Verne Langdon

[Dr. Jitters]

I was very surprised and saddened to learn about Verne Langdon's passing this weekend.  He really was a renaissance man.  I happened to meet him before I really knew who he was, as a friend of mine used to referee at Langdon's Slammers wrestling gym.  He was cordial and wore long hair back then.

Cult Movies magazine had an interview with him years back and it was really very inspirational to me.  If I were at home right now I'd look it up and quote from it.  But there's an amazing online interview that covers his life -- http://www.rubberroom101.com/boxofmonsters/page1.htm -- and it's really worth checking out if you haven't seen it.

From that interview he concludes:

"So far all my dreams have come true, I love where I am, spiritually, physically, and aesthetically, I live in the present, and I'm very much looking forward to what the future holds.

But every now and then, I do what you are asking about: I go back in time, in my mind, and retrieve some of the very happiest memories my Family and Friends have made with me during each and every one of my years. And I put those memories away, one by one, for safekeeping, in my heart, where they continually warm my soul and will live on and on and on, throughout the Ages to come."  -- Verne Langdon

Rest In Peace, Verne

[Paul L]

RIP Verne, one of my famous monster heroes!

[Jscareshock]

I met Verne at the first Monsterpalooza.  He was dressed up as Dracula.  For some reason Verne got it into his head that I was Kevin Burns (the producer and executor of Forry's estate).  Verne actually introduced me to an audience as Kevin Burns.  Oh well, poor Verne.  He was a riot thought.
    I was sadden to hear of his passing just as more fans were beginning to realize his part in our monster legacy.

[fmofmpls]

R.I.P. Verne. Never got to meet you in this lifetime. Maybe the next? I'll look for the guy wearing the Zombie mask.

[Richard]

Very thankful I had an opportunity to meet him...
RIP, Verne

(and I loved seeing Johnny Scareshock! ...or was that Kevin Burns?) 
Richard

[marsattacks666]

I have a issue of Cult Movies magazine with a great article/interview with Verne Langdon


                                                  R.I.P.

[fmofmpls]

Here's an interesting news memorial for Verne Langdon - http://thurly.net/0lfr

[gracebuster]

It was lovely.

The service was atPierce Brothers Valhalla Cemetery

Here s chapel.



Our Buddy, so neat and tidy!



Outside We posed with our pal, Guy, before he had to run back to work.



The event at the Magic Castle was lovely and the perfect setting for the man who had thrown so many parties there in his life.

Milt Larsen, the founder of the Magic Castle spoke first. then offered the mike to whomever would like to contribute.

Oscar winner, Richard Sherman (Mary Poppins composer) spoke as did John Goodwin, Bryan Moore, a few others and Dante who brought the house down with a story about Verne's Mom. He then offered the picture that Verne showed him of Verne's mother.

Of course we posed some pictures, our group of mask lovers.

Here were are joined by my pal, Casey Wong and Ron Magid.





That's Lou Wagner (Lucius from the original PLANET OF THE APES) with us in this one. Bobby used to live in Verne's guest house.

Here finally is my FAVORITE PHOTO OF DANTE AND EVIL. Sometimes an opportunity is just too good to pass up.

[Dr. Jitters]

Thanks for posting the photos, Dan.  I got to the chapel shortly before it started and sat in the back and left right afterwards.  It was a fine, simple service with some good music and funny memories.  The speech by his niece, followed by the bagpiper playing Amazing Grace, moved me to tears.