Sadly, this was just communicated with me.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_en_ot/obit_ackerman_7 (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081205/ap_en_ot/obit_ackerman_7)
Man, how sad. I never met Forry, but I always felt like I knew him through Famous Monsters.
Rest In Piece my friend.
Chuck Jeffers
*
star light star bright
farewell uncle forry
never forever
love paul
I just saw the news posted on another group and it made me take pause. We owe Forrest J. Ackerman a lot. Thank you Forry wherever you are!!!
There's a new star in the sky tonight.God Bless you Uncle Forry!
MAY GOD BLESS Think about Universal or any Monsters without him! Thank you Forry!! :(
R.IP. Uncle Forry, you'll never be forgotten! thank you for the education and fond memories!!!!
Saul
It is my contention that without the single- mindedness Forry lived by, there would be no UNIVERSAL MONSTER ARMY or any other organziation that would have brought us together. We would all still feel alone.
That is Forry's legacy.
Us!
Hmmm maybe Dr. Beaumont can work some magic here?
R.I.P. Uncle Forry.
May you continue to inspire future generations.
RIP... Uncle Forry, FJA, The Ackermonster, Mr. Monster, Dr. Acula, Mr. Sci-Fi, Our Monster Guru, etc.
We will miss you!
Rick
Stoner's Monster Mayhem
Quote from: gracebuster on December 05, 2008, 05:12:29 PM
It is my contention that without the single- mindedness Forry lived by, there would be no UNIVERSAL MONSTER ARMY or any other organziation that would have brought us together. We would all still feel alone.
That is Forry's legacy.
Us!
Absolutely true. EVERY segment of fandom owes a debt to Forry -- as one of the founding fathers of it all.
(http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i269/Bawbb_2006/fm012.jpg)
Quote from: gracebuster on December 05, 2008, 05:12:29 PM
It is my contention that without the single- mindedness Forry lived by, there would be no UNIVERSAL MONSTER ARMY or any other organziation that would have brought us together. We would all still feel alone.
No doubt about it Dan. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Tears are falling at Castle Famous and around the world.
God bless 4E .. our eternal General!
Without Famous Monsters it might have taken me another decade or two to catch monster fever, if at all, and I agree that there likely would be no UMA, or a Monsrterbash, and so many other things. He was a unique gem, and I think I'll dig out my FM collection and browse a little this weekend.
Rest In Peace, Uncle Forry. Give Prince Sirki a kick in the seat of the pants for us all.
This has me utterly depressed. First I hear news that Count Yorga is in hospice (that's why he isn't signing anything, folks...too ill). Now, Forry has died. I hope Prince Sirki stays the h%ll away from Christopher Lee. At least he's in a better place. God I'm depressed. :'(
Priceless in every way.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/234296585_c7910bb099.jpg)
Quote from: fmofmpls on December 05, 2008, 05:34:11 PM
Priceless in every way.
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/97/234296585_c7910bb099.jpg)
You're very fortunate. I never got to meet him. I only talked to him on the phone once, and got an autograph in the mail. Guess maybe I'll meet him in the hereafter.
He lived a long and amazing life. Still, it doesn't really make it any easier for us to say goodbye. :'(
Rest in peace, Uncle Forry.
And thanks for everything.
Okay.
he MADE us.
Our parents BIRTHED us, but Uncle Forry made us what we are today.
Luckily I got to see him a few weeks ago and remind him how much he meant to me.
To all of us.
Right now God is hearing some AWFUL puns...
(http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p54/Fasanoland/L1010011.jpg)
God bless Uncle Forry. Thanks for birthing monsterdom.
Mike
He may be physically gone, but Forry's legacy lives on in all of us. We should all take a lesson in the way he lived his life, pursue our passions with enthusiasm and joy and most of all share the things we love with those around us. Thank you, Forrest J Ackerman for making us all the Monster Kids we are, we will never forget you.
Rest in peace,Forry,and thanks for all the hours of entertainment and information I received from Famous Monsters of Filmland.
Damn...
R.I.P. Forry, a genuine sci-fi icon, and a true hero of horror.
This news sadens me but his in a wonderful place where we can all see him again. My prayers are with his family and friends!!
I just logged on and was shocked, even knowing it was coming, I still feel numb. This is indeed a dark day. As long as we live and remember, he will still live on inside of and through us. Whenever we collect another monster/Sci-Fi item or attend a monter convention, he will be there with us. Rest in peace Forrest J. Ackerman, and thank you.
I just watched the dvd of The Legends,with Ray H,Ray B and Forry.We'll miss him so.God rest ya Uncle Forry.
RIP FJA :'(
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g107/backlotcharlie/zmonsterbashcanada2006010111111.jpg)
------------------------
Man oh man. What a dark day for us all.
Any word on services, Dan? I didn't read all the posts.
Thanks for the memories FJA. We'll miss "Metropolis Central"
RIP Ackermonster
I am of course very sad to hear this news that Forry has gone up to the Great Sci Fi Convention in the sky. Forry Forry-ever will be the biggest fan of our beloved genre.
I love this quote from the article:
"My wife used to say, 'How can you let strangers into our home?' But what's the point of having a collection like this if you can't let people enjoy it?" an exuberant Ackerman told The Associated Press as he conducted a spirited tour of the mansion on his 85th birthday."
This is part of what the UMA is all about. We share pictures and stories and experiences. He knew how to collect monster stuff.
We'll miss you Uncle Forry, but we'll carry your torch and keep your memory alive.
Nephew Rob
So many times in those long-ago years past I'd read Forry's words about Prince Sirki coming to take away this one and that one-- Well, the Prince stayed away a long, long while this time. We wish he'd held off longer, but not at the cost of Forry suffering physically or emotionally. He's at peace now:
"Bad as I used to be,
All I'm a-wantin' is
As pure and calm a sleep,
And deep a sleep as his--
And then on Judgment Day,
To wake, and with the light,
See his kind face,
And hear him say,
'How did you rest, last night?'"
I'm really bummed. I never did "get around" to sending him a card. But... I just sent my nephew a text message informing him of the news (he lives about 90 miles away). He said it was a sad day for all of us monsters. Then he reminded me... Uncle Forry is surely hanging with Boris, Peter (Cushing & Lorre), Lon Sr. & Jr., Vincent and the gang. What a great bunch. Here's to them all, and to all of you in the UMA. Thanks for everything.
I know I've (as we all have) been expecting this, but I wasn't expecting it today.
A sad day, for us, today, but many happy decades past and future, thanks in large part, to our favorite uncle. Rest in Peace, 4E!
Let the UMA (in a cyber sense) carry on the tradition of the Ackermansion.
I just saw it on the internet. So sad for all. But, I wish him a speedy trip upstairs.
I am going to have a full tribute on my blog tomorrow (Saturday) - http://cinemadave.livejournal.com/
He will be missed and I think it is fascinating that I learned about Forry's passing via mail and not on all the news stations in the world.
Goodbye Forry, You'll be sorely missed and and never replaced or forgotten.
How different all of our lives would be without his influence. Think of all the directors, writers, actors, artists, special efx and makeup artists, etc., that responded to the beacon that was FMOF.
While I am glad that I managed to mail off a postcard in October (when reports were coming in of Forry's poor health), I am sad to see Forry has passed away during these Holiday Times .... I know we're all sad to hear this news (perhaps each of us can seek solace by enjoying the various Forry media we have from films he had a cameo in to various publications he wrote for / edited - and smile that his spirit is now reunited with his Wife, Wendayne) .... right now I feel it would be wonderful if we started a campaign to encourage Sideshow Toys & Collectibles to create a Forrest J Ackerman Figure, Bust, Maquette, etc (looking at my Sideshow Universal Silver Edition Classic Monsters, they look so lonely without a Forry next to them) .....
~(^)~
C J aka darkamor
This is sad news.
Welcome to Metropolis, Forry Ackerman. Thanks for everything.
Just got home and got the news. I never thought it could happen. I wonder what kind of Pranks He and Lon are up to. :) Good bye my Monster Father. You will be sorely Missed. HHW
Wow, what a shame.
Famous Monsters got me through a very rough patch of my youth...i feel like i've lost a member of my family.... :'(
Rest In Peace, sir.
I was lucky enough to meet the man three years ago for this I feel blessed.
R.I.P. Forrey GODBLESS YOU
RIP 4SJ. Thank you for letting me know that I wasn't alone and that I'll never be alone.
Say "Howdy" to Prince Sirki for me. He's in for a treat!
And thanks to my UMA "family", I won't have to grieve by myself.
I was always in awe of the natural warmth and friendliness he conveyed. I couldn't understand how he always stayed positive and unaffected no matter what circumstances surrounded him. Jim Warren said he never saw Forry loose his cool or even raise his voice in all the years they worked on FM.
He gave us so much.
Thank you Forry Ackerman and Goodbye.
I found this posted on the web. Something he wrote a few years ago with the intention that it be released upon his death.
IN CONTEMPLATION OF MY INEVITABLE DEMISE
Mothers Day 2003
AT MY AGE, 86 going on 87, it is crystal clear to me that I am nearer the end of my life than the beginning and the thought passes my mind more frequently than it used to before I nearly died twice in 2002 that I'm a mortal man.
Bob Bloch paved the way for the following ruminations with his remarkable revelatory article in the October 1994 issue of the now defunct prestigious slick paper science fiction oriented periodical, Omni. He stated bluntly: I'm going to die. Soon.—Thus absolving me of Harlan Ellison's bitter accusation, "Bob was a very private person and he and his wife Elly resented your blabbing about his impending death at the World Science Fiction Convention." Charles Brown reported that I broke the bad news "in unctuous tones." Gay Haldeman congratulated me on my "gracious handling of the sad news." So much for my exoneration.
Bloch said: "I think anyone who isn't afraid of dying is crazy." So in Bob's estimation I'm crazy.
