filmland; a founder of science fiction fandom; and one of the world’s foremost collectors of sci-fi, horror and fantasy films, literature, and memorabilia. This biography begins with a foreword by Joe Moe, Ackerman’s caregiver and close friend since 1983. It documents Ackerman’s lifelong dedication to his work in both literature and film; his interests, travels, relationships and associations with famous personalities; and his lasting impact on popular culture. Primary research material includes letters given by Ackerman to the author during their long friendship, and reminiscences from five of Ackerman’s friends, fans and colleagues.

About the Author

Deborah Painter has written articles for such magazines as Filmfax and Horse and Horseman. She is currently an environmental services director for REMSA Incorporated.
 
http://www.mcfarlandpub.com/

Moon Monster

Not strictly monster mag, or movie monster related, but the kind of thing that appeals to monster mag fans.

This classic ad was, no doubt, seen by every kid who read a comic book at the time. Commonly known as the Moon Monster ad, or more accurately, the Monster Fan Club ad. Another one of those ads that promised something amazing for only $1 (plus postage) and, once again, you didn't get a lifesize statue of a movie monster, or even some cheap Topstone masks. All you got was a pile of paper.

Thanks to prof. grewbeard for the scan of the badge!

Here's the ad, circa 1970.

And here's your "Life size reproduction of a Movie Monster!" A 74" x 27" two piece poster, that does look a little bit like the demon in "Curse of the Demon".

And your "12 4x5 glossy photos of your favorite monsters!" (And no, they're not glossy!)

Your "Monster (or is it "Horror"?) Fan Club membership card and (1¼") badge!"

Your "Official Club Bulletin" (featuring news of the 1968 Karloff film "The Crimson Cult").

And lastly, your "Extra Bonus! 3 Monster Masks"

OK, who wants to spend a buck on a Giant "Life-Like" Frankenstein or Dracula?

Last Exhibitors Book Art

I think I have just a few more of these that are worth posting, all from silent films.

A nice piece of monocromatic art for The Lost World.

First National Exhibitor Book 1926-1927.














C. B. DeMille (Paramount) bought the screen rights to The War of the Worlds in 1925. A couple of years later this piece of art promotes a screen version of the story that did not get made. Four years later, Para. bought the rights to Balmer & Wylie's When Worlds Collide. It would be two more decades before either movie got made (by Geo. Pal).

Paramount Exhibitor Books 1925-1928







UFA's Metropolis was released in the US by Paramount.










A portrait of Lon Chaney
















Meanwhile back at Universal . . .

Chaney on the cover of Universal Weekly June 6, 1925.

Exhibitor Book ad for The Man Who Laughs.

Monster Mags Theater ("Shock Award")

Back in this post, you saw the poster for The Monster of Piedras Blancas, with the FM "Shock Award" emblem. Here is the trailer for the movie, that starts out with FM #2 and the award emblem with the voiceover saying "Famous Monsters of Hollywood magazine names it "Shock Award Winner!"  Hollywood!?

More Exhibitors Book Art

Early Frankenstein (1931) notice, with Bela Lugosi starring as "The Monster".

Some nice Károly Grósz art for Murders in the Rue Morgue (1932).

Karloff at Columbia.

Early titles for The Black Room (1935)

and
The Devil Commands (1941).

The Missing FMs (#70-79)

Jim (MFTV) Clatterbaugh is reporting, from the FM convention, that they are going to be publishing retro-styled FM nos. 70-79. I kinda like the idea, but hate the idea for the cover for the first one. The Governator in the forgettable 1970 epic Hercules in New York. I don't believe for a minute that this movie would ever have made the cover of FM (or any other mag). One good thing though, if they're going to be faithful to the style of the time, at least there won't be four cover variations!

Monster Mags Theater "Basil Gogos"

If you can hear him over the din of this (otherwise unknown) 2008? Con/Show, here's 10 min. of Basil talking about his art.

Before They Were FAMOUS

Ad found in the May '58 issue of Galaxy Science Fiction. Don't know what happened?

FM ad

Rarest Warrens pt. 3

After Hours No. 4
Jay Publishing Co., 1957
Publisher: James Warren

Warren's first venture into the publishing world was his Playboy knock-off After Hours (4 digest sized issues published in 1957). All issues of AH are rare (I believe #2 is the rarest), but the one most coveted by monster mag collectors is #4. Among the articles in this issue is the template for Famous Monsters of Filmland. Written by Forry Ackerman, Scream-O-Scope is Here! was a five page article on the current state of fantasy films, written in Forry's inimitable style. The mail was very favorable on the Ackerarticle, but this would be the last issue. After successfully defending himself on obscenity charges (it was an election year), AH folded and a new chapter in Warren's (and Ackerman's) life opened.

FanMo ProMo Two

Another flyer announcing Fantastic Monsters #1. The other side is a reproduction of the first issue's front and back cover and the inside back cover. When folded (in thirds) the flyer is magazine size with the color front and back covers showing.

From the John Ballentine collection.

New Forry Book

HOUSE OF ACKERMAN

"A faithful representation of what it was like to tour any of Forrest J Ackerman's three primary "Ackermansions",  filled to the max with horror, science fiction and fantasy memorabilia. This is primarily a photo book with relevant text. As you enter each of the rooms, photos displayed show exactly what fans would see. As you descend down a staircase, photos show what you saw while climbing down that stairwell. The book is printed on extra thick white oqaque stock that makes the photo reproductions POP. For fans, not only of Forry Ackerman, but for fans of his memorabilia collection, this is the ultimate collector's guide. Check out (the Midnight Marquee) website http://www.midmar.com/ to see some examples of the interior design and photos used. For any Monster Kid who Walks Among Us, HOUSE OF ACKERMAN is essential."

Kable News Leaflet

Famous Monsters' distributor Kable News sent these leaflets to news vendors around the time that FM No. 4 was published.