Monsterpalooza roars to life!

mike c · May 30, 2009, 12:45:37 PM

Hi UMA soldiers! Greetings from bee-yoo-tee-full downtown Burbank, CA.

SO much going on this weekend at Monsterpalooza! I thought I'd take a second to show just a few pics for now (I'll have more, and more time to load them up and so on, when I get home later in the week). Everyone is so incredibly nice, friendly, and fun to hang with.

First up, the giant Kong figure they unveiled yesterday:

The above was based on a smaller maquette that Marcel Delgado and the team from the original Kong designed... and that maquette was reproduced as well:

Got to meet our own Perry Shields, and saw his incredible one-man tribute to Jack Pierce. It was very funny, and very informative. And rather touching.

Here he is with Pierce's best friend, Karloff, in the classic test make-up photo:

And here's a close up of the incredible job the folks at Cinema Makeup School did for Perry's transformation into Pierce:

And finally (for this post anyway) there is an incredible bust at the talented Casey Wong's table... and I thought it would be fitting to end this post with this unreal tribute to Uncle Forry:

I'm not the best photographer, and there is so much happening that it's a little overwhelming, but I did want to get you some pics and report that it's a really astounding event going on. I'll have more soon!

The 'Palooza calls!

Mike C.

Toy Ranch · May 30, 2009, 12:55:04 PM

I see FM is set up there. Is Ray Ferry among the attendees?

typhooforme · May 30, 2009, 01:39:09 PM

Perry looks great! Very glad to see these fine photos of him right off the bat! More photos, more photos-- Another friend will be making an appearance there--Lucy Chase Williams, the Vincent Price scholar--maybe someone can get a pic of her?

Perry S. · May 31, 2009, 11:28:25 AM

Thanks, Mike, for posting the photos. This has been one of the MOST fun weekends I've had in a LONG time. Seeing so many friends and acquaintances, being overwhelemed by the BEAUTY of the sculptures and artwork, and impressed by how KIND everyone is...I am proud to be a part of this culture.

Danny's house was great...again, meeting new friends and enjoying the company of like souls. Thank you to everyone for your giving spirits!

Sara Karloff and Sparky dropped by on Saturday. What a treat to see them! Verne Langdon is a sweet bear of a man...loved meeting him for the first time.

And a special shout-out to the Chaney family...a nicer group you'll never meet. Wonderful individuals, all.

Missed you, Robert, George, Brother Tim...one day soon...

Ahhh...back to real life soon...

Jim Bertges · May 31, 2009, 02:16:32 PM

I'm at home now with some visitors. Richard and Angie Olson are here and want to say hello to everyone.

The best thing about these shows is meeting friends you've never met before, but you've known for a good while.

Marsha · May 31, 2009, 11:25:12 PM

Hello everybody,

Just got back from Monsterpalooza...of course my son had to be there to reprenent the UMA..still don't know hot to put pics up, so here's link to my flickr..enjoy! and thanks to Dan...it was nice to finally meet a fellow UMA member!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bron444sol/sets/72157602763599855/

mike c · June 01, 2009, 01:01:15 AM

Quote from: typhooforme on May 30, 2009, 01:39:09 PM
Perry looks great! Very glad to see these fine photos of him right off the bat! More photos, more photos-- Another friend will be making an appearance there--Lucy Chase Williams, the Vincent Price scholar--maybe someone can get a pic of her?

I did Robert, and I'll post it here once I get back into my hometown. She sends you her very best, and was delighted to 'hear' from you. Her discussion of Price's career was just dynamite. A very nice lady!

Mike C.

BaronLatos35 · June 01, 2009, 07:58:26 AM

Thanks for the pics Mike!

Jim Bertges · June 01, 2009, 11:41:25 AM

Here's a link to my PhotoBucket album of the show.

http://s30.photobucket.com/albums/c346/JimBertges/Monsterpalozza%2009/

Have fun.

Dr. Jitters · June 01, 2009, 11:49:31 AM

I was able to get there on Sunday for a while and hang out. It was great to be able to meet Verne Langdon and tell him how I was inspired by reading his interviews in Cult Movies and Box of Monsters. He's one of those larger than life characters.

It was also cool to meet Kerry Gammill and talk with him and finally also meet Frank Dietz and chat. Also saw Sam "Modpro" and Richard "Gutridge" again and said a quick "hey" to Dan Roebuck! Lots of fun to see everyone and all the great displays there.

Dr. Jitters · June 01, 2009, 11:59:19 AM

Great pictures Jim and Marsha! And Mike!

westbatman · June 01, 2009, 12:05:23 PM

Great photos everyone! I love the fullsizr Frank and Drac figures. This image of Boris in the make-up chair is really creepy:

Andy

mjbare · June 01, 2009, 03:08:40 PM

I was only able to be there for a couple of hours on Saturday but it was great meeting a few of my fellow UMA mates!

Did Thomas Kuntz and Mike Hill show up? I was looking forward to meeting them as I have several of their models I've built or will be building.

It was nice seeing things like Forry's autographed Dracula book, the Dracula ring he got from Bela and the scarab ring from the Mummy. Things I've read about for years and years in FMF.

Hope to meet more of you soon! Michael aka mjbare

Jim Bertges · June 01, 2009, 05:54:11 PM

Mike Hill was there, but I didn't see Thomas Kuntz. That doesn't mean he didn't show up.

It was great to see you, too, however briefly. I hope this show holds up and reappears next year.

FACTO2 · June 01, 2009, 06:45:53 PM

I missed Mike and I missed Tom but I did see and talk to Jim (nice seeing you, Jim). Also a bunch of other guys.

I thought it was a GREAT show. My God, they really went all out. The displays... extraordinary. The Museum was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The dealer tables were packed with so much eye candy that it boggled the mind. I was only able to attend for about three hours on Saturday but I loved every minute of it.

Kit wise, I think there were only about seven tables selling kits. But the contest had a pretty good turn out with 43 entries (not bad for a first show where the contest wasn't announced until a couple of months ago). Which shows me that there is still a strong kit interest on the west coast. Hopefully, if the show continues, we'll see more kit sellers, builders and buyers attend the show.

If possible, and if the show continues next year I DO want to get a table.

I've gone to a lot of shows over the years and I have to say I've never seen anything like the museum that was presented here.

The bottom line for me as an attendee... ten out of ten. Great time.

News:

Monsterpalooza roars to life!