I wouldn't be afraid of going to sleep one night, having no dreams and never waking up to know I was dead. On his death bed, Al Jolson breathed "I'm going!" I hope kind fate allows me long enough when I feel the end is near to record on tape "Science Fiction", to die with my lifetime passion on my lips, then close my eyes and wait for my last breath.
Let me turn back the clock a moment and explain something that most of you probably aren't aware of. When I was a helpless child, unable to protect myself, my well-meaning parents subjected me to 7 different Sunday Schools before I finally rebelled. When I reached the age of reason, at 15 I had an epiphany and became a born again secular humanist before we had an euphemistic term for atheist. I realized in intellectual clarity that "God" only existed in the immature beliefs of inculcated humans, that ALL religions were unworthy, unnecessary crutches, remnants from supernatural times. Time for childhood's end.
Two Star Gods Fought
With ax and mace.
A spark flew into
The womb of space.
Space nurtured it
And gave it birth.
Now men fight on planet Earth.
--Alan Moss
Peace on Earth.
We sing it.
We've paid a million priests
To bring it.
After 2000 years
Of Psalms
We've got as far as atom bombs.
Touched by the Holocaust, Wendy's two brothers and sister-in-law gave up on God because He either gave up on them and millions like them or else He wasn't the benevolent, all-loving, all-powerful Deity that priests and rabbis portrayed him to be. He either turned a blind eye and deaf ear to the suffering and extermination of impotent innocents or He didn't exist. Same for a Czech friend, whose entire family was slaughtered by Nazis before her very eyes, then she was abducted and forced to be a sex slave for 6 years for Hitler's henchmen. She bears the numbered tattoo of a concentration camp prisoner in case there are any Doubting Thomases that such things existed.
I'm convinced the colossal Cosmos couldn't care less about the little specks of life on Earth called humanbeings.
Nothing has ever occurred in the ensuing 14 lustrums (7 decades, 70 years) to contravene my conviction.
Here's the scenario. Quoting Bloch (I never knew this but suspected it) "The brain is technically alive for 3 or 4 minutes." By prearrangement, a significant other will kiss my cooling lips and whisper in my ear, "Mi amas vin Kvari'—"I love you, Forry." I will feel my eyelids being closed, I will hear a sobbing mixture of voices, "He's gone", We've lost him", "How can we live without him?", "Dear Forry, rest in peace", "I'll never forget you", etc. It will be frustrating not to make a movement, utter a sound, but I know this is what I expected.
When my brain ceases to function and my consciousness evanesces, I will never know there was an individual named Forry Ackerman who loved science fiction with all his heart and nonexistent soul, that he read it, wrote it, collected it, agented it, joined clubs, received awards, attended more World Science Fiction Conventions than anyone else. He will never know he learned Esperanto, traveled all over the globe, welcomed over 50,000 fans into his home. He will never know he was an inhabitant of a planet variously known as Earth, Erde, Terre, Tero and other names in a multitude of languages. He will universe out there with billions of bonfires in the skies called stars. NOTHING will he know.
And what comes afterward among the living? MR. SCIENCE FICTION DIES headline in Locus, various Appreciations. Mundane newspapers give him attention somewhat less than Heinlein's. Like Wendayne before him, a couple of weekends devoted to friends gathering and reminiscing about him. As time goes by, fans will occasionally visit his crypt and place red carnations in the vases there. He'll appredciate it while he's alive but will be unable to see or smell them. He'll suggest photos be taken and sent to Joe Moe at Forry's last address, and if his "Guardian Angel" receives enough of them he will print a page and distribute it to whoever may be interested.
Forry's inert body will gradually molder away until nothing is left but bones once clothed with his flesh. Barring an earthquake, bomb or some unforeseen catastrophe , his remains will remain in his coffin beside his wife. A thousand years from now no one will know or care who Forrest Ackerman was. Maybe one day in the far distant future the very cement surrounding the crypts will crumble and his bones will join those of the dinosaurs before him.
But more immediately. He can imagine some annual award in his memory. Inclusion in a panoply of postage stamps (probably 50c First Class by then) in a sheet of commemoratives remembering important individuals in the development of Science Fiction: Isaac Asimov, James Blish, Hannes Bok, Ray Bradbury, Charles Brown, Edgar Rice Burroughs, John Campbell Jr., Arthur C. Clarke, Groff Conklin, Ray Cummings, Gerry de la Ree, Phillip K. Dick, Harlan Ellison, Virgil Finlay, Hugo Gernsback, H.L. Gold, Martin Greenberg, Robert Heinlein, David H. Keller, Damon Knight, Henry Kuttner, David Kyle, Fritz Lang, Ursula Le Guin, George Lucas, Robert Madle, P. Schuyler Miller, Catherine L. Moore, Sam Moskowitz, George Pal, Raymond Palmer, Frank R. Paul, Julius Schwart, Mary Shelley, Steven Spielberg, Olaf Stapledon, Harry Warner Jr., Stanley Weinbum, H.G. Wells, Donald Wollheim, S. Fowler Wright, Jules Verne and who have I overlooked? Shame on me. Descriptions on the back of each stamp by John L. Coker III.
A statue of me may be erected in the museum of the Science Fiction Experience, or better yet an animatronic robot in my form like the one of Abraham Lincoln in Disneyland. A play or movie may be made about me (think of all the roles for Gernsback, Wells, Heinlein, et al, and the challenge for two actors to portray Ellison and Ferry in reel life as mean-spirited toward me as they were in real life.
Well, that's about as far as my ego-orientated imagination can take me.
Soon ring down the imaginary curtain and all aboard for Final Blackout.
Sorry I won't be seeing you Bob Bloch, Hugo Gernsback, Sam Moskowitz, Boris Karloff, war-lost brother Alden, Wendy and scores more in Never Never Land, but you won't miss me.
My maternal grandfather died with a beatific smile on his face as though he were seeing angels or loved ones. Maybe I'll get lucky and imagine my mother calling, as she did when I was a child, "Forry boy, come and take your nap."
My blest wishes for anyone who may care to have them.
I am truly comforted in knowing that this was something we all saw coming and that Forry got a chance to be at peace with the inevitable, and knew that we all will remember him and loved him dearly though we may have ever met him. Farewell Uncle Forry.
His legacy to monster fans everywhere will not be topped. Although I knew the end was near I had high hopes we would not hear this news for some time to come. I hope his headstone is the most creepy, eerie, scary and famous in the graveyard. He would love that.
Farewell father of monster fans.
I knew he was very ill, but it was still a big shock to hear the news. I just sent him a package this Monday. The legacy of Forry Ackerman lives on for all time.
Dearest UNIVERSAL MONSTER ARMY FAMILY,
... When a Man, of such Child-like Nature, as our UNCLE FORRY, passes, from this life, knowing the intoxicating taste, of the many real Loves, which he knew, for they enhanced his own shining charisma, what is left, save, to experience LOVE, Directly; the fullness, of his Person-hood, in the FULL-NESS OF LOVE'S PERSON. The "Last Call", of his Earthly Identity, has been, gently, answered.
... Contrary, to his convictions, revealed, above, I trust, that, he, now, knows, better...
... Until we make this Journey, no earthly words can fully describe The Transition; from Dream, to WAKING; from life, to LIFE...
... My DAD, who survived the fiercest battles, of Okinawa and Guam, in WWII, repeated, to me, several times, throughout his life:
"There are no atheists, on the battle-field."
... He confirmed, that, so close, to that Ultimate Moment, that uncertain breath, between Life & death, that, there is an Awareness, of THE LIFE BEYOND this one... and, of the Abiding PRESENCE, of THE-ONE-WHO-BE-LOVE.
... Following his own demise, shortly, after his 91st Birthday, DAD went "HOME"... and, returned, several times, AWAKENED, to mend our broken earthly 'Father & Son' bridges, of alienation.
... I met his Spirit, with the LOVE, which, during our corporeal distances, he could not hear, understand, or, in his conditioned finite state, believe.
... There was, in His new experience, of our Spirits' Union, the relief, that, there was no issue, to resolve, that, only Love and Prayers, for him, had filled the unspoken void, of our estranged Earth years. So, he, freely, went on, into "THE PEACE, THAT SURPASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING".
... I Pray and Believe this same Happy Fate, of FORRY. His innate guilelessness will allow him the freedom, to enjoyably measure the Glorious Vastness, and, the True Goodness, of LIFE ETERNAL; to give IT his entire, enthusiastic YES!
... A large portion, of our HEAVEN, upon Earth, the Passion & Spice, Purpose & Drive, of our lives, celebrating such things, as CLASSIC MONSTER MOVIES, and deriving Wisdom, via their contemplation, is a direct result, of who our UNCLE FORRY was... but, even, more, NOW, Who He Is!
... I, too, was honoured, to meet FORRY, at THE MONSTER BASH, two different years; that, he met me, as well as BARON Von WOLFSTEIN, FRANKENSTEIN'S MONSTER & COUNT DRACULA, that, "I shook the hand, of the man, who shook the" World, with FAMOUS MONSTERS! And, had the privilege, of joining MAX, ROBERT TAYLOR & UNCLE FORRY, in jubilant Song!
... He gave us such a wonderful and HUGE FAMILY, in each other!
... I have found a major niche, in our UMA Limerick celebrations. I've culled the ones pertinent, to FORRY, over the past month.
BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG Trade Count: (0) Sergeant *****
Re: WARNING: Irish Limericks Ahead
« Reply #382 on: November 02, 2008, 08:36:45 AM »
Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
````````````````````````````````
Now, praise, we, FORRY ACKERMAN,
Beloved, for sharing his MONSTER PLAN,
We're, all, His Kids,
With curious Ids,
So, Thank GOD, for 4E's LONG LIFE-SPAN!
`````````````````````````````````
... My Prayers, too, are added, to all, of yours, for UNCLE FORRY'S continued Health & Well-Being, EVERNOW!
````````````````````````````````````````````````````
« Reply #384 on: November 03, 2008, 04:46:41 PM »
Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
... Our FORRY is, soon, to be Bourne, away, from this infinitesimally finite life, into the Birth, of The Grander Scope, of PURE BEING!
... The Absolute Freedom, of True Identity, with Unparalleled Awareness, Beyond, what any one, of us, can corporeally conceive, of, or, imagine.
... May, all, of the Love, held, long, within his marvelous, wonder-filled, Child-like Heart, prove him, True, to the only BEING, Worthy, of the NAME, of LOVE DIVINE, to Welcome Him, "HOME"!
... An Aulde CHRISTMAS Carol sang, to mind, with slightly changed, yet, specifically Prayerful Lyric.
````````````````````````````````````````
GOD Rest Ye, FORRY ACKERMAN,
Let, nothing, you dismay,
Remember, you are Loved, by us,
For your Soul, now, we pray,
That, you may know HEAVEN'S Delights,
And, THERE, EVERNOW, STAY!
In GOD'S Abiding Mercy & Joy,
Mercy & Joy,
In GOD'S Abiding Mercy & Joy!
`````````````````````````````````````````
« Reply #386 on: November 07, 2008, 03:22:14 PM »
THE BRIGHTER SIDE... IS MIRACLE.
--------------------------------------
Our Kith and Kin, UNCLE FORRY hath, long, brought us,
About The CLASSIC MONSTERS, Beloved, he taught us,
But, Life is, far, more,
And, what's, in store,
Past our finite world; LOVE'S LIFE, soon, will, BIRTH him; the Ultimate PLUS!
````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
« Reply #387 on: November 08, 2008, 09:22:11 AM »
Dear UMA FANG-MILY,
... Ah, November! Birth month, of BORIS, SARA, &, on November 24, 1916, our Beloved UNCLE FORRY! He is, still, with us, remaining, until the final note, of his Earthly Song. May he surpass this up-coming Birthday, with Flying Colours!
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON & FRIENDS, GOO-O-OODD-D!, B.G.G.
``````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
« Reply #388 on: November 08, 2008, 11:10:11 PM »
;D HAPPY BELA-ted BIRTHDAY, UNIVERSAL MONSTER ARMY!!! ;D
---------------------------------------------------------------------
A BIRTHDAY TOAST, to our FANG-MILY, THE DEAR OLDE UMA, 8)
Where CLASSIC MONSTER KIDS know, that, they can, happily, play, :)
Difficult, to believe, that, it's, now, NUMBER SIX, :o
I know, though, that, we'll, never, "call it quits", ::)
For, our Love, of UNIVERSAL MONSTERS, will remain, as strong, as it is, today! :-*
```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON & FRIENDS, GOO-O-OODD-D!, B.G.G.
Page [26]
I was one of the lucky guys who grew up with Forrest J Ackerman and his Famous Monsters of Filmland magazine. I began collecting the mag with issue # 34 and always sought it out to buy, cherishing it even higher than my comic books.
There's not the slightest doubt in my mind that I'd be a much different (i.e. miserable) person without the influence of Uncle Forry.
Fortunately, we finally got to meet in the early 90s where we both were guests of Dragon Con in Atlanta. It was a very great moment for me, and I made a point of telling Forry that.
We'll never know his like again. Long as the Universal monsters are watched, long as science fiction endures, Forrest J Ackerman--as he used to repeat regarding Lon Chaney--will never die.
R.I.P Uncle Forry
Man, talk about making the world a better place. He turned his passion into a way of life for thousands. And what insight he had to his own head and heart. An inspiration in life and beyond. He was wrong about one thing, he does and will live on. Sorry to make this a picture post, I just want share in memory this picture which is the centerpiece of my Monster collection.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/3086260942_a49e60ff47_o.jpg)
And I hope he wouldn't mind this one of Forry Zacherle and Gogos. - I promise that's all.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3242/3086260924_d31824bc21_o.jpg)
- and thanks to Dan Roebuck for breaking this hard news to the group. And now I wish Joe Moe could have been elected Monster Kid of the Year while 4E was alive, for dedication to his caretaking. He would have liked that.
Thanks Bobby for posting that essay by Forry. It is "so Forry" that it feels like having him back for one last round before he throws his change on the table and says good night. I think that's the effect he intended when he wrote it.
Like most of us, I've been expecting/dreading this every day since October. In fact, every time I've logged onto the UMA or checked my email, I've expected to see a "Forry RIP" message. And today it finally came.
There was fandom before Forry, but it was a gaseous cloud floating in a primordial vapor. Forry gave it shape and substance. He created a world for us to inhabit, a solid globe on which we can walk, and from which we can launch rockets to carry us where our imagination and ambition will take us.
As others have said, without Forry there would be no UMA, no CHFB, no HMA, no Monster Bash, Chiller, Wonderfest, etc. I don't think there would be Aurora monsters, Don Post calendar masks, head speakers, soakies, AHI figures, Lincolns, Tomlands, Telcos, Sideshow toys, etc, etc, etc. There would be no Alice Cooper or Rob Zombie albums. Countless filmmakers and authors would have grown up to do something more sensible with their lives, like becoming accountants, lawyers or real estate developers.
Yes, the books and movies were there before Forry and Famous Monsters. Shock Theater was already on TV. Don Post and Topstone already had monster masks. But Forry took these scattered light rays and focused them into a laser beam, a super death ray he used to carve out a new world of horror/sci fi fandom.
We, the children of Forry, took his vision into the 21st Century. We used this newfangled invention called the "Internet" to take Forry's child through its adolescence to adulthood. The world he created is now more active, more organized, more empowered than ever. Forry built the launch pad and helped us build the rocket. Now its up to us to take it from here. We are his legacy. He knew that. I heard him say it with my own ears. He considered us all his "children."
From what I've read, it sounds like Forry died on his own terms, just as he'd lived. I'm glad our Uncle Forry exited this world with dignity and grace, knowing he was loved and appreciated. If you have to go, and we all do, what a way to do it.
Here's hoping Forry was wrong enough to find himself somewhere fantastic that complements and perfects his loves and strivings on this mortal plane. If he was right - well, no harm done, and good enough.
I will picture him forever asleep, glasses pushed back into his hair, beneath piles of correspondences on an Ackermansion couch.
I was too far away to ever see the Ackermansion, but he kindly sent me an autographed portrait of himself as Frankenstein, drawn by Bill Nelson I think. I'm sure a great many here at the UMA have one of these, not that that makes them less special. A friend once asserted that Forry probably had a secretary to sign that stuff, but there was no mistaking the distinctive handwriting on the bottom.
Thanks for sharing with a distant kid in the Antipodes, 4SJ. RIP.
I never had the privilege of meeting Mr. Ackerman or corresponding with him as many of you have. I envy you for that because I think that he was truly a great man and I certainly would have liked to have known him. But, in my own little way I suppose I really DID get to know him through his magazines and the influence they had in my life. I consider that influence very positive.
So Rest In Peace, Mr. Ackerman! You deserve it! See you on the other side........
Terrible news that you could never "prepare" yourself for...we all knew it was coming and now Forry and the cherished piece from our collective childhood that connects us is gone. Only in the physical form though... His work is done. He brought all of us together almost as if that was his plan all along, so how could we ever forget him? He'll always be here.
Terry, i request that the photo of Forry which now graces the UMA Home Page remain there permanently. The embodiment of us all... His welcoming image should be the first thing anyone who visits the UMA sees upon entering. I also pray he's wrong about an afterlife, because the only comfort i can take is that he's now with all the people he loved and admired during life. Rest easy,
Mike G
A life well lived is a life where you touch hearts and minds and also inspire the spirit of imagination in others !
Forry did that . He will be missed.
RIP FJA !
Tom
This is sad, yet not at all unexpected news...but all the sadder to me after reading an earlier post. So long Forry.
He will definitely be missed! Few people have the love and passion for their hobbies and interests that he had. He was a great inspiration to many.
We have a piece up now at SciFi Japan. There is also a link at the bottom of the article to tributes written by the staff.
http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/12/05/forrest-j-ackerman-1916-2008/ (http://www.scifijapan.com/articles/2008/12/05/forrest-j-ackerman-1916-2008/)
Bob
I never got the chance to meet Forry as some of you did ,I guess I always thought there would be time.I wrote him this past summer and he signed a card and a video cover for me.
I sent him a thank you and later when he became ill,a card.
But I will always regret never having met this man who led such an interesting life and had such
passion for the life he led.
I hope he is with Wendayne and his friends,Lon,Bela and Boris.
May God rest his soul.
Quote from: Gasport on December 05, 2008, 11:13:10 PM
Terry, i request that the photo of Forry which now graces the UMA Home Page remain there permanently. The embodiment of us all... His welcoming image should be the first thing anyone who visits the UMA sees upon entering.
Mike G
Terry, I would like to second Mike's request to have the photo of Forry to be made permanent. You gave us this UMA family dear General, but as stated Forry was the "father" of our monster obssession. He nurtured his " children" into fans who seek out places like the UMA. He fed our obssession through Famous Monsters, and provided a constant supply of monsters for us. Without him we may have turned out like so many others, who mearly watch a monster movie and then move on and forget it. I would like to second Mike's "Permanent Tribute" idea.
I had a thought tonight and wanted to share with this group as I did with the karloff group on yahoo.
I wrote a letter to Entertainment Weekly asking that Forry be recoginzed in their magazine as he had led so many of the people involved in the entertainment industry to the field.
Their email is ew_letters(*at*)ew.com
I hope Time, People etc will also honor Forry somehow too.
I am finding some comfort reading these posts and would appreciate any information be posted on any media or news mentions in the forthcoming weeks.
Bye for now Forry.
Dustin
ackerfan
I'd like to third Gasport and Creepysfan's motion to keep Forry on the homepage.
God, I just don't even know what to say. I knew this was coming sooner than later, but still... you never really prepare for this sort of thing, do you?
I keep trying to come up with something, NOT to be clever, but just to say something that could even remotely express with any accuracy just what I've always felt for that crazy ol' fella, and how his passing affects me now.
I guess the depth of my regard and love for our Uncle in monsterdom is only exceeded by my inability to express it properly.
Uncle Forry...
I am sad you're gone... but--
I am SO GLAD you were here!
4E 4EVER.
Mike C.
No one individual did more to promote the genre. He was the single greatest MonsterKid of all time. I never had the pleasure of meeting him, but I'm proud to stand among friends in his shadow.
Twice now I have attepted to express my feelings about this great man in this folder, only to have my browser crash before I could post them. So this time I'm going to post a few images and let them speak for the crying I have done today...
Me, Forry and Terry pace at my monster art gallery show in 2006.
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/sketchyfrank/ForryTerryMe.jpg)
My very last Forry autograph, the one that means the most, as he signed the guestbook for the gallery show...
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/sketchyfrank/ForryPage.jpg)
Chuck Williams, Forry, Danny Roebuck, me and Bob Burns, from a wonderful afternoon I will treasure forever...
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/sketchyfrank/Forrygang.jpg)
And the last drawing of my dear Uncle, rendered in crayon...
(http://i54.photobucket.com/albums/g95/sketchyfrank/ForryCrayon.jpg)
Goodbye my source of inspiration and enthusiasm since I was nine years old. I love you, Uncle Forry.
A legend passes. R.I.P.
Even though we knew this was coming, I couldn't help but feel a wave of sadness crashing over me when I finally read those dreaded letters, "R. I. P."
But after a few moments, I remembered that this man gave us so much in his lifetime that we'll never forget him.
RIP 4E.
Everyone should head over to the Halloween Mask Assoc. site
and read the statements from James Warren, and Verne Langdon.
Both very touching, and beautifully written.
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Paaaaaaaah/monsters/4sj.jpg)
Words wouldn't come. So I yanked out my graphics tablet.
Long live 4SJ!
Mike C.
RIP Uncle Forry
mike c writ:
(http://i185.photobucket.com/albums/x21/Paaaaaaaah/monsters/4sj.jpg)
... Words wouldn't come. So I yanked out my graphics tablet.
Long live 4SJ!
~ Mike C.
*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Brother, MIKE C.,
... A stunningly simple statement; composed, of Heart-felt LOVE, grief, loss, and, Undying Gratitude. You are, indeed, one, of FORRY'S KIDS!
... Thanks, for sharing this excellent Artwork... a picture, which, in this case, is worth far more, than a thousand words!
... And, a later Limerick, which I missed, including, with the others, about FORRY:
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BARON TIMOTHEUS BGG Sergeant ***** Posts: 542
« Reply #405 on: Mon., Nov 24th, AD 2008; Today; 3:53:23 PM »
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UNCLE FORRY has reached 92 years, young, today,
For his continued Health, we do, earnestly, pray,
He'll go, when he must,
Yet, in GOD, we trust,
That, until that Call comes, he'll happily stay!
````````````````````````````````````````
... Because, he knows he is LOVED, by so many MONSTER KIDS!
EXANIMO EVERNOW,
TIMMY & THE BARON & FRIENDS, GOO-O-OODD-D!, B.G.G.
Quote from: gracebuster on December 05, 2008, 05:12:29 PM
It is my contention that without the single- mindedness Forry lived by, there would be no UNIVERSAL MONSTER ARMY or any other organziation that would have brought us together. We would all still feel alone.
That is Forry's legacy.
Us!
Welll said, Daniel. Forry was truly unique. He will be missed.
Someone on another board pointed out that although the LA Times obit says that Forry had "no surviving family members", really there are millions of us.
Quote from: MDG on December 06, 2008, 09:19:06 AM
Someone on another board pointed out that although the LA Times obit says that Forry had "no surviving family members", really there are millions of us.
Well put. RIP Forry.
As long as there are monster kids Forry will live on. :'( :'( :'(
A couple years ago, at the Bash, when we were singing for hours on end, I brought up this song, and Forry said, "Oh, that was my grandfather's favorite!" Forry used to say he was very fortunate to have "chosen exactly the right set of grandparents"--for they were the ones who were crazy about movies and who introduced Forry to the magic of the big screen. This song was written in 1915, the year before Forry was born, and he heard his grandfather sing it many times. Forry and I sang it together, 90 years later. It's a fitting tribute to our favorite Uncle now:
"Night are growing very lonely,
Days are very long--
I'm a-growin' weary only
Listening for your song--
Old remembrances are thronging
Through my memory!
'Til it seems the world is full of dreams,
Just to call you back to me!
There's a long, long trail a-winding
Up to the land of my dreams--
Where the nightingales are singing
And a white moon beams--
There's a long, long night of waiting
Until my dreams all come true--
'Til the day when I'll be going
Down that long, long trail with you!"
Growing up in an isolated mining town in the 60's, Famous Monsters was a comfort and an inspiration. Later when I met Forry and toured the Ackermansion I let him know how he mentored my love of monsters and sci-fi; an abiding love my entire life. Thank you Forry. I will miss you.
Man, this is tough. Losing Bennie, Meek and now Uncle Forry within the same year. My heart just sank when I read this. I just am not sure what to say. I grew up with Uncle Forry. Although I only corresponded with him, I never met him but somehow felt like I knew him. I now regret not meeting him, biting the bullet and flying out to LA. He shared his life with all of us. In my correspondence, he was always sending back some small autographed pic or answering my questions. It seems like I was buying some new book or magazine directly from him.
FM 108 was the first issue I remember buying, as a kid in school had one. This was my first experience with Uncle Forry. I was a fan of monsters and found a magazine that made me feel good.
I will miss you Uncle Forry, but your memories will be with me forever!
Brian
f&*%kkk this is the worst new!!!
Forry rules!!! Rest in peace :(
From Max the Drunken Severed Head Blog: http://drunkenseveredhead.blogspot.com/2008/12/goodbye-uncle-forry-famous-monsters.html
James Warren:
"This will be one funeral I never wanted to go to.
I always thought he would outlive me. I thought he would outlive everyone.
And in a way he will. They're going to remember his name long after we're gone.
A lot of people are saying he was a good man. He was not a good man.
He was a great man.
His friends adored him. His fans couldn't get enough of him.People he never met idolized him. His enemies hated him because he was a better man than they were.
During those golden years I was his publisher my emotions toward him ran from:
- Irritation
To amazement,
To admiration,
To fondness,
To affection,
To love.
True Love.
I was dazzled by his enthusiasm. Humbled by his abilities. Captivated by his style.
He was so good at what he did.
He was warm. He was funny.
He was precious.
That's why it's so terribly hard to say goodbye.
In all the years I knew him I never once heard him raise his voice in anger. He always spoke - and sang - in a quiet voice.
He spoke softly. He spoke low. He would always speak low.
Like the song:
"Time is so old,
But life is brief.
Forry was gold,
And time - a thief.
We're late,
It's getting late,
The curtain descends,
Everything ends
Too soon,
Too soon ..."
Now he's with the great Talents he loved.
Al Jolson.
Marlene Dietrich.
Sammy Davis.
To them we say: "Welcome him. Enjoy him."
We did.
For ninety-two years.
Forrest J Ackerman, it's time to get into that space ship and fly.
Fly right over the Horizon. Just like you used to. And while you're up there, look down and see the million lights shining on Planet Earth.
Each one is a young reader you influenced.
Each one is a part of the Legacy you gave to us.
So long, Forry. Have a good trip.
Have a great trip.
I'll see you later.
- Jim
Verne Langdon remembers Forry:
On Thurday, October 30, Joe Moe, my wonderful friend and caregiver/protector/compadre/right hand to Forrest J Ackerman -- phoned to tell me he was bringing Forry home from the hospital and that Forry had asked to see me.
I was one of a small group he had either the energy or the desire to see one last time - and I rearranged my business and personal matters and headed down the coast to him, even as another dear friend of equally many years-plus -- James Warren -- was doing the very same, granting Forry's wish and flying a far greater distance than I drove, for the very special time, last time in this lifetime at least, to be near to our dear "EF-JAY". The first day (October 31) I visited him his front lawn had been transformed into a cemetery, complete with headstones and skeletal hands reaching up from the soil.
I was appalled at the sight.
Who could be so callouse as to play such a ghoulish prank? Who? Who, indeed! Forry. That's who. It was Halloween, after all, and he wanted the children to have "the mood" of his favorite holiday. In the living room window some of his most-favorite frightening faces stared out for every trick-'r-treater to see and be spooked by! That's why he'd asked to be brought home from the hospital - so he could watch the kids come up his driveway on Halloween night - past the headstones and famous monsters in his window - to his porch and front door for their treats.
No tricks? Sadly, the "trick" is on all of US, that "trick" being that that was Forry's final Halloween.
You're going to hear a lot from people who have no idea of "what killed Forry": Heart attack.
Stroke.
Etc.
Truth be known, Pneumonia was his Prince Sirki, along with old age and natural causes.
Plus he was tired of not "being able to taste" his food.
By his own woeful description to me, "I'll never be able to taste a hot dog again." What is life without being able to taste a hot dog? No life at all. And so, his hourglass was on "empty".
On October 31st when I saw him he could barely sign his name. He was kept warm by, of all things, a black blanket with little white dancing skeletons printed all over it. I told him I thought it was sick, and he was absolutely delighted with my sincerely-horrified reaction. Forry was intent on regaling me with stories about him and Jim and their bad-boy "exploits" in the Big Apple and elsewhere. He of course assaulted me with "Baby Face" as only Forry can sing it, and we whiled away the very precious time smiling, laughing (weakly), and more than once my tears rolled freely down my cheeks, as when he made great effort to tell me I was the "best" MC at any of his birthday bashes, "ever".
As I sat there with him, in the battered remnants of his once-massive-now-mini collection of magical monster and moonfan memorabilia, it became increasingly clear to me that for all his collection, Forry's most treasured, nay cherished "possessions" were not possessions at all, but rather accumulated favorite people nearest and dearest to him, his proteges, his Special ones, his feted ones, his Friends. Forry and Jim Warren made magazine history together, and so it is of course fitting that Jim Warren spent much of Forry's final days with him as well. I was with them for most of it as they sang Jolson songs together, laughed easily about times gone by, and loved one-another as always they did. I watched as long as my aching heart could take it, then I quietly stepped from the darkened room and cried like a baby. I was not the only one; Jim was affected the same way, as were others who paid their last living Respects.
FJA's work will survive him for all to see in back issues of his and Jim's magazines, on liner notes of my albums, in the fine script he penned for our "An Evening With Boris Karloff And His Friends" Decca LP album for all to hear, and so much more work elsewhere.
Forrest J Ackerman was a man among men, First in the field of One, an enigma both enigmatic and charismatic at the same moment, and - above ALL else - a true, genuine, bonifide, satisfaction-gay-ron-tee'd COLLECTOR, bigger and better than any other "collector" I've ever known.
In fact, Forrest J Ackerman was the "Grand Daddy" of them all, the prototype where all the other monster and sci-fi collectors actually learned to be "collectors."
Forrest J Ackerman: Once he was ours.
Now he belongs to The Ages.
Aloha, old Friend.
Forry's influence was far reaching.I just came from the John Wayne forum and Forry's
obit was posted there as well.
Happy Trails,Uncle Forry.
Forry..I hope you do wake up on the other side...pleasantly surprised. We will miss you. :'(
(http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/10ecman/170580.jpg)
(http://i481.photobucket.com/albums/rr173/10ecman/522174863_5cbd5475f3.jpg)
Rest in peace, Uncle Forry.
This was one of 4E's favorite songs. It's Baby Face by Al Jolson being performed by the Bluenote Dixie Band playing at Victoria Concert Hall in 2008.
This one's for my Uncle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cso2zlGuzfY&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cso2zlGuzfY&feature=related)
I'm glad he lived such a long life but it's still terrible to see him go RIP Dr. Ackula
Reminds me of the day I heard that Lon Chaney Jr. had died...wanting to mourn, but not knowing where to go. At least now, I can go here.
In a day, perhaps a few, I will be able to adequately express my sense of loss. For now all i can say is I'm glad i met him, glad he approved of my naming my production company "Forry's Kids", Glad that got a few precious pictures, and glad I was in an FM that he editied.
-We all have to carry the torch now, just don't wave it at me.
As much as Lon Chaney, now we must say:
Forrest Ackerman Shall Not Die.
I awoke this morning to find this notification in my email:
Forrest J Ackerman confirmed you as a friend on Facebook.
I appreciate the sublime irony in this technological miracle, but not as much as Forry would have.
I know he would have loved this.
Martin
Quote from: martinpowell on December 06, 2008, 11:40:49 PM
I awoke this morning to find this notification in my email:
Forrest J Ackerman confirmed you as a friend on Facebook.
I appreciate the sublime irony in this technological miracle, but not as much as Forry would have.
I know he would have loved this.
Martin
Forry and Joe Moe's Facebook pages have been very busy. Joe posts on Facebook a lot. You should "friend" Joe Moe too, if you haven't already.
I first met Forry at an I-con convention here in NY probably around 15 years ago. I was on my way to see Ray Harryhausen [another guest at the show] when i ran into Forry outside the lecture room. [this was held at Stony Brook University] I knew he was there to receive another of his many awards and brought along a few choice issues of Famous Monsters in case i ran into him. [Issues #1, 13 and my favorite 1963 yearbook] I stopped him to ask if he'd sign them for me and he graciously said: "Why yes, i'd be delighted!" and pulled out a red Flair pen from his shirt pocket. He no sooner signed them when they opened the doors for the Harryhausen talk. I [ and Forry] made my way to the front row of the classroom just as Ray was unloading a box of some of his most famous stop motion creations. He sat one of the original skeletons from Jason and the Argonauts on the desk attached to the seat i was in. He must have noticed the dumbstruck look on my face as he did so and told me..."It's alright, you can touch it if you like" ...What a magical day. First to finally meet Forry and then have this interaction with the great Ray Harryhausen. I wish i had more time to talk to Forry, but i don't regret a thing...sometimes you just have to go with the flow and i left there with one of my all time great convention memories.
Heard the sad news this morning, and just wanted to say thanks Forry for giving me my love of all things Horror, I treasure my collection of F.M.O.F. mags, they are like an old friend to me.
Though I never met Him, I have felt I have know him all my life, and that is the legacy he leaves behind, a friend and inspiration to all of us who love the genre. :(
R.I.P Forry.
Here is a link I got from another group to a song about 4E:
http://krsk.radiotown.com/podcasts/BEST-GUIDE-10-30-08-THE%20LEGEND%20OF%20FOREST%20J%20ACKERMAN.mp3 (http://krsk.radiotown.com/podcasts/BEST-GUIDE-10-30-08-THE%20LEGEND%20OF%20FOREST%20J%20ACKERMAN.mp3)
The past 5 years had not been kind to Uncle Forry. When I would run into him
at various conventions, signings and functions, he always seemed terribly
frail and "not all there". He'd had a few near death experiences in that
time and was always recovering from some illness or another. To his credit
though, he was out and about, when many his age would've just stayed home.
It was because of his ill health that I never dropped by the
Acker-mini-mansion, though many friends I know did, right up until his final
days. I guess I always wanted the robust Uncle Forry who would break into 20
minutes worth of Jolson tunes and tell a risqué joke or two. Alas, that
Forry was long gone by the time I moved to California. Like Famous Monsters
and his Ackermansion, just a fond memory.
The world is just a little more sad without our monster uncle.
I am very sorry to hear about Uncle 4E. A few years back I was sitting next to him in the Lugosiphilia room at Monster bash. He was wearing a really nice blue velvet smoking jacket and some really nice black and white saddle shoes (I don't know the proper name for the men's type). Anyway, I leaned over and said to Uncle 4E "You know Uncle 4E, you keep wearing jackets and shoes like that you are gonna have to fend off the women with baseball bats and shotguns!" He looked slowly at me and just laughed and laughed. He was wonderful! I hope that now he is reunited with old friends and his dear Wendy. Love yah Uncle 4E. :'(
Very sad...
I've just started reading the Stephen King story "N." and it features a place of horror called Ackerman's Field. Nice that.
When I sent a letter last year to Forry I wrote it with all the fannish enthusiasm he probably heard a thousand thousand times over -- but I'm glad that I sent it. It's important to tell people how much they've meant to you while you still can and I feel some measure of satisfaction that I could tell him how much his work meant to me.
I never got to meet him in person, but it still feels as though I knew him.
The Man of Magic, mystery and wonder has joined with Science Fiction.
The eternal child, who marveled at 'One Glorious Day' and who filled a generation with a love for the fantastic, has FINALLY met Prince Sirki. And while we are all the worse for it he is exactly where he needs to be. He is in the realm of the beyond...a beyond our dear Uncle Forry never believed in. To him, it was Fantasy and Science Fiction. Now...he is a part of Science Fiction. Forever.
I can only imagine that meeting with the Prince.
Sirki: My dear sir, your carriage is waiting.
FJA: It's about time, let me guess, am I traveling COACH?
Sirki: There is a place of honor for you sir, a hallowed corner of the Elysian field.
FJA: I just had an appointment with a hallowed CORONER and now I get a CORNER? Like little Jack 'THE RIPPER' Horner, I guess I'll be good and pull out a plumb.
Sirki: How are you feeling...?
FJA: I'm PLUMB tired.
(I never had a gift for puns like the great Dr. Acula, but I think you all get the idea.)
I knew this was coming. We all did. His health problems and his age made it inevitable, but his energy and contributions up until his passing is legendary. For my own part, he is the Man that made me love the monsters...his presence in the world gave me a belief in magic, and made me the person I am today. No doubt.
He was the Sultan of Sci-Fi and the collector of wonder. He was the eternal symbol of all that is good and right with world of fantasy entertainment. Through his magic pen and typewriter, Lugosi lived eternal, King Karloff reigned supreme and Lon Chaney shall never die....
But Forrest J. Ackerman did, and that's ok.
Death has a way of reminding us of the glories of life. When humans shuffle off this mortal coil, we continue to celebrate their lives by remembering the good about them. We honor their memory the best we can.
My God, what a world we are in! When the oldest kid in the world can die, what hope do we have? I wrote this with a smile...as Forry left us with a LOT of hope.
And memories...
We'll always have the memory of his life and the inspiration of his strength, we'll always have his words and his image captured on film and video, and some of us, no, MANY of us, have a glorious memory of meeting the man behind the Monsters, the man who was an eternal child, the man who was so many things to so many people. He was easy to find, and welcomed all openly and with the grace befitting his hierarchy in the realm of the fantastic.
He also taught us all well...we children of Famous Monsters. Don't smoke, don't drink, don't dope... READ and educate yourselves, and most of all, let wonder and fantasy fill your heart! MONSTERS are good for you!
He proved that time and time again.
There is so much to say but my heart is light. When I first thought about what to write and what to say about Forry's passing it was a bit sad. "How can he die? Couldn't he have stayed for just a little bit longer?" But no that's selfish and greedy. His time was done, he did so much and he deserves rest. And most of all, deserves to be a part of science fiction.
I remember when...
Forry recorded the voice over opening for my show, Prof. Griffin's Midnight Shadow Show as Prof. Lampini. He left me a voice message in character, demanding 1000 rupes for the task of recording my opening. Oh how I listened with glee to that recording over and over...(LOL) I still have that answering machine tape to this day...and always will.
I marveled at his enthusiasm and his joy at doing it. We spoke a few times on the phone to arrange it and his infectious glee was joyous.
My good friend (and fellow Horror Host) The Nightshadow recorded Forry's into, and sent it to me....and I was feeling at the very height of my Horror Host career!
Uncle Forry is eternally part of my little TV show!! Incredible!
I remember when...
Some years before his recording of the opening (as Joseph Fotinos), I helped arrange for him to be a host at a Drive-In film festival held here at the Dobie Theatre in Austin Texas waaaaay back in 1994. (We went out to lunch together).
And then, of course there was the 1993 Famous Monster Convention in Arlington.
How I remember standing so close to the man, talking to him as Joseph Fotinos and then later in costume as Frankenstein's Monster, I caught the heavenly sound of his voice as musical notes while he sang at the Saturday late night piano sing a long.
He put his arm on my massive (as the Monster) shoulder and sang sincerely and wonderfully with me. I did my best Karloff at the blind hermit's hut and caught his notes in my smile.
I need a moment to compose my thoughts, and there are more here that want to speak, if you'll excuse me:
RRRRR! Forry Good! Friend!! I love Forry.....
- The Frankenstein Monster
AAAAAAAOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!
- The Wolf Man
The sands of time will never erase the memory of the man, and the gods themselves weep.
- Imhotep
I think the best way to remember Forrest J. Ackerman is to keep fantasy and wonder in our hearts. As we go through our oh so busy lives as adults, pause today or tonight to look up and the trees, the clouds, the moon, and dream of places far, far, away. Take time always to dream of wonderous lands and places that only exist in dreams and nightmares...be it OZ, Vasaria, a Mars Colony, the planet Darklon, or Heaven or Hell.
Believe in the existence of vampires, listen for the werewolves to howl at the moon and have faith that love will endure throughout the centuries. And keep Forry Ackerman eternal with that belief and that memory.
Kong is roaring in triumph over the body of a Tyrannosarus Rex and the mad Rotwang is near collapse with his success in creating The Ultima Futura Automoton.
Oh, words, so many words, and Forry was the master of them all. Books, so many books that Forry absorbed and studied and wrote and edited and enjoyed.
Lionel Atwill, Dwight Frye, Ernest Thesinger, Glenn Strange, Ed Wood, John Carradine, Conrad Veight, and Al Adamson are waiting for him outside his new home in Sci-Fi land, waving banners, throwing confetti and cheering as the black coach comes to a stop, and lowers it's top, revealing to the throng, to the cheering beyond, just who is finally returning to the celestial fields of the impossible and unbelievable.
A bevy of scantily clad beauties surrounds him as he descends and bestows gifts of chocolate and kisses. And Forry beams.
(Forry was always a bit of a Cassanova...this is not speaking ill of the dead, but a fact. He LOVED the ladies. Perhaps this is why he got along with Hugh Hefner so well...I'm sure Forry spent quite a few Halloweens at the Playboy Mansion!)
Now the imaginary fantasy parade of love and life passes through into the courtyard where more people have gathered...friends all, most of them he has already met.
Dark Prince Lugosi, The Chaneys (Sr. and son) Lorre, Vincent, Saint Peter standing with Helen at his side, (who might be saying "I told you so" with his smile) and King Karloff...all are warmly greeting and embracing the man who made them FAMOUS MONSTERS, the man who shared so much with the world and the man who shared himself so much with us.
Finally, the sea of famous faces parts and reveals the person he most wished to see again. The one person that (despite his beliefs and statements to the contrary) he said was watching him through a celestial telescope... as beautiful as she was in his mind and memory, she approaches him with a grin.
Wendyane Ackerman embraces him and hearts swell. It's been quite a journey.
Thank you Forrest J. Ackerman...rest now in the realm of Science Fiction.
You've created an entire world of fantasy, and gods and monsters. I sincerely hope with all my heart that you did die with the words "Science Fiction" on your lips, because you're a part of that now. Forever.
God bless you and keep you.
-Joseph Fotinos
I waited until now to post something because the news deeply depressed me. I feel as if I grew up with Forry always being in the background as part of my life. I started with issue # 7 and was fascinated with everything "monsters". The issue (#25 or 27?) showing photos of his collection had a great influence on me to this day. Are any of us collectors because we wanted to be like him and be surrounded by incredible books with gorgeous dust jackets, pulps holding hidden treasures and any number of monster related goodies? I feel as if another part of my childhood has been ripped from me. I'm sorry his physical being is no longer with us.
After a few days out of town and no internet access I learned as well of FJA's passing and I feel the void too....
I first met him in 1996 at an "convention" at the famous UFA Studios in Babelsberg where his beloved classic METROPOLIS was filmed decades earlier.
He always seemed to be very fond of my homeland, also brought german Sci-Fi Pulphero Perry Rhodan to America.
In 2000 he borrowed some pieces from his collection to the reopend Berlin Film Museum. He truly was a generous Gentleman who shared his wealth
of knowledge and enthusiasmn for the "Fantastic" with the whole world.
Mr. Ackerman, Thanks for everything!
Rainer E.
I hope Forry won't mind my paraphrasing a story he used to tell. Well, here goes...
After passing, Forry, much to his surprise finds himself before the Great Pearly Gates. And standing there is St. Peter. "Hello, Forry."
"Well, I certainly didn't expect this!", exclaimed FSJ. "But they're closed so I guess I didn't make it."
St. Peter explained, "The Gates will swing open ONLY after you complete a simple test. Forrest J. Ackerman, you must come up with one last pun."
"That's it?", Forry asked.
"That's it", assured St. Peter.
Forry's mind raced to think of a pun. All those puns of the past and now his brain couldn't come up with one last pun?
Confused, his mind in a fog, Forry's long forefinger scratched at his temple as he thought to himself and murmured under his breath, "Think, Forry, think...Pun, Oh Pun, Oh Pun..."
At which time the Great Gates Swung Open Wide...
God Bless you, Uncle Forry... RIP
Bill Schafer
I've recently been charged with the task of writing 4E's obituary in Scars magazine.
Geez.
I don't know what I feel more - wishing I didnt have to or feeling like I absolutely have to.
I hope you out there understand what I mean.
http://www.scarsmagazine.com/ (http://www.scarsmagazine.com/)
ProfGriffin, that was an awe-inspiring post. Thanks for a great read. I'm going outside (in the cold) to listen to those werewolves now.
His last gift to us, it seems to me, was time to prepare. By cheating Prince Sirki out of several precious weeks, countless fans and admirers from far and wide were given the chance to pour out their hearts, send letters and cards, call and post and raise their collective voices in one thunderous, joyous shout of love (even as they held back the tears... their time would come soon enough). The lucky ones were able to see him one last time, to touch him, to speak softly and laugh deeply, to remember all the monsters he made famous. And finally, to bid him well on his journey into the infinite.
As Forry's condition worsened, I began to think quite a bit about what a world without him would feel like. Could it be possible that there would be no more "midnight snakes" at the House of Pies? No more retellings (and re-retellings!) of his wonderful stories of Lugosi ("Amazed!") or Karloff ("Just good clean living... up to the age of six.")? No more encores of Sonny Boy or April Showers? No more tales of the first McDonalds on Mars or "ro-ro-ro- your bot, gently down the stream"? No more trips to Metropolis? No more puns?
But now that he's moved on, I understand that I had it all wrong. I now realize that Forry long ago stopped existing as just a human being (though God, wasn't he one the very best of those?) and became more a state of mind, an elemental part of our lives, a touchstone and a presence that can not die. He is our talisman, our charm, the better part of ourselves. He's here with me now, and there with you as well. In us he is indestructible.
Tears? You bet, from all corners they fell (and continue to fall). After all, we're only human. And we'll shed more still in the days ahead. But Forry, I strongly suspect, would soon want us to dry those tears and turn instead to... the future. He was, after all, all about the future. Even in the past, he could find the future. And it is into that future that we will carry him, in us, in our good work and dreams and adventures still to come.
Still think he's gone? Okay, then just try this. Next time you have one of those crystal-clear, moonlit nights (you know the kind I mean, they happened all the time when we were younger) wherever you call home, take a step outside under that deep night sky.
Feel the moonlight on your face.
And look up. Higher.
Why, there's Forry right there, that brightest star to the right, over near Mars, just this side of forever. Then listen closely for a soft laugh and a mischievous voice, mingling with the cool night breeze as it covers over you...
"Hi pal! You in the mood for food?"
Up, up, and away with 4SJ.
Quote from: Nightmares in plastic on December 08, 2008, 07:01:16 PM
He always seemed to be very fond of my homeland, also brought german Sci-Fi Pulphero Perry Rhodan to America.
Rainer E.
It was through Uncle Forry that I was introduced to the Perry Rhodan stories, as well as gaining an appreciation for the writings of A. E. Van Vogt. And you are so very right Ramboona, Forry is indestructable and is here with us even now. I look at my monster room, I see him. I look at my book collection, I see him. And I
FEEL him, here deep
INSIDE.
Check this link to Aintitcool for Peter Jackson's remembrances of 4E...
http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39356 (http://www.aintitcool.com/node/39356)
WONDERFUL piece...thanks for posting it!
Quote from: Gasport on December 05, 2008, 11:13:10 PM
Terry, i request that the photo of Forry which now graces the UMA Home Page remain there permanently. The embodiment of us all... His welcoming image should be the first thing anyone who visits the UMA sees upon entering.
I like that idea Mike. There will definitely be a permanent 4E presence residing somewhere on the forum home page. After all, Uncle Forry is the benchmark for this forum. Without him, the UMA most likely wouldn't even exist.
I read Famous Monsters as often as I could in my youth, and dearly loved the issues with FJA's articles... That's the way I wanted to write, but alas, never could...
I think we'll all miss FJA, as well we all should. I feel the world is a little poorer for the loss of people like Forrest J. Ackerman...
Requiescat In Pace, FJ...
Always remember, A Good Man, Like A Good Monster Never Stays Down For Long, If At All...
Good Bye and Good Luck.
PS. Walk Toward The Good Light... :( :'(
Quote from: fmofmpls on December 09, 2008, 07:08:03 PM
I like that idea Mike. There will definitely be a permanent 4E presence residing somewhere on the forum home page. After all, Uncle Forry is the benchmark for this forum. Without him, the UMA most likely wouldn't even exist.
Thanks Terry, I really couldn't imagine anyone in this group disagreeing with the idea...He's the thread that connects us all. I hope the UMA site is around for a LONG time ,so future generations will look at Forry's pic upon entering and ask; "Who's that guy?" ...Won't take them long to find out... Who knows? With our constantly improving technology, maybe we'll prove Forry wrong about not being remembered a thousand years from now. If so, the UMA would be a big ,fat link in that endless chain.
I met FJA once. He was kind, and made a couple of puns / compliments about my art (after showing off the Dracula ring of course!). I wish I had the drawing I sent to FM when I was 12 years old (self-portrait as a snarling vampire). Never got printed; I wonder if it's still in one of his infinite stacks of stuff. After I discovered CoF, and FM started reprinting articles, my faith was a bit shaken. Nevertheless, FJA was THE MAN!
(posted earlier on Classic Horror Film Board FJA obit thread)
Early this morning, between showings of CAT PEOPLE and CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE on the Turner Classic Movies channel, I caught, for the first time, this year's "TCM Remembers" tribute to film industry professionals who died this year. Among the fallen listed and pictured were a number of genre notables including Stan Winston, John Phillip Law, Michael Pate, Arthur C. Clarke, Evelyn Keyes, Ben Chapman (in Creature costume with the head off), Vampira, Hazel Court, Julia Ege, Nina Foch, and -- Forrest J. (sic) Ackerman, credited as "film historian." Forry's image was a handsome still portrait from about 20 years ago, with an Ackermansion backdrop and a large Chaney LAM vampire photo in frame. The still photos and movie clips ran over the elegiac words and piano of Joe Henry's "God Only Knows." As always I was moved to tears, especially when I saw that Forry was remembered.
They seem to have missed Beverly Garland and perhaps some other film fantasy favorites who left us this year -- do they ever edit these things once they've aired?
Thought I would share a photo of Uncle 4E I took. This was the first time I met him I think back in 2001. I love this picture.
(http://i224.photobucket.com/albums/dd7/KEANE4ME/4E.jpg)
So sorry to hear of Forrey's passing. Back in 2000 I had the opportunity to interview him at the final Rivercon convention in Louisville. I thought you guys might enjoy seeing this, as he tells several of his favorite stories, and is full of good ole Forrey-isms. You can watch it here:
http://drgangrene.blogspot.com/ (http://drgangrene.blogspot.com/)
Doc Gangrene
Quote from: egorschamber on December 10, 2008, 08:41:23 AM
(posted earlier on Classic Horror Film Board FJA obit thread)
Early this morning, between showings of CAT PEOPLE and CURSE OF THE CAT PEOPLE on the Turner Classic Movies channel, I caught, for the first time, this year's "TCM Remembers" tribute to film industry professionals who died this year. Among the fallen listed and pictured were a number of genre notables including Stan Winston, John Phillip Law, Michael Pate, Arthur C. Clarke, Evelyn Keyes, Ben Chapman (in Creature costume with the head off), Vampira, Hazel Court, Julia Ege, Nina Foch, and -- Forrest J. (sic) Ackerman, credited as "film historian." Forry's image was a handsome still portrait from about 20 years ago, with an Ackermansion backdrop and a large Chaney LAM vampire photo in frame. The still photos and movie clips ran over the elegiac words and piano of Joe Henry's "God Only Knows." As always I was moved to tears, especially when I saw that Forry was remembered.
They seem to have missed Beverly Garland and perhaps some other film fantasy favorites who left us this year -- do they ever edit these things once they've aired?
Beverly Garland's passing was very recent. I don't know if they will add her (and others) in later.
Wonder if Michael Crichton will be included.
BK
Crichton was included.
Here is my shot with Forry..
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2143/2164377405_6d2a8f5c7f_o.jpg)
At the 93 FM con.
Tom
Making faces: Awestruck to be with Uncle Forry! I think this was 2004.
(http://www.geocities.com/marcusfayne/forryme.JPG)
I've noted on the CHFB that my fondest memory of visiting the Ackermansion was the day I took my dad and then-young son to visit. Three generations of monster fans represented. Forry was kind, generous and amiable as usual. My thoughts go out to fellow fans and those who took care of him. It's been good to read up on other's memories and appreciations of Uncle Forry.
Check out http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com (http://greenbriarpictureshows.blogspot.com) (not mine) for a nice entry. One photo in particular will knock your socks off. Very cool:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IpFwFTEJH9A/STxjwN4IorI/AAAAAAAAD4A/rkvaWzIhXR8/s1600-h/aaackerman7.jpg (http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_IpFwFTEJH9A/STxjwN4IorI/AAAAAAAAD4A/rkvaWzIhXR8/s1600-h/aaackerman7.jpg)
Great pic, Robert!
The look on your face is priceless... I recognize it in my own (see my avatar) and in the faces of just about every picture I've seen of anyone with FJA; that childlike awe that HE always seemed to be feeling... the man's wonder was contagious, and we all had that twinkle and joy when we were around him.
It's been a week, nearly, and I keep finding myself sighing at odd times, his laugh and his smile flashing past my mind's eye. I know it will stop being so intense as time goes on, but for now, it's hard... especially for a lot of Forry's kids who don't live close enough to each other to gather and share the grief and the memories. It's tough to move on without real closure, and it's impossible to do THAT when no one in town (other than my immediate family) seems to know who he was.
That's why the UMA is so important to me, to all of us. We can remember forever, but together we can turn the grief into celebration, every day!
That look certainly shows celebration, haha!
Mike C.
P.S. Dr. Jitters, excellent links, that pic of Tor and Forry is incredible! Thanks for posting it!!!
Sideshow has a little remembrance of him on their site, I thought that was pretty cool.
Also, heres the TCM Remembers 2008 that was mentioned earlier in this thread...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhFiMeMV4_M (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OhFiMeMV4_M)
I wish they would have listed Maila Nurmi instead of Vampira (since that was her name) but glad to see her on there, right after Ben Chapman.
my boyfriend got to visit his house :( we found out the other day and we were way sad. i am still waiting for him to show me the video of the tour of his house.
Josh, thank you for posting that.
BK
Dr. Jitters, awesome photo. Thank you for sharing.
Is/was there a memorial service for FJA?
Joe Moe will keep us up to speed on the memorial details...yet to be finalized...
Ive been out of the loop for awhile.........saddens me to see that Uncle Forrey past on. May he rest in peace and may his legacy live on in the hearts of sci-fi and horror fans!
Found this photo over on Joe Moe's Facebook page with the following caption - "Forrest J Ackerman and me at Forest Lawn - Dec. 11th, 2008. At 9AM, with no funeral (per Forry's request) Uncle Ack joined his beloved Wendayne in their crypt. It was a lovely day to say a sad farewell to a dear old friend and mentor."
A very sad photo to say the least.
(http://i43.tinypic.com/1zt1d3.jpg)
And so, we bid farewell to Forry's earthly remains, but his spirit lives on in all of us.
Thanks for the picture of Joe Moe with Forry. Some of us need this closure. :'(
A sad image, but I feel better for having seen it. Thanks to Joe for making it publicly available. Good bye, Forry.
It hits home. Now we have the responsibility to keep his memory alive.
4E has always been the benchmark for monster fandom. His fingerprints are all over this forum. He is the reason that this forum even exists.
The UMA will always refer to the original blueprint which is Forrest A Ackerman. It's always been a pretty strong foundation from which to build upon if you ask me.
Amen, my general.
On Sunday I watched my Heroes of Horror DVDs and was delighted to see FJA on one of the bios. Still makes me sad to know he's not going to be around to share any more of his stories and enthusiasm. As I've been reading all of Tom Weaver's interview books, it makes me realize how few of these folks are left.
I can't remember from whom, but I heard that there was a documentary about him that was shown on the Documentary Channel a few years ago. Has anyone seen it? Know the title? If I find out, I'm going to contact them and ask that they put it back in rotation.
I watched Famous Monster ,a great hour long special on Forry ,this past summer.Great piece !
Quote from: avenger on January 07, 2009, 10:41:02 PM
I watched Famous Monster ,a great hour long special on Forry ,this past summer.Great piece !
Here's some info on Famous Monster:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092060/ (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1092060/)
I haven't seen this but would like to.
Mike
I've been trying to locate a US copy of this film, so far to no avail. I'd sure like to see it!
Mike C.
Quote from: mike c on January 10, 2009, 08:15:46 PM
I've been trying to locate a US copy of this film, so far to no avail. I'd sure like to see it!
Mike C.
Yeah I need a copy of that to. HHW
Quote from: hhwolfman on January 12, 2009, 09:30:20 PM
Yeah I need a copy of that to. HHW
Make that three...........
Excuse me if I'm not the first soldier to suggest this, but why not rename it Forrest Lawn?
Quote from: Cinemacabre on May 08, 2009, 07:38:56 PM
Excuse me if I'm not the first soldier to suggest this, but why not rename it Forrest Lawn?
Oh...............I like it!! Forrest J AckerLawn Memorial Park.
I go there several times whenever I'm in LA (which isn't often enough lately). Definitely going to pay my respects to Forry next time.
Hahah, love it!
By the way, if anyone has the current issue of Rue Morgue in hand, you'll see Dave Alexander's fine write-up of Forry's tribute back on March 8th. It's a great play-by-play of speakers, guests, and the touching finale had me teary eyed. I wish I'd been there.
Forry Lawn, indeed.
Mike C.
Forry's been gone for nearly 6m, but as a newcomer to this site, please allow me to share my sentiments w/you. Outside of my inner circle of friends & family, there are few genuine "heroes" in my life. One of these true heroes was Forrest J Ackerman.
We know Forry was a generous friend & inspiriaton to many people all over the planet. More specifically Uncle Forry was a friend & mentor to kids like myself who were often misunderstood for enjoying horror, fantasy & sci-fi. Forry gave us a place to feel safe, told us it was okay, told us WE were okay & free to enjoy this magical obsession. I've always been grateful for this.
I'm blessed to have met & shared a casual, yet delightful aquaintance with Uncle Forry. I speak for many when I say he will be sorely missed & honorably remembered.
Along with John Zacherle, Forrest was the nicest man I ever met. Words can not express the sadness of his passing.
RIP Uncle Forry
(http://farm1.static.flickr.com/122/294830686_4a9a2fd4bb.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2216/2291418809_5555e17705.jpg)
My hero, mentor and one of my best friends ever.
Debbie, I'm so glad to see your post here bringing Forry's name up again. You are, indeed, one of the stalwarts among Forry fans! I enjoyed meeting you at Bash and it was fun to have a little musical trip down memory lane talking about some of Forry's favorite songs! I won the lot from the Forry auction which contained a heap of his Jolson sheet music, and I've added my own to his now, and am still adding to it. When I play "Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody", I kind of imagine the old gent is listening, from whatever other-dimensional place he's dwelling now, and singing along!
email to an angel
Dear Forry:
It's now been a year since you cast off your mortal coil and ventured into the nothingness you expected to find on its other side. A lot of folks hereabouts think that you were wrong in that, you know. They featured you entering sci-fi heaven with Marlene Dietrich on one side and the Metropolis robotrix on the other (both equally naked), where you would be greeted by Wendy and Lon and Boris and Al down on one knee, welcoming Sonny Boy back home.
Whatever you found (or didn't) will remain a point of conjecture of course, but as for me... well, I stand by my assertion that one year ago you jumped, rather like Eck in ONE GLORIOUS DAY, from your tired, ill frame and into ours, collectively, where you now occupy a permanent place in our hearts and minds. The gentle humor, the soaring imagination, the Gosh-Wow! sense of wonder that were your hallmarks are now your legacy, your gifts to us. We are their standard-bearers, and we are legion.
There have been tributes, as you would have expected. Public and private, from all corners, heartfelt and sometimes teary-eyed but never maudlin. In particular there was the SRO memorial last March, where so many of your fans and friends met in one great group hug to express their gratitude, devotion and love. You would be particularly pleased to know that your final, greatest cameo near it's conclusion all but stole the show.
Walking back to the hotel later that day, the shadows on Hollywood Boulevard seemed longer than usual. Yet there was a hint of spring in the air that even LA's smog couldn't beat back; a promise of renewal and continuance. Joe hosted a magnificent dinner that night which featured frequently raised bottles of ice-cold Thai beer accompanied by toasts and laughter and cries of "to Forry!" You'd have been proud, just as we were proud to be there.
At the memorial your dearest pal Ray Bradbury said, "Forry gave us permission to laugh, and now I'm giving us permission to cry." That has stuck with me ever since.
Permission to laugh... my God, Forry, how we laughed with you over the years. Not just for your magnificent puns and mischievous manner, but your ageless enthusiasm for everything from classic sci-fi films and art to a fine bowl of black bean soup at your beloved House of Pies. This was laughter in it's purest form, warm and appreciative, not the snarky stuff that is most prevalent now.
Permission to cry... there was plenty of that, of course. We loved you after all and wanted you to go on forever and ever. Surely you would see 100 or more; weren't there still films to see and books to read and articles to edit for you? Just one more convention, one more autograph, one more chorus of April Showers, one more trip to life's smorgasbord for you?
But now a year has come and gone since the day you left us just shy of midnight. We've all moved on as we must, but we've taken with us that greatest part of you which even Prince Sirki couldn't snatch away. Jim Warren said that your enemies hated you because you were a better man than they. And we loved you for much the same reason; because you were the better man.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to step outside and say goodnight to the crisp December moon, perhaps wish upon that star sparkling over by Mars. And I'll be listening for echos...
Until next year,
J.
Jeff, Thank you from the bottom of our collective hearts. I don't see how a more loving tribute could have been written anywhere, by anyone--you said it wonderfully, my friend. I've been thinking of Forry every day since his birthday, dreading this first anniversary day--but reading your tribute here seems to have made it clear to me that we are not here to grieve our loss, but rather to celebrate the 90+ years we had of The One and Only. It's true, as Joe said--Forry Ackerman shall never die!
And so say I!
Robert "Bobbo" Taylor, wearing with pride the nickname Forry gave me!
A whole year... it seems incredible. Today I am wearing my Forry brooch I made to wear to the Rising Star convention in Salem, Virginia in 1995 where he was a guest. It has a photo I took of him at the World Science Fiction Convention in 1983 where I met the Ackermonster in person for the first time (or as Forry would write it.. "firstime".)
There is no "lastime".
Yes, I can't believe it's been a year since we lost one of life's true heroes. I'm so fortunate to have met him.
eMail to An Angel '10
Dear Forry:
Two years out now since you embarked on that final journey into the light, and yet in some ways it feels like you never left us. Not a day goes by that your name doesn't come up in conversation amongst our regular crowd, that your photo doesn't turn up in some new publication or on some website, or that one of your puns isn't unleashed on some unsuspecting fan (generally to their great delight, I might add).
Of course there are still a few detractors out there, shallow of soul and drowning in ego, who accuse us of inhabiting the "Church of Ackerman," as they call it. If such is the case, praise the Ack and pass the imagination, 'cause I am ready to testify...
A nearly complete print of METROPOLIS surfaced this year to universal acclaim, and how I wished you could have been there to see it! At the screening I attended, I held open the seat next to me in your honor, and as the film unfolded I thought perhaps I felt a nudge or two coming from the empty space to my right; perhaps it was just my imagination, but then imagination was essential to your DNA, wasn't it?
After all, what is imagination but the power to dream writ large, on a scale that you intrinsically understood and communicated so well for so very many years. You even gave it a bricks & mortar home (several actually) which we collectively called The Ackermansion, but was more like a sci-fi utopia where friendship and laugher and monstrous history all collided to unforgettable effect. Even now whenever I find myself in LA, I like to climb the gentle curving slope of Glendower to visit the grand old House That Ack Built, just to stand in its shadow of memory.
And yet the vacuum you left behind remains potent and impossible to fill (tho God knows we've tried, with stories and memories and laughter, just as you would've wanted). But you are a creature of dreams now, and we must be satisfied to carry you with us in the pockets of our hearts.
Two years ago tonight, the lights of Mars dimmed, the sidewalks of Atlantis rolled up, and all the workers below Metropolis doffed their numbered caps in sadness and memory. But we've picked up the banner you left us and pushed ever on, just as you'd have wanted. While you may be gone, the future vision you gave us still shines and all things still seem possible. And the light of The Fan in The Moon still echoes from the quiet place from where you now hold court.
The Church of Ackerman? Watch now, Forry, as you continue to pack the pews...
Until next year,
J.
We miss you, Mr. Ackerman.
Jeff, No one puts it in words as well as you, in my opinion. Thanks for writing here again about our old friend and uncle. I surely miss him, too. Some of his things sit on my piano and hang above the piano--and when I pound the keys with any of his favorites--and he had so many (lately, his grandfather's favorite, LONG, LONG TRAIL and his grandmother's, ALICE BLUE GOWN have been staying on the music rack)--when I play the old songs, Forry's there, always near. And he always will be, for those of us who enjoyed the "Eck" who was Ack! "He is not gone--he is just--away."
eMail to An Angel '11
Dear Forry:
Better than half-way now through the first lustrum since you decided to blow this earthly popsicle stand and see just what eternity had lined up for you... and still sorely missed by so, so many of us who now walk in the footprints you left behind in our hearts and imaginations; much like those left behind last century by mankind on the moon: deeply set, undisturbed, enduring through space and time. Just as it should be.
There are no days that you are not thought of, and fondly. Fans and friends (many of whom you brought together originally) still gather (now just as often virtually as not) to swap 4e stories and memories, always punctuated with a sort of divine laughter than can only come from a deeply felt, mutual love and respect for you, each other, and the promise of what real Imagination can provide, be you 9 or 99.
In short, you can rest assured that the Metropolis you built still stands.
Of course it's not all punshine and roses; we've lost more old friends over the previous year (Prince Sirki is loath to take a rest it seems). But happily others soldier on, bent perhaps by age and infirmity but decidedly unbowed; ambassadors of the Golden Age of Scientifiction still walk among us, and proudly.
So I hope as you continue your last, longest journey beyond everything we know, you'll spare a moment (or eternity) to toss a whisper of starlight back this way now and again. And we, in turn, will keep watching the skies... and listening for those echos in the night.
And say, I'm delighted to report the newest generation of fantasy fans is showing real promise. You'd be proud of many of them; while it's true that their monsters might not be ours, they are just as likely to join in a rousing chorus of "Lon Chaney Shall Not Die!" or "Lugosi Lives Eternal!" (in spirit if not in fact) as the old crowd did back in the day. They get it, Forry, they really do.
And of course should they somehow not have heard the tale, I will take every opportunity I can to gather them 'round and quietly intone...
"Now, let me tell you about my Uncle..."
Until next year,
J.
I'm doubly grateful for Forry, being such an enormous influence in my youth, and then bringing me to the UMA upon his passing, looking for others with whom to share my grief. Rest well Forry..........you were always my favorite Uncle.
December 4, 2008... Forry moved on. Our hero and mentor!!! Long may we sing his praises!!
I remember so well, when Forry left the earth and went beyond. I also remember the Rue Morgue magazine tribute. 2008.
I'll admit it: I know hardly anything about this man. I've never read his magazine, nor did I even learn about him until some time after his death. Yet reading what all of you wrote about him makes it feel like I've known him all my life.
Welcome to the UMA, sdfghjhrd